HHS Recognizes CCHIT as Official Certifying Body

The federal government took another step in its ongoing efforts to promote widespread adoption of health information technology by naming the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology, or CCHIT, a Recognized Certification Body, or RCB.

"I applaud the CCHIT for meeting the requirements to become a Recognized Certification Body and for their efforts to help bring the benefits of health IT within reach of consumers," said HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt in an Oct. 26 press release.

"Broad adoption of health information technology that is interoperable is absolutely crucial to providing patients with better care, at lower cost and with less hassle," he said.

Leavitt said that a seal of approval -- when awarded by an impartial recognized certification body, such as CCHIT -- could help accelerate the adoption of electronic health records by removing the uncertainty and risk physicians face when purchasing such products.

CCHIT's new status as an RCB has special significance in light of two HHS final rules published in the August 8 Federal Register that create exceptions to and safe harbors in key federal fraud and abuse laws for arrangements involving the donation of certain health IT products and services. The two final rules provide interim guidance "that EHR software is considered interoperable that has been certified by an RCB within 12 months prior to donation," according to the press release.

CCHIT is the first group to receive the RCB designation; significantly, an EHR software product that obtains CCHIT certification now qualifies for inclusion in those safe harbors.

Some background on CCHIT: In September 2005, HHS awarded CCHIT, a private, nonprofit organization, a contract to develop a mechanism for certifying health IT products. The AAFP has been a part of that effort. Academy EVP Douglas Henley, M.D., served as a charter commissioner of CCHIT, and Steven Waldren, M.D., director of the Academy's Center for Health Information Technology currently serves as co-chair of CCHIT's ambulatory EHR functionality work group.