Meaningful Use Update

As 2014 came to a close, the Meaningful Use program continued to fall short of its intended goals. Below are key 2014 Meaningful use program statistics and indicators provided by the Healthcare Billing and Management Association:

• Although more than 500,000 providers have registered for the Meaningful Use program, only 4% of professionals and 35% of hospitals have attested to Stage 2 of the program.
• As many as 257,000 providers will face penalties in 2015 for failing to achieve the Meaningful Use requirements in 2014.
• Approximately 28,000 providers will face a 2% penalty in 2015 for failing to meet not only the Meaningful Use requirements but also the e-prescribing criteria.

The penalties mentioned above affect Medicare claims beginning January 5, 2015 and providers have until February 28, 2015 to appeal the penalties.