| Certification of electronic health record (EHR) systems and the rules concerning certification can certainly be confusing. However, in general terms, certification is there to provide assurance to health professionals and other users that an EHR system, and the technology surrounding the system, has the functionality, capability, and security to help meet the "meaningful use" requirements of federal law. |
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| In July 2010, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued regulations detailing requirements for meaningful use of EHR technology for Stage 1 of the federal EHR incentive program established in 2009. The incentive program is being implemented in three stages over five years. This regulation established a temporary certification program to ensure that Certified EHR Technology would be available for providers to use when applying for federal incentive payments during Stage 1 of the program. |
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| In January 2011, the federal government established a permanent certification program.The permanent certification program will ultimately replace the temporary certification program on January 1, 2012, or when the necessary processes for the permanent certification program are completed. The National Coordinator will use the permanent certification program to authorize organizations to certify EHR technology, such as complete EHRs and/or EHR Modules. The permanent certification program could also be expanded to include the certification of other types of health information technology. |
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| The transition from the temporary certification program to the permanent certification program over the course of the next year is not expected to impact the certifications issued to EHR technology. |
