Meaningful Use Overview

How should organizations define the budget, resources and timeline to achieve “Meaningful Use” criteria and quality for stimulus payments? Physicians with Electronic Health Records (EHR) that can show “Meaningful Use” in 2011 are eligible for $44,000 over five years through Medicare and $65,000 over six years through Medicaid. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published the revised “Meaningful Use” criteria on January 13, 2010. An overwhelming amount of public comment has been provided in regard to the criteria not being achievable and unrealistic for the timeframe. The Government does not intend for every healthcare organization to achieve the “Meaningful Use” payments because there would be budget deficits similar to the “Cash for Clunkers” program in 2009. The challenging “Meaningful Use” criteria will motivate a large percentage of early adopters and those already in the implementation process. These early adopters will likely receive the payments, as they should, while those organizations that did not take the risk prior to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) may be able to qualify in a future stage or just avoid penalties. Regardless of the state of the organization, there are three essential management tools that must be in place to achieve “Meaningful Use” in every organization. These tools include a visual timeline, a resource matrix and a “Meaningful Use” dashboard.

1. Visual Timeline
The visual timeline is typically created in Excel or  other software applications. The Excel worksheet is typically configured with calendar months on top and applications down the left side with merged cells that represent duration for implementation projects, upgrades and integration projects. We recommend adding bold lines vertically corresponding to the calendar months with each “Meaningful Use” stage. The objective of the visual timeline is to provide a visual representation of the program to be implemented to meet each stage for stimulus payments.

2. Resource Matrix
The resource matrix should be combined with the visual timeline. In order for the timeline to be achievable, resources must be procured to complete the work. Resource effort should be estimated to match the duration in the visual timeline. The cost of the resource may also be added which will be a key input into budgeting for “Meaningful Use”.

3. “Meaningful Use” Dashboard
The third tool is a dashboard with meaningful use criteria by stage to track whether the metric has been achieved and calculates an organization’s percentage of completion by stage. The dashboard provides an executive review of progress to these strategic initiatives and planning for metrics that are at risk of not being achieved.

Whether the organization is already live or just beginning the journey, these tools are essential for an accurate timeline, budget, resources and dashboard to achieve “Meaningful Use”. For more information regarding these tools and approach please contact us at information@projectnavigation.com or 1-866-935-2077.