News Feature | April 17, 2014

2014 MU Incentive Program Off To Slow Start

Christine Kern

By Christine Kern, contributing writer

CMS Extends Hardship Exemption

CMS reports more than 458K providers participating in Meaningful Use

According to Government Health IT, Elizabeth Myers – policy and outreach lead at CMS' Office of eHealth Standards and Services – reported at the latest HIT Policy Committee meeting, “As of the end of February, there were 458,137 total participants – up from 448,750 in January – from all versions of the EHR incentive program.”

Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, healthcare providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments.

Since February, 9,387 eligible providers have joined the MU incentive program, including 5,716 Medicare providers, 3,662 Medicaid providers, and 9 hospitals. Although the numbers might sound high, when compared with prior years, the truth emerges. CMS has only begun to sort through the 2013 reporting year, which ended March 31, Myers said, but the raw data available for Medicaid providers (who have an earlier attestation deadline than Medicare providers) painted a disturbing picture.

For example, while some 31,573 total unique Medicaid eligible providers were paid under the 2012 reporting year, only 19 Medicaid EPs have been paid so far in 2014. Five unique Medicaid-eligible hospitals received an incentive payment during the first month of the 2014 reporting year, compared with 3,740 in all of 2012. Although the data represents just the first month of the 2014 reporting year, the numbers are still startling.

Myers explained that the numbers are probably low because providers often wait until the end of the reporting year to attest for MU but noted that CMS is "keeping an eye on things."

IHealthBeat.com noted that in addition, the early data show that:

  • 114,000 Medicare meaningful users from 2012 returned to attest in 2013
  • 14,000 Medicare meaningful users from 2011 did not attest to meaningful use in 2012; and
  • Overall, about 85 percent of Medicare early adopters successfully attested in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

CMS soon will publish complete findings from the most recent reporting year on its website.