HIMSS Offers Insights And Guidance: Educational Sessions On Meaningful Use, Interoperability Roadmap And Health IT Certification

In the regulations released last week, CMS and ONC have finalized the Meaningful Use Stage 2 Modifications, the Meaningful Use Stage 3 Final Rules, the 2015-2017 Certification Criteria Final Rule, and the Interoperability Roadmap Final Version 1.0.

To help guide healthcare providers on how best to review and comply with these policies, HIMSS offers complimentary, virtual briefings on Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, and in-person Town Hall sessions in November at the HIMSS Connected Health Conference, Nov. 8-11 at the Gaylord Resort and Conference Center in the Washington, DC area.

“These rules establish a number of key final policies that are intended to simplify and introduce flexibility into the program and promote the positive shift of the care delivery paradigm so health IT becomes a tool for care improvement, not an end in itself,” said Thomas M Leary, MA, CAE, FHIMSS, vice president, government relations, HIMSS North America. “These sessions from HIMSS will guide providers on how to meet the Meaningful Use requirements as they move forward.”

Leary emphasized the importance of the Meaningful Use requirements for 2015, while also citing the longer range perspective on the objectives and measures for 2016 and 2017. “As Meaningful Use becomes more integrated into Medicare payment policy and clinical quality improvement – through the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and the transition to the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), it is important to understand the intended evolution and trajectory for the program.”

The upcoming HIMSS education sessions offer information at different times with the virtual briefings, which will also be available on-demand. The Town Hall presentations have just been added to the HIMSS Connected Health Conference. Each town hall will be offered on a different day during the conference itself.

October: HIMSS Virtual Briefings: This two-part briefing, complimentary series includes in-depth analysis and discussion on the proposed rules. Attendees register only once to attend both programs, one on Oct. 23 and the final session on Oct. 30.

Friday, Oct. 23, 10 am-12:30 pm CT

• Meaningful Use, Certification, and Interoperability: An Analysis of the Requirements, Objectives, and Major Revisions for Health IT Professionals

Friday, Oct. 30, 10 am – 12:30 pm CT

• Meaningful Use, Certification, and Interoperability: An Analysis of the Requirements, Objectives, and Major Revisions for Health IT Professionals: Part 2

Register for both sessions.

November: HIMSS Connected Health Conference Town Hall Meetings
The Meaningful Use Stage 3 and 2015-2017 Certification and Interoperability Roadmap Town Halls: A “Deep Dive” Discussion of the Requirements, Objectives, and Major Revisions for Health IT Professionals.

Monday, Nov. 9, 1-3 p.m. ET

• Meaningful Use Stage 2 Modifications and Meaningful Use Stage 3 Final Rules with Comment

Tuesday, Nov. 10, 12:45 – 2:45 pm ET

• 2015-2017 Certification Final Rules and Interoperability Roadmap Final Version 1.0

Find out more about the HIMSS Connected Health Conference.

Register for one of the three Summits to gain access to all programming, exhibit floor areas and networking opportunities at the Connected Health Conference.

Visit the

• Cyber Security Summit,
• mHealth Summit, or
• Population Health Summit

For more information and to register.

Read the HIMSS summaries on Meaningful Use Stage 3/Certification Rules and Interoperability Roadmap

About HIMSS
HIMSS North America, a business unit within HIMSS, positively transforms health and healthcare through the best use of information technology in the United States and Canada. As a cause-based non-profit, HIMSS North America provides thought leadership, community building, professional development, public policy, and events. HIMSS North America represents 61,000 individual members, 640 corporate members, and over 450 non-profit organizations. Thousands of volunteers work with HIMSS to improve the quality, cost-effectiveness, access, and value of healthcare through IT. Major initiatives within HIMSS North America include the HIMSS Annual Conference & Exhibition, National Health IT Week, HIMSS Innovation Center, HIMSS Interoperability Showcases, HIMSS Health IT Value Suite, and ConCert by HIMSS.