The requirements of meaningful use to qualify for incentive payments were released on July 13, 2010. The final rule definitively outlines all the specifics of Stage 1 meaningful use and clinical quality measure reporting to receive the incentive payments in 2011 and 2012.

The Recovery Act specifies three main components of Meaningful Use:

• The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner (e.g.: e-Prescribing)
• The use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care
• The use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures

The definition of meaningful use harmonizes criteria across CMS programs as much as possible and coordinates with existing CMS quality initiatives. It also closely links to the certification standards criteria in development by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) and provides a platform for a staged implementation over time.

Specifics of Stage 1 Meaningful Use (2011 and 2012)
Meaningful use includes both a core set and a menu set of objectives that are specific for eligible professionals and hospitals. For eligible professionals, there are a total of 25 meaningful use objectives. Twenty (20) of the objectives must be completed to qualify for an incentive payment. Fifteen (15)  of these are core objectives that are required, and the remaining 5 objectives may be chosen from the list of 10 menu set objectives. For hospitals, there are a total of 24 meaningful use objectives. Fourteen (14) of these are core objectives that are required, and the remaining 5 objectives may be chosen from the list of 10 menu set objectives. 

Click here for Eligible Professionals Core and Menu Sets
Click here for Eligible Hospitals Core and Menu Sets

The definition of meaningful use includes reporting of clinical quality measures. Go to the CMS website to learn more about these specifications for eligible professionals and hospitals.

To realize improved health care quality, efficiency and patient safety, the criteria for meaningful use will be staged in three steps over the course of the next five years. Stage 1 sets the baseline for electronic data capture and information sharing. Stage 2 (est. 2013) and Stage 3 (est. 2015) will continue to expand on this baseline and be developed through future rule making.