A Patient Portal Push toward Acceptance and Utilization of the Technology

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have focused the definition of “meaningful use” as related to electronic health records and online patient engagement with current MACRA (Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015) and MIPS (Merit-based Incentive Payment System) legislation. MIPS will determine Medicare payment adjustments based on performance benchmark scores for eligible providers at eligible health centers beginning 2018. Providers may receive a payment bonus or payment penalty based on overall scoring. One part of the MACRA/MIPS score acknowledges the importance of “Meaningful Use of certified electronic health records” (patient portals). Performance measures begin January 1, 2017 and account for 25% of the weighted performance score (CMS, “The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, 2015). Benchmarks for online patient portals include; 5% of eligible patients are actively viewing, downloading and transmitting health information through their portals, 10% of eligible patients receive patient education materials online, 5% of eligible patients and providers are using secure electronic messaging to communicate relevant information through the portal, and 50% of unique patients registered for portal access.

The theoretical foundations for this study include the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) designed to determine workers’ perceived usefulness, ease of use, and intention to use early computer technology (Davis, 1989). The Patient Engagement Framework by the Health Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) is a five-phase patient engagement continuum used to “inform, engage, empower, partner, and support online health information technology efforts with patients (2014). This program evaluation project based on the Center for Disease Control Program Evaluation Framework (2017). Three goals of this program evaluation include; market and educate patients about portal registration and utilization, assess portal registration and utilization numbers, and evaluate on-line patient-provider portal engagement and acceptance of the technology. Quantitative surveys and pre/post MU 90-day Summary reports seek to assess portal technology acceptance and utilization by patients, providers and clinical staff.