Garth Koyle

The Health IT Policy Committee convened for a meeting in Washington, DC on December 15, 2009. The purpose of the meeting was for the Committee to receive reports from its different workgroups and to listen to testimony from Health Plans on the use of directories and registries.

The Meaningful Use Co-Chairs, Paul Tang and George Hripcsak gave this approximate timeline for releasing the definition of “meaningful use.”

• 1Q10: Conduct informational hearings to inform 2013 and 2015 criteria development
• 1Q10: Provide feedback on NPRM & public comments
• 2Q10: Work with HIT Standards Committee to ascertain availability of relevant standards
• 2Q10-3Q10: Refine 2013 meaningful use criteria
• 4Q10: Assess industry preparedness for meeting 2011 and initial 2013 meaningful use criteria

It looks like the earliest we could possibly see a proposed definition of “meaningful use” will be Jan. 2010. However, I am not holding my breath until then. My general rule for deadlines is to double it. Even with that rule of thumb, I’m often still surprised at the number of deadlines that come and go.

I’ll let HHS illustrate my point with their own goal:

“Over the next several months, CMS will be working closely with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT and other parts of HHS to develop regulations that will govern the initial year of the incentives programs, including a definition of meaningful use for 2011. The proposed rule, with a 60-day period for public comment, is targeted for publication in late 2009.”

I’m guessing we won’t get that announcement until almost March; I hope earlier but it’s not likely.

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UPDATE: CMS actually posted their proposed rule for Meaningful Use (see below):

2009-31217_PI

HIT Policy Committee Recommendations:

HIT Standards Committee Recommendations: