In 2009 Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) was enacted. The HITECH act provides federal incentives for providers to adopt and use electronic health records.

Declaration of readiness

Since 2011 the Houston Health Department (HHD) has taken part in public health reporting for meaningful use (MU) by onboarding eligible hospitals in the Texas Gulf Coast region for syndromic surveillance.

In accordance with federal guidelines regarding Stage 3 Meaningful Use, HHD is declaring readiness to receive electronic health data from eligible providers. In September 2016, HHD registered in the CMS Centralized Repository for Public Health Readiness.HHD is listed in the CMS Centralized Repository for Public Health Readiness.

HHD will assist eligible providers with navigating the road of MU and Public Health Reporting.

Reporting period and deadlines

Modified Stage 2

  • In 2017, the EHR reporting period is a full calendar year for all Providers; however, participants in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program demonstrating MU for the first time and all Providers who choose to implement MU3 are allowed any continuous 90-day reporting period within the calendar year, between January 1 and December 31, 2017.
  • For the 2017 EHR reporting period, the attestation deadline is February 28, 2018.
  • To avoid the 2018 payment adjustment, first time participants must attest by October 1, 2017. Stage 3 Medicaid
  • In 2018 and beyond, the EHR reporting period is a full calendar year for all Providers; however, participants in the Medicaid EHR incentive demonstrating MU for the first time are allowed any continuous 90-day reporting period within the calendar year.

Stage 3 Medicaid

  • In 2018 and beyond, the EHR reporting period is a full calendar year for all Providers; however, participants in the Medicaid EHR incentive demonstrating MU for the first time are allowed any continuous 90-day reporting period within the calendar year.

Syndromic surveillance

HHD is currently accepting registrations from hospitals/hospital systems with emergency departments, free-standing emergency centers, and urgent care centers. For a list and map of counties in which the eligible provider may be located go here.

ELR

In 2017, HHD accepts electronic data on reportable lab results according to state law and practice from eligible hospitals (EH). The EH may be located in Harris County.

Electronic case reporting (eCR)

In 2017, HHD will assist a local hospital system to pilot test eCR.

Exemption waiver

HHD has an online form for eligible providers to obtain waivers. If you are an eligible provider requiring a waiver, please complete the form to obtain and exemption letter.

Questions may be emailed to syndromic@houstontx.gov.

Requirements

Requirements for eligible providers to complete MU objective 1. Obtain and review guidance documents from HHD 2. Complete the Registration of Intent form here. 3. Obtain and complete onboarding provider packet from HHD. 4. Complete steps for testing and validation 5. Transmit health data electronically to HHD

Questions can be emailed to syndromic@houstontx.gov.