Promoting Interoperability

The use of technology has become an essential aspect of our daily lives, and the healthcare sector is no exception. Nowadays, clinicians and their practices require reliable and secure methods to collect and store patient data. As a result, an increasing number of clinicians are turning to electronic health record (EHR) systems. Over time, EHR technology has evolved, leading the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to implement a set of national standards for the secure access, exchange, and use of electronic health information that EHRs must comply with to attain voluntary certification. MDinteractive is an ONC-certified health IT vendor and CMS qualified registry. This article describes the ONC certification process and the benefits of using certified EHR technology.

The MIPS Promoting Interoperability (PI) category, which replaced the Meaningful Use program, establishes requirements that promote the electronic exchange of information using certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT). MIPS eligible clinicians and groups are scored on their performance on several PI measures. The last day to start a minimum 90-day reporting period to attest to PI is October 3, 2022. Making sense of all of the requirements can be challenging, so let’s examine how to report the PI category and the potential impact on the MIPS final score.

Technology has transformed how consumers perform a variety of daily activities and transactions. With a computer or smartphone, they can buy tickets and book travel, access their bank accounts, use GPS map assistance and so much more. Unfortunately, they don’t have the same flexibility when it comes to healthcare. This is changing, however, with the development of a new standard for exchanging electronic healthcare information called the Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource, or FHIR (pronounced “fire”).  

MIPS eligible clinicians, groups and virtual groups can now apply for the 2020 Promoting Interoperability (PI) Hardship Exception or the MIPS Program Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception. Applications must be submitted to CMS by December 31, 2020. Exceptions will be available to those who meet certain criteria established by CMS. Those who qualify for automatic reweighting of PI reporting do not need to apply for this exception.

CMS recently announced it is changing the name of the MIPS Advancing Care Information category to the Promoting Interoperability category.  While the name is different, the requirements for reporting this MIPS category are the same.