American Academy of Family Physicians Responds to Final Meaningful Use Rules

The American Academy of Family Physicians has expressed approval of the CMS final rule on meaningful use of electronic health records but points out various obstacles in implementing it, according to a news release by AAFP.

The AAFP expressed concern about differences between Medicare and Medicaid requirements to achieve meaningful use. Currently, Medicare-participating physicians carry a heavier burden in complying with meaningful use in order to receive incentive payments in the first payment year. The final rule does not address such differences.

Additionally, the deadline for implementing meaningful use poses a "significant challenge," according to Steven Waldren, MD, director of the AAFP's Center for Health IT. He says numerous obstacles stand in the way of meeting the deadline, such as absence of certified EHR technology in the marketplace.

The AAFP is also concerned about health information technology support, citing a lack of expertise and funding as barrier to successfully implementing meaningful use by the required deadlines.

Read the AAFP's news release on the group's reaction to the CMS final rule on meaningful use.

Read other coverage on healthcare information technology:

- Office of the National Coordinator to Set Up Governance Rules for Nationwide Health Information Network

- Delaware Hospital System to Adopt Two New Health IT Initiatives

- Purdue University-Led Health IT Center to Help Indiana Physicians Achieve Meaningful Use



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