Choosing a new electronic health record (EHR) platform is a juggling act, requiring you to weigh so many options and parameters that meet your organization’s needs. Do you really need a certified EHR? How do you know you're getting a solution that fits the bill and meets modern standards?
Let’s break down the benefits of using verified health technology and what it means for choosing your next solution. Consider which seals of approval make the most sense—from Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) compliance to Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) certification.
What prompted the need for certification?
EHR certification evolved in the U.S. because the federal government knew we needed safe and efficient technology for medical records. ONC was created to support computerized health records, setting the bar for EHR certification that is informed by several sources today.
21st Century Cures Act
The Cures Act, an Obama-era ruling, requires EHR vendors to meet certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) criteria to improve patient access to electronic health data. Its Final Rule further promotes standardized APIs for access via apps and aims to improve interoperability, empower patients, and encourage healthcare innovation.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
CMS supports federal health programming, introducing “meaningful use” as a three-stage program tied to federal incentives.
Stage 1 promoted the adoption of CEHRT by requiring electronic data capture and patient access to health information. Stage 2 focused on care coordination, patient data exchange, clinical decision support, and engagement. Stage 3 aimed to improve health outcomes through advanced CEHRT functions, such as secure data handling, e-Prescribing, coordinated care, and participation in health information exchange and clinical registries.
Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act
HITECH is designed to incentivize healthcare organizations to adopt interoperable and secure health IT. It introduced penalties of up to $50,000 for violations of HIPAA rules, aiming to better protect electronic health information.
The Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement (TEFCA)
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services initiative was intended to simplify electronic health information sharing across diverse networks. TEFCA breaks down data silos by setting standards for participating networks, enabling seamless, secure health information exchange across the country.
Private/Third-Party Appraisers
Several nongovernment organizations perform independent audits/appraisals. These third parties—Drummond, ISO, CMMI, SOC2, and others—ensure products stand up to quality metrics, including dependability, organizational control, performance, and capability.
Why is certification valuable?
Just because an EHR is certified doesn’t mean it’s a CEHRT. EHR certification falls into so many buckets that it’s become difficult to differentiate. We’ll get into that in a moment, but first things first: CEHRT certification means an EHR passes ONC's test for security, interoperability, and functionality. Certification enables effective care delivery and protection against inefficiencies and regulatory violations.
As you look toward implementing a certified EHR to support your healthcare organization, keep a running tally of whether your software options check these boxes:
Ensures Interoperability
Implementing a certified EHR gives the entire organization the tools needed to stay connected. Advanced EHRs are fully interoperable, syncing to enable seamless data sharing among clinicians, patients, and organizations across the continuum of care to improve care delivery, decision-making, and efficiency.
Supports Core Functionalities
Checking all the boxes for ONC certification creates a more robust EHR solution. With functionalities such as e-Prescribing capabilities and clinical decision support and reporting, your software enhances workflows—and improves revenue.
Adheres to Federal Program Requirements
If your organization participates in any major programs—such as Medicare, Medicaid, and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)—your technology must fall in line or risk penalties. For instance, the 2024 PFS Final Rule indicates that providers not using a certified EHR for at least 180 days during the performance year may face a negative payment adjustment to their Medicare reimbursements in the following payment year for failing to demonstrate EHR meaningful use.
Enables Value-Based Payment
Provide data-driven care. Certified EHRs offer features to leverage data in care delivery, such as quality tracking and population health management for value-based care settings.
Supports Quality Measurement
Ease your reporting burden. Certified EHRs support quality measure reporting, helping clinicians meet requirements for alternative payment models such as MIPS, which reward providers for delivering high-quality and coordinated care.
Elevates Patient Relationships
Get patients involved in their care. EHRs validated by ONC certifications help to engage patients by sharing educational materials and messaging, improving overall satisfaction.
Mitigates Risks
By implementing an ONC-certified EHR, your healthcare organization can improve both its efficiency and liability. Certified software is a comprehensive solution to improve care delivery and mitigate risk.
- Reduce medical errors and enhance patient safety: Certified EHRs enable seamless data sharing across care settings. Providers are equipped to deliver care efficiently, improving their accuracy and clinical decision-making for better care coordination.
- Strengthen data security and privacy: Healthcare organizations handle a treasure trove of personal data. Certified EHRs abide by strict HIPAA standards, encrypting and securing access to patient data to protect data integrity and prevent breaches.
- Lower operational and legal risks: Certified EHRs support accurate documentation, reduce liability through reliable records, enable interoperability for better data sharing, and help cut costs by improving efficiency and reducing errors.
Which certifications are available?
As discussed, various regulatory bodies and third parties thoroughly assess EHR technology through lenses such as privacy and security, efficiency, and data-sharing capabilities. As you compare solutions, dig into which entities have signed off on them.
ONC Certification
ONC certification indicates an EHR includes a balance between user-friendly functionality to reduce the burden on healthcare providers and robust security to ensure it can protect patient data and comply with HIPAA. Certified EHRs enhance interoperability and information exchange through standardized APIs, which ensure uninterrupted and secure access to health information and support innovation and seamless care coordination.
ONC certification improves patient safety by ensuring accurate, complete information inside an EHR and by helping providers meet federal program requirements.
HIPAA Compliance
HIPAA sets national standards for protecting personal health information. Certified HIPAA-compliant EHRs include a bevy of features to safeguard patient records. Chief among these are access controls that restrict data to authorized personnel, audit trails of who modified patient data, and business associate agreements with vendors who have access to protected health information to ensure their HIPAA compliance.
HITECH
The HITECH Act encourages healthcare organizations to adopt interoperable health IT and ensures health information is shared securely. HITECH-certified EHRs enhance care coordination through interoperability and cross-system data exchange, elevating information sharing, decision-making, and patient outcomes.
Providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs may qualify for financial incentives.
Drummond
Drummond Group certification gives an EHR a stamp of approval that it’s met strict standards across three categories: functionality, interoperability, and security. Healthcare providers can more easily choose software that meets meaningful use criteria:
- Confirms compliance: Verifies that the EHR meets industry and regulatory standards.
- Builds trust: Signals a commitment to security, interoperability, and compliance.
- Enables incentive eligibility: Helps providers qualify for CMS incentive payments.
- Enhances interoperability: Supports secure integration with other systems.
- Reduces risk: Undergoes strict security testing to protect against data breaches.
Choose a certified solution such as Juno EHR
You need to know that your EHR can do the heavy lifting to support staff members and patients alike. Juno EHR was built BY clinicians FOR clinicians to exceed key industry standards and stack up to their demands—instead of just being retrofitted to meet modern standards.
Juno EHR is fully verified by the healthcare industry’s top standards:
- HITECH, Drummond, ISO 9001, and ONC certification
- HIPAA and SOC2 Type 2 compliance verified
- CMMI ML3 Dev appraised
Ready to implement a robust EHR that keeps your organization moving? Get started with Juno EHR! Our innovative Build-a-Module application creates a personalized EHR experience that is fully interoperable with your work systems, supports everyday activities to ensure quality care, and keeps your organization in good graces with key standards. Begin your journey today.
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