On February 24, CMS released a Fact Sheet about its proposal for the Stage 2 meaningful use requirements of electronic health records (EHRs).
The new proposed rule primarily expands on Stage 1 requirements. For example, Providers will be required to report on 12 clinical quality measures (CQMs) in Stage 2. They were required to report on 6 in Stage 1. Other changes include making reporting which was optional in Stage 1, mandatory in Stage 2.
Capability to identify and report specific cases to a specialized registry (other than a cancer registry), except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.
The proposed rule seeks to extend Stage 1 so that providers would have until 2014 to implement Stage 2. Per the Fact Sheet, the delay "would allow the needed time for vendors to develop Certified EHR Technology that can meet the Stage 2 requirements."