Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program Resources
The Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability (PI) Program is now closed. The last day eligible professionals could receive an incentive payment was December 31, 2021. This content will remain in place for historical reference until the end of September 2023.
- ForwardHealth Online Handbook
- ForwardHealth Updates
- Frequently Asked Questions and Tip Sheets
- User Guides
- State Medicaid Health IT Plan
- Health IT Landscape Assessment
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Resources
- Wisconsin eHealth Initiative Resources
ForwardHealth Online Handbook
The Online Handbook contains a complete index of policies and procedures applying to the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program published in ForwardHealth Updates. This up-to-date source of program information can be used to gather additional details on topics including (but not limited to) eligibility, patient volume, CEHRT, meaningful use criteria, and supporting documentation.
ForwardHealth Updates
Official publications on the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program can be found below. The Updates below may contain obsolete information. They are to be used for reference or research purposes only. Refer to the Online Handbook for current policy.
- Information for Eligible Hospitals Regarding Program Year 2017 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/19/17
- Information for Eligible Hospitals Regarding Program Year 2016 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/05/16
- Information for Eligible Hospitals Regarding Program Year 2015 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/08/15
- Changes for Program Year 2014 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program for Eligible Hospitals, 10/30/14
- Information for Eligible Hospitals Regarding Program Year 2014 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/07/13
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Hospitals, 04/01/13
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Hospitals, 12/17/12
- Eligible Hospitals Reporting Meaningful Use for the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program and Other Program Information, 02/20/12
- Additional Information and Clarifications Regarding the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/31/11
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Hospitals, 07/26/11
- Additional Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2021 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, 12/18/20
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2021 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, 07/24/20
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2020 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, 05/29/20
- Clarifications to the Promoting Interoperability Program for Eligible Professionals, 03/06/20
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2019 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, 09/13/19
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2018 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/24/18
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2017 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/19/17
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2016 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/05/16
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2016 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/24/16
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Changes to the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program for Program Year 2015, 04/28/16
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2015 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 06/08/15
- Changes for Program Year 2014 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program for Eligible Professionals, 10/30/14
- Information for Eligible Professionals Regarding Program Year 2014 of the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/07/13
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Professionals, 04/01/13
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Professionals, 12/17/12
- Eligible Professionals Reporting Meaningful Use for the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program and Other Program Information, 05/14/12
- Additional Information and Clarifications Regarding the Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program, 10/31/11
- The Wisconsin Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program ForwardHealth Update for Eligible Professionals, 07/25/11
Frequently Asked Questions and Tip Sheets
The following questions and answers are provided by the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program and pertain only to the Promoting Interoperability Program administered by Wisconsin Medicaid.
- Eligible Professional FAQ, P-00358A
- Preparing for Stage 3 Tip Sheet, P-02026. This document was created to help Eligible Professionals understand Stage 3 requirements and prepare for attestation. It contains information about the evolution of Meaningful Use objectives from Modified Stage 2 to Stage 3 and explains all the new objective and measure requirements.
- Wisconsin High-Priority Electronic Clinical Quality Measures, P-02315. This document was created to provide Eligible Professionals guidance on outcome and high-priority electronic clinical quality measures, required for attestation starting in Program Year 2019.
- Objective 0 Tip sheet. Eligible Professionals are required to attest to cooperating with the Office of National Coordinator of Health Information Technology’s (ONC) EHR system surveillance and review activities. Eligible Professionals will answer the ONC questions in the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program application, Objective 0.
- Stage 3 Tip Sheet. This document provides a summary of Stage 3 requirements including objectives, measures, and exclusions.
User Guides
Below are step-by-step guides to help you navigate the process of applying for a Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program incentive payment. Please choose the guide that fits your needs:
- Wisconsin Medicaid EHR Incentive Program User Guide for Eligible Hospitals
- Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program User Guide for Eligible Professionals
- Eligible Professional Application Process Guide: This is an abbreviated version of the user guide for Eligible Professionals, which outlines the process of registering and applying for the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program.
State Medicaid Health Information Technology (HIT) Plan
The State of Wisconsin Medicaid Health Information Technology Plan (SMHP) is the governing document for the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program. The original SMHP was approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on September 20, 2010. The State of Wisconsin continues to refine the SMHP and will post updated versions as they are available.
- Section 1: Introduction
- Section 2: As-Is Landscape Assessment
- Section 3: To-Be Landscape Assessment
- Section 4: Technology Roadmap
Health Information Technology Landscape Assessment
In 2014, the Wisconsin eHealth Program analyzed data from the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs to develop prescriptive recommendations for increasing provider adoption and Meaningful Use of certified EHR technology (CEHRT). Related objectives of the assessment also included:
- Analyze Medicaid-enrolled provider adoption and Meaningful use of CEHRT based on participation in the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs to identify provider populations that may require assistance with the adoption and Meaningful Use of CEHRT and to inform future Medicaid program and policy initiatives.
- Analyze the CEHRT vendor and broadband landscapes to identify opportunities and challenges for Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Wisconsin.
- Assess the population of Wisconsin Medicaid members served by providers that adopt and Meaningfully Use CEHRT to identify disparities.
To review this report, follow this link: Health Information Technology Landscape Assessment (August 2011–June 2017)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Other Federal Resources
Stage 1: Final Rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. Published to the Federal Register on July 28, 2010. CMS announced their final rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs, including the definition of Meaningful Use. Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, eligible health care professionals and hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt CEHRT and use it to achieve specified objectives.
- Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Electronic Health Record Incentive Program; Correcting Amendment at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/pdf/2010-32861.pdf (12/29/10). Corrects typographical errors in the final rule.
Stage 2: Final Rule for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs. Published to the Federal Register on 09/04/12. CMS released their final rule for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs, including changes to Stage 1 meaningful use, expansions of eligibility requirements, and definition of additional meaningful use requirements.
2014 CEHRT Flexibility Final Rule. On 09/04/14, CMS released a final rule that grants flexibility to providers who are unable to fully implement 2014 Edition CEHRT for an EHR reporting period in 2014 due to delays in 2014 Edition CEHRT availability.
Stage 3 and Modifications to Meaningful Use in 2015 through 2017 Final Rule. On October 6, 2015, CMS published a final rule introducing new criteria Eligible Professionals must meet in order to participate in the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program in Program Year 2015 and all subsequent Program Years. Changes include:
- The removal of redundant, duplicative, or topped out measures.
- The modification of patient engagement objectives requiring patient action.
- A consolidated public health reporting objective with measure options.
The Certified Health IT Product List provides the authoritative, comprehensive listing of Complete EHRs and EHR Modules that have been tested and certified under the Temporary Certification Program maintained by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. To complete an application for the Wisconsin Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program applicants will need the CMS EHR Certification ID provided through the Certified HealthIT product list website.
For information about the program timeline, refer to the CMS Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Milestone Timeline.
CMS has posted statistics and pertinent information on the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Programs on the Data and Reports portion of their website.
For more CMS resources, including a list of FAQs, refer to the Medicare and Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program website. To stay up-to-date on the latest federal news related to the Promoting Interoperability Programs, subscribe to the CMS EHR Listserv.
Wisconsin eHealth Program Resources
The mission of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) eHealth Program is to facilitate improvements in Wisconsin’s health care quality, safety, transparency, efficiency, and cost effectiveness through statewide adoption and use of EHRs and health information exchange (HIE). Access to the right health care information at the right time by providers and patients will promote the delivery of safe, optimum health care in Wisconsin.
Read more here: Wisconsin eHealth Program