Answer :
Final answer:
Stage 2 of Meaningful Use mandates that at least 5% of a provider's patients use a patient portal for their health records, which is part of the HITECH Act's efforts to improve healthcare through the adoption of EHRs.
Explanation:
Stage 2 of Meaningful Use requires that providers prove that at least 5% of their patients utilize a patient portal to view, download, or transmit their records. This criterion is part of the incentive programs initiated under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act to encourage the use of electronic health records (EHRs) by healthcare providers. The goal is to enhance patient engagement, improve care coordination, and health information privacy, as well as to reduce healthcare costs through the effective use of EHRs.
