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How NextGen Enterprise Clients Can Use Care Guidelines Decision Support to Maintain CEHRT for Quality Reporting

Beginning in 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) will implement updates as part of the Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability: Certification Program Updates, Algorithm Transparency, and Information Sharing (HTI-1) Final Rule, which significantly revises the certification process for Electronic Health Record (EHR) software. With this final rule, there will be annual Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) required updates, which marks a significant shift from previous years, where updates were more comprehensive but less frequent. As a result, NextGen Enterprise clients will need to apply minor version upgrades each year to stay compliant. These changes will impact any clients who participate in the Quality Payment Program or other initiatives that require CEHRT starting in 2025.


NextGen Enterprise clients now have access to the Care Guidelines Decision Support Intervention (CG DSI) standalone package, which is required to maintain CEHRT in 2025. This package is essential for clients participating in quality reporting programs such as the Quality Payment Program (QPP), Advanced Payment Models (APM), and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).


The CG DSI package can be found here, along with the user guide, new feature summary, and release notes.


Key Deadlines for Quality Reporting Compliance
Depending on your reporting program and deadlines, you may need to upgrade or apply patches by the following dates:

2025 Reporting:

  • APM participants: CEHRT is required for the full calendar year. Upgrade to NextGen version 6.2021.1 + CG DSI or NextGen V8 + CG DSI before January 1, 2025.
  • MIPS participants: CEHRT is required before your 180-day Promoting Interoperability (PI) period. Apply CG DSI to Version 6.2021.1 by July 4, 2025. If you are not reporting the PI category because you are a small practice (under 15 clinicians), apply the CG DSI package before December 31, 2025.
  • If you are on NextGen version 5.9.X, note that upgrades to V6.2021.1 or V8 are essential by January 1, 2025, for APM participants. Version 6.2021.1 was already required for MIPS reporting in 2023 and 2024

2026 Reporting:

  • NextGen V8 upgrade required as NextGen will not be offering a package/patch for Version 6.2021.1
  • APM participants: CEHRT is required for the full calendar year. Upgrade to NextGen version 8 before January 1, 2026.
  • MIPS participants: CEHRT is required before your 180-day Promoting Interoperability (PI) period. Upgrade to V8 no later than July 4,2026.  If you are not reporting the PI category because you are a small practice (under 15 clinicians), upgrade to V8 before December 31, 2026.

Take Action

The CG DSI package enhances Care Guidelines with decision support to meet CEHRT requirements without disrupting existing Care Guidelines configurations. It’s important to apply this package as soon as possible to ensure compliance with regulatory updates. Here are specific recommendations:

  1. Open Support Case:
    •  If you are a DAS Reseller customer, our support team has already been conducting outreach to finalize your scheduled application and will manage this for you.
    • If you are a NextGen Direct client, open a support case under Install, Patches, and Upgrades to schedule your installation. NextGen will coordinate with internal IT teams.
  2. Prioritize Installation: APM participants should apply the update by December 31, 2024, while MIPS participants have until July 4, 2025. Again, we recommend applying the CG DSI package as soon as possible to ensure compliance, maintain CEHRT, and meet your quality reporting requirements.
  3. Reapply Package Post Patch: Please note anytime your practice takes a future NextGen patch after applying this package, you will have to reapply this package.

        For detailed guidance, consult the NextGen Healthcare Success Community and click here to reach out to our team for assistance with your specific quality reporting needs. We have a team of NextGen Technical Experts and Government Incentives Specialists here to help you navigate this!