Meaningful Use and HITECH Resource Links

CMS EHR Incentive Program

Under the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, eligible providers (EPs), eligible hospitals (EHs) and critical access hospitals (CAHs) receive incentive payments when they have shown that they are able to implement certified EHR technology and have demonstrated “meaningful use” as defined by CMS in the following links:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid- EHR Incentive Program
• CMS Stage 1 Meaningful Use Final Rule (PDF)
• CMS Stage 2 Meaningful Use Final Rule (PDF)

ONC Standards and Certification

EHR technology adopted by EPs, EHs and CAHs must include the required standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria established by ONC to achieve meaningful use. The following links provide detailed information regarding the EHR technology standards that must be met:

• The Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
• ONC Stage 1 Standards & Certification Final Rule (PDF)
• ONC Stage 2 Standards & Certification Final Rule (PDF)

Privacy and Security

The following links provide details regarding resources related to the privacy of the health data being collected:

• Office for Civil Rights
• Summary of Selected Federal Laws and Regulations Addressing Confidentiality, Privacy and Security (PDF – 158 KB) February 2010

California eHealth Initiative

CDPH is working with other state departments, agencies, local health departments and various health-related organizations to establish safe and secure exchange of health information.

• California Health and Human Services Agency - California eHealth Initiative
• Department of Health Care Services
• Medi-Cal EHR Incentive Program - Description
• Medi-Cal EHR Incentive Program and the Office of Health Information Technology (OHIT)
• Medi-Cal EHR Provider Incentive Portal (ePIP)
• California Health e-Quality (CHeQ)
• Regional Extension Centers (RECs)
• HITECH-LA
• CalHIPSO
• CalOptima
• California State Rural Health Association
• California Telehealth Network (CTN)
• Western Regional HIT Consortium
• CA Health Workforce Alliance
• California eHealth Collaborative

National Public Health Organizations Supporting eHealth

• Public Health Data Standards Consortium
• Association of State and Territorial Health Officers (ASTHO)