Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry (ABR-OE)

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) meaningful use order entry requirements for the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program will end December 31, 2021. (The order entry requirements for the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program ended January 1, 2019.)

For providers to receive incentive payments under the Medicaid Promoting Interoperability Program, providers had to demonstrate that a certain percentage of medication, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging orders were entered into the computerized provider order entry (CPOE) system by either (1) credentialed medical assistants or (2) licensed health care professionals.

The AAMA maintains its commitment to promoting competent and safe order entry and will continue to recommend the use of “credentialed medical assistants,” as defined by the CMS rule, for medication, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging orders. As part of this commitment, the AAMA launched the Order Entry Competence (OEC) initiative on July 11, 2021.

CEO Donald A. Balasa, JD, MBA, outlines the core mission of the OEC initiative in his piece “The AAMA Launches Order Entry Competence Outreach to Payers,” excerpted below:

The purpose of the OEC outreach is to persuade third-party payers to incorporate into their agreements with licensed providers the requirement that their orders be entered into the [CPOE] system by either credentialed medical assistants or licensed health care professionals who are competent in order entry.

Eligibility and Application Policies

Those who are students in or have graduated from a CAAHEP- or ABHES-accredited medical assisting program are not eligible to participate in the ABR-OE program. Also, those who at any point in time have held the CMA (AAMA) credential (or its predecessor credential, CMA) are not eligible for the ABR-OE.

The ABR-OE is granted by the Continuing Education Board of the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) to applicants who meet the following eligibility criteria and submit the required documentation with the completed application:

Letter of Documentation  |  Renewing applicants need not include this documentation (see Renewal Policies below). For initial applicants, the following documentation must be attested to on corporate letterhead and signed by the applicant's current licensed health care supervisor:

Knowledge Areas. Provide a statement of verification of the applicant's knowledge in the following areas:

I hereby attest to the applicant's proficiency in EHR order entry as demonstrated by the applicant's knowledge in the following areas:

• Anatomy and physiology
• Basic laboratory values
• Critical thinking
• Electronic health records
• Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)
• Medical terminology
• Pharmacology

Employment Experience. Provide a statement of verification that the applicant has been employed for a minimum of 24 months during the last 36 months in a health care facility under the supervision of a licensed health care provider.

Supervisor Credentials  |  Renewing applicants need not include this documentation (see Renewal Policies below). For initial applicants, provide a copy of the license of the attesting health care supervisor.

Continuing Education  |  An applicant must successfully complete (including receiving a passing score on the post-tests) the AAMA continuing education unit (CEU) courses listed under "Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry Qualifying Courses" in the e-Learning Center.

Go to the AAMA e-Learning Center to register for the courses.

Application and Fee  |  The new or renewing applicant must submit the completed application and a $25 application fee. Renewing ABR-OE holders who let their recognition lapse will be required to pay an additional $50 late fee to renew.

Expiration Policy

A letter indicating that an applicant has been granted the ABR-OE will be issued to the successful new or renewing applicant and will expire 24 months from the date awarded by the AAMA.

Verify ABR-OE status.

Usage Policy

The ABR-OE is based on an assessment of the holder's knowledge and experience. Holders of this ABR-OE can refer to themselves as having an assessment-based recognition in order entry but are not permitted to use any suffixes or initials after their names in reference to this recognition program.

Renewal Policies

The following policies apply to all renewals:

• Renewing ABR-OE holders are required to pay a $25 application fee by their renewal date. If their recognition has lapsed, an additional $50 late fee will be assessed.
• Renewing ABR-OE holders will not be required to submit a verification letter from their employers.
• The date of the renewal is 24 months from the date of the initial recognition or the most recent renewal. If the ABR-OE holder chooses to renew early, the next renewal date will be 24 months from that early date. Renewing ABR-OE holders may renew up to 90 days prior to their expiration date.
• Renewing ABR-OE holders must pass the four current Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry Qualifying Courses and then complete the application and submit the $25 fee.
• No refunds will be allowed for new applications and renewals.

Apply or Renew Now

Apply or Renew for the Assessment-Based Recognition in Order Entry program.