HHS Releases Stage 3 EHR Incentive Program Rules For 2017

On October 6, 2015, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released final rules for Stage 3 of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which goes into effect for fiscal year 2017 and beyond. In Stage 3 there are eight objectives for eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs); more than 60% of the proposed measures require interoperability, up from 33% in Stage 2.

The Stage 3 requirements are optional in 2017, and become mandatory in 2018. Eligible professionals who choose to begin Stage 3 in 2017 will have a 90-day . . .