§ 495.6 - Meaningful use objectives and measures for EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs.

Link to an amendment published at 80 FR 62943, Oct. 16, 2015.

Link to an amendment published at 80 FR 62943, Oct. 16, 2015.

(a) Stage 1 criteria for EPs—(1) General rule regarding Stage 1 criteria for meaningful use for EPs. Except as specified in paragraphs (a)(2) and (a)(3) of this section, EPs must meet all objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria specified in paragraph (d) of this section and five objectives of the EP's choice from paragraph (e) of this section to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(2) Exclusion for non-applicable objectives. (i) An EP may exclude a particular objective contained in paragraphs (d) or (e) of this section, if the EP meets all of the following requirements:

(A) Must ensure that the objective in paragraph (d) or (e) of this section includes an option for the EP to attest that the objective is not applicable.

(B) Meets the criteria in the applicable objective that would permit the attestation.

(C) Attests.

(ii) (A) An exclusion will reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply. For example, an EP that has an exclusion from one of the objectives in paragraph (e) of this section must meet four (and not five) objectives of the EP's choice from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(B) Beginning 2014, an exclusion does not reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (e) of this section unless five or more objectives can be excluded. An EP must meet five of the objectives and associated measures specified in paragraph (e) of this section, one of which must be either paragraph (e)(9) or (10) of this section, unless the EP has an exclusion from five or more objectives specified in paragraph (e) of this section, in which case the EP must meet all remaining objectives and associated measures in paragraph (e) of this section.

(3) Exception for Medicaid EPs who adopt, implement or upgrade in their first payment year. For Medicaid EPs who adopt, implement, or upgrade certified EHR technology in their first payment year, the meaningful use objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria specified in paragraphs (d) and (e) apply beginning with the second payment year, and do not apply to the first payment year.

(4) Flexible options for using certified EHR technology in 2014. For an EHR reporting period in 2014, if an EP could not fully implement 2014 Edition certified EHR technology due to delays in availability and uses—

(i) Only 2011 Edition certified EHR technology, the EP must satisfy the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria that were applicable for 2013; or

(ii) A combination of 2011 Edition certified EHR technology and 2014 Edition certified EHR technology, the EP may choose to satisfy one of the following sets of objectives and associated measures:

(A) The Stage 1 criteria that were applicable for 2013.

(B) The Stage 1 criteria that are applicable beginning 2014.

(C) If the EP is scheduled to begin Stage 2 in 2014, the Stage 2 criteria.

(b) Stage 1 criteria for eligible hospitals and CAHs—(1) General rule regarding Stage 1 criteria for meaningful use for eligible hospitals or CAHs. Except as specified in paragraphs (b)(2) and (b)(3) of this section, eligible hospitals and CAHs must meet all objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria specified in paragraph (f) of this section and five objectives of the eligible hospital's or CAH's choice from paragraph (g) of this section to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(2) Exclusions for nonapplicable objectives. (i) An eligible hospital or CAH may exclude a particular objective that includes an option for exclusion contained in paragraphs (f) or (g) of this section, if the hospital meets all of the following requirements:

(A) The hospital meets the criteria in the applicable objective that would permit an exclusion.

(B) The hospital so attests.

(ii)(A) An exclusion will reduce (by the number of exclusions received) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply. For example, an eligible hospital that is excluded from one of the objectives in paragraph (g) of this section must meet four (and not five) objectives of the hospital's choice from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(B) Beginning 2014, an exclusion does not reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (g) of this section. Eligible hospitals or CAHs must meet five of the objectives and associated measures specified in paragraph (g) of this section, one which must be specified in paragraph (g)(8), (9), or (10) of this section.

(3) Exception for Medicaid eligible hospitals that adopt, implement or upgrade in their first payment year. For Medicaid eligible hospitals that adopt, implement, or upgrade certified EHR technology in their first payment year, the meaningful use objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria specified in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section apply beginning with the second payment year, and do not apply to the first payment year.

(4) Flexible options for using certified EHR technology in 2014. For an EHR reporting period in 2014, if an eligible hospital or CAH could not fully implement 2014 Edition certified EHR technology due to delays in availability and uses—

(i) Only 2011 Edition certified EHR technology, the eligible hospital or CAH must satisfy the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria that were applicable for 2013;

(ii) A combination of 2011 Edition certified EHR technology and 2014 Edition certified EHR technology, the eligible hospital or CAH may choose to satisfy one of the following sets of objectives and associated measures:

(A) The Stage 1 criteria that were applicable for 2013.

(B) The Stage 1 criteria that are applicable beginning 2014.

(C) If the eligible hospital or CAH is scheduled to begin Stage 2 in 2014, the Stage 2 criteria.

(c) Many of the objective and associated measures in paragraphs paragraphs (d) through (m) of this section rely on measures that count unique patients or actions.

(1) If a measure (or associated objective) in paragraphs (d) through (g) of this section references paragraph (c) of this section, then the measure may be calculated by reviewing only the actions for patients whose records are maintained using certified EHR technology. A patient's record is maintained using certified EHR technology if sufficient data was entered in the certified EHR technology to allow the record to be saved, and not rejected due to incomplete data.

(2) If the objective and associated measure does not reference this paragraph (c) of this section, then the measure must be calculated by reviewing all patient records, not just those maintained using certified EHR technology.

(d) Stage 1 core criteria for EPs. An EP must satisfy the following objectives and associated measures, except those objectives and associated measures for which an EP qualifies for an exclusion under paragraph (a)(2) of this section specified in this paragraph:

(1)(i) Objective. Use computerized provider order entry (CPOE) for medication orders directly entered by any licensed healthcare professional who can enter orders into the medical record per state, local and professional guidelines.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 30 percent of all unique patients with at least one medication in their medication list seen by the EP have at least one medication order entered using CPOE.

(B) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 30 percent of medication orders created by the EP during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry, or the measure specified in paragraph (d)(1)(ii)(A) of this section.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section Any EP who writes fewer than 100 prescriptions during the EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Implement drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks.

(ii) Measure. The EP has enabled this functionality for the entire EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Maintain an up-to-date problem list of current and active diagnoses.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP have at least one entry or an indication that no problems are known for the patient recorded as structured data.

(4)(i) Objective. Generate and transmit permissible prescriptions electronically (eRx).

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 40 percent of all permissible prescriptions written by the EP are transmitted electronically using certified EHR technology.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section (A) Any EP who writes fewer than 100 prescriptions during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Beginning 2013, any EP who does not have a pharmacy within their organization and there are no pharmacies that accept electronic prescriptions within 10 miles of the EP's practice location at the start of his/her EHR reporting period, or the exclusion specified in (d)(4)(iii)(A) of this section.

(5)(i) Objective. Maintain active medication list.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP have at least one entry (or an indication that the patient is not currently prescribed any medication) recorded as structured data.

(6)(i) Objective. Maintain active medication allergy list.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP have at least one entry (or an indication that the patient has no known medication allergies) recorded as structured data.

(7)(i) Objective. Record all of the following demographics:

(A) Preferred language.

(B) Gender.

(C) Race.

(D) Ethnicity.

(E) Date of birth.

(ii) Measure. More than 50 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP have demographics recorded as structured data.

(8)(i) Objective. Record and chart changes in the following vital signs:

(A) Height.

(B) Weight.

(C) Blood pressure.

(D) Calculate and display body mass index (BMI).

(E)(1) Plot and display growth charts for children 2-20 years, including BMI.

(2) For 2013, plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index, or paragraph (d)(8)(i)(E)(1) of this section.

(3) Beginning 2014, plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients age 2 and over seen by the EP, height, weight and blood pressure are recorded as structured data.

(B) For 2013—(1) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period have blood pressure (for patients age 3 and over only) and height/length and weight (for all ages) recorded as structured data; or

(2) The measure specified in paragraph (d)(8)(ii)(A) of this section.

(C) Beginning 2014, only the measure specified in paragraph (d)(8)(ii)(B)(1) of this section.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (A) Any EP who either see no patients 2 years or older, or who believes that all three vital signs of height, weight, and blood pressure of their patients have no relevance to their scope of practice.

(B) For 2013, either of the following:

(1) The exclusion specified in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(A) of this section.

(2) The exclusion for an EP who—

(i) Sees no patients 3 years or older is excluded from recording blood pressure;

(ii) Believes that all three vital signs of height/length, weight, and blood pressure have no relevance to their scope of practice is excluded from recording them;

(iii) Believes that height/length and weight are relevant to their scope of practice, but blood pressure is not, is excluded from recording blood pressure; or

(iv) Believes that blood pressure is relevant to their scope of practice, but height/length and weight are not, is excluded from recording height/length and weight.

(C) Beginning 2014, only the exclusion specified in paragraph (d)(8)(iii)(B)(2) of this section.

(9)(i) Objective. Record smoking status for patients 13 years old or older.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients 13 years old or older seen by the EP have smoking status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any EP who sees no patients 13 years or older.

(10)(i) Objective. (A) Report ambulatory clinical quality measures to CMS or, in the case of Medicaid EPs, the States.

(B) Beginning 2013, this objective is reflected in the definition of a meaningful EHR user in §495.4 and is no longer listed as an objective in this paragraph (d).

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, successfully report to CMS (or, in the case of Medicaid EPs, the States) ambulatory clinical quality measures selected by CMS in the manner specified by CMS (or in the case of Medicaid EPs, the States).

(B) Beginning 2013, this measure is reflected in the definition of a meaningful EHR user in §495.4 and no longer listed as a measure in this paragraph (d).

(11)(i) Objective. Implement one clinical decision support rules relevant to specialty or high clinical priority along with the ability to track compliance with that rule.

(ii) Measure. Implement one clinical decision support rule.

(12)(i) Objective. (A) Provide patients with an electronic copy of their health information (including diagnostics test results, problem list, medication lists, medication allergies) upon request.

(B) Beginning 2014, provide patients the ability to view online, download, and transmit their health information within 4 business days of the information being available to the EP.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all patients who request an electronic copy of their health information are provided it within 3 business days.

(B) Beginning 2014, subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period are provided timely (available to the patient within 4 business days after the information is available to the EP) online access to their health information subject to the EP's discretion to withhold certain information.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. (A) Any EP that has no requests from patients or their agents for an electronic copy of patient health information during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Beginning 2014, any EP who neither orders nor creates any of the information listed for inclusion as part of this measure.

(13)(i) Objective. Provide clinical summaries for patients for each office visit.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, clinical summaries provided to patients for more than 50 percent of all office visits within 3 business days.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any EP who has no office visits during the EHR reporting period.

(14)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to exchange key clinical information (for example, problem list, medication list, medication allergies, and diagnostic test results), among providers of care and patient authorized entities electronically.

(B) Beginning 2013, this objective is no longer required as part of the core set.

(ii) Measure. (A) Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to electronically exchange key clinical information.

(B) Beginning 2013, this measure is no longer required as part of the core set.

(15)(i) Objective. Protect electronic health information created or maintained by the certified EHR technology through the implementation of appropriate technical capabilities.

(ii) Measure. Conduct or review a security risk analysis in accordance with the requirements under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(1) and implement security updates as necessary and correct identified security deficiencies as part of its risk management process.

(e) Stage 1 menu set criteria for EPs. An EP must meet five of the following objectives and associated measures, one of which must be either paragraph (e)(9) or (e)(10) of this section, except that the required number of objectives and associated measures is reduced by an EP's paragraph (a)(2) of this section exclusions specified in this paragraph. Beginning 2014, an EP must meet five of the following objectives and associated measures, one of which must be either paragraph (e)(9) or (10) of this section unless the EP has an exclusion from five or more objectives in this paragraph (e), in which case the EP must meet all remaining objectives and associated measures in paragraph (e) of this section.

(1)(i) Objective. Implement drug-formulary checks.

(ii) Measure. The EP has enabled this functionality and has access to at least one internal or external formulary for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any EP who writes fewer than 100 prescriptions during the EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Incorporate clinical lab-test results into EHR as structured data.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 40 percent of all clinical lab tests results ordered by the EP during the EHR reporting period whose results are either in a positive/negative or numerical format are incorporated in certified EHR technology as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who orders no lab tests whose results are either in a positive/negative or numeric format during the EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Generate lists of patients by specific conditions to use for quality improvement, reduction of disparities, research, or outreach.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, generate at least one report listing patients of the EP with a specific condition.

(4)(i) Objective. Send reminders to patients per patient preference for preventive/follow-up care.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 20 percent of all patients 65 years or older or 5 years old or younger were sent an appropriate reminder during the EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who has no patients 65 years old or older or 5 years old or younger with records maintained using certified EHR technology.

(5)(i) Objective. (A) Provide patients with timely electronic access to their health information (including lab results, problem list, medication lists, and allergies) within 4 business days of the information being available to the EP.

(B) Beginning 2014, this objective is no longer included in the menu set.

(ii) Measure. (A) At least 10 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP are provided timely (available to the patient within four business days of being updated in the certified EHR technology) electronic access to their health information subject to the EP's discretion to withhold certain information.

(B) Beginning 2014, this measure is no longer included in the menu set.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. Any EP that neither orders nor creates any of the information listed at 45 CFR 170.304(g) during the EHR reporting period.

(6)(i) Objective. Use certified EHR technology to identify patient-specific education resources and provide those resources to the patient if appropriate.

(ii) Measure. More than 10 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP are provided patient-specific education resources.

(7)(i) Objective. The EP who receives a patient from another setting of care or provider of care or believes an encounter is relevant should perform medication reconciliation.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the EP performs medication reconciliation for more than 50 percent of transitions of care in which the patient is transitioned into the care of the EP.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who was not the beneficiary of any transitions of care during the EHR reporting period.

(8)(i) Objective. The EP who transitions their patient to another setting of care or provider of care or refers their patient to another provider of care should provide summary care record for each transition of care or referral.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the EP who transitions or refers their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 50 percent of transitions of care and referrals.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who neither transfers a patient to another setting nor refers a patient to another provider during the EHR reporting period.

(9)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.

(B) Beginning 2013, capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems and actual submission except where prohibited and according to applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to submit electronic data to immunization registries and follow up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the immunization registries to which the EP submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who administers no immunizations during the EHR reporting period or where no immunization registry has the capacity to receive the information electronically.

(10)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.

(B) Beginning 2013, capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission except where prohibited and according to applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to provide electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the public health agencies to which an EP submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. An EP who does not collect any reportable syndromic information on their patients during the EHR reporting period or does not submit such information to any public health agency that has the capacity to receive the information electronically.

(f) Stage 1 core criteria for eligible hospitals or CAHs. An eligible hospital or CAH must meet the following objectives and associated measures except those objectives and associated measures for which an eligible hospital or CAH qualifies for a paragraph (b)(2) of this section exclusion specified in this paragraph:

(1)(i) Objective. Use CPOE for medication orders directly entered by any licensed healthcare professional who can enter orders into the medical record per State, local, and professional guidelines.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 30 percent of all unique patients with at least one medication in their medication list admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have at least one medication order entered using CPOE.

(B) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 30 percent of medication orders created by the authorized providers of the eligible hospital or CAH for patients admitted to their inpatient or emergency departments (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry, or the measure specified in paragraph (f)(1)(ii)(A) of this section.

(2)(i) Objective. Implement drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks.

(ii) Measure. The eligible hospital or CAH has enabled this functionality for the entire EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Maintain an up-to-date problem list of current and active diagnoses.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have at least one entry or an indication that no problems are known for the patient recorded as structured data.

(4)(i) Objective. Maintain active medication list.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have at least one entry (or an indication that the patient is not currently prescribed any medication) recorded as structured data.

(5)(i) Objective. Maintain active medication allergy list.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have at least one entry (or an indication that the patient has no known medication allergies) recorded as structured data.

(6)(i) Objective. Record all of the following demographics;

(A) Preferred language.

(B) Gender.

(C) Race.

(D) Ethnicity.

(E) Date of birth.

(F) Date and preliminary cause of death in the event of mortality in the eligible hospital or CAH.

(ii) Measure. More than 50 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have demographics recorded as structured data.

(7)(i) Objective. Record and chart changes in the following vital signs:

(A) Height.

(B) Weight.

(C) Blood pressure.

(D) Calculate and display body mass index (BMI).

(E)(1) Plot and display growth charts for children 2-20 years, including BMI.

(2) For 2013, plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index, or paragraph (f)(7)(i)(E)(1) of this section.

(3) Beginning 2014, plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, for more than 50 percent of all unique patients age 2 and over admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23), height, weight, and blood pressure are recorded as structured data.

(B) For 2013—

(1) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period have blood pressure (for patients age 3 and over only) and height/length and weight (for all ages) recorded as structured data; or

(2) The measure specified in paragraph (f)(7)(ii)(A) of this section.

(C) Beginning 2014, only the measure specified in paragraph (f)(7)(ii)(B)(1) of this section.

(8)(i) Objective. Record smoking for patients 13 years old or older.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients 13 years old or older or admitted to the eligible hospital's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) have smoking status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that admits no patients 13 years or older to their inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23).

(9)(i) Objective. (A) Report hospital clinical quality measures to CMS or, in the case of Medicaid eligible hospitals, the States.

(B) Beginning 2013, this objective is reflected in the definition of a meaningful EHR user in §495.4 and no longer listed as an objective in this paragraph (f).

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, successfully report to CMS (or, in the case of Medicaid eligible hospitals or CAHs, the States) hospital clinical quality measures selected by CMS in the manner specified by CMS (or, in the case of Medicaid eligible hospitals or CAHs, the States).

(B) Beginning 2013, this measure is reflected in the definition of a meaningful EHR user in §495.4 and no longer listed as a measure in this paragraph (f).

(10)(i) Objective. Implement one clinical decision support rule related to a high priority hospital condition along with the ability to track compliance with that rule.

(ii) Measure. Implement one clinical decision support rule.

(11)(i) Objective. (A) Provide patients with an electronic copy of their health information (including diagnostic test results, problem list, medication lists, medication allergies, discharge summary, procedures), upon request.

(B) Beginning 2014, this objective is no longer required as part of the core set.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all patients of the inpatient or emergency departments of the eligible hospital or CAH (POS 21 or 23) who request an electronic copy of their health information are provided it within 3 business days.

(B) Beginning 2014, this measure is no longer required as part of the core set.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that has no requests from patients or their agents for an electronic copy of patient health information during the EHR reporting period.

(12)(i) Objective. (A) Provide patients with an electronic copy of their discharge instructions at time of discharge, upon request.

(B) Beginning 2014, provide patients the ability to view online, download, and transmit information about a hospital admission.

(ii) Measure. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all patients who are discharged from an eligible hospital or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) and who request an electronic copy of their discharge instructions are provided it.

(B) Beginning 2014, subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients who are discharged from the inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) of an eligible hospital or CAH have their information available online within 36 hours of discharge.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. (A) Any eligible hospital or CAH that has no requests from patients or their agents for an electronic copy of the discharge instructions during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Beginning 2014, this exclusion is no longer available.

(13)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to exchange key clinical information (for example, problem list, medication list, medication allergies, and diagnostic test results), among providers of care and patient authorized entities electronically.

(B) Beginning 2013, this objective is no longer required as part of the core set.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to electronically exchange key clinical information.

(B) Beginning 2013, this measure is no longer required as part of the core set.

(14)(i) Objective. Protect electronic health information created or maintained by the certified EHR technology through the implementation of appropriate technical capabilities.

(ii) Measure. Conduct or review a security risk analysis in accordance with the requirements under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(1) and implement security updates as necessary and correct identified security deficiencies as part of its risk management process.

(g) Stage 1 menu set criteria for eligible hospitals or CAHs. Eligible hospitals or CAHs must meet five of the following objectives and associated measures, one which must be specified in paragraph (g)(8), (g)(9), or (g)(10) of this section, except that the required number of objectives and associated measures is reduced by a hospital's paragraph (b)(2) of this section exclusions specified in this paragraph. Beginning 2014, eligible hospitals or CAHs must meet five of the following objectives and associated measures, one which must be specified in paragraph (g)(8), (9), or (10) of this section:

(1)(i) Objective. Implement drug-formulary checks.

(ii) Measure. The eligible hospital or CAH has enabled this functionality and has access to at least one internal or external formulary for the entire EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Record advance directives for patient 65 years old or older.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients 65 years old or older admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient (POS 21) have an indication of an advance directive status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. An eligible hospital or CAH that admits no patients age 65 years old or older during the EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Incorporate clinical lab-test results into EHR as structured data.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 40 percent of all clinical lab test results ordered by an authorized provider of the eligible hospital or CAH for patients admitted to its inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 and 23) during the EHR reporting period whose results are either in a positive/negative or numerical format are incorporated in certified EHR technology as structured data.

(4)(i) Objective. Generate lists of patients by specific conditions to use for quality improvement, reduction of disparities, research, or outreach.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, generate at least one report listing patients of the eligible hospital or CAH with a specific condition.

(5)(i) Objective. Use certified EHR technology to identify patient-specific education resources and provide those resources to the patient if appropriate.

(ii) Measure. More than 10 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) are provided patient-specific education resources.

(6)(i) Objective. The eligible hospital or CAH who receives a patient from another setting of care or provider of care or believes an encounter is relevant should perform medication reconciliation.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the eligible hospital or CAH performs medication reconciliation for more than 50 percent of transitions of care in which the patient is admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23).

(7)(i) Objective. The eligible hospital or CAH that transitions their patient to another setting of care or provider of care or refers their patient to another provider of care should provide summary care record for each transition of care or referral.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the eligible hospital or CAH that transitions or refers their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 50 percent of transitions of care and referrals.

(8)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.

(B) Beginning 2013, Capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems and actual submission except where prohibited and according to applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to submit electronic data to immunization registries and follow up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the immunization registries to which the eligible hospital or CAH submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. An eligible hospital or CAH that administers no immunizations during the EHR reporting period or where no immunization registry has the capacity to receive the information electronically.

(9)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to submit electronic data on reportable (as required by State or local law) lab results to public health agencies and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.

(B) Beginning 2013, capability to submit electronic data on reportable (as required by State or local law) lab results to public health agencies and actual submission except where prohibited according to applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to provide electronic submission of reportable lab results to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the public health agencies to which an eligible hospital or CAH submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (b)(2) of this section. No public health agency to which the eligible hospital or CAH submits such information has the capacity to receive the information electronically.

(10)(i) Objective. (A) Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission according to applicable law and practice.

(B) Beginning 2013, capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and actual submission except where prohibited and according to applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Performed at least one test of certified EHR technology's capacity to provide electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies and follow-up submission if the test is successful (unless none of the public health agencies to which an eligible hospital or CAH submits information has the capacity to receive the information electronically).

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (a)(2) of this section. No public health agency to which the eligible hospital or CAH submits information has the capacity to receive the information electronically.

(h) Stage 2 criteria for EPs—(1) General rule regarding Stage 2 criteria for meaningful use for EPs. Except as specified in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, EPs must meet all objectives and associated measures of the Stage 2 criteria specified in paragraph (j) of this section and 3 objectives of the EP's choice from paragraph (k) of this section to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(2) Exclusion for nonapplicable objectives. (i) An EP may exclude a particular objective contained in paragraph (j) or (k) of this section, if the EP meets all of the following requirements:

(A) Must ensure that the objective in paragraph (j) or (k) of this section includes an option for the EP to attest that the objective is not applicable.

(B) Meets the criteria in the applicable objective that would permit the attestation.

(C) Attests.

(ii)(A) An exclusion will reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (j) of this section. For example, an EP that has an exclusion from one of the objectives in paragraph (j) of this section must meet 16 objectives from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(B) An exclusion does not reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (k) of this section unless four or more exclusions apply. For example, an EP that has an exclusion for one of the objectives in paragraph (k) of this section must meet three of the five nonexcluded objectives from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user. If an EP has an exclusion for four of the objectives in paragraph (k) of this section, then he or she must meet the remaining two nonexcluded objectives from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(3) Flexible options for using certified EHR technology in 2014. For an EHR reporting period in 2014, if an EP is scheduled to begin Stage 2 in 2014, but is unable to fully implement all the functions of 2014 Edition certified EHR technology required for the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 2 criteria due to delays in availability, the EP may choose to satisfy the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria that are applicable beginning 2014 using 2014 Edition certified EHR technology.

(i) Stage 2 criteria for eligible hospitals and CAHs—(1) General rule regarding Stage 2 criteria for meaningful use for eligible hospitals or CAHs. Except as specified in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, eligible hospitals and CAHs must meet all objectives and associated measures of the Stage 2 criteria specified in paragraph (l) of this section and three objectives of the eligible hospital's or CAH's choice from paragraph (m) of this section to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(2) Exclusions for nonapplicable objectives. (i) An eligible hospital or CAH may exclude a particular objective that includes an option for exclusion contained in paragraphs (l) or (m) of this section, if the hospital meets all of the following requirements:

(A) The hospital meets the criteria in the applicable objective that would permit an exclusion.

(B) The hospital so attests.

(ii)(A) An exclusion will reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (l) of this section. For example, an eligible hospital that has an exclusion from 1 of the objectives in paragraph (l) of this section must meet 15 objectives from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(B) An exclusion does not reduce (by the number of exclusions applicable) the number of objectives that would otherwise apply in paragraph (m) of this section. For example, an eligible hospital that has an exclusion for one of the objectives in paragraph (m) of this section must meet three of the five nonexcluded objectives from such paragraph to meet the definition of a meaningful EHR user.

(3) Flexible options for using certified EHR technology in 2014. For an EHR reporting period in 2014, if an eligible hospital or CAH is scheduled to begin Stage 2 in 2014, but is unable to fully implement all the functions of 2014 Edition certified EHR technology required for the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 2 criteria due to delays in availability, the eligible hospital or CAH may choose to satisfy the objectives and associated measures of the Stage 1 criteria that are applicable beginning 2014 using 2014 Edition certified EHR technology.

(j) Stage 2 core criteria for EPs. An EP must satisfy the following objectives and associated measures, except those objectives and associated measures for which an EP qualifies for an exclusion under paragraph (h)(2) of this section specified in this paragraph (j).

(1)(i) Objective. Use computerized provider order entry for medication, laboratory, and radiology orders directly entered by any licensed healthcare professional who can enter orders into the medical record per State, local, and professional guidelines.

(ii) Measures. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section—

(A) More than 60 percent of medication orders created by the EP during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry;

(B) More than 30 percent of laboratory orders created by the EP during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry; and

(C) More than 30 percent of radiology orders created by the EP during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry.

(iii) Exclusions in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. (A) For the measure specified in paragraph (j)(1)(ii)(A) of this section, any EP who writes fewer than 100 medication orders during the EHR reporting period.

(B) For the measure specified in paragraph (j)(1)(ii)(B) of this section, any EP who writes fewer than 100 laboratory orders during the EHR reporting period.

(C) For the measure specified in paragraph (j)(1)(ii)(C), any EP who writes fewer than 100 radiology orders during the EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Generate and transmit permissible prescriptions electronically (eRx).

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all permissible prescriptions, or all prescriptions, written by the EP are queried for a drug formulary and transmitted electronically using Certified EHR Technology.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who—

(A) Writes fewer than 100 permissible prescriptions during the EHR reporting period; or (B) Does not have a pharmacy within their organization and there are no pharmacies that accept electronic prescriptions within 10 miles of the EP's practice location at the start of his or her EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Record all of the following demographics:

(A) Preferred language.

(B) Sex.

(C) Race.

(D) Ethnicity.

(E) Date of birth.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period have demographics recorded as structured data.

(4)(i) Objective. Record and chart changes in the following vital signs:

(A) Height/Length.

(B) Weight.

(C) Blood pressure (ages 3 and over).

(D) Calculate and display body mass index (BMI).

(E) Plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 80 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period have blood pressure (for patients age 3 and over only) and height/length and weight (for all ages) recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who—

(A) Sees no patients 3 years or older is excluded from recording blood pressure;

(B) Believes that all three vital signs of height/length, weight, and blood pressure have no relevance to their scope of practice is excluded from recording them;

(C) Believes that height/length and weight are relevant to their scope of practice, but blood pressure is not, is excluded from recording blood pressure; or

(D) Believes that blood pressure is relevant to their scope of practice, but height/length and weight are not, is excluded from recording height/length and weight.

(5)(i) Objective. Record smoking status for patients 13 years old or older.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 80 percent of all unique patients 13 years old or older seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period have smoking status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who sees no patients 13 years old or older.

(6)(i) Objective. Use clinical decision support to improve performance on high priority health conditions.

(ii) Measures. (A) Implement five clinical decision support interventions related to four or more clinical quality measures at a relevant point in patient care for the entire EHR reporting period. Absent four clinical quality measures related to an EP's scope of practice or patient population, the clinical decision support interventions must be related to high-priority health conditions; and

(B) The EP has enabled and implemented the functionality for drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section for paragraph (j)(6)(ii)(B) of this section. An EP who writes fewer than 100 medication orders during the EHR reporting period.

(7)(i) Objective. Incorporate clinical lab test results into Certified EHR Technology as structured data.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 55 percent of all clinical lab tests results ordered by the EP during the EHR reporting period whose results are either in a positive/negative affirmation or numerical format are incorporated in Certified EHR Technology as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who orders no lab tests whose results are either in a positive/negative affirmation or numerical format during the EHR reporting period.

(8)(i) Objective. Generate lists of patients by specific conditions to use for quality improvement, reduction of disparities, research, or outreach.

(ii) Measure. Generate at least one report listing patients of the EP with a specific condition.

(9)(i) Objective. Use clinically relevant information to identify patients who should receive reminders for preventive/follow-up care and send these patients the reminder, per patient preference.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 10 percent of all unique patients who have had two or more office visits with the EP within the 24 months before the beginning of the EHR reporting period were sent a reminder, per patient preference when available.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who has had no office visits in the 24 months before the beginning of the EHR reporting period.

(10)(i) Objective. Provide patients the ability to view online, download, and transmit their health information within 4 business days of the information being available to the EP.

(ii) Measures. (A) More than 50 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period are provided timely (available to the patient within 4 business days after the information is available to the EP) online access to their health information subject to the EP's discretion to withhold certain information; and

(B) More than 5 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period (or their authorized representatives) view, download or transmit to a third party their health information.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who—

(A) Neither orders nor creates any of the information listed for inclusion as part of the measures in paragraphs (j)(10)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section, except for “Patient name” and “Provider's name and office contact information,” is excluded from both paragraphs (j)(10)(ii)(A) and (B) of this section; or

(B) Conducts 50 percent or more of his or her patient encounters in a county that does not have 50 percent or more of its housing units with 3Mbps broadband availability according to the latest information available from the FCC on the first day of the EHR reporting period is excluded from paragraph (j)(10)(ii)(B) of this section.

(11)(i) Objective. Provide clinical summaries for patients for each office visit.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, clinical summaries provided to patients or patient-authorized representatives within 1 business day for more than 50 percent of office visits.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who has no office visits during the EHR reporting period.

(12)(i) Objective. Use clinically relevant information from Certified EHR Technology to identify patient-specific education resources and provide those resources to the patient.

(ii) Measure. Patient-specific education resources identified by Certified EHR Technology are provided to patients for more than 10 percent of all unique patients with office visits seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who has no office visits during the EHR reporting period.

(13)(i) Objective. The EP who receives a patient from another setting of care or provider of care or believes an encounter is relevant should perform medication reconciliation.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the EP performs medication reconciliation for more than 50 percent of transitions of care in which the patient is transitioned into the care of the EP.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who was not the beneficiary of any transitions of care during the EHR reporting period.

(14)(i) Objective. The EP who transitions their patient to another setting of care or provider of care or refers their patient to another provider of care provides a summary care record for each transition of care or referral.

(ii) Measures. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the EP that transitions or refers their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 50 percent of transitions of care and referrals;

(B) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the EP that transitions or refers their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 10 percent of such transitions and referrals either—

(1) Electronically transmitted using Certified EHR Technology to a beneficiary; or

(2) Where the beneficiary receives the summary of care record via exchange facilitated by an organization that is a NwHIN Exchange participant or in a manner that is consistent with the governance mechanism ONC establishes for the nationwide health information network, and

(C) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section an EP must satisfy one of the following:

(1) Conducts one or more successful electronic exchanges of a summary of care record meeting the measure specified in paragraph (j)(14)(ii)(B) of this section with a beneficiary using technology to receive the summary of care record that was designed by a different EHR developer than the sender's EHR technology certified at 45 CFR 170.314(b)(2); or

(2) Conducts one or more successful tests with the CMS designated test EHR during the EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who transfers a patient to another setting or refers a patient to another provider less than 100 times during the EHR reporting period.

(15)(i) Objective. Capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of electronic immunization data from Certified EHR Technology to an immunization registry or immunization information system for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Does not administer any of the immunizations to any of the populations for which data is collected by their jurisdiction's immunization registry or immunization information system during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no immunization registry or immunization information system is capable of accepting the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of his or her EHR reporting period.

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction where no immunization registry or immunization information system provides information timely on capability to receive immunization data.

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no immunization registry or immunization information system that is capable of accepting the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the start of his or her EHR reporting period can enroll additional EPs.

(16)(i) Objective. Protect electronic health information created or maintained by the Certified EHR Technology through the implementation of appropriate technical capabilities.

(ii) Measure. Conduct or review a security risk analysis in accordance with the requirements under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(1), including addressing the encryption/security of data stored in Certified EHR Technology in accordance with requirements under 45 CFR 164.312(a)(2)(iv) and 45 CFR 164.306(d)(3), and implement security updates as necessary and correct identified security deficiencies as part of the EP's risk management process.

(17)(i) Objective. Use secure electronic messaging to communicate with patients on relevant health information.

(ii) Measure. A secure message was sent using the electronic messaging function of Certified EHR Technology by more than 5 percent of unique patients (or their authorized representatives) seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Has no office visits during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Who conducts 50 percent or more of his or her patient encounters in a county that does not have 50 percent or more of its housing units with 3Mbps broadband availability according to the latest information available from the FCC on the first day of their EHR reporting period.

(k) Stage 2 menu set criteria for EPs. An EP must meet 3 of the following objectives and associated measures, unless the EP has an exclusion from 4 or more objectives in this paragraph (k) of this section, in which case the EP must meet all remaining objectives and associated measures.

(1)(i) Objective. Imaging results consisting of the image itself and any explanation or other accompanying information are accessible through Certified EHR Technology.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 10 percent of all tests whose result is one or more images ordered by the EP during the EHR reporting period are accessible through Certified EHR Technology.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who meets one or more of the following criteria.

(A) Orders less than 100 tests whose result is an image during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Has no access to electronic imaging results at the start of the EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Record patient family health history as structured data.

(ii) Measure. More than 20 percent of all unique patients seen by the EP during the EHR reporting period have a structured data entry for one or more first-degree relatives.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who has no office visits during the EHR reporting period.

(3)(i) Objective. Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies, except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of electronic syndromic surveillance data from Certified EHR Technology to a public health agency for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Is not in a category of providers who collect ambulatory syndromic surveillance information on their patients during the EHR reporting period.

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency is capable of receiving electronic syndromic surveillance data in the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period.

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction where no public health agency provides information timely on capability to receive syndromic surveillance data.

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency that is capable of accepting the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period can enroll additional EPs.

(4)(i) Objective. Capability to identify and report cancer cases to a public health central cancer registry, except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of cancer case information from Certified EHR Technology to a public health central cancer registry for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who meets one or more of the following—

(A) Does not diagnose or directly treat cancer.

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency is capable of receiving electronic cancer case information in the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period.

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction where no public health agency provides information timely on capability to receive electronic cancer case information.

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency that is capable of receiving electronic cancer case information in the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the beginning of their EHR reporting period can enroll additional EPs.

(5)(i) Objective. 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.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of specific case information from Certified EHR Technology to a specialized registry for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (h)(2) of this section. Any EP who meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Does not diagnose or directly treat any disease associated with a specialized registry sponsored by a national specialty society for which the EP is eligible, or the public health agencies in their jurisdiction;

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no specialized registry sponsored by a public health agency or by a national specialty society for which the EP is eligible is capable of receiving electronic specific case information in the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the beginning of their EHR reporting period;

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction where no public health agency or national specialty society for which the EP is eligible provides information timely on capability to receive information into their specialized registries; or

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no specialized registry sponsored by a public health agency or by a national specialty society for which the EP is eligible that is capable of receiving electronic specific case information in the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the beginning of his or her EHR reporting period can enroll additional EPs.

(6)(i) Objective. Record electronic notes in patient records.

(ii) Measure. Enter at least one electronic progress note created, edited, and signed by an EP for more than 30 percent of unique patients with at least one office visit during the EHR reporting period. The text of the electronic note must be text-searchable and may contain drawings and other content.

(l) Stage 2 core criteria for eligible hospitals or CAHs. An eligible hospital or CAH must meet the following objectives and associated measures except those objectives and associated measures for which an eligible hospital or CAH qualifies for an exclusion under paragraph (i)(2) of this section.

(1)(i) Objective. Use computerized provider order entry for medication, laboratory, and radiology orders directly entered by any licensed healthcare professional who can enter orders into the medical record per State, local, and professional guidelines.

(ii) Measures. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than—

(A) Sixty percent of medication orders created by authorized providers of the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry,

(B) Thirty percent of laboratory orders created by authorized providers of the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry, and

(C) Thirty percent of radiology orders created by authorized providers of the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period are recorded using computerized provider order entry.

(2)(i) Objective. Record all of the following demographics:

(A) Preferred language.

(B) Sex.

(C) Race.

(D) Ethnicity.

(E) Date of birth.

(F) Date and preliminary cause of death in the event of mortality in the eligible hospital or CAH.

(ii) Measure. More than 80 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period have demographics recorded as structured data.

(3)(i) Objective. Record and chart changes in the following vital signs:

(A) Height/Length.

(B) Weight.

(C) Blood pressure (ages 3 and over).

(D) Calculate and display body mass index (BMI).

(E) Plot and display growth charts for patients 0-20 years, including body mass index.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 80 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period have blood pressure (for patients age 3 and over only) and height/length and weight (for all ages) recorded as structured data.

(4)(i) Objective. Record smoking status for patients 13 years old or older.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 80 percent of all unique patients 13 years old or older admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period have smoking status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that admits no patients 13 years old or older to their inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period.

(5)(i) Objective. Use clinical decision support to improve performance on high priority health conditions.

(ii) Measures. (A) Implement five clinical decision support interventions related to four or more clinical quality measures at a relevant point in patient care for the entire EHR reporting period. Absent four clinical quality measures related to an eligible hospital or CAH's patient population, the clinical decision support interventions must be related to high-priority health conditions; and

(B) The eligible hospital or CAH has enabled and implemented the functionality for drug-drug and drug-allergy interaction checks for the entire EHR reporting period.

(6)(i) Objective. Incorporate clinical lab test results into Certified EHR Technology as structured data.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 55 percent of all clinical lab tests results ordered by authorized providers of the eligible hospital or CAH for patients admitted to its inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period whose results are either in a positive/negative affirmation or numerical format are incorporated in Certified EHR Technology as structured data.

(7)(i) Objective. Generate lists of patients by specific conditions to use for quality improvement, reduction of disparities, research or outreach.

(ii) Measure. Generate at least one report listing patients of the eligible hospital or CAH with a specific condition.

(8)(i) Objective. Provide patients the ability to view online, download, and transmit information about a hospital admission.

(ii) Measures. (A) More than 50 percent of all unique patients who are discharged from the inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) of an eligible hospital or CAH have their information available online within 36 hours of discharge; and

(B) More than 5 percent of all unique patients who are discharged from the inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) of an eligible hospital or CAH (or their authorized representative) view, download or transmit to a third party their information during the EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that is located in a county that does not have 50 percent or more of its housing units with 3Mbps broadband availability according to the latest information available from the FCC on the first day of the EHR reporting period is excluded from paragraph (l)(8)(ii)(B) of this section.

(9)(i) Objective. Use clinically relevant information from Certified EHR Technology to identify patient-specific education resources and provide those resources to the patient.

(ii) Measure. More than 10 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) are provided patient-specific education resources identified by Certified EHR Technology.

(10)(i) Objective. The eligible hospital or CAH that receives a patient from another setting of care or provider of care or believes an encounter is relevant should perform medication reconciliation.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, the eligible hospital or CAH performs medication reconciliation for more than 50 percent of transitions of care in which the patient is admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23).

(11)(i) Objective. The eligible hospital or CAH that transitions their patient to another setting of care or provider of care or refers their patient to another provider of care provides a summary care record for each transition of care or referral.

(ii) Measures. (A) Subject to paragraph (c) in this section, the eligible hospital or CAH that transitions or refers their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 50 percent of transitions of care and referrals,

(B) Subject to paragraph (c) in this section, the eligible hospital or CAH that transitions their patient to another setting of care or provider of care provides a summary of care record for more than 10 percent of such transitions and referrals either—

(1) Electronically transmitted using Certified EHR Technology to a beneficiary; or

(2) Where the beneficiary receives the summary of care record via exchange facilitated by an organization that is a NwHIN Exchange participant or in a manner that is consistent with the governance mechanism ONC establishes for the nationwide health information network; and

(C) Subject to paragraph (c) of this section an eligible hospital or CAH must satisfy one of the following:

(1) Conducts one or more successful electronic exchanges of a summary of care record meeting the measure specified in paragraph (l)(11)(ii)(B) of this section with a beneficiary using technology to receive the summary of care record that was designed by a different EHR developer than the sender's EHR technology certified at 45 CFR 107.314(b)(2); or

(2) Conducts one or more successful tests with the CMS designated test EHR during the EHR reporting period.

(12)(i) Objective. Capability to submit electronic data to immunization registries or immunization information systems except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of electronic immunization data from Certified EHR Technology to an immunization registry or immunization information system for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) The eligible hospital or CAH does not administer any of the immunizations to any of the populations for which data is collected by their jurisdiction's immunization registry or immunization information system during the EHR reporting period.

(B) The eligible hospital or CAH operates in a jurisdiction for which no immunization registry or immunization information system is capable of accepting the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period.

(C) The eligible hospital or CAH operates in a jurisdiction where no immunization registry or immunization information system provides information timely on capability to receive immunization data.

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no immunization registry or immunization information system that is capable of accepting the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period can enroll additional eligible hospitals or CAHs.

(13)(i) Objective. Capability to submit electronic reportable laboratory results to public health agencies, where except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of electronic reportable laboratory results from Certified EHR Technology to a public health agency for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency is capable of receiving electronic reportable laboratory results in the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period.

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency provides information timely on capability to receive electronic reportable laboratory results.

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency that is capable of accepting the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period can enroll additional eligible hospitals or CAHs.

(14)(i) Objective. Capability to submit electronic syndromic surveillance data to public health agencies, except where prohibited, and in accordance with applicable law and practice.

(ii) Measure. Successful ongoing submission of electronic syndromic surveillance data from Certified EHR Technology to a public health agency for the entire EHR reporting period.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that meets one or more of the following criteria:

(A) Does not have an emergency or urgent care department.

(B) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency is capable of receiving electronic syndromic surveillance data in the specific standards required for Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period or can enroll additional eligible hospitals or CAHs.

(C) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency provides information timely on capability to receive syndromic surveillance data.

(D) Operates in a jurisdiction for which no public health agency that is capable of accepting the specific standards required by Certified EHR Technology at the start of their EHR reporting period can enroll additional eligible hospitals or CAHs.

(15)(i) Objective. Protect electronic health information created or maintained by the Certified EHR Technology through the implementation of appropriate technical capabilities.

(ii) Measure. Conduct or review a security risk analysis in accordance with the requirements under 45 CFR 164.308(a)(1), including addressing the encryption/security of data stored in Certified EHR Technology in accordance with requirements under 45 CFR 164.312(a)(2)(iv) and 45 CFR 164.306(d)(3), and implement security updates as necessary and correct identified security deficiencies as part of the eligible hospital's or CAH's risk management process.

(16)(i) Objective. Automatically track medications from order to administration using assistive technologies in conjunction with an electronic medication administration record (eMAR).

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 10 percent of medication orders created by authorized providers of the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period for which all doses are tracked using eMAR.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH with an average daily inpatient census of fewer than 10 patients.

(m) Stage 2 menu set criteria for eligible hospitals or CAHs. An eligible hospital or CAH must meet the measure criteria for three of the following objectives and associated measures.

(1)(i) Objective. Record whether a patient 65 years old or older has an advance directive.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 50 percent of all unique patients 65 years old or older admitted to the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient department (POS 21) during the EHR reporting period have an indication of an advance directive status recorded as structured data.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that admits no patients age 65 years old or older during the EHR reporting period.

(2)(i) Objective. Imaging results consisting of the image itself and any explanation or other accompanying information are accessible through Certified EHR Technology.

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 10 percent of all tests whose result is an image ordered by an authorized provider of the eligible hospital or CAH for patients admitted to its inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period are accessible through Certified EHR Technology.

(3)(i) Objective. Record patient family health history as structured data.

(ii) Measure. More than 20 percent of all unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) during the EHR reporting period have a structured data entry for one or more first-degree relatives.

(4)(i) Objective. Generate and transmit permissible discharge prescriptions electronically (eRx).

(ii) Measure. Subject to paragraph (c) of this section, more than 10 percent of hospital discharge medication orders for permissible prescriptions (for new, changed and refilled prescriptions) are queried for a drug formulary and transmitted electronically using Certified EHR Technology.

(iii) Exclusion in accordance with paragraph (i)(2) of this section. Any eligible hospital or CAH that does not have an internal pharmacy that can accept electronic prescriptions and there are no pharmacies that accept electronic prescriptions within 10 miles at the start of its EHR reporting period.

(5)(i) Objective. Record electronic notes in patient records.

(ii) Measure: Enter at least one electronic progress note created, edited and signed by an authorized provider of the eligible hospital's or CAH's inpatient or emergency department (POS 21 or 23) for more than 30 percent of unique patients admitted to the eligible hospital or CAH's inpatient or emergency department during the EHR reporting period. The text of the electronic note must be text-searchable and may contain drawings and other content.

(6)(i) Objective. Provide structured electronic lab results to ambulatory providers.

(ii) Measures. Hospital labs send structured electronic clinical lab results to the ordering provider for more than 20 percent of—

(A) The electronic lab orders received; or

(B) The lab orders received.

[75 FR 44565, July 28, 2010, as amended at 75 FR 81887, Dec. 29, 2010; 77 FR 54149, Sept. 4, 2012; 77 FR 64758, Oct. 23, 2012; 77 FR 72991, Dec. 7, 2012; 79 FR 52932, Sept. 4, 2014]