When evaluating electronic medical record (EMR) systems, you need more than just promises from a sales team. Your choice of technology directly impacts patient care, compliance, and the financial health of your practice.
Think about it: You wouldn’t take health supplements, drive a car, or use electrical appliances without trusted third-party testing. So why would you rely on an EMR that hasn’t undergone similar scrutiny?
Why Does ONC Certification Matter?
Anyone can say their EMR is secure, compliant, or interoperable—but ONC (Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology) certification is the gold standard that proves it.
To achieve ONC certification, an EMR must meet rigorous standards and pass third-party testing. That’s more than just a badge—it’s a mark of reliability, accountability, and credibility.
When you’re able to say, confidently “Our EMR is ONC-certified,” that distinction isn’t just technical. It’s strategic.
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What Does ONC Certified EHR Technology Support?
ONC certification validates that an EMR meets federal criteria across several critical domains:
- Interoperability
Facilitates seamless data exchange across healthcare systems—enabling efficient referrals, coordinated care, and smoother transitions between providers. - Security, Compliance, & Privacy
Meets strict standards for protecting patient data, ensuring HIPAA compliance and safeguarding against breaches. - Patient Accessibility & Access to Health Information
Empowering patients to access their health records is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, and ONC-certified EMRs facilitate this crucial access. - Patient Safety Features
Incorporates built-in safeguards and clinical decision support tools that help reduce medical errors and promote best practices. - AI Transparency
As AI increasingly integrates into healthcare, ONC certification is evolving to ensure these advanced technologies are safe, transparent, and ethically deployed.
Beyond technical compliance, ONC-certified EMRs also enable participation in Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) and other value-based care programs, unlocking revenue opportunities that non-certified systems simply can’t provide.
How a Certified EHR Becomes Your Competitive Edge
In a competitive provider market, ONC certification is a powerful asset.
Certified technology opens doors. Hospitals, health systems, and HIEs increasingly require certified systems for data exchange. Business associates and payors view certification as a sign of operational maturity. And patients trust providers who demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding their data.
Whether you’re negotiating a new contract or integrating with a network, having an ONC-certified EMR speaks volumes about your dedication to compliance, care quality, and innovation.
CHPL: The Definitive Way to Check ONC Certification
Not sure if your current EMR—or one you’re evaluating—is officially ONC-certified? There’s one definitive source: The Certified Health IT Product List (CHPL).
Maintained by the ONC, the CHPL provides a comprehensive, up-to-date database of all certified EMR and EHR products. You can search by vendor name, product name, or certification ID to verify status and certification criteria.
Let me walk you through an example, using our own experience with Raintree
Checking Raintree’s ONC Certification
- Go to: https://chpl.healthit.gov/#/search
- Type in “Raintree” in the search bar.
- Click ‘CEHRT ID +’. You’ll notice that Raintree, without the selection of MeldRx, may not show 100% base criteria met initially. This is where understanding the nuances of certification is key.
- Raintree utilizes Darena’s ‘MeldRx’ product to fulfill specific criteria, specifically (g)(7) and (g)(10), which are crucial for certain interoperability and patient access requirements.
- Therefore, to get the complete picture of Raintree’s certification, you also need to search for ‘Meldrx’ and click ‘CERT ID +’ to add both products to your search.
- Once both are selected, you’ll see that 100% of the base criteria are met.
- Finally, click ‘Create Certification ID’ to generate the unique ID used for attestation.
Checking Other EHR Certifications
To illustrate the importance of this step, let’s look at another example. If you were to search for another EMR and click “Add Cert ID+”, you might see 0% base certification met, with all criteria listed as missing.
This highlights how vital it is to understand the specific components and modules that contribute to a complete ONC certification for any given EMR.
Bottom Line
If your EMR isn’t ONC-certified, you’re missing more than a checkbox. You’re missing a strategic advantage. In an increasingly data-driven and value-based care landscape, certification is the baseline foundation of interoperability, compliance, and trust.
For your peace of mind and your practice’s success, always verify. Raintree EHR, for instance, has been proudly ONC Certified since 2019, consistently demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards in healthcare technology. When it comes to your EMR, don’t settle for less.
Ready to evaluate your EMR’s status? Start with the CHPL—and make sure your technology is working as hard for your practice as you do for your patients.
About the Author
Jenna Geier is an experienced product leader in Healthcare Information Technology, passionate about leveraging innovative technology to improve patient outcomes. Jenna specializes in aligning technology solutions with business goals, optimizing operations, and delivering impactful, patient-focused results within the complex landscape of healthcare IT and regulatory compliance.
