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FAQ

[EHR Incentive Programs] What do the numerators and denominators mean in measures that are required to demonstrate meaningful use for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program?

There are 15 measures for EPs and 14 measures for eligible hospitals that require the collection of data to calculate a percentage, which will be the basis for determining if the Meaningful Use objective was met according to a minimum threshold for that objective.

Objectives requiring a numerator and denominator to generate this calculation are divided into two groups: one where the denominator is based on patients seen or admitted during the EHR reporting period, regardless of whether their records are maintained using certified EHR technology; and a second group where the objective is not relevant to all patients either due to limitations (e.g., recording tobacco use for all patients 13 and older) or because the action related to the objective is not relevant (e.g., transmitting prescriptions electronically). For these objectives, the denominator is based on actions related to patients whose records are maintained using certified EHR technology. This grouping is designed to reduce the burden on providers. Table 3 in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs final rule (FR 75 44376 - 44380) lists measures sorted by the method of measure calculation. To view the final rule, please visit: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-17207.pdf.

For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, please visit http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms.


Keywords: FAQ10095

(FAQ2813)

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