On Friday, Dec. 6, officials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a proposal to delay implementation of Stage 3 Meaningful Use requirements. The revised timeline extends Stage 2 through 2016, which would result in a delay of Stage 3 until 2017. Eligible professionals must participate in two years of Stage 2 Meaningful Use reporting prior to beginning Stage 3. Officials noted that “this timeline allows for enhanced program analysis of Stage 2 data to inform the improvements in care delivery outcomes in Stage 3.”
CMS expects to publish proposed rulemaking for Stage 3 in the fall of 2014, with requirements finalized in the first half of 2015. For additional information on participation in the EHR incentive program, visit the CMS EHR website.
