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Understanding the 2024 MIPS SAFER Guides Requirements

Medical Billing Coding 250357617
07 Jun

Understanding the 2024 MIPS SAFER Guides Requirements

CMS Makes Annual SAFER Guides EHR Self-Assessment a Requirement

In 2014, the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience Guides (SAFER Guides) were initially released and updated in 2016. They help health systems conduct proactive risk assessments of electronic health record (EHR) safety-related policies, processes, procedures, and configurations. The SAFER Guides target healthcare organizations of all sizes. They consist of nine guides organized into three groups.

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To satisfy the MIPS requirement in 2024, the MIPS-eligible clinician must conduct an annual Self-Assessment of the High-Priority Practices Guide of the SAFER Guides. In previous years, clinicians could satisfy this measure by selecting “No” to complete the Self-Assessment.  Clinicians must now select “Yes” to satisfy the measure. Completing the Self-Assessment is necessary to pass the Promoting Interoperability category, despite the measure not being worth points.

The Self-Assessment consists of an 18-question checklist that a multidisciplinary team should complete. For each of the 18 questions, we will ask how well you have implemented the recommended practices. You have three choices for implementation status: Fully in all areas, Partially in some places, or Not implemented.

Source: https://www.healthit.gov/

After reviewing the checklist, you must review the detailed worksheets correlating each question. The worksheets guide implementing the recommended practices.  There is also an area on the worksheet to document any remediation or follow-up needed. You must complete the Self-assessment by the end of the 2024 performance year to attest “Yes” to its completion.

CMS will not score your assessment. It is an internal document you must save with your compliance records for the 2024 reporting year.  Also, the SAFER Guides’ High-Priority Practices Guide does not replace your annual Security Risk Assessment.

Additional information regarding the SAFER Guides can be found at: https://www.healthit.gov/topic/safety/safer-guides