Meaningful Use
The Office of Epidemiology and Prevention Services is pleased to offer information regarding Meaningful Use and to explain how health care providers in West Virginia may begin their attestation efforts for Meaningful Use.
Background:
The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs provide a financial incentive for the "meaningful use" of certified EHR technology to achieve health and efficiency goals. By putting into action and meaningfully using an EHR system, providers will reap benefits beyond financial incentives–such as reduction in errors, availability of records and data, reminders and alerts, clinical decision support, and e-prescribing/refill automation.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 specifies three main components of Meaningful Use. They include: the use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner, such as e-prescribing; the use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care; and the use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures.
Simply put "meaningful use" means providers need to show they're using certified EHR technology in ways that can be measured significantly in quality and in quantity.
To learn more about "meaningful use" and how to meet requirements in stage 1, please go to:
https://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/30_Meaningful_Use.asp.
In West Virginia:
Health care providers may now begin attesting for Meaningful Use by utilizing WVDirect secure messaging. To receive a WVDirect account, please send a request to direct@wvhin.org or go to www.wvhin.org. Once you have received a WVDirect account, you will be able to send a direct message to BPH-Attestation@direct.wvhin.org. This allows a provider using the WVDirect solution to satisfy Stage 1 Meaningful Use IIS Attestation requirements.
3-Step Process for Registration
1. Providers will enroll with WV Health Information Network (State HIE) by signing a subscriber agreement.
2. Providers will be credentialed, verified and trained by the West Virginia Regional Health Information Technology Extension Center (WVRHITEC).
3. Providers may begin using the WVDirect secure messaging system for “Attestation” or electronic reporting purposes.
Secure messaging will be temporary until systems progress.
Please Note: Syndromic surveillance information
West Virginia is currently not ready to accept syndromic surveillance data from eligible providers who want to meet meaningful use requirements. West Virginia is preparing to implement an electronic syndromic surveillance system in the state using CDC’s BioSense 2.0. The emphasis is on connecting hospital emergency departments to the BioSense 2.0 via the Health Information Exchange.
If you have questions about how OEPS is working with providers on Meaningful Use, please contact Tim Neely by e-mail or by calling (304) 356-4043.