CMS releases proposed 'meaningful use' rules

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) just released proposed rules for "meaningful use" of electronic medical records.

Radiologists who can prove they are making "meaningful use" of certified electronic records are eligible for $44,000 in Medicare incentives starting in 2011. That's per physician.

This is all part of the government's plan to get more physicians on the systems.

The rule isn't final; yet, but it's worth taking a look.

According to a summary provided by the Medical Group Management Association, the main requirements are the ability to electronically capture health information in a coded format, use that information to track key clinical conditions, implement clinical decision support tools to facilitate disease and medication management, and report clinical quality measures and public health information.