E9-31216

This is an electronic, annotated copy of a document available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/E9-31216.pdf and at http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/E9-31216.htm

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Part III Department of Health and Human Services 45 CFR Part 170 Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology; Interim Final Rule

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Office of the Secretary

45 CFR Part 170

RIN 0991–AB58

Health Information Technology: Initial Set of Standards, Implementation Specifications, and Certification Criteria for Electronic Health Record Technology

AGENCY: Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Department of Health and Human Services. Action: Interim final rule.

Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing this interim final rule with a request for comments to adopt an initial set of standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria, as required by section 3004(b)(1) of the Public Health Service Act.

This interim final rule represents the first step in an incremental approach to adopting standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria to enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility, and security of health information technology and to support its meaningful use.

The certification criteria adopted in this initial set establish the capabilities and related standards that certified electronic health Record (EHR) technology will need to include in order to, at a minimum, support the achievement of the proposed meaningful use Stage 1 (beginning in 2011) by eligible professionals and eligible hospitals under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

DATES:
Effective Date: This interim final rule is effective February 12, 2010. The incorporation by reference of certain publications listed in the rule is approved by the Director of the Federal Register as of February 12, 2010.

Comment Date: To be assured consideration, written or electronic comments must be received at one of the addresses provided below, no later than 5 p.m. on March 15, 2010.

ADDRESSES:
Because of staff and resource limitations, we cannot accept comments by facsimile (FAX) transmission.

You may submit comments, identified by RIN 0991–AB58, by any of the following methods (please do not submit duplicate comments).

Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Attachments should be in Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or Excel; however, we prefer Microsoft Word. http://www.regulations.gov.
 * Federal eRulemaking Portal:

Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Attention: HITECH Initial Set Interim Final Rule, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Suite 729D, 200 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20201.
 * Regular, Express, or Overnight Mail:

Please submit one original and two copies.

Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Attention: HITECH Initial Set Interim Final Rule, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Suite 729D, 200 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20201.
 * Hand Delivery or Courier:

Please submit one original and two copies. (Because access to the interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Building is not readily available to persons without federal government identification, commenters are encouraged to leave their comments in the mail drop slots located in the main lobby of the building.)

Inspection of Public Comments:
All comments received before the close of the comment period will be available for public inspection, including any personally identifiable or confidential business information that is included in a comment.

Please do not include anything in your comment submission that you do not wish to share with the general public.

Such information includes, but is not limited to: A person’s social security number; date of birth; driver’s license number; state identification number or foreign country equivalent; passport number; financial account number; credit or debit card number; any personal health information; or any business information that could be considered to be proprietary.

We will post all comments received before the close ofthe comment period at http://www.regulations.gov.

Docket:
For access to the docket to read background documents or comments received, go to http:// www.regulations.gov

or

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, Hubert H. Humphrey Building, Suite 729D, 200 Independence Ave., SW., Washington, DC 20201 (call ahead to the contact listed below to arrange for inspection).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Steven Posnack, Policy Analyst, 202–690–7151.