From the American Academy of Ophthalmology

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services today published a final rule defining the second stage of “meaningful use” of an EHR system, which physicians must demonstrate to qualify for up to $44,000 in Medicare incentives and avoid penalties. The final rule includes several measures advocated by the Academy that will help ophthalmologists continue to succeed in the Medicare Electronic Health Record Incentive Program through stage two. As of May, 1,100 ophthalmologists have received more than $20 million for their participation in stage one of the program.

In response to Academy comment on an earlier proposed rule, CMS has lowered the reporting thresholds necessary to meet several new meaningful use measures, including a controversial measure opposed by the Academy that would measure physicians on their patients’ use of an online patient portal. The rule also finalizes several exemptions from the penalties scheduled to begin in 2015, including a new exemption for physicians who can’t control the availability of a certified EHR in their primary practice locations — such as an ambulatory surgical center. Although the Academy has lobbied CMS and Capitol Hill to include additional exemptions for senior physicians and physicians in small practices, CMS opted not to exempt these physicians at this time. CMS has published a fact sheet on the final rule that reviews the program changes. More details are posted on the AAO Eye on Advocacy blog.