01/18/2016    Michael Brody, DPM

Meaningful Use Penalties (Raymond F Posa, MBA)

I have to disagree with Ray Posa's statement that
all EPs are required to meet Meaningful Use. CMS
has instituted a program that has a penalty for
those who do not elect to meet Meaningful Use.
You as a business owner should look at this
program and the time and expense involved, then
make a business decision as to whether or not it
is in your best interest to implement the program
or to take the penalty.

Once we elect to enter into a contract with CMS
to accept Medicare we are entering into a
contract that sets our rates. If we do not like
the terms of the contract each and every year we
have the option to not renew that contract.

Meaningful Use participation is simply one aspect
of that contract and our participation in the
Meaningful Use (and PQRS programs) have an impact
on our Medicare reimbursements.

I personally believe that there are numerous
tools in certified technology that enable me to
better engage my patients, set up clinical
reminders that assist me in providing better
quality care to my patients and that the net
result of this technology is a benefit to both my
practice and my patients.

I do agree that there are some measures that
really have little to no bearing on my practice
and are for lack of a better term busy work.
Each doctor must make a business decision as to
whether or not it makes sense to participate in
the program (which does have a cost in both money
and time) or to not participate in the program
which does have a cost (in terms of payment
adjustments).

Rather than sit back and complain that the
government is requiring something, look at the
situation from a realistic position and make a
sound and valid business decision as to whether
or not to meet Meaningful Use, or even
participate in Medicare. We have the right and
privilege to make that decision and reap the
benefits and disadvantages of each decision we
make.

Michael Brody, DPM, Commack, NY

There are no more messages in this thread.