Introduction
In order to encourage all doctors to enter the digital age, eliminate paper files, and enhance communication between doctors and health care facilities, the US Congress enacted legislation which was signed by the President requiring the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) by the end of 2014. To persuade doctors to use EHR sooner rather than later, the legislation included bonus incentive payments that would be given to each doctor, provided that the doctor could demonstrate Meaningful Use of the EHR computer software. The new law also required the certification of the EHR programs, meaning that the certified EHR would be able to fulfill all the requirements of Meaningful Use.
A large part of Meaningful Use is a bureaucratic requirement that will allow the easy gathering of statistics by and for the government. During this year (2012) it is expected that you will only need to attest (legally affirm) that you have performed the Meaningful Use items. Starting in either 2013 or 2014 it will be necessary to transmit the Meaningful Use data to Medicare or another agency to be designated by Medicare or the government.