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ONC Health IT Certification Program Updates (03/1/2019)

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Test Method Updates

2015 Edition Test Method for Automated Numerator Recording and Automated Measure Calculation (170.315(g)(1) and (g)(2)) for Eligible Hospitals/Critical Access Hospitals

ONC published updates to the test method for the eligible hospital/critical access hospital (EH/CAH) setting for the 2015 Edition “automated numerator recording” and “automated measure calculation” (170.315(g)(1) and (g)(2)) certification criteria for Required Tests (RT) 13 and 14. RT 13 and 14 test the Promoting Interoperability (PI) opioid measures finalized in the CMS 2019 Inpatient Prospective Payment System final rule for “Query of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program” and “Verify Opioid Treatment Agreement.” The testing approach for RT 13 and 14 for EH/CAH is developer self-declaration of conformance. Note that CMS recently published FAQs for these opioid measures for the EH/CAH setting.

The EH/CAH test method for RT 15 for the “Support Electronic Referral Loops by Receiving and Incorporating Health Information” PI measure is still in draft format pending additional CMS guidance. Health IT developers will not be able to test and certify to this RT until the test method is updated.

The test method for the eligible professional/eligible clinician (EP/EC) setting for RT 13, 14, and 15 is pending additional CMS guidance. Health IT developers will not be able to test and certify to these RT until the test method is updated.

Test Method Updates

Recently Updated Test Procedures

2015 Edition Test Procedures
Criterion Number	Criterion Title	Details
§ 170.315(g)(1)	Automated numerator recording	• Added text noting that the Promoting Interoperability measure for Required Tests 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are only applicable in 2018. • Added text noting the Promoting Interoperability measure for Required Tests 13, 14, and 15 are only applicable starting in 2019. • Modified the name of the ACI Transition and ACI to Promoting Interoperability Transition and Promoting Interoperability.
§ 170.315(g)(2)	Automated measure calculation	• Added text noting that the Promoting Interoperability measure for Required Tests 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 9 are only applicable in 2018. • Added text noting the Promoting Interoperability measure for Required Tests 13, 14, and 15 are only applicable starting in 2019. • Modified the name of the ACI Transition and ACI to Promoting Interoperability Transition and Promoting Interoperability.

Recently Updated Test Data

2015 Edition Test Data
Criterion Number	Criterion Title	Details
§ 170.315(g)(1) EH/CAH	Automated numerator recording	• Added general note 12 stating that testing for Required Tests 13 and 14 is self-declaration. Updated Required Tests 13 and 14 and removed draft status.
§ 170.315(g)(2) EH/CAH	Automated measure calculation	• Added general note 12 stating that testing for Required Tests 13 and 14 is self-declaration. Updated Required Tests 13 and 14 and removed draft status.
§ 170.315(g)(1) EP/EC	Automated numerator recording	• Made the following changes based on CMS policy changes per the CY2019 PFS final rule: • Updated the tab names for Required Test 2a, 2b, 2c, and 7 and added a test data note outlining the measure name change and that no other changes were made to the test data. • Added a test data note to Required Test 7 noting that any document template within the C-CDA can be used to meet the measure. • Modified the information on when actions must occur to populate the numerator for Promoting Interoperability measures starting in 2019.
§ 170.315(g)(2) EP/EC	Automated measure calculation	• Made the following changes based on CMS policy changes per the CY2019 PFS final rule: • Updated the tab names for Required Test 2a, 2b, 2c, and 7 and added a test data note outlining the measure name change and that no other changes were made to the test data. • Added a test data note to Required Test 7 noting that any document template within the C-CDA can be used to meet the measure. Added general note 14 noting Promoting Interoperability measures that are only applicable in 2018. • Modified the information on when actions must occur to populate the numerator for Promoting Interoperability measures starting in 2019.