Meaningful Use Stage 2 vs. Stage 1: Moving from Data Collection to Advanced Clinical Processes and Patient Engagement

On Aug. 23, 2012, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (''HHS'') issued the final rule on Stage 2 of the meaningful use incentive program for electronic health records (''EHRs''). In large part, Stage 2 attempts to employ objectives that foster patient access to their health information and more interoperable health information exchange. Farzad Mostashari, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology within the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology of HHS (''ONC''), has asserted as much, calling the movement from Stage 1 from Stage 2 ''the big push . . . to move beyond data collection to improving care.''