About the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology
Widespread adoption of health information technology (health IT) can foster improvements in quality, safety, efficiency and access – key goals in today’s national dialog on health reform.
These goals also drive the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®), a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization with the public mission of accelerating the adoption of health IT.
A solid foundation for electronic health record technology
Founded in 2004, and certifying electronic health records (EHRs) since 2006, the Commission established the first comprehensive, practical definition of what capabilities were needed in these systems. The certification criteria were developed through a voluntary, consensus-based process engaging diverse stakeholders, and the Certification Commission was officially recognized by the federal government as a certifying body.
Uptake by the health IT industry was rapid, with more than 200 EHR products certified by mid-2009, representing over 75% of the marketplace. Provider organizations endorsed the work as well. Based on this broad acceptance, healthcare payers and purchasers in the government and private sectors began offering incentives to providers for adopting certified EHR technology.
In February 2009, Congress acknowledged the value of certification in the language of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) aimed at stimulating the nation’s economy. The law offers a multi-year series of incentive payments to providers and hospitals for the meaningful use of certified EHR technology. The total amount of payments has been projected by the Congressional Budget Office at $34 billion.
Readiness for the future: New paths to certification
Anticipating a massive response to the new incentives, CCHIT has broadened access to certification, offering three paths to certification instead of just one. The new paths are intended to bring wider availability of EHR technologies, stimulate innovation, and address the needs of providers and hospitals at varying stages of technology adoption readiness. They are:
- CCHIT Certified®, an independently developed certification that includes a rigorous inspection of an EHR’s integrated functionality, interoperability and security. Products that are CCHIT Certified® are tested against criteria developed by the Commission’s broadly representative, expert work groups. This program is intended to serve health care providers looking for greater assurance that a product will meet their complex needs. As part of this independent evaluation, successful use is verified at live sites and product usability is rated.
- ONC-ATCB certification, a program that tests Complete EHRs or EHR Modules against the Final Rule issued by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC), US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in July 2010 to qualify EHR technology for ARRA. For the purposes of this program, CCHIT is an ONC Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB).
- Products may be certified in one or both of these distinctly separate programs.
In addition to these product certifications, CCHIT offers an EHR Alternative Certification - a simplified, low cost certification for customized EHR technolgy at provider sites or organizations. Technology must meet the same minimum federal criteria and standards as commercial products do. This program will allow providers and hospitals who develop or assemble EHR technologies themselves to qualify for ARRA incentives, offering an open door to encourage continued innovation.
CCHIT -- a volunteer organization, now over 300 strong – looks forward to addressing the new opportunities and challenges ahead.