MU Stage 2 Timeline extended through 2016
As always, we want to keep our user base informed of what is going on with the Meaningful Use process and the ONC rules and regulations.  Today we confirmed that the official timeline of Stage 2 has been extended through 2016.  Providers will not even be able to start meeting Meaningful Use Stage 3 until 2017, which just confirms what we already knew.
Flexibility Rule Official as of September 4, 2014
As I am sure that you have heard through one source or another, Meaningful Use Stage 2 has not been a very smooth roll out for most EHR companies and providers.  The certification rate has been extremely low and taken most vendors far longer to get certified than even the furthest projections expected.  PracticeStudio beat over 90% of the vendors on the market to complete certification and did so on time (original dates) so that our user base would be ready regardless. However, most EHR companies did not get close to the mark which forced ONC to create the Flexibility Rule which ultimately means that anyone attesting on Stage 1 or Stage 2 can use a 2011 certified product or a 2014 certified product or any combination of the two, for the most part.
What Does This Mean for PracticeStudio Users?
Instead of getting into the mire of what the new rules mean for the marketplace, let’s put this in PracticeStudio certification talk since we have hit the mark for each stage.  The easiest way to meet Stage 1 or Stage 2 is to be running on PracticeStudio X16.  When time for attestation, you will choose the 2014 Certified EHR option.
How Much Time do I Have To Attest?
The one misconception that has been coming up is the time to attest after the period data has been completed.  There is a misnomer that the submission must take place within 60 days of the last day of the reporting period.  This isn’t true, basically, the attestation period opens in April and the provider has until February 28 the following year to attest.  For example, for those providers that have a reporting period in 2014 have until February 28, 2015 to attest.
What’s Next?
We will be releasing a series of new posts over the next 30 days regarding DIRECT S/MIME and other common questions for attestation.  Bottom line, part of the flexibility options for DIRECT S/MIME communication have become option if the EHR company is following the 2014 Final Rule Release 2, which we are not since we are already certified.  There is an EHR randomizer that can be used in more of a test environment to meet this requirement which will be the recommended option.  More on this in a future post.
