ONC issued a final rule to establish the permanent certification program for HIT containing some new features with more transparency, reliability, and efficiency to be used to certify EHR technology. Meaningful use of “Certified EHR Technology is required so that eligible healthcare providers can qualify for incentive payments as authorized under the HITECH Act.
The temporary certification program, established through a final rule published June 24, 2010, will continue to be in effect until it sunsets on December 31, 2011 or at a later date when the processes necessary to have the permanent certification program operate is complete.
ONC will request that NIST through its National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program develop a laboratory accreditation program so that organization can be accredited to test HIT for purpose of the permanent certification program.
For more information on the permanent certification program and the final rule, go to http://healthit.hhs.gov/certification.
