Meaningful Use and Public Health Objectives

The Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services provide financial compensation for the "Meaningful Use" of certified EHR technology to achieve health and efficiency goals. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 specifies three main components of Meaningful Use:

1.	The use of a certified EHR in a meaningful manner, such as e-prescribing.
2.	The use of certified EHR technology for electronic exchange of health information to improve quality of health care.
3.	The use of certified EHR technology to submit clinical quality and other measures.

The final rule for Stage 1 Meaningful Use requires eligible professionals to choose at least one public health objective from the set of menu objectives, which includes electronically submitting one of the following:

•	Immunization Information
•	Reportable Electronic Laboratory Results (eligible hospitals only)
•	Syndromic Surveillance

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) is actively working with eligible professionals and eligible hospitals to help them meet public health objectives in order to qualify for Meaningful Use incentives. 
 
Immunization Information
The Immunization Program of the MDPH recently launched the Massachusetts Immunization Information System (MIIS), a statewide immunization registry.  The MIIS is currently ready and available to receive electronic test messages from eligible providers for Meaningful Use purposes.  Later this year, we plan to begin statewide rollout and receive live patient immunization data both through a web interface and via HL7 data exchange.  The MIIS accepts electronic immunization messages (VXU) in the HL7 2.5.1 format from certified electronic health record systems.  The transport method requires the use of SOAP protocol via a web service. Detailed technical specifications and other information for electronically exchanging data with the MIIS is available at www.mass.gov/dph/miis via the link Information for Providers.  Additional technical and routing information is available upon request.  

For more information, please contact the MIIS Help Desk: 617-983-4335 or miishelpdesk@state.ma.us.

Electronic Laboratory Reporting 
MDPH has upgraded its electronic laboratory reporting (ELR) infrastructure to enable data providers and hospitals to meet Stage 1 Meaningful Use requirements. MDPH is now able to transform messages currently sent from hospitals (in HL7 2.3.1 or SMF formats) to HL7 2.5.1 format; we can also accept HL7 2.5.1 messages. Data providers will be able to retrieve their HL7 2.5.1 messages from the ELR portal for Meaningful Use compliance testing. The transformation tool embedded in the ELR portal has been certified for Meaningful Use, and the Certification Number will be provided to all data providers who wish to use it.

Please note that pursuant to 105 CMR Section 170, all laboratories are required to report results to the State via ELR.
For more information, please contact: Sita Smith, HIE Coordinator, Office of Integrated Surveillance and Informatics, BID, MDPH (sita.c.smith@state.ma.us, telephone: 617-983-6547).

Syndromic Surveillance
Please note that with regard to syndromic surveillance, MDPH does not have the resources at this time to upgrade the syndromic surveillance environment to meet Meaningful Use requirements.  

For more information, please contact: Sita Smith

Helpful Links:
•	Information on Meaningful Use and Medicaid/Medicare Incentives
•	Regional Extension Center (REC) for Massachusetts