Understanding ONC-Certified Health IT and Its Importance for MIPS 2023 Reporting

The Importance of Advanced IT in Healthcare

Integration of Technology in Various Sectors

In today’s landscape, advanced information technology (IT) has become essential across all sectors, including healthcare. As healthcare practices strive to manage significant amounts of protected health information (PHI), they require secure and reliable methods for data collection, storage, and sharing. This growing need has led to an increased adoption of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems among healthcare providers.

CMS Mandates Certified EHRs for MIPS 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has mandated the use of certified EHRs for reporting measures under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for 2023. This blog will explore the ONC certification process and the benefits of utilizing certified EHR technology in MIPS reporting.

Understanding the MIPS 2023 Reporting Requirements

Certified EHRs in MIPS Reporting

According to CMS, “For measure reporting in MIPS 2023, certified EHRs are required.” EHR technology has evolved significantly over time, prompting the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) to establish national standards. These standards ensure the secure access, sharing, and utilization of electronic health information. To achieve voluntary certification, EHRs must comply with these regulations.

A MIPS-qualified registry must also be an ONC-certified health IT vendor for MIPS 2023; otherwise, CMS will not accept the reporting data. In 2020, CMS informed providers about the necessity of certified EHR technology, providing ample time to adapt their internal systems. Providers could either implement EHRs directly or outsource their needs.

An Overview of the ONC Certification Program

History and Purpose

The ONC Certification Program was initiated in 2010, establishing national standards for healthcare IT, including electronic health record systems. Currently, healthcare organizations are increasingly integrating EHRs to meet MIPS 2023 requirements. The ONC Certification Program ensures that practices comply with HIPAA regulations, emphasizing data security and interoperability.

Motto of the ONC Certification Program

The primary goal of the ONC is to certify health IT, making technology accessible for federal, state, and private initiatives. This mission has been successfully achieved.

Programs Utilizing ONC Certification

Several programs have recognized the importance of ONC certification, mandating its use, including:

– Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
– Promoting Interoperability (PI) Programs
– Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)
– Third-party ONC-Authorized Certification Bodies (ONC-ACBs)

ONC-ACBs are authorized to assess health IT solutions and determine their compliance with certification requirements.

Steps to Achieve ONC Certification

Certification Process

Obtaining ONC certification is a rigorous process that involves comprehensive testing and evaluation of health IT systems. This process verifies the following:

– The system’s capability to manage patient information effectively.
– Meaningful utilization by healthcare providers.
– Compliance with specific technical prerequisites.

To secure ONC certification, the IT system must successfully meet all requirements. The following ONC-ACB entities can certify health IT solutions:

– Drummond Group
– Leidos, Inc.
– SLI Compliance (a Division of Gaming Laboratories International, LLC)

Evolution of the ONC Certification Program

Updates and Revisions

The ONC regularly publishes updates to the certification requirements, aiming to enhance healthcare services while ensuring legal compliance. Initial criteria focused on usability, interoperability, functionality, and security of EHRs. Recent modifications have sought to improve EHR functionality and interoperability, particularly concerning:

– Preventing information blocking.
– Ensuring seamless transmission of health information.

Since its inception, the ONC has released three revisions of its standards for health IT certification:

– 2011 Edition (expired)
– 2014 Edition (expired)
– 2015 Edition

Note: CMS has addressed the MIPS 2023 participants’ need to use certified EHRs with the 2015 Cures Edition.

The 21st Century Cures Act

The 2015 Edition Health IT certification standards were significantly revised due to issues related to interoperability, information blocking, and the ONC Health IT Certification Program Final Rule. The ONC Cures Act Final Rule aims to promote innovation and enhance healthcare delivery while empowering patients with control over their health data. Key focus areas include:

– Encouraging interoperability.
– Eliminating information blockages.
– Improving patient access to their EHR.

Benefits of ONC-certified Health IT for MIPS 2023 Reporting

Regulatory Compliance

Using ONC-certified health IT in MIPS 2023 reporting offers several advantages, including compliance with regulatory requirements. MIPS necessitates healthcare providers to demonstrate the use of certified EHR technology as part of the Promoting Interoperability performance category. ONC certification guarantees that health IT systems meet ONC criteria and align with standards outlined in MACRA.

Meaningful Use of EHRs

ONC-certified health IT fosters the meaningful use of EHRs, enabling providers to effectively utilize EHR functionalities. MIPS reporting relies on EHRs for various tasks, such as:

– Capturing and reporting clinical quality measures.
– Implementing clinical decision support.
– Engaging patients in their care.

Certified technology ensures EHR systems possess the necessary capabilities to meet these requirements.

Interoperability and Data Exchange

Interoperability is crucial for MIPS reporting, facilitating the exchange of patient data across different healthcare settings and systems. ONC-certified health IT enhances interoperability by adhering to standardized data formats and protocols, promoting seamless data exchange. This interoperability supports care coordination, reduces redundancies, and improves the accuracy and completeness of patient data used in MIPS reporting.

Quality Reporting and Performance Improvement

MIPS reporting requires healthcare providers to report on various quality measures, demonstrating improvement over time. ONC-certified health IT systems often include features for data analytics, reporting, and performance monitoring, enabling providers to track their performance and identify areas for improvement. By utilizing certified health IT, providers can streamline reporting processes and gain valuable insights into their performance.

Incentive Payments

MIPS offers financial incentives to eligible healthcare professionals, contingent upon meeting specific reporting requirements, including the use of ONC-certified health IT in the Promoting Interoperability category. By adopting certified technology, providers can ensure compliance with MIPS requirements and maximize their chances of receiving incentives.

Conclusion

The requirement for ONC-certified health IT in MIPS 2023 reporting underscores the importance of advanced technology in healthcare. It promotes meaningful use, enhances interoperability, facilitates data exchange, and supports quality reporting and performance improvement. Additionally, it boosts eligibility for incentive payments. By leveraging certified health IT, healthcare providers can optimize their reporting processes, improve care quality, and contribute to advancing healthcare outcomes for Medicare patients.