Test Method Updates

The Updated 2015 Edition test procedures and test data for § 170.315(g)(1) Automated Numerator Recording and § 170.315(g)(2) Automated Measure Calculation are now available for stakeholder feedback. The (g)(1) and (g)(2) test procedures and test data documents are available here for a 30 day feedback period ending November 21^st, 2016.

In response to previous industry feedback, the format for the (g)(1) and (g)(2) test procedures and test data has been updated to increase efficiency during testing. Those updates include;

Separate data sets for each criteria, with an additional scenario for (g)(2) to test if the denominator increments correctly.
Added an Advancing Care Information measure that aligns with either the modified Stage 2 measures or the Stage 3 measures.
A single set of test patients that are used across each required test to allow health IT developers to enter a smaller number of test patients into their Health IT Modules to be used across each applicable test.

Further, we have implemented a single global required test that uses a smaller but separate set of test patients. For the global test, health IT developers may choose any measure from the required tests to demonstrate the global requirements.

The test procedures and data also reflect updated provisions outlined in the Medicare Program; Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive under the Physician Fee Schedule, and Criteria for Physician-Focused Payment Models final rule, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on October 14^th, 2016. Additional information on the Quality Payment Program can be found here.

For additional information on the 2015 Edition requirements, please visit https://www.healthit.gov/policy-researchers-implementers/2015-edition-final-rule.

Questions may be directed to the ONC Health IT Certification Program via email at: ONC.Certification@hhs.gov.