In comments submitted to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), the Englewood, Colo.-based Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) urged the organization to support the ongoing certification work of the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT).
MGMA is also asking ONC to deem EHR software certified by CCHIT in 2008 or later as meeting the requirements for Stage 1 of the EHR incentive program. Additionally, the group is recommending that ONC permit virtual testing of EHR software by certification entities; offer eligible professionals a grace period of at least one year if their EHR software be “decertified;” and develop a certification process that facilitates appropriate EHR software selection by the physician practice.
