ASA Submits Comments to CMS Regarding Electronic Health Record Incentive Program

Earlier today ASA submitted comments and recommendations to CMS regarding the Agency’s recently proposed rule on the incentive program for the purchase and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs).

In the comments, ASA voiced concern that the Agency’s proposal did not adequately consider the current practice of anesthesiology when defining the term “hospital-based eligible professional,” which would exempt anesthesiologists from having to purchase and meaningful use EHRs or face penalties come 2015. Further, ASA was concerned that the Agency did not properly recognize anesthesiologists’ use of anesthesia-specific EHRs, known as Anesthesia Information Management Systems (AIMS) when it developed the meaningful use requirements. By not providing an opportunity for anesthesiologists to meaningfully use AIMS, the proposed rule would make anesthesiologists, who do not meet the threshold to be considered a “hospital-based eligible professional” or who purchase their own AIMS, ineligible to receive incentive payments.

Click here to read ASA’s comments.