In this informative guide, you will learn how to choose the perfect meaningful use solution for your practice, how to get your EHR incentives paid, making MU simplified and much more.

1. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
• MU 2014 updates;
Must know changes!
• MU 2014 support;
Do it right, from the start!
• Choose the right EHR…
the right way
• The “Must Do!” MU list for 2014
• Success stories, links, and
our popular “Ten Tips” for MU
Success in 2014
Inside you will find:
CLICK ON TITLES TO NAVIGATE
The now tips, the
how tools, and the
must timing for your
MU path in 2014.
Meaningful Use in 2014 - Window of Opportunity

2. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Is your window of
opportunity closing?
This new eBook will show you
how to start Meaningful Use
(MU) in 2014... or keep going
with it... before the window
closes. Learn the important
MU Stage 1 and MU Stage 2
changes for this year.
?
Table of Contents
Introduction Don’t miss your MU window!
Chapter 1 MU 2014 – Updates
Chapter 2 MU 2014 – What
Chapter 3 MU 2014 – How
Chapter 4 MU Success Stories
Chapter 5 MU 2014 Tool Box – Ten Tips!
CLICK ON TITLES TO NAVIGATE

3. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Introduction
Don’t miss your MU
window in 2014!
Your MU window of opportunity is still open. But it’s
starting to close. Especially if you’re planning to participate
in the Medicare MU program.
The tools and support you use in 2014 to make the changes you need to achieve MU Stage 1, and now
Stage 2, should – more than ever – enable you to adapt and thrive in this year of MU expansion, continued
ICD-10 transition, HIPAA regulation, and PQRS compliance.
The CMS EHR Incentive Programs help offset costs to acquire or upgrade to the certified EHR technology
you need to achieve better workflows, patient outcomes, and financial results in today’s reform-driven
healthcare economy.

4. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
What are the MU Stages?
HITECH envisioned a three-stage process for Meaningful Use. Each
stage has a goal and its own final rule—a set of objectives developed
by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and
published in the Federal Register.
MU Stages
Began in
2011
STAGE
1
Capture data in
coded format
Began in
2014
STAGE
2
Expand
exchange of
information
in the most
structured
format possible
Begins in
2017
STAGE
3
Focus on
clinical decision
support for
high-priority
conditions,
patient self-
management,
and access to
comprehensive
data
Who is this program for?
Medicare Eligible Professionals (EPs)
• Doctor of medicine or osteopathy
• Doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine
• Doctor of podiatry
• Doctor of optometry
• Chiropractor
Medicaid Eligible Professionals (EPs)
• Physicians (primarily doctors of medicine
and doctors of osteopathy)
• Nurse practitioner
• Certified nurse/midwife
• Dentist
• Physician Assistant (PA) who furnishes services
in a Federally Qualified Health Center or Rural
Health Clinic that is led by a physician assistant.
Eligible Hospitals (EHs)
Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs)
Learn more about eligibility here

5. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Chapter 1. MU 2014 – Updates
The “must-know updates”
for MU in 2014... and beyond
Delays and Extensions
Along the way, there have been some changes to the MU timeline. First, as part of the Stage 2
final rule, announced in September 2012, and then in December 2013. Here’s what you must know
about these changes.

6. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
STAGE
1
STAGE
2
STAGE
3
MU Changes – 2014
• You will meet either Stage 1 or Stage 2 MU depending upon
the year of your first MU reporting period:*
- Stage 2 if you started in 2011 or 2012
- Stage 1 if you started in 2013 or plan to start in 2014
• You still must attest to 90 days of MU in 2014:
- If you have previously attested to MU, your 2014 MU reporting
period must align with a calendar quarter
(e.g., January-March, April-June, etc.)
- You may choose any 90 days if 2014 is your first year of MU under
Medicare, or if you are participating in the Medicaid MU program
• Penalties begin in 2015 if you have not done the following:
- Completed your 90 days by the end of calendar year 2014
(Continuing meaningful users)
- Attested by October 1, 2014 (First time meaningful users)
• Stage 3 MU has been delayed until 2017: With an additional year of
Stage 2 in 2016 for providers who started Stage 2 in 2014
* Good News: In 2014, regardless of your MU Stage
you only report and attest for 90 days.
Did you know? EPs
participate in MU
in calendar years
while EHs and
CAHs participate
according to the
federal fiscal year.

7. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Chapter 2. MU 2014 – What
The “must-dos”
for MU in 2014
Whether you are switching to a new EHR or implementing for
the first time, you’ll need to go live in time to meet MU in 2014.
• To achieve MU, you’ll need to successfully meet an entire set of Core objectives
and also select from a of set Menu objectives
• Core and Menu objectives are designed to measure your use of certified electronic
health record technology (CEHRT) for things such as e-prescribing, clinical decision
support, and reporting clinical quality measures (CQMs) to CMS
MU

8. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
National Quality Strategy (NQS)
domains
1. Patient and Family Engagement
2. Patient Safety
3. Care Coordination
4. Population/Public Health
5. Efficient Use of Healthcare Resources
6. Clinical Process/Effectiveness
NQS domains represent the Department of Health and
Human Services’ (HHS) NQS priorities for a coordinated
national health care quality improvement platform.
Stage 1 and Stage 2
MU Objectives in 2014 and Beyond
Clinical Quality Measures
(CQMs) in 2014 and Beyond
Meaningful Use Stage 2 is “live” right now! And the “final rule”
for Stage 2 includes some changes to Stage 1. Keep going with
your MU program and note these points:
• Most objectives have numerator/denominator measures
• Some are basic Yes/No responses
• All are reported through the CMS MU Incentive Program attestation
website or through your state’s Medicaid agency
• You’ll also need to choose from a new list of clinical quality measures
(CQMs) to report to CMS
• Beginning in 2014, you have two options for reporting CQMs:
Option 1: Report manually (as in prior years) as part of your MU
attestation using the EHR Registration Attestation System
Option 2: Report electronically to CMS using the Physician
Quality Reporting System (PQRS) Portal
2014 AND BEYOND
Eligible Professionals
9 out of 64
- At least 3 in 6 NQS domains
Eligible Hospitals CAHs
16 out of 29
- At least 3 in 6 NQS domains
STAGE 2
Eligible Professionals
17 core objectives
3 of 6 menu objectives
20 total objectives
Eligible Hospitals CAHs
16 core objectives
3 of 6 menu objectives
19 total objectives
STAGE 1
Eligible Professionals
13 core objectives
5 of 9 menu objectives
18 total objectives
Eligible Hospitals CAHs
14 core objectives
5 of 10 menu objectives
19 total objectives

9. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
But what’s in it for me?
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) created two
separate EHR Incentive Programs. Providers must choose one.
• The Medicare EHR Incentive Program is run by CMS. Under the
Medicare incentive program providers can receive up to $44,000
over five years… that’s big bucks (a little less if you’re starting MU
Stage 1 for the first time this year).
• The Medicaid EHR Incentive Program is administered by each
state. If you qualify for the Medicaid incentives you can receive
up to $63,750 over six years… that’s bigger bucks.

10. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Chapter 3. MU 2014 – How
The “how to” for
MU success in 2014
Earning MU incentive revenue, and leveraging improved workflows to improve care
and reduce costs, requires collaboration and partnership.
Partner with an EHR vendor that demonstrates, on several fronts, that their integrated
suite of solutions is ready for MU Stage 2 and the transition to ICD-10.

11. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Choose carefully.
• Picking the right EHR for your specialty and your
individual practice is important. Finding the vendor
that meets your most important needs is a lot like
finding the right builder for your home. You check
references, assess capabilities, and verify licenses or
certifications before making a commitment.
• Selecting and implementing an EHR is a big
commitment. Lofty expectations, broken promises,
sub-standard products, lack of training, and lack of
vendor resources are the main reasons some EHR
vendor relationships just don’t work out.
• Making sure your vendor is a good fit, a good
partner, and in it for the long haul is a critical
success factor. And, by the way… partnership is a
two-way street. You’ll need to commit time, effort,
and resources, as well.

12. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Chapter 4. MU Success Stories
Now You’re Talking!
You’re probably feeling a little overwhelmed. Don’t worry…you aren’t
alone. Every provider who has achieved and attested for Meaningful
Use has been where you are right now.
But there’s hope! Read on to see how providers just like you have
successfully achieved Meaningful Use.

13. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
…and client success stories…
In 2014, MU Stage 2 success requires making progress on
key healthcare reform drivers like patient engagement,
collaborative care and care transition, direct exchange of
PHI, CPOE for orders, and using clinical decision support to
improve patient safety and treatment outcomes.
Achieving Meaningful Use and Getting Paid
“It’s a real team effort with a greater purpose,
though the incentive is nice, too. I gave my
staff a bonus for all the hard work and I
bought myself a new EKG!”
Dr. Steven Davis
HealthCare Partners
Achieving Meaningful Use as a gateway to Collaborative Care
“NextGen provided the pathway to move us
from PCMH to MU and now on to ACO, while
ensuring continuity between the inpatient
and outpatient experience.”
Kimberly Haspert, COO
New Pueblo Medicine
… and more MU Success!
See how these practices did it…
• New Jersey Health System Puts Docs On Path
To Meaningful Use
• Center for Family Medicine Earns Maximum
MU Incentive

14. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
MU Toolbox
Essential links and information
to help you on the path to MU.
CMS EHR Incentives Homepage
Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL)
NextGen Healthcare Updated MU FAQ
EHR Incentive Program Registration and Attestation
MU Stage 1 Objectives
MU Stage 2 Objectives
CMS Educational Resources for EHR
Every practice needs the tools
and tips to help guide them on
the path to Meaningful Use.
Chapter 5.

15. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Register today!
• Register early, don’t wait… get this administrative task
out of the way
• You don’t need to have an EHR or EHR certification
number to register
• Go here: https://ehrincentives.cms.gov/hitech/login.action
Select the right certified product
for your medical specialty and
manner of practice
• 2014 is a mandatory software upgrade year for all EHR users to
an ONC 2014 Edition certified system or module. Partner with
a top-five vendor offering proven ONC 2014 Edition certified
solutions, training, and support, including extensive MU Stage 2
and ICD-10 transition assistance and information
• More than 50 percent of attestation made using top five vendors
• Consider workflow and clinical content for your specialty
• Choose a vendor for your specialty and practice that
addresses more than just MU and being ICD-10 ready; is their
ONC 2014 Edition certified solution also SNOMED-ready?
• Ensure vendor is stable, established, and proven, with a
solid strategy for the future
Build a Meaningful Use SWAT Team
• Build a cross-functional, dedicated MU team, consisting
of physicians, other clinicians, administrative, and
technical stakeholders
• Include an in-house MU subject matter expert, or
consider a consultant
Become MU smart!
• Take advantage of learning opportunities
• Partner with your vendor; do they provide
learning opportunities?
• Visit Medicare and Medicaid Incentive Program websites
• Attend local, regional, national, or virtual training
MU Toolbox
10 Tips
for Meaningful Use
1
2
3
4

16. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Implement a Patient Portal
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 required, starting in 2014
• Integrate with EHR and practice management system
• Must be an ONC 2014 Edition certified solution
• Include a friendly but highly visible in-office (and Internet)
patient portal “micro marketing” presence with patients
to encourage sign-in and use
Deploy interfaces early
• Lab results must be entered or imported as structured data, a
core requirement in Stage 2
• Must choose Immunization or Syndromic reporting in Stage 1
• Immunization reporting is a core requirement in Stage 2
• Syndromic, cancer, and specialty registries are Menu
options in Stage 2.
• Interfaces to support exchange of health information (Stage
2 includes tougher interoperability requirements)
Perform GAP analysis, THEN ATTEST!
• Identify missing thresholds and corrective steps
• Perform attestation once you hit thresholds
• Document your results, protect against audit
Build an MU action plan
• Create a plan that’s understood and supported by providers,
executives, administrators, and staff; get early buy-in from all
physicians and staff
• Create and maintain a formal training schedule
• Include practice time prior to go-live
• Select a go-live period where patient volumes are less
Have an “MU ramp-up period”
• Implement and use your EHR for several weeks
(prior to 90-day reporting)
• Focus on proper use of your EHR (not MU) but
you’ll find you’re doing both just by using your EHR!
Choose your Clinical Quality Measures
(CQMs) wisely
• Pick the CQMs most relevant and helpful to your practice
• MU Stage 2 requires nine out of 64 measures
• Three of six domains based on NQS six priorities:
1) Patient and Family Engagement; 2) Patient Safety;
3) Care Coordination; 4) Population and Public Health;
5) Efficient Use of Healthcare Resources;
6) Clinical Process/Effectiveness
6
7
8
9
5
10

17. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
MU Stage 2 went live this January and carries
higher thresholds (than Stage 1) for demonstrating
MU and introduces some new core and menu
objectives. Changes to Stage 1 also took
effect in January.
A new Stage 1 Core Objective, that replaces earlier
patient engagement objectives (Core and Menu),
requires you to provide a way for patients to view
online, download, and transmit their own health data
[… you’ll find this in Stage 2 as well, but with an
additional measure for patient participation].
CMS also eliminated a Stage 1 interoperability
requirement and dropped a core objective
concerning Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs).
You still have to report CQMs but there’s no core
objective stating so, leaving 13 out of the original
15 Stage 1 core measures.
Core and Menu Objectives
MU Stage 1 – 2014
Core
1. Use CPOE for medication orders
2. Implement drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks
3. Maintain a problem list
4. Use eRX
5. Maintain a medication list
6. Maintain a medication allergy list
7. Record demographics
8. Record vitals
9. Implement clinical decision support
10. Provide patients ability to view online, download, and
transmit their health information
11. Record smoking status
12. Provide patients with clinical summaries
13. Protect health information
Menu
1. Implement drug formulary checks
2. Incorporate lab test results
3. Generate a list of patients by condition
4. Send patient reminders
5. Identify patient education
6. Perform medication reconciliation
7. Provide a summary of care record
8. Submit data to an immunization registry
9. Submit syndromic surveillance data to a public health agency
MU STAGES

18. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
Core and Menu Objectives
MU Stage 2 – 2014
Core
1. Use CPOE for medication, laboratory and radiology orders
2. Use eRX
3. Record demographics
4. Record vitals
5. Record smoking status
6. Implement clinical decision support
7. Provide patients ability to view online, download, and
transmit their health information
8. Provide patients with clinical summaries
9. Protect health information in the EHR
10. Incorporate lab test results
11. Generate a list of patients by condition
12. Send patient reminders
13. Identify patient education
14. Perform medication reconciliation
15. Provide a summary of care record
16. Submit data to an immunization registry
17. Use secure electronic messaging
Menu
1. Submit syndromic surveillance data to a public health agency
2. Record electronic notes
3. Access imaging results
4. Record family health history
5. Identify and report cancer cases
6. Identify and report specific cases to a specialized registry
[non-cancer]
As of January 2014, more than 22,000 providers have
already successfully attested for approximately $550
million in MU incentives using certified solutions from
NextGen Healthcare*
* Based on ONC Medicare attestation data by vendor and an estimate of NextGen
Healthcare Medicaid attestations as a percentage
of overall Medicaid attestations as reported by CMS

19. MU UPDATES | MU WHAT | MU HOW | MU SUCCESS STORIES | MU TOOLBOX
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, LLC
795 Horsham Road, Horsham, PA 19044
Copyright© 2014 NextGen Healthcare Information Systems,
LLC All rights reserved. NextGen is a registered trademark
of QSI Management, LLC, an affiliate of NextGen Healthcare
Information Systems, LLC. All other names and marks are the
property of their respective owners.
Take the next step.
Contact us at 855-510-6398
Or visit nextgen.com
EDU6-4/14
MU Bonus Tip!
Think Big Picture
• Embrace the journey
• Health reform is driving automation
and change
• Pay for Performance replacing
Fee-for-Service
• Keep things in perspective;
keep things positive
• Prepare for change…and change