The full set of capabilities needed to meet CMS Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) requirements is now available with latest cumulative monthly patch for NextGen® Enterprise EHR versions 5.9.1, 5.9.2 and 5.9.3.
NextGen Healthcare expects to announce the release of a patch for version 5.9.0 later this month.
Who needs this patch?
Any client on a version lower than our current general release (5.2020.1, previously known as 5.9.4) who orders advanced diagnostic imaging studies for Medicare patients will need to take the latest cumulative monthly patch to receive the full AUC capabilities.
You may not need to take this patch if you are on the current general release (5.2020.1) as you already have the full AUC capabilities, in addition to support for the new E&M coding guidelines.
Does the latest patch also contain the E&M coding updates?
Yes, it does! Because this is a cumulative patch, it contains support for the new E&M guidelines released in an earlier patch. So, if you are on a version lower than the current general release (5.2020.1) and have yet to take the E&M patch, now is your chance to receive the features and capabilities needed to meet both of these regulatory requirements!
When do we need this patch?
The AUC compliance date was recently delayed until January 1, 2022. This means you have some time, but NextGen Healthcare strongly recommends you conduct testing and education in 2021, which, practically speaking, requires this software update.
The compliance deadline for the new E&M coding guidelines is January 1, 2021, which gives you until the end of the year to upgrade to the current general release or take the latest monthly patch.
Why do we need this patch (i.e., what is AUC)?
The Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) program was mandated under the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA). As part of this program, ordering providers are required to consult a qualified clinical decision support mechanism (CDSM) and provide AUC information for all Medicare Part B advanced diagnostic imaging services (CT, MR, and Nuclear Medicine, including PET).
This regulatory requirement impacts ordering providers and diagnostic testing facilities. Starting January 1, 2021 ordering providers supply AUC consultation details on all advanced imaging orders; and performing providers (i.e., radiologists and imaging centers) must include these details on claims.
For More Information
Visit the Advanced Diagnostic Imaging AUC Hot Topic page to learn more about the regulation and EHR workflows.