Understanding Meaningful Use

1. WHAT IS
MEANINGFUL USE?
Meaningful Use is a CMS Medicare and Medicaid program
that awards incentives for using certified electronic health
records (EHRs) to improve patient care. To achieve
Meaningful Use and avoid penalties, providers must follow
a set of criteria that serve as a roadmap for effectively using
an EHR.

2. WHY MEANINGFUL
USE ?
MEANINGFUL USE ENCOURAGES YOU TO SWITCH FROM PAPER
CHARTS TO ELECTRONIC RECORDS. IMPROVES PRACTICE’S
EFFICIENCY, AND EARNS YOU INCENTIVES.

3. STAGE 1
Adoption & Data Gathering
MEANINGFUL USE STAGES
Meaningful Use is implementation in phased approach
over a series of 3 stages

4. STAGE 2
Coordination and exchange of patient information
MEANINGFUL USE STAGES
Meaningful Use is implementation in phased approach
over a series of 3 stages

5. STAGE 3
Improve healthcare outcomes
MEANINGFUL USE STAGES
Meaningful Use is implementation in phased approach
over a series of 3 stages

6. WHAT IS THE REPORTING
TIMELINE?
First year for meeting the Meaningful Use criteria is 90-day reporting
period. Once met, you have a full calendar year. If you participate in
Medicaid program, you can adopt, implement, or upgrade to a certified
Electronic Health Record or demonstrate meaningful use in 1st year to earn
incentives.
STARTED ATTESTING MEANINGFUL USE REPORTING WINDOW
2016 2017 2018
2012-2016 90 DAYS FULL YEAR FULL YEAR
2017 90 DAYS FULL YEAR
2018 FULL YEAR

7. WHAT ARE THE INCENTIVES AND
PENALTIES?
Medicare incentive payments are equal to 75% of your
annual Medicare Part B allowed charges up to a maximum
yearly amount (see chart next page). Beginning in 2016,
providers who are eligible for the Medicare Meaningful Use
program who don’t successfully demonstrate Meaningful
Use will be penalized.

8. WHAT ARE THE INCENTIVES
AND PENALTIES?Starting at 1% of Medicare Part B reimbursements and increasing each year
to a maximum of 5%. Meaningful Use payment adjustments are based on
achieving Meaningful Use two years before the adjustment year—so
providers starting in 2016 avoid a penalty in 2018.
MAX
PAYOUT
IN A YEAR FRIST YEAR OF PARTICIPATION
NO ADOPTION
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
$18,000
$12,000 $18,000
$7,840 $11,760 $14,700
$3,920 $7,840 $11,760 $11,760
$1,960 $3,920 $7,840 $7,840 -1%
$1,960 $3,920 $3,920 -2%
Total $43,720 $43,480 $38,220 $23,520 $0

9. MEDICAID ELECTRONIC HEALTH
RECORD INCENTIVE PROGRAM
If you treat Medicaid patients, you can earn up to $63,750 in incentive
payments over the six years that you choose to participate in the program
(see chart below). If you start in 2016, you can earn incentives through 2020.
Providers who are eligible for Meaningful Use under the Medicaid program
are not subject to payment penalties, unless the provider is also eligible
under the Medicare program.

10. MEDICAID ELECTRONIC HEALTH
RECORD INCENTIVE PROGRAM
MAX
PAYOUT
IN A YEAR FRIST YEAR OF PARTICIPATION NO
ADOPTION
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
2015 21,250 21,250 21,250 21,250 21,250
2016 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500
2017 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500
2018 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500
2019 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500
2020 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500 $8,500
Total $63,750 $63,750 $63,750 $63,750 $63,750