OMB Completes Review of Final Rules for EHR Incentive Program and for Initial Certification Criteria

On Friday, July 9, 2010, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed review of the two Final Rules:  Health Information Technology:  Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record (RIN:  0991-AB58) and Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program (RIN: 0938-AP78).  RIN means Regulatory Identification Number, used to track a regulatory action through its development.  These rules are on a fast track, follow on the heels of the June 24 Final Rule:  Establishment of the Temporary Certification Program for Health Information Technology (75 Federal Register 36157-36209), and are expected to be available for prepublication inspection at the Federal Register imminently.  For additional information and updates, visit the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Official Web Site for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive programs at:  www.cms.gov/ehrincentiveprograms/.   (20100710)