TempDev Helps Practices Upgrade to the NextGen Enterprise 8.3.1 Release for HTI-1 Compliance and Better Usability

TempDev is pleased to announce the official launch of the NextGen Enterprise 8.3.1 release.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has established new guidelines, and this release ensures that your Electronic Health Record (EHR) system aligns with these rules, such as HTI-1. Upgrade 8.3.1 places NextGen among an elite group of health IT vendors meeting the stringent legal requirements.

It ensures full compliance with the new Health Data, Technology, and Interoperability (HTI-1) Phase 2 standards. This upgrade delivers tools to support clinical, operational, and regulatory objectives. It also promotes participation in programs such as Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs).

When to Upgrade to the NextGen Enterprise 8.3.1 Release

As a CIO, the decision to upgrade your Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT), such as NextGen Enterprise 8.3.1, varies based on your organization’s participation in specific programs:

• APM or ACO Providers: Health providers involved in Advanced Payment Models (APMs) or Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) must use CEHRT for the entire calendar year to maintain compliance. As such, if your firm engages in full-year reporting, it is recommended that you upgrade by January 1, 2026. This will help you remain compliant and maintain required certifications.

• MIPS Providers: If your practice participates solely in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), you must implement CEHRT for at least 180 days starting in the 2025 calendar year to meet compliance requirements. Consequently, your deadline for the upcoming participating year would be July 4, 2026.

What’s New in the 8.3.1 Release of NextGen?

The HTI-1 Phase 2 certification introduces critical enhancements to ensure your EHR system meets the following federal standards:

• Minimum standards code sets updates: Updated coding standards to align with regulatory requirements.

• Standardized API (g10) updates: Improved API functionality for secure data sharing.

• United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) v3: Expanded data standards to improve interoperability and patient data access.

• Transition of care updates: Improved processes for care coordination across providers.

• Electronic case reporting (eCR): Streamlined reporting capabilities for public health compliance.

• Patient demographics updates: Enhanced fields for more inclusive patient data.

• Patient requested restrictions: Tools to support patient privacy preferences.

• C-CDA companion guide updates: Enhanced guidelines for consistent clinical document exchange.

The 8.3.1 release of NextGen Enterprise now offers the functionality to meet all these new regulatory requirements. Additionally, it includes Enhanced Template Editor+ and NextGen Mobile Pro Ambient Assist for Desktop for extra functionality.

This release introduces enhancements designed to improve usability, streamline workflows, and ensure regulatory compliance. Whether you’re a practice administrator, billing/revenue cycle specialist, or IT professional, this update offers valuable features to support your role. Here are the key functionalities of the new release:

Updated Practice Management (PM) Admin Interface

The 8.3.1 release of the NextGen update introduces a modern, user-friendly redesign of key PM admin screens, enhancing the user experience for teams, whether front-office or administrative.

Enhanced Internal Referral Management

A streamlined referral process with a centralized dashboard for improved task assignments. This enables providers to manage internal referrals more effectively. Further, the enhancement will strengthen care coordination.

Advanced Template Editor Features

New tools in the template editor allow for the creation of more intuitive templates. These new templates are also more adaptable, improving the documentation experience for end users.

HTI-1 Payment Typology Updates in 8.3.1 Release

New payment code sources align with ONC standards, ensuring accurate tracking of patient payment sources.

Pre-Visit Documentation

Providers can now start documenting patient visits before the appointment. Enhanced pre-visit documentation enables you to begin documenting patient encounters before the appointment, thereby boosting efficiency and reducing documentation processing time on the day of service.

Vaccine Reaction & Contraindication Tracking

The update included enhanced registry reporting capabilities that improve patient safety by capturing vaccine-related data.

How the 8.3.1 Release Upgrade Affects Different Users

This is what the new upgrade means for the different classes of users:

Practice Administrators and Staff

• Improves payer/practice dropdown performance: More flexible reporting options. Software performance enhancements also mean faster loading times.

• Enhances appointment-level insurance features: Reporting, filtering, and correspondence tools have been improved to ease insurance-related tasks.

• Ensures USPS address verification compliance: Updated to support the new USPS API as per compliance requirements ahead of the 2026 deadline.

• Facilitates batch patient exclusion sharing: Save and share exclusion lists across users.

Providers and Clinical Staff

• Improves behavioral health templates: Enhanced safety and usability features to support better patient care.

• Introduces gastroenterology specialty suite: New specialty-specific workflows designed to optimize clinical efficiency for gastroenterology practices.

Billing and Revenue Cycle Staff

• Updates taxonomy code: A revision of taxonomy codes to ensure compliance in billing processes.

• Source of payment typology updates: New codes improve payer reporting accuracy.

• Updates Annual ICD/CPT/HCPCS code: The essential update helps maintain compliant billing practices.

IT and System Administrators

• Updates preferred pronoun codes: Adds more data elements to ensure USCDI v3-compliant demographic values. This helps improve care coordination, interoperability, and information exchange.

• Retires deprecated tools and codes: Removes outdated tools and templates to maintain system efficiency.

• Enhances Tribal Affiliation: Expands Health Level Seven (HL7)-coded values to facilitate accurate demographic documentation.

• Updates USCDI v3 industry and occupation: Enhances the level of detail for employment data to support social history documentation and electronic case reporting (eCR).

How TempDev Can Help With Upgrading to the 8.3.1 Release of NextGen

TempDev has a team of experts that can help with upgrading the 8.3.1 release of NextGen. We also provide training programs to ensure your team is conversant with using the new features and maintaining the software.

Contact us to partner with our expert TempDev NextGen Enterprise 8.3.1 consultants to create a more detailed implementation plan suited to your unique business needs!