CMS has released the proposed rule for Stage 2 requirements for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs. The Stage 2 rule includes criteria eligible professionals, eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals must meet in order to qualify for an incentive payment. The rule also introduces changes to the program timeline and details payment adjustments.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have delayed Stage 2 of meaningful use of electronic health records one year until Oct. 1, 2013, according to an AHA report.

CMS is reminding providers of the Version 5010 standard that will be enforced beginning April 1, according to an AAPC report.

Marilyn Tavenner, acting CMS administrator, told a conference of the American Medical Association today that CMS may "re-examine the pace at which we implement ICD-10," according to a report from The Hill.

Here is a list of the top 50 hospitals with the highest percentage of patients who rated their hospital 9 or 10 out of a 0 (worst) to 10 (best) scale. The data is based on the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey, which allows patients to rate line items relating to their patient care experience.

Jan. 3 marked the one-year anniversary of the start of registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, according to a CMS news release.

CMS has added new information to its Electronic Health Record website concerning the appeals process for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, according to a CMS news release.

A new fact sheet (pdf) by CMS is designed to ease the shift to HIPAA Version 5010, according to a HIMSS news release.

Meaningful use payments through CMS' Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program reached roughly $1.84 billion by the end of November, according to a HIMSS news release.

The coming year promises to be both exciting and challenging for hospital and health system leaders. With CMS' release of the final rule for accountable care organizations many healthcare organizations are looking to align more closely with physicians and other providers to create an integrated delivery of care model. Declining reimbursements have forced leaders to find new ways of saving costs and gaining efficiencies. In addition, federal funding for pilot projects and other initiatives are giving healthcare leaders opportunities to improve the quality and safety of care for patients. Here, 11 of the country's leading hospital and health system CEOs share their top goals for the new year.