The HITECH Act states that stimulus incentive payments for Medicare providers may begin no sooner than October 2010 for eligible hospitals and January 2011 for EPs. The final rule aligns the Medicare and Medicaid program start dates. Key steps in the implementation timeline to meet EMR meaningful use include:

• Registration by both EPs and eligible hospitals with CMS for the EHR incentive program will begin in January 2011. Registration for the Medicare incentive program will occur at one virtual location, managed by CMS.
• For the Medicare program, attestations may be made starting in April 2011 for both EPs and eligible hospitals.
• Medicare EHR stimulus incentive payments will begin in mid May 2011.
• States will be initiating their incentive programs on a rolling basis, subject to CMS approval of the State Medicaid HIT plan, which details how each State will implement and oversee its stimulus incentive program.
• Meaningful Use Stage 2 criteria will become a requirement for EPs at the beginning of 2014 and in October 2013 for EH and CAH’s.