PRIVACY AND SECURITY IN MEANINGFUL USE

 

You may be familiar with the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs (also called “Meaningful Use” Programs). The Meaningful Use Programs set staged requirements for providers. Providers receive incentive payments as they demonstrate progressively integrated EHR use.

 

Some of the Meaningful Use requirements relate to your practice’s obligations under the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. Visit Chapter 5 of the Guide [PDF - 254 KB] to learn more about the Stage 1 and Stage 2 Meaningful Use core objectives that address privacy and security.

 

Privacy in Meaningful Use Simply stated, Meaningful Use privacy requirements address patients’ rights both to:

 

1. Have their health information protected from unauthorized access; and

 

2. Access their health information. Security in Meaningful Use The Meaningful Use security requirements protect Protected Health Information (PHI) against unauthorized access. The program requires Stage 1 and 2 core objectives that can be found on the CMS website.