Promoting Interoperability

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) encourage eligible clinicians, eligible hospitals, and CAHs to adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology through the Promoting Interoperability Programs. In connection with other CMS initiatives such as the Quality Payment Program, these programs help to support high quality, high value care through the use of certified health IT.

Quality Payment Program

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) established the Quality Payment Program to reward eligible clinicians who provide higher-value care. Clinicians take part in the Quality Payment Program in one of two ways: the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Advanced Alternative Payment Models (Advanced APMs). In MIPS, the Promoting Interoperability category focuses on meaningful use of certified EHR technology, while Advanced APMs include their own requirements for participants to use certified EHR technology.

Promoting Interoperability Programs for Hospitals

The Promoting Interoperability Programs for hospitals (previously known as the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs) encourage eligible hospitals and CAHs to demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.