If so it is a REALLY short year for you!
You may know that 2014 is the last year for EPs to start Meaningful Use and earn incentives ($24,000 per provider over the next 3 years) AND avoid penalties (which start next year) – but did you know:
- Medicare providers must complete MU for a calendar quarter in 2014 (Medicaid providers may use any consecutive 90 days period).
- Unlike other providers, first time Medicare providers must complete their 2014 Meaningful Use period by 9/30/14.
- Also, unlike other providers, first time Medicare providers must attest by 10/1/2014.
If a first time Medicare EP waits until the third quarter this means they will have to attest by the next day. So they will need to monitor their measures carefully and complete their attestation in one day.
Alternatively, a first time Medicare EP could complete their meaningful use period in the second quarter of the year – so start meaningful use by April.
To be fully up and running on your new EHR by April 1 you need to purchase your EHR by ________ (most likely NOW!).
C Huddle – VP, Market Development