Promoting Interoperability (PI) Programs
Previously known as Meaningful Use EHR Incentive Programs
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) renamed the EHR (Electronic Health Record Meaningful Use) Incentive Programs to Promoting Interoperability (PI) to continue the agency's focus on improving patients' access to health information and reducing the time and cost required of providers to comply with the programs' requirements. CMS has also finalized updates to the programs through rule making. For more information, visit the https://www.cms.gov/regulations-and-guidance/legislation/ehrincentiveprograms, where CMS will publish updates and additional resources as soon as they are available.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established the Promoting Interoperability Programs in 2011 to encourage eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals (EHs) and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to adopt, implement, upgrade and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT). The program concluded December 31, 2021 with the ending of the federal funding opportunity. By the end of the Program, over $213 million had been disbursed successfully to 3865 individual providers across 589 unique clinics and hospitals.
On May 1, 2020 CMS issued its final rule intended to move the health care ecosystem in the direction of interoperability, and to signal our commitment to the vision set out in the 21 Century Cures Act and Executive Order 13813 to improve the quality and accessibility of information that Americans need to make informed health care decisions, including data about health care prices and outcomes, while minimizing reporting burdens on affected health care providers and payers. Regulations came into effect on June 30, 2020.
How does interoperability fit into the 21st Century Cures Act?
As part of the 21st Century Cures Act, the interoperability rules seeks to drive patient access to their own personal and medical data and supports the ability to share data, allowing patients more power to coordinate their own healthcare.
In May 2023, ONC will initiate EHI Export Capability provision. The focus of this provision is for Health IT developers and Healthcare Providers. Enforcement date is scheduled for August 2023. Penalties have not been specified as of yet.
Want to Keep Doing Business with CMS?
Here is a summary of key 21st Century milestones through 2023:
-
April 5, 2021: Applicability date for information blocking provisions.
-
April 5, 2021 through October 5, 2022: EHI definition is limited to the EHI identified by data elements represented in the USCDI.
-
On or after October 5, 2022: EHI definition is no longer limited to the EHI identified by the data elements represented in the USCDI.
-
December 31, 2022: New FHIR API capability and other criteria must be made available.
- By December 31, 2023: EHI export capability must be made available.
Acronyms
USCDI - United States Core Data for Interoperability
EHI - Electronic Health Information
FHIR - Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources
How Can I Participate?
The Oregon Public Health Division is excited that you are interested in participating. The data you provide help us achieve our vision of a healthy Oregon.