Department of Health
John J. Dreyzehner, MD, MPH, Commissioner

The Tennessee Office of E-Health Initiatives is coordinating the state’s response to meaningful use (MU) and Health Information Exchange (HIE). Please visit http://www.tn.gov/ehealth/ for more information on HIE and the federal programs driving these initiatives. For Medicaid specific MU information, please visit http://www.tn.gov/tenncare/mu.shtml.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has specified three requirements for demonstrating Meaningful Use via the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. They are:

1. Providers will use certified EHR technology in a meaningful manner (e.g., electronic prescribing);
2. Providers will connect the certified EHR technology in a manner that provides for the electronic exchange of health information to improve the quality of care; and
3. Providers using certified EHR technology will submit to the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary, clinical quality measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary. Submission by the provider of information, using certified EHR technology, regarding clinical quality measures and such other measures as selected by the Secretary.

Meaningful use involves three graduated stages for implementing meaningful use and electronic health record certification requirements. The meaningful use criteria for each stage will focus on the following:

Stage 1. Capture/Share data (Where we are now)
Stage 2. Advanced care processes with decision support
Stage 3. Improved Outcomes

Eligible professionals (EPs) must attest to a total of 15 Core MU measures. Eligible hospitals (EHs) must attest to a total of 14 Core MU measures. In addition, EHs and EPs must choose five of the ten menu measures, including at least one Public Health measure.

The three Public Health (PH) objectives include:

1. Sending immunization registry updates (menu option for both EHs and EPs, TDOH encourages full exchange with the registry to include queries, responses, and updates) ;
2. Sending electronic laboratory reports (ELR) (menu option for EHs only) ; and
3. Sending syndromic surveillance information to PH agencies (menu option for both EHs and EPs).

Currently, TDOH is exchanging immunization registry data for both children and adults and encourages full exchange with the immunization registry to include queries, responses, and updates. TDOH is also currently accepting ELR using interoperability standards outlined in the MU objectives. At this time, however, TDOH is not currently participating in testing Syndromic Surveillance messages for Meaningful Use.