You would be wise to save documentation – in whatever format you can – that shows you were honest and accurate in attesting to meaningful use for the Medicare electronic health record (EHR) incentive program, which is currently doling out money pretty much on the honor system, CMS says.
Now the agency has issued its strongest statement yet on the need to preserve documentation for the future meaningful use auditing program. CMS is responsible for ensuring that taxpayer money isn’t being wasted on fraudulent attestations, and the agency is planning to launch a focused audit program, officials said during a Sept. 9 open door call on the attestation process.
“We will be working very hard to make that process strategic and targeted,” one official said. “We will make use of technology wherever possible, and we’ll coordinate with other entities.”
What you can do to stay safe when audits come: “If you have generated documentation, whether it’s printing a record or taking a screenshot, we recommend you hold onto that,” the official said. “When in doubt, stick in the shoebox just in case.”
NOTE: The meaningful use final rule does call for you to retain documentation of whatever you attested to for a period of six years, the official points out.