CMS Not Prepared for Third Party EHR Registration
By: Christine  Locay, JD, RHIA, CPC
Vice President, Compliance Counsel

February 16, 2011

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued the following update regarding third party registration:

At this time there is no method available for a third party to register multiple eligible professionals for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. Beginning in May 2011, CMS plans to implement functionality that will allow an eligible professional to designate a third party to register and attest on his or her behalf. We will release detailed information about that process when it is available. States will not necessarily offer the same functionality. Eligible professionals should contact their state to see if there is additional information they will need to provide.

Please be aware that eligible professionals currently are not permitted to allow a practice manager or any other person to register in their place. Sharing your National Plan and Provider Enumeration System (NPPES) user ID and password with third parties can place your information at risk. Until CMS implements new functionality in May 2011, each EP should register himself or herself separately for the Medicare and Medicaid HER Incentive Programs.

Due to this update, Medac will not register groups at this time; however, we will continue to gather information for registration from those providers who plan to begin using an electronic health record in January 2012.  Medac will begin registering groups as soon as CMS permits.

The information presented herein reflects general information that is current as of the date it was first published. In light of changes that may occur in the health care regulatory and compliance environments, the author's presentation of this information might become outdated. Please check with your individual legal and/or compliance advisor(s) prior to taking any significant actions based upon the information and advice presented.