OIG Calls for Audits Prior to Meaningful Use Payments

Tags: audit | CMS | EHR | incentive program | meaningful use | Office of Inspector General

A report from the Office of the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General is requiring random audits of practices and hospitals prior to meaningful use payout, according to Healthcare Finance News.

The report also calls for electronic health record certification changes to allow for reporting of yes or no measures.

The meaningful use EHR incentive program allows for providers to self-declare they have met the requirements to qualify for part of the $7 billion federal incentive payout.

The audits are an attempt to avoid paying healthcare professionals who have not fully met the meaningful use requirements. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, while willing to issue guidance, said of the audits, "Prepayment reviews would increase the burden on practitioners and hospitals and could delay incentive payments."

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