Proposed Rule to Replace Meaningful Use With Advancing Care Information

Last week, the Department of Health and Human Services released a set of proposed rules that would replace the current Meaningful Use program for Medicare physicians with the Advancing Care Information program. According to the CMS, "The proposal for Advancing Care Information is designed to simplify requirements, support patient care, and be flexible to meet the needs of physician practices. The proposal emphasizes measures that support improved patient engagement and connectivity and reduces reporting burden." Slated to take effect in January 2017, Advancing Care Information will have some major differences from Meaningful Use: It is customizable, allowing physicians to choose measures that represent how they use technology within their practice. It is aligned with other Medicare reporting programs. It focuses on information exchange and security. Computerized Provider Order Entry and Clinical Decision Report would no longer be required. Based on input from patients, caregivers, health care professionals, and Congress, the proposed rules would implement key parts of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). In addition to Advancing Care Information, the Quality Payment Program would be instituted to help transition clinicians to receiving payment using a value-based system.