Groups urge electronic health records meaningful use changes

Two physicians' groups urged changes to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' proposed definition of meaningful use of an electronic health record (EHR) in the days before the rule's public comment period closed in mid-March.

The American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) wrote to the agency that the proposed criteria, in which physicians can earn $44,000 in incentives over five years for using an EHR, is onerous and unrealistic, especially for most smaller practices.

"We believe that certain aspects in the details of these regulations are unworkable, excessive, or redundant, and will actually impede the very goals of the legislation," writes AAFP Chairman Ted Epperly, MD.

In a 43-page letter to the agency, William F. Jessee, MD, president and CEO of MGMA, urged that small practices should be more involved in the criteria design.