The Core Set contains 15 elements for physicians and other EP’s to implement (recording patient demographics, maintaining problem lists, computerized physician order entry (CPOE) for some medication orders and reporting on clinical quality measures to CMS or state Medicaid programs.)

The Menu Set category lists 10 additional elements from which providers must choose 5 to implement.

Stage 2 will expand upon the Stage 1 criteria. These changes will be reflected by a larger number of core objective requirements.

In the Menu Set criteria, the option to choose 5 of the 10 requirements will no longer be available. All 10 of the activities will be mandatory.

This stage will be further defined beginning in October 2010.

Stage 3 will focus on achieving improvements in quality, safety and efficiency, focusing on decision support for national high priority conditions, patient access to self management tools, access to comprehensive patient data, and improving population health outcomes.

Continue to check back for updates.