Meaningful use is a health information technology incentive that is now being mandated by the federal government for the use of electronic health records and for exchanging patient medical data between providers, insurance companies, and patients. The Centers of Medicare & Medicaid Services established three phases of this program that health care official must complete in order to qualify for incentive payments. Stage 1 of the program began in 2011, with continuation of stage 2 and finishing at stage 3. Stage 1 of the incentive indicates providers must establish an electronic health record system that met the criteria as of the end of 2014. Stage 2 of the program consisted of a continuation of stage 1 and incorporating new requirements
