ASTROgram: HHS releases final EHR incentive program rules

Health and Human Services Department (HHS) agencies have just released final rules for defining meaningful use of electronic health records (EHR) and standards for certifying records for the new Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, eligible health care professionals and hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to achieve specified objectives. In comments on earlier incentive program proposals, ASTRO urged HHS to ensure that outpatient physicians are eligible for the program and standards are relevant to radiation oncology. ASTRO staff is reviewing the rules and will provide more information on their content.