More doctors adopting EHRs to improve patient care and safety

Since 2009, the percentage of doctors using EHRs has increased by 50% and the number e-Prescribing has more than doubled!

Congratulations to the practices that have and are in the process of participating in the transformation of Healthcare Delivery in the US. 

For the remaining practices, we need to address the barriers to change whether financial, technical
or procedural. SV



Physician adoption of electronic health record (EHR) and other computerized tools to help improve care, safety and coordination of health care for patients across the county continue to rise, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) reports in a new data brief.

Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that the percentage of doctors adopting electronic health records has increased from 48 percent in 2009 to 72 percent in 2012. The ONC report shows that since 2009, the percent of physicians with computerized capabilities to e-prescribe has more than doubled, from 33 percent to 73 percent. Within the past year, more physicians (56 percent) have the computerized capabilities to engage with patients and their families by providing patients with summaries after visits, an increase of 46 percent.

The data brief, Physician Adoption of Electronic Health Record Technology to Meet Meaningful Use Objectives, found that since the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was enacted in 2009, the percentage of doctors that are meeting five meaningful use core objectives has increased by at least 66 percent. The HITECH Act authorized incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program to eligible professionals and hospitals for the adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology. To participate in incentive programs, professionals are required to demonstrate computerized capabilities that meet defined meaningful use objectives. The data are reported from the 2012 mail survey of physicians in the National Electronic Health Record Survey conducted by NCHS.

“The increase in the number of physicians that are adopting EHRs and other computerized capabilities to meet meaningful use objectives related to quality, patient safety and efficiency is encouraging,” said Farzad Mostashari, national coordinator. “Patients are the primary beneficiaries as more and more doctors adopt the use of electronic tools like EHRs.”

The new data brief also shows:
In the past year, the percent of doctors using EHRs meeting nine meaningful use measures increased by at least 21 percent.
As of 2012, two thirds or more of physicians have computerized capability to improve patient safety through electronic tools such as drug interaction checks and electronic medication lists.
Half or more of physicians reported they have adopted computerized tools to meet twelve meaningful use core objectives, and at least two thirds have adopted computerized tools to meet nine measures out of 13. In 2012 there are 15 required measures; the data brief reports on 13 of those measures.

“The the number of doctors adopting EHRs increasing, and more of them are using the technology to meet the objectives that will help them improve care for their patients,” said Dr. Mostashari. “But there is still more work to do before the full promise of health information technology is met.”


HHS

Hurricane Sandy:Helplines Available to Provide Emotional Support to People

Helplines Available to Provide Emotional Support to People Affected by Hurricane Sandy:

NYC residents can access free, confidential crisis counseling through

LifeNet (800-543-3638 and TTY at 212-982-5284),
Spanish LifeNet (800-AYUDESE) and
Asian LifeNet (800-990-8585).

LifeNet, the city’s only accredited,multi-lingual,free and confidential crisis hotline,is run by the Mental Health Association of NYC and supported by the NYCDOHMH.

Residents of any state affected can access free counseling at 800-985-5990 or txt 'TalkWithUs' to 66746 (Spanish-speakers can text 'Hablanos' to 66746).

Special thanks to Mr Frank Winter for the lead.

Look at CMS' 2014 CQM Page and New CQM Resources

Last week, CMS announced the release of the 2014 clinical quality measures (CQMs) for providers in the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.

Along with posting the specific measures on the 2014 CQMs page, CMS has created additional resources to help providers understand the 2014 CQMs, as well as the specifications for electronic reporting.

Resources include:

• Recommended Core Set webpage— provides recommended core sets of 2014 CQMs, including PDFs for adults and children with details on each core measure
• eSpecifications for 2014 eCQMs for Eligible Professionals— .zip file contains the electronic specifications in a machine readable (xml) and human readable (html) format for the 2014 eCQMs for eligible professionals
• eSpecifications Navigator 2014 eCQMs for Eligible Hospitals— provides access to the electronic specifications in a machine readable (xml) and human readable (html) format for the 2014 eCQMs for eligible hospitals
• Clinical Quality Measures through 2013 webpage— explains CQM reporting requirements before 2014

A full list of all of the available CQM webpages and resources is available in the2014 Clinical Quality Measures (CQMS) & eCQM Resources document.

Questions about CQMs?
CMS' FAQ system provides helpful questions and answers on many topics in the EHR Incentive Programs. There are several existing CQM FAQs that may help answer your questions.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Hurricane Sandy: SI Update 11/06/2012: Helpful links

More homes are coming back on line with power and phones, but many families are still in need.

Here is an updated list of helpful links.

FEMA Disaster Assistance Site

FEMA site mobile edition for smartphones etc

FEMA Disaster preparation site, helps you set up a plan in advance

NYS Governor Cuomo's site

NYC OEM Office of Emergency Management 

Staten Island Borough President Molinaro Office

NJ Office of Emergency Managment

Crisis Commons techie volunteers

Twitter feeds

#sandy
#sandysafety

Hurricane Sandy: Staten Island:Marathon Runners Provide Help

Hundreds of Marathon Runners have come to Staten Island to lend a hand.

 https://www.facebook.com/NewYorkRunnersInSupportOfStatenIsland

Thank you Dr Maria Basile for the notice.

Hurricane Sandy: Staten Island Update November 4, 2012

Yesterday, my wife, volunteers and I delivered supplies collected at the Staten Island Heart Society.
We saw multiple congregations of people throughout the affected areas sharing food, supplies and moral support. There were many moving stories of people who did not previously know each other doing what we do best: help those in need. It was very touching to talk to those whose homes were filled with sea water and had most of their belongings destroyed express sympathy for even less fortunate than themselves.

The Staten Island Heart Society is a local drop off site for relief items for the Staten Island Victims of Hurricane Sandy.

We will be open to accept items daily from 10 AM - 2:00 PM.

 Please contact us via  Facebook https://www.facebook.com/pages/Staten-Island-Heart-Society/91570863813 or through our web site at www.siheart.org  or phone 718.351.3115
if you need to arrange a different time.

Items needed : Clothing, blankets, flashlights, batteries, water, prepared foods, baby foods and pet foods.
Our collection efforts are in conjunction with the SI Boro President's Office and the Stephen Siller Foundation.

Our hearts and prayers are with all of our families and friend's that have been effected by Hurricane Sandy and its aftermath.

Salvatore Volpe MD
Member of the Board of Directors of the Staten Island Heart Society

Additional Links

Crisis Commons
Disaster Assistance
NYC OEM Office of Emergency Management

Staten Island Borough President Molinaro Office

CrisisCommons needs volunteers for Sandy and more

Here is a great organization that can focus your creativity and ingenuity to help respond to problems associated with Natural Disasters like Sandy. SV

CrisisCommons is a global community of volunteers from technology, crisis response organizations, government agencies, and citizens that are working together to build and use technology tools to help respond to disasters and improve resiliency and response before a crisis.

CrisisCommons.org

Thanks to Dr Wen Dombowski for this lead.

https://twitter.com/HealthcareWen/status/264775050945757184

Hurricane Sandy: FEMA link and phone number

My prayers go out to all that have been affected by this and other such cataclysmic events.

It is inspirational to see all the spontaneous volunteer efforts that have started in addition to the Government and established NGOs.

Here is the link and phone number to FEMA resources both local and national.

Share your stories of kindness and generosity with us. 
We could all use a little good news. SV

www.disasterassistance.gov or 1800-621-3362 to register with FEMA, for relief. Those with power outages can register to get a $300 food stamp card to replace lost food.

More helpful links


http://www.governor.ny.gov/storm-resources
www.mfema.gov

Twitter:

#sandy
#sandysafety

EclinicalTouch is available in AppStore !!!!

Health Data sharing across 15 states and multiple organizations coming soon

Health IT Testing Program will Enable Health Data Sharing for More than Half of U.S. Patients and their Providers

More than half the U.S. population and their healthcare providers could soon have access to health data shared across multiple states and systems. A public-private partnership of states, public agencies, federally-funded HIEs and health information technology companies has established a program to test and certify EHRs and other health IT to enable reliable transfer of data within and across organizational and state boundaries. The coalition selected the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT) to carry out the testing.
High costs, technical differences and long wait times for interface development are barriers to sharing health data among health care providers and across state lines. The coalition of 15 states, 37 technology vendors and 34 HIEs, representing more than 50 percent of the U.S. population, has created a robust, highly automated testing program to verify that, once tested, a system is capable of exchanging health information with many other systems. With this testing, a single set of standardized, easy-to-implement connections can support communication among systems.
The effort is being jointly led by the EHR/HIE Interoperability Workgroup, a New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC)–led consortium of states and vendors; and Healtheway, the newly formed public-private partnership of the eHealth Exchange, a network of 34 public and private organizations representing hundreds of hospitals, thousands of providers and millions of patients across the country.

NYeC 

EHR | HIE Interoperability Workgroup 

Healtheway and the eHealth Exchange

CCHIT

Allscripts to discontinue MyWay, Aprima extends a helping hand

Allscripts is offering a free migration for MyWay customers to the Professional product.


Aprima is offering a free conversion to their product upon which MyWay was based.

Let us know what you think of the three products and the transition. SV

The Aprima MyWay Rescue Upgrade Program™ includes:

•  Free Aprima licenses – no need to repurchase software
•  Same look and feel with nearly 1,000 enhancements
•  Minimal learning curve of new features
•  Minimal to no downtime
•  Existing data remains intact; this is a proven product upgrade, not a conversion
•  U.S.-based support
•  CCHIT and ONC-certified EMR

Allscripts Blog

Allscripts Professional

Aprima

Deadline: Medicare EHR Incentive (Meaningful Use) Program: Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Medicare EHR Incentive (Meaningful Use) Program Deadline for 2012

Be sure to not to miss this final reporting period opportunity. 
Check out the link to the Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator. SV

Wednesday, October 3, 2012, is the last day for eligible professionals (EPs) to begin 90-day reporting period for this program, for calendar year 2012. EPs begin their consecutive 90-day reporting period by October 3rd in order to attest to meeting meaningful use and be eligible to receive an incentive payment for CY 2012. 

It's also the last day they can start participating and receive their maximum possible Medicare incentive payment: This is the last year that EPs can begin participation in the EHR Incentive Program and get the full Medicare incentives of $44,000 per EP. If first-year Medicare EPs have not started their 90-day reporting period by October 3, 2012, they will not be eligible for a calendar year 2012 payment; they can only receive $39,000 in Medicare incentives if they successfully participate in 2013. 


Attestation Calculator

Wellpoint/Empire Blue: PCMH improves quality,reduces costs

Here is a new study supporting the proposition that PCMH practices can improve the quality of healthcare and reduce costs: improved screening reduced use of antibiotics for non-bacterial infections reduced hospitalizations and ER visits $93 or 15% reduction in costs PMPM  SV

 Study:The American Journal of Managed Care

 Press Release 1

Press Release 2

MedAllies will manage the NYS DIRECT Solution

NY continues to be at forefront of Health Information Technology.
Congratulations to Dr John Blair and his team. SV


The New York eHealth Collaborative (NYeC) has chosen MedAllies to operate the "Direct Solution" on the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY). Similar to a highly secure email, Direct allows healthcare providers to seamlessly send data from one provider directly to another who is caring for the same patient.

The Direct Solution is one of three services that will be offered statewide via the SHIN-NY. The others are Patient Record Look-Up and Alerts. Direct operates like a highly secure email, whereas Patient Record Look-Up functions like
a highly secure search engine, allowing only those healthcare providers a patient has consented for to access their health information. Alerts allows providers to subscribe to a function that alerts them when data is posted about their patients. For example, it would let a primary care provider know his or her patient has just been admitted to an emergency department.


MEDALLIES


SHIN-NY Press Release

October 15-16 2012 Digital Health Conference program & speakers announced.

Join health IT thought leaders and innovators who are helping to shape the future of healthcare.

The NY eHealth Collaborative Digital Health Conference is an exclusive gathering of health IT leaders to network, innovate and discuss new technologies.

Agenda and Registration

PSA:PCMH can lead to increased quality, decreased costs and increase staff satisfaction

Here is an excellent article featuring Group Health Cooperative.
Not only do they share information on their results, they offer "blueprints" on replicating their success. SV


Health Affairs

HIMSS13 registration is now open. Health IT - it's on!

2013 Annual HIMSS Conference & Exhibition
March 3 - 7, 2013
New Orleans, LA

This promises to be another great conference. Hotel rooms go fast. Make your reservations soon. SV


Registration Link

New Meaningful Use Stage 2 Web Page on the EHR Incentive Programs Website

On August 23, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the final rule for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The rule provides new criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet in order to successfully participate in the EHR Incentive Programs.

CMS recently updated the EHR Incentive Programs website with a new Stage 2 section, which provides helpful information on the Stage 2 final rule and how it affects the EHR Incentive Programs. The Stage 2 page includes an overview of the final rule and links to Stage 2 resources:

Stage 2 Overview Tipsheet – Provides an overview of the rule, including important dates, basic requirements, new audiences, and additional Stage 2 resources
Stage 1 vs. Stage 2 Comparison Tables – Compares basic requirements of Stage 1 versus Stage 2 for both EPs and eligible hospitals
Stage 1 Changes Tipsheet – Outlines major changes to Stage 1 included in the rule
Payment Adjustments & Hardship Exceptions Tipsheets – Details the schedule and percentages of the payment adjustments, as well as information about hardship exemptions for both EPs and eligible hospitals
2014 Clinical Quality Measures Tipsheet – An overview of the 2014 CQM requirements that will apply to all providers, regardless of their stage of meaningful use
CMS will continue to provide resources for providers on Stage 2 rule and the EHR Incentive Programs. Visit the Stage 2 page to view upcoming webinars and sessions discussing Stage 2 and the different changes occurring.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

CMS Webinar Providing a Detailed Look at Stage 1 of the EHR Incentive Programs on August 14

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Professional Association of Health Care Office Management (PAHCOM) are holding a free and open webinar on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs on August 14, 2012, from 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET.

Description:
The webinar, CMS Presents: Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs - Stage 1 Meaningful Use, Deep Dive, will provide an overview of how the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are structured and administered, and will provide key insights for providers regarding Stage 1 of meaningful use.

Presenter:
Robert Anthony, a Health Specialist in the Office of E-Health Standards and Services at CMS, will present on details about Stage 1 requirements. He contributes to policy development and implementation of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

To Register:

Interested individuals can register online.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?

Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

Massachusetts first in nation Medicaid funded statewide health information exchange with $16.9M


Connections improve communications which improves efficiency and patient safety. SV


$16.9M approved by Obama Administration to support health care information highway, paving the way for integrated care and cost containment
BOSTON -- The Patrick-Murray Administration today announced that Massachusetts is moving forward with its statewide Health Information Exchange, which will create a health care information highway, paving the way forward for integrated care and cost containment efforts. The Obama Administration approved $16.9 million for the project, which will allow providers, hospitals and others involved in patient care to exchange clinical data via a secure statewide network.

New ACOs Announced; Eight in New York

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced 89 new accountable care organizations (ACO) to the Medicare Shared Saving Program. With these new ACOs, the number of providers participating in Medicare Shared Savings initiatives now totals 154.

The following nine ACOSs are New York based:

•Accountable Care Coalition of Syracuse, LLC, located in Syracuse, New York, is comprised of ACO group practices, with 105 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•Asian American Accountable Care Organization, located in New York City, is comprised of networks of individual ACO practices, with 239 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•Balance Accountable Care Network, located in New York City, is comprised of hospitals and networks of individual ACO practices, with 1,069 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•Beacon Health Partners, LLP, located in Manhasset, New York, is comprised of networks of individual ACO practices, with 261 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•Chautauqua Region Associated Medical Partners, LLC, located in Jamestown, New York, is comprised of partnerships between hospitals and ACO professionals, with 35 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York and Pennsylvania.

•Healthcare Provider ACO, Inc., located in Garden City, New York, is comprised of networks of individual ACO practices, with 395 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•Mount Sinai Care, LLC, located in New York City, is comprised of networks of individual ACO practices and a hospital(s) employing ACO professionals, with 2,249 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•ProHEALTH Accountable Care Medical Group, PLLC, located in Lake Success, New York, is comprised of ACO group practices, with 281 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in New York.

•WESTMED Medical Group, PC, located in Purchase, New York, is comprised of ACO group practices, with 250 physicians. It will serve Medicare beneficiaries in Connecticut and New York.
Meanwhile, applications for the next round of ACOs will open Aug. 1 for organizations that want to participate in the Medicare Shared Savings program, starting Jan. 1, 2013.
•

Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC)Webinar, July 16th: Everything You Wanted to Know to Apply to the CPC Initiative

The Comprehensive Primary Care (CPC) initiative is a multi-payer program created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to foster collaboration with payers to strengthen primary care. Medicare has worked with several commercial and state health insurance plans to develop bonus payments to primary care doctors who better coordinate the care of their patients. The Capital District and Hudson Valley Regions of New York were selected as focus regions at this time. Primary care practices in Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties are invited to apply to participate in this initiative. 75 practices will be selected.

Selected practices will receive a $20 (average) per-beneficiary per-month care management fee on behalf of aligned Medicare beneficiaries who receive care in selected practices, as well as an opportunity to earn shared savings; aligned private payers are each offering their own monthly support payments and an opportunity to earn shared savings to practices in their networks.

CMS is hosting a webinar that will provide information about the program:

July 16, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ET– Everything You Wanted to Know to Apply to the CPC initiative. Click Here to register.

Additional information can be found on the CMS Innovation Center website.

NYC REACH hosting a FREE EHR Vendor Fair July 18th

Attend on July 18th to find the perfect EHR for your practice.

NYC REACH, the federally designated regional extension center for New York City, is hosting a free electronic health record (EHR) vendor fair on July 18th from 4:30-8:00 p.m. in downtown Manhattan. All providers, nurses, physician and medical assistants, as well as office managers and their support staff, are encouraged to attend to learn how EHRs can prepare medical practices for the future. Don’t miss this opportunity to view an array of products, attend vendor demonstrations, consult with NYC REACH representatives, learn about incentives, and network with other practices over complimentary refreshments.

To register and for more information, visit www.nycreach-vendorfair.eventbrite.com.

NYS MRT (Medicaid Redesign Team) Waiver/PCMH (Patient Centered Medical Home)Comment Request

I am posting an email request from Ronda Kotelchuck, CEO, Primary Care Development Corporation. She and her organization have many great accomplishments. Please consider contributing to the advancement to PCMH in NYS. SV

Dear Colleague,



I am writing to you because I know you have a strong belief in the power of primary care, particularly as it is organized in a "Patient Centered Medical Home" model, to improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.



We now have a singularly important opportunity to invest in primary care and the medical home model through a $10 billion “MRT (Medicaid Redesign Team) Waiver” that New York State is pursuing. We are very encouraged that the MRT Waiver framework includes initiatives to expand primary care, health homes, and the medical home model. But we need your help to ensure that sufficient funding in the final waiver is dedicated to these important priorities. We are now in a very short public comment period (ending around July 15).



If you want to make sure New York invests in an integrated care environment with a sufficient patient-centered primary care at its core, please let the Department of Health know. You can email the “Waiver Team” through this website (we can then track correspondence). Please tell DOH what you think is needed to expand the medical home model. We have some suggestions on the website www.nyprimarcarehome.org, but feel free to make your own recommendations too.



If you have any questions, please contact me or Dan Lowenstein, PCDC Director of Public Affairs, at dlowenstein@pcdc.org, 212-437-3942.



Sincerely,



Ronda



Ronda Kotelchuck, CEO

Primary Care Development Corporation





Ronda Kotelchuck

Chief Executive Officer

Primary Care Development Corporation

22 Cortlandt Street, 12th Floor

New York, NY 10007

P: (212) 437-3917

F: (212) 693-1860

E: rkotelchuck@pcdc.org

W: www.pcdc.org

JAMA: PCMH at federally funded health centers cost more


Unfortunately savings related to hospitalization, ER visits, medications and patient work productivity were not addressed. SV


http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1197012

http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1197016

http://www.modernmedicine.com/modernmedicine/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=779243&cid=PRAC

Supreme Court has ruled 5-4 to affirm the Affordable Care Act with Individual Mandate


Individual Mandate treated as a tax.
Tell us what you think about the ruling. sv




Link to 193 page decision

GAO Report: Majority of Medicare Physicians are using EHRS

Cudos to the ONC! Since the inception of the incentive program, the number of physicians documenting E/M codes with an EHR has doubled. Now let's get Interoperablity and Lab data exchanged hammered down. SV

Use of Electronic Health Record Systems in 2011 Among Medicare Physicians Providing Evaluation and Management Services

They found that 57 percent of Medicare physicians used an EHR system at their primary practice location in 2011. Twenty-two percent of physicians first began using EHR systems to document E/M services in 2011, the year that CMS commenced its incentive program. Additionally, three of every four Medicare physicians with an EHR system used a certified system to document E/M services. Finally, although many EHR systems can assist physicians in assigning codes for E/M services, we found that most Medicare physicians manually assigned E/M codes.

GAO

Report

PSA:NCQA 2008 SURVEY TOOL DEADLINE

June 30 2012 will be the last day NCQA will be selling the 2008 PPC-PCMH survey tools.

Thereafter, only the 2011 survey tool will be available.

(HINT:2008 is easier) SV

NCQA

Linkedin Password Breach


Here's a link to the Linkedin Blog.
Consider changing your passwords. SV


Linkedin

Provider Education Video Presentations Now Available on the CMS YouTube Channel


Google plus Government: Free Educational Material. Check it out. SV

CMS

Team USA: Olympics EHRs for Athletes

Bravo. The US Olympics Committee is also on board with EHRs! SV

The United States Olympic Committee announced today that, for the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giffirst time, it will use electronic medical records (EMR) for managing athlete care. The USOC will use GE’s Centricity* Practice Solution, an integrated EMR and practice management product, to manage the care of more than 700 athletes competing in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games as well as for 3,000 additional records maintained by USOC staff. The technology will replace pallets of paper records historically shipped by the USOC to the Games and will provide doctors with faster access to athletes’ medical records– ultimately supporting the doctor’s ability to provide more targeted care.

http://www.teamusa.org/For-the-Media/News.aspx

AACP PCMH Diabetes Presentation at St. John's University (Queens) May 30 2012

This is a great program that highlights the benefits of cooperative activity between
pharmacists, physicians and other primary care providers.
Be sure to attend and share your impressions here. SV


AACP

Register here


Agenda

Research has identified that the gap that exists in providing the type of health services that can improve health outcomes is often ineffective systems of care and that 80 percent of medical errors are deemed to be system driven. To assist clinicians and health administrators identify and resolve systems-based barriers to optimal medication use, this educational program will introduce participants to a proven framework for managing performance improvement developed by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).

Meeting Agenda

8:30 a.m. Welcome, Framing, Medication Use in the Medical Home - Todd Sorensen / Buzz Kerr

9:15 a.m. The Breakthrough Model for Improvement - Mark Loafman

9:30 a.m. Case Study – Local Organization in Action - Local Presenter

9:45 a.m. Engaging Physicians - Mark Loafman

10:00 a.m. Participant Roundtable Discussions

10:15 a.m. Break

10:35 a.m. Leadership and the Performance Improvement Team - Todd Sorensen

11:00 a.m. Defining the Population of Focus – The Case for Diabetes - Zandra Glenn

11:25 a.m. Understanding the PDSA Cycle - Mark Loafman

11:50 a.m. Participant Roundtable Discussions

12:00 p.m. Lunch

1:00 p.m. Creating and Sharing a Vision for Improved Medication Use - Todd Sorensen

1:30 p.m. The Role of Measurement in Performance Improvement - Zandra Glenn / Local Team

2:00 p.m. Participant Roundtables

2:15 p.m. The Role of QIOs in the PSPC and Beyond - QIO Presenter

2:30 p.m. Break

2:45 p.m. Concurrent Breakout Sessions

Breakout #1: Committing to Action and Developing a Performance Improvement Story - Mark Loafman/Zandra Glenn
Breakout #2: Performance Improvement and Interprofessional Education - Buzz Kerr

3:45 p.m. Wrap-up and Concluding Remarks - Todd Sorensen / Buzz Kerr

4:00 p.m. Adjourn

GAO Report on CMS EHR Incentive Programs


Four major recommendations to verify providers have met program requirements.

Tell us what you think of the report and recommendations. SV

GAO

MADE IN NY DIGITAL MAP

For my fellow New Yorkers and fans of the Empire State, here is great view what's going on here. SV


The Made in NY Digital Map is a visual testament to the vibrant state of New York's digital industry - showing a powerful constellation of over 500 homegrown startups, investors and coworking spaces across the five boroughs. Browse by neighborhood, review job postings, or add your own startup to the digital landscape - the Made in NY Map is a living resource that reflects New York City's dynamic innovation ecosystem.

Led by Mayor Bloomberg's commitment to realize New York City's digital potential, the Made in NY Digital Map was created by the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment in partnership with Internet Week NY and the New York Tech Meetup. Distribution of the map was also made possible thanks to the Association for a Better New York.

Made In NY

CMS Has Posted Information on Recipients of Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payments

In compliance with the HITECH Act's requirement, CMS has posted the names, business phone numbers, and business addresses of Medicare eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) that have successfully demonstrated meaningful use and received a payment as of March 2012. Medicare EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAH's were able to verify and edit their business phone numbers and addresses during the registration process. CMS has not posted information on group practices, as incentive payments are not provided at the group practice level.

Beginning this month, CMS is posting two file formats of Medicare EHR Incentive Program payment recipients. One format is a searchable PDF, and the other is a tabular downloadable CSV file that can be opened in many common spreadsheet programs. This CSV file can also be used to sort information about recipients, for example, by medical specialty or the state in which they practice. Use the links below to access the PDF and CSV files.

CSV Files

EP Recipients of Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payments

Hospital Recipients of Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payments

PDF Files

EP Recipients of Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payments

Hospital Recipients of Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payments

New York Digital Health Accelerator Information & Networking Event

May 10, 2012 | 5:15 pm – 8:00 pm EST
The TimesCenter, New York, NY
The program will begin at 5:15 pm SHARP

Register Today!

There will be streaming this event LIVE – Click here to watch on May 10!

Western New York HIT Symposium Thriving In Constant Change

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Time: 8:30am to 4:00pm
Location: Roberts Wesleyan College, Cultural Life Center
2301 Westside Drive
Rochester, NY 14624

Program includes:

Surviving the ICD-10 Conversion
Meaningful Use Stage 2
Networking Opportunities
Vendors
Continental Breakfast & Lunch Buffet included

• Keynote “Meaningful Use Stage 2” – Ken Ong (CMIO, New York Hospital Queens)

Registration Information

HIMSS Members & Affiliates: $75
Student Members: $35
General Public: $100

Click Here to Register

Join us at the New York State HIMSS Advocacy Day May 14, 2012

Sign-up to participate in our 2012 New York HIMSS Advocacy event

Monday May 14, 2012 from 1 – 5pm
Legislative Office Building
198 State Street
Albany, NY 12210

Sign up here

HIMSS NYS MINI-HIMSS was a success!

Thanks to to all the attendees, volunteers, speakers and vendors for making the event such a success.

Stay tuned at HIMSS NYS for future events. SV

NY Digital Health Accelerator Launched – Applications Being Accepted!

The New York eHealth Collaborative along with the New York City Investment Fund and the NYS Department of Health, has launched the New York Digital Health Accelerator (NYDHA) to fund 12 early- and growth-stage companies that are developing cutting-edge technology products in care coordination, patient engagement, analytics, and message alerts for healthcare providers.

The program’s participating providers are actively looking for new technology products that will help them effectively implement the new Health Home model, which is part of New York’s Medicaid redesign initiative. Approximately 975,000 patients with multiple chronic illnesses are being transitioned from fee-for-service to this new managed care model.

Program Features

• 12 tech companies accepted into the 9 month program will receive direct mentorship and feedback from senior-level executives at a broad network of provider organizations in New York State.

• The program will provide up to $300,000 of funding per company from a syndicate of leading venture capital and strategic investors.

• Selected companies will have priority access to the technology platform that is connecting electronic health records across New York State, the Statewide Health Information Network of New York (SHIN-NY).

• A leadership program which provides an opportunity to interact with a network of healthcare leaders, successful entrepreneurs and investors.

Who Should Apply

• We are interested in early- and growth-stage companies where access to clinical and technical feedback from provider organizations could have a meaningful impact on the company’s development prospects.

• At a minimum, the company should have a beta version of its technology.

Apply at www.DigitalHealthAccelerator.org The deadline to apply is June 1, 2012

EHR users not attesting to Meaningful Use because of EHRs?


A Health Affairs Article found a surprising percentage of practices that were ready to attest but did not due to limitations of their EHRs. SV

Please share your experiences with us.


Health Affairs

CMS EHR Incentive Program Payments as of March 2012: $4,484,340,767!!!

For those of you who have not yet moved to an EHR, I strongly encourage you to contact your RECs (Regional Extension Centers), AMA, State Medical Societies, Specialty Organizations and get the advice you need to proceed. SV


CMS

Annual NYS HIMSS Conference - Meaningful Use: Next Steps, Friday, April 27, 2012

Agenda

7:45am – 9:00am: Registration/Continental Breakfast & Vendor Networking
9:00am – 9:15am: New York HIMSS President’s Message Speaker: Joe Wagner, MPA, FHIMSS, Principal, TELUS Healthcare
9:15am – 9:30am: HIMSS Board Welcome - Speaker: Ken Ong, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA , CMIO of New York Hospital Queens
9:30am – 10:30am: Key Note - Learnings from the NYS EHR implementations to date - Impacts on Quality of Care Speaker: Amanda Parsons, MD, Assistant Commissioner of the Primary Care Information Project, NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
10:30am – 10:45am: Morning Break
10:45am – 11:45am: Key Note - NYS Priorities for Health IT Transformation; Speaker: Rachael Block, Deputy Commissioner, Office of Health Information Technology Transformation NYS Department of Health
11:45am – 1:30pm: Lunch, Vendor Fair & Networking
1:30pm – 2:30pm: Key Note: SHIN-NY – 2.0; Speaker: David Whitlinger, Executive Director, New York eHealth Collaborative
2:30pm – 2:45pm: Afternoon Break
2:45pm – 3:45pm: Breakout Session 1: Meaningful Use Next Steps: Stage 2 - Speaker: Ken Ong, CMIO of New York Hospital Queens
2:45pm – 3:45pm: Breakout Session 2: Physician HIT Best Practices for Driving Success in 2012 and beyond, Speaker: Judi Painter, Regional Sales Manager e-MD’s
3:45pm – 4:45pm: Breakout Session 3: ACO’s
Speaker: Alan Gilbert, MPA, FHIMSS, Partner, Value Catalyst
Breakout Session 4: Meaningful Use - a Case Study; Speaker: Carol Boberg, BI & Analytics Manager, Encore Health Resources
3:45pm – 4:45pm: Breakout Session 4: Meaningful Use - a Case Study, Speaker: Carol Boberg, BI & Analytics Manager Encore Health Resources
4:45pm – 6:15pm: Networking Session
If you are not a HIMSS member - we recommend joining now! Join before registering
for this conference - and save $75!


Early Registration

HIMSS Member Registration (Early Registration) -- $ 125
Non-Member Registration (Early Registration) -- $ 200 Student Price -- $30
Late Registration (After April 17, 2012):
HIMSS Member Registration (Late Registration)-- $ 150
Non-Member Registration (Late Registration) -- $ 225

www.himssnys.org

CMS Announces Extension of Eligibility Appeals Deadline to April 30

CMS is extending the deadline for eligible professionals (EPs) to submit eligibility appeals under the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs' 2011 payment year. The new deadline is April 30, 2012, giving EPs an extra month to file their appeals.

An eligibility appeal allows a provider to show that all the requirements for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program were met and that he or she should have received a payment but could not because of circumstances outside of the provider's control.

CMS affords providers with a two-level appeal process: an informal review and a request for reconsideration. Within the two-level appeal process, there are three types of appeals that can be filed in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program: (1) eligibility, (2) meaningful use, and (3) incentive payment appeals.

Detailed guidance on the appeals process and additional information on all of the appeal types are available on the OCSQ website.

Note: For general questions and for information on how to file an appeal, providers may contact Provider Resources, Inc., CMS' designated appeal support contractor, via phone between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday or via email.

1. Toll-free number: 855-796-1515
2. Email: OCSQAppeals@provider-resources.com

2012 Report from CMS re Electronic Health Records

These are incredible figures! I think it shows how an economic stimulus program can help well-intentioned physicians move in the right direction. The positive ripple effect to the well being of the community of patients will continue to be felt and has been documented by many groups including the NYC DOH PCIP. sv

CMS has released February 2012 data that highlights program-to-date (since January 2011) participation and payment totals under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The February report documents continued growth in registrations and payments, including:
More than 211,500 eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) have registered for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs since January 2011


More than 20,000 registered for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs in the month of February


More than 62,000 EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs have been paid for successfully participating in the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
More than $3.8 billion has been paid in Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program payments to EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs across the country

More than $738 million was paid in the month of February

Visit the Data and Reports page on the EHR website to review more of more data on continued acceleration in registration and payment data.

Happy Doctor's Day

The first Doctors Day observance was March 30, 1933 in Winder, Georgia. Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, decided to set aside a day to honor physicians. This first observance included the mailing greeting cards and placing flowers on graves of deceased doctors. The red carnation is commonly used as the symbolic flower for National Doctors Day.

On March 30, 1958, a Resolution Commemorating Doctors Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives. In 1990, legislation was introduced in the House and Senate to establish a national Doctors Day. Following overwhelming approval by the United States Senate and the House of Representatives, on October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473) designating March 30, 1991 as "National Doctors Day."

Doctors Day marks the date that Crawford W. Long, M.D., of Jefferson, GA, administered the first ether anesthetic for surgery on March 30, 1842. On that day, Dr. Long administered ether anesthesia to a patient and then operated to remove a tumor from the man’s neck. Later, the patient would swear that he felt nothing during the surgery and wasn’t aware the surgery was over until he awoke

2012 HIMSS New York State Conference

Meaningful Use: Next Steps

Friday, April 27, 2012

Lighthouse International

111 East 59th Street

Midtown Manhattan
(Between Lexington & Park Avenues)

Spend a day with the leading New York experts as they discuss how to continue your approach towards meaningful use.

The conference is to be followed by a Cocktail Reception.

Early Registration (prior to April 17th) is:

$125 for HIMSS membership
$200 for non-HIMSS members
$30 for students

Late Registration (after April 17th) is an additional $25.

If you are not a HIMSS member - we recommend joining now!

Join before registering for this conference - and save $75!


Click here for HIMSS membership information.

Event registration link

HIMSS Virtual Career Fair

Save the Date for the HIMSS Virtual Career Fair...and find your ideal health IT job!
By matching skilled candidates with employers, HIMSS is helping ensure organizations find people—just like you—to advance patient care. By simply going online, job seekers can post a profiles and resumes, browse available positions and even chat, text or email prospective employers.

Recruiters and employers will be searching nationwide to fill positions from the executive level to mid-career and entry level in many sectors across the health IT industry.

Take the next step in your career! By attending the Virtual Career Fair you will:

•Browse and apply for healthcare IT jobs on the Job Board that can be sorted by employer, job title, location and salary.
•Create your online profile and post multiple resumes.
•Connect with employer representatives via text, video chat and e-mail to answer your questions about the company and its open positions. Employers have instant access to your resume so you can engage in immediate dialogue.
•Attend accredited professional development education sessions via dynamic, live webinars
•Network with fellow job seekers and prospective employers in the Lounge.
•Collect professional development materials from HIMSS Career Services in the Resource Center.


Save the date and polish up your resume for May 16th—when the HIMSS Virtual Career Fair come right to you!

Register for CMS’ National Provider Call on the EHR Incentive Programs

CMS is holding a National Provider Call on Thursday, March 29, from 3:00 – 4:30 pm ET for eligible professionals (EPs) to discuss program basics for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The call will help EPs learn if they are eligible for the programs.

As of February 29, 2012, more than $3.8 billion in Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments have been made; and more than 211,000 EPs, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals are actively registered. Remember, this is the last year that EPs can participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program and still receive the maximum incentive payment.

The call will focus on EP participation in the EHR Incentive Programs. More information on eligibility requirements can be found on the Eligibility page of the CMS EHR website.

The call will cover general program topics, including:

Are you eligible?
How much are the incentives and how are they calculated?
How do you get started?
What are major milestones regarding participation and payment?
How do you report on meaningful use?
Where can you find helpful resources?
A question and answer session

Registration Information:
In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call. Registration will close at 12pm on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.

The presentation for this call will be posted at least one day beforehand. In addition, the presentation will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the call.

Want more information about the EHR Incentive Programs?
Make sure to visit the EHR Incentive Programs website for the latest news and updates on the EHR Incentive Programs.

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 8

#pharmehr

Ed Fotch MD

Bringing REMS and Adherence to Life with EHRs

Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies

Why do untethered PHRs failed? lack of physician connecton

PatientConnect Initialtive

Need to physician and patient friendly system

If you attended, please share your comments here. SV


PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 7

#pharmehr

EHRs and FDA Goals: Safety and Adherence

Keynote speaker: Janet Woodcock, MD, Director for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA

Speaker Comments

No consistent way to track if patients are taking their meds.
30% lapse in taking medications after one year.
What are the outcomes?
Effectiveness (real world) vs efficacy (artifical environment)
Patients often do not which meds they are taking or the reasons for use
FDA: No consistent way to track the diagnoses associated the with the medicaion
Epidemic of opiod abuse

Uncertainity leads to lawsuits, medicaton recalls, less favorable outcomes

Essential factors needed;
Integration of relevant drug information into work flow
Ability to access additional information is one click away
Integraton of REMs (risk elimination and medication)
Up to date medication lists for patients and prescribers
Patient education information to use the medication safely and effectively: FDA mandated single page leaflet
Abilithy to link pharmacies and providers with patients in the center: PCMH; including hosptilal discharge medications
AKA Medication Reconciliation
Abillity of provider report adverses event easily
Standarize terms to faciliate secondary use of data

Safey surveillance
Currently using min-sentinal system from Harvard Pilgrim :over 125 million patients
Based on claims
Uses common data model: no central repository, distributed model
Standardized queries are then sent out, turn around within two days

OMAP

2 million lives
methods research
observational research still needs work

800,000 adverse events reported per year
500,000 serious and unexpected
no system in place for thorough analysis

Paperless medication labeling is a goal

Drug safety communicatons are standardized but often without specifics

All of the above require integration with EHRs

Hope to integrate research capability into EHRs
Research needs to be part of clinical practice
Most cancer patients are not given the option to participate in research

Working with ONC

Gaps
Only 50% of practices have EHRs
Some EHRs are just electronic paper charts
Care is not consistently patient centered
Patient annotation of medication of experience is not yet available

Needs
A quick reponse for diseminating adverse events information
Better understanding and communication with patients regarding adherence
Better understaning of off-label use
Faster migration of medications to OTC
Better EHR adoption
Better EHR documentation of the medication use process

If you attended, please share your comments here. SV



http://www.pdrnetwork.com/index.html

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 6

#pharmehr

Reps and EHRs: Synergies Now and into the future

Moderator: Rich Altus, President
Gregg Viscuso, Senior Executive Sales Professional, Glaxosmithkline
AJ Higgins MD

Key note speaker: Deidre Connelly, President, North America Pharmaceuticals, Glaxosmithkline, comments

Only 50% receive treatment based on evidence based guidelines
By 2014, 65% of physicians will be in group practices
Moving from multiple reps to a single person representing a portfolio of products
Change in rep reimbursement: service is weighed greater than sales

Still sees a role of rep in addition to information delivered via EHRs: cancer, respiratory disease

If you attended, please share your comments here. SV


PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 5

#pharmehr

EHR Patient Connectivity

Ed Fotch MD, Moderator
Jodi Daniel JD, MPH, Director, ONC
Stephen Malik

Stephen Malik, President and General Manager of Intuit Health

DIspels myth of which demographics are using online access
Patients are using almost all the features: appts, medication refills, etc
Reviewed criteria for using a portal: trustworhthy, convenient, intuitive, supported
Reviewed busines outcomes
Reviewed practice benefits
Future trends: consolidation, mobility, MU 2

Jodi Daniel JD, MPH, Director, ONC

Notes the tide is shifting: from provider to consumer centered care
AMA code of ethics 1847 compared to today: passive vs active

Consumer engadgement improves health improvemen: patiens greatest untapped resource, leads to better care
Reviewed how HIT supports this
Showed how patients are using technology: moving story about ePatient Dave: cancer survivor
20% of patients are using mobile technology to manage health
80% use the Internet
66% of consumers would consider switching to a provider that offers online access to records

What is ONC doing? Promoting and supporting: access, action, attitude
Launch of consumer eHealth program
Access: promoting Blue Button and Direct Project, RECs,
Acton: PHRs etc
Attitudes: consumer video challenge, telling their own stories

Future goals: looking at social media, gaming

Role of providers in consumer engagement

If you attended, please share your comments here. SV


PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 4

#pharmehr

Adverse Event Reporting, Panel Discussion

Dr Steven Merahn, CMO, PDR Moderator comments

The real safety of drugs is made known after it has been distributed to a large population
Reviewed resons for underreporting by clinicians
Imbeding RxEvent reporting within the EHR and the physican workflow

Evan Grossman, AthenaHealth
Brian O'Neil, Office Allie
Chuck Frederick, Rph, eMDs

Evan Grossman, AthenaHealth

Reviewed patient safety issues: prevention, incident response, feedback, industry relations
Reviewed softrware adverse event severity ratings; 1a to 3c

Brian O'Neil, Office Allie

Offers EHR, PMS, EDI solutions: EHR $30 per month
Messaging improved HEDIS results: goal is to go to MCOs to increase physician reimbursement
Offers integration with home monitoring device
Offers reimbursed evisits with some health plans

Chuck Frederick, Rph, eMDs

Integrated EHR/PMS, physician owned and operated
Reviewed internal EHR patient ssfety monitoring
Feels that beter use of EHRs will reduce severe adverse events by better identifying populations at greater risk
Will be working with RxEvent Reporting

Great suggestion: have adverse drug event reporting count towards Meaningful Use 2

If you attended, please share your comments here. SV



PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 3

#pharmehr

George Soares of Cerner

Explored the ability of EHRs to faciliate more clinicians to partidipate in clinical trials.
Discussed post-marketing safety reporting

PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 2

#pharmehr

Dan Pucci, of Allscript is making some great points:

Deming's Law: invest a little more up front to reduce costs at the backend
Open Systems: permitting third party apps to "plugin" ,ie glucometer results
Evidence-Based Recommendations at the point of care: generated on by the EHR review of the next day's patients

PDR Network

PDR PharmEHR Summit 12 update 1

Great speakers yesterday, more to come today including Janet Woodcock, MD Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research FDA.
Currently listiening to Aidan Farrell discussing secondary uses of data collected from EHRs ie. Pharma/Bio research.
Bio/Pharma sponsorship opportunities: script info, patient ed, ecoupons, provider surveys, diagnosis support tools (eg care management programs), adherence programs

Dr Ed Fotch, CEO, PDR Network moderator

AMA offers guide to new payment models

As ACOs become more of a reality for many of us, it is important to learn about the variety of reimbursement models that are available. SV


The toolkit includes an explanation of pay-for-performance programs, shared savings and risk adjustment.


The tool kit is a collection of articles titled "Evaluating and Negotiating Emerging Payment Options," which is free to all physicians online

FDA Goals: EHRs and Drug Safety Video

This video succinctly reviews the value of EHRs in promoting the FDA goals. SV

Brief (3 Minute) video comments by Dr. Janet Woodcock, Director of FDA CDER at recent HIMSS meeting: FDA Goals: EHRs and Drug Safety

Video Link

CMS Stage 2 MU Webinar Slide Deck

These slides do an excellent job of explaining where we have been and will be going. SV

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a Webinar providing an in-depth review of the meaningful use Stage 2 proposed rule. The presentation gives a comprehensive review of the proposed changes from Stage 1 to Stage 2, reviews the high-level goals of the Incentive Program, discusses the incentive payments and payment adjustments, and also reviews the appeals process. Finally, a detailed walk-through of the registration and attestation processes are provided.



CMS MU Slides

Smartphones owned by almost 50% of American Adults


The Point of Care will soon be the whole world! sv

According to a study by PEW Research:

46% of American adults now own a smartphone of some kind, up from 35% in May 2011; Smartphone owners now outnumber users of more basic phones

http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2012/Smartphone-Update-2012/Findings.aspx

Age of Primary Care has arrived: enhanced reimbursement announcements

I guess this what happens when Geeks and Primaries are working together.
HIT and PCMH have generated the evidence for enhanced reimbursement. sv

Here are the announcements from Aetna, Anthem and United.

Aetna (CT/NJ):

Primary care providers who participate in Aetna’s networks, who have been recognized by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)* as a PCMH, and who are not participating in other quality incentive programs with Aetna will receive a quarterly Coordination of Care payment for each commercial (non-Medicare) Aetna member in their care. The NCQA-recognized PCMH practices are recognized for providing a number of services, including:

Improved access to care, such as the ability to reach health professionals outside normal business hours;
Proactive and planned preventive care (screenings, physicals, labs);
Improved access through non-face-to-face visits (e-mail, web, phone); and
Access to nurses and other health care professionals, allowing more focused physician visits.

According to the Wall Street Journal, the reimbursement could be an extra $2-$3 per patient per month.

Anthem (NY):

The new program will also incorporate best practices from Empire’s successful medical home pilot, and build on the demonstrated value of those programs. For instance, one of our New York pilots have shown an 12-23% decrease in acute inpatient admissions and an 11-17% decrease in total ER visits for the pilot population, while improving compliance with evidence‐based treatment and preventative care guidelines.

Through Empire’s new patient-centered primary care program, participating physicians will be able to earn additional revenue in the following ways:
General increase to the regular fees paid to physician practices for specific services.
Payment for “non‐visit” services currently not reimbursed, with an initial focus on compensation for preparing care plans for patients with multiple and complex conditions.
Opportunity for shared saving payments for quality outcomes and reduced medical costs.

To participate in the shared savings, physician practices must meet plan quality requirements, which include, for example, quality standards established by organizations such as the National Committee on Quality Assurance, the American Diabetes Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and others. Those primary care physicians, however, who maintain or improve quality may earn 30 percent to 50 percent more than they earn today through the shared savings model. Over time, Empire estimates the program could substantially improve quality and member health, potentially reducing trend in overall medical costs by as much as 20% by 2015.

HIMSS12 Update: New York Successes

Another great HIMSS conference is drawing to a close. Record registrations and membership.
Many useful educational sessions and diverse vendors. And of course there was Farzad's, our leader on the road that has not been fully mapped but promises a better future for the delivery of healthcare.
Tonite NYC DOH PCIP and Hudson River Healthcare will be honored at the awards dinner while our own Dr Holly Hunter services as HIMSS Board Vice-Chair.
Let's hear it for New York!!!

CMS proposes definition of stage 2 Meaningful Use


Some take home points:

1) Stage 1 extended to 2014, gives the vendors more time to bake in the functionality and reporting features

2) More sub-specialty options available

sv

CMS FACT SHEET

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                           Contact: CMS Media Relations Group
February 24, 2012                                                                                                              (202) 690-6145

CMS PROPOSES DEFINITION OF STAGE 2 MEANINGFUL USE OF CERTIFIED ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORDS (EHR) TECHNOLOGY The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) today announced a proposed rule for Stage 2 requirements for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, part of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, eligible health care professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals can qualify for Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments when they adopt certified EHR technology and use it to demonstrate "meaningful use" of that technology by achieving objectives set by CMS.

The fact sheet summarizes CMS' proposed requirements for Stage 2 of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs and highlights:

*        Changes to Stage 1 Criteria for Meaningful Use

*        Greater Applicability to Specialists

*        Stage 2 Reporting of Clinical Quality Measures

*        Payment Adjustments and Exceptions

*        Extension of Stage 1

In this proposed rule, CMS proposes several changes to existing Stage 1 criteria for meaningful use. Some of these changes would be optional for use by providers in Stage 1 but would be required for use in Stage 2. Other changes would not take effect until providers have to meet the Stage 2 criteria.
CMS' proposed rule may be viewed here: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-04443_PI.pdf
Additional information on the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs can be found at  http://www.cms.hhs.gov/EHRincentiveprograms.
Click here to read the entire CMS Fact Sheet issued today (2/23): http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/factsheet.asp?Counter=4286
# # #

Rite Aid and OptumHealth Introduce NowClinicSM Online Care Services in Detroit

Virtual visits continue to evolve. Please let us know if you would use this type of service in your practice. sv

NowClinic services are supported through a technology platform provided by American WellTM, (www.americanwell.com) the industry leader in telehealth solutions.

OptumHealth is part of Optum, a leading information and technology-enabled health services company dedicated to making the health system work better for everyone. OptumHealth is a leader in population health management, helping 60 million Americans navigate the health care system, finance their health care needs and achieve their health and well-being goals. OptumHealth supports the physical, mental and financial health of individuals with solutions offered through employers, health plans, public sector programs and health care providers. Visit www.optum.com or www.optumhealth.com for more information. For more information about NowClinic, visit www.myNowClinic.com.

HIMSS 2012 Begins today. Helpful links

Remember what happens in Vegas, should not, should not stay in Vegas!

Attend the presentations, make your network connections and then bring them back home and share as much as possible. This is a rare opportunity to meet such a diverse group of people, companies and institutions.

Please post your comments about the event here. sv

HIMSS 2012 is mobile

Twitter Cheat Sheet, track the Tweets!

HIMSS 2012 News

HIMSS 2012

Arkansas, Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota Launched Their Medicaid EHR Programs November 2011

On November 7th, the Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program launched in Arkansas, Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota. This means that eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals in these six states will be able to complete their incentive program registration. More information about the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program can be found on the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Basics page of the CMS EHR website.

If you are a resident of Arkansas, Delaware, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, and are eligible to participate in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, visit your State Medicaid Agency website for more information on your state's participation in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. Click on a State below to access its website.

Arkansas
Delaware
Montana
New Jersey
New York
North Dakota

As of November 7th, 39 states have launched Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs and through October, 23 states have issued incentive payments to Medicaid EPs and eligible hospitals who have adopted, implemented, or upgraded certified EHR technology. CMS looks forward to announcing the launches of additional states' programs in the coming months.

For a complete list of states that have already begun participation in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, see the Medicaid State Information page on the CMS EHR website.

NYAM Author Night Series - Medical Informatics: An Executive Primer, 2nd Edition

Sponsors: New York Academy of Medicine, maxIT, HIMSS NYS, Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health, & Columbia's Center for Advanced Information Management

Date: Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Time: 5:30PM: Check-in and Refreshments, 6:00-7:00PM: Presentation, 7:00-7:30 PM Networking

Location: The New York Academy of Medicine, 1216 Fifth Avenue at 103rd Street, New York, NY 10029

Speakers:

Moderator: Ken Ong, MD, MPH, CMIO of New York Hospital Queens

Panelists:
Abha Agrawal, MD, FACP, Medical Director of Kings County Hospital Center in Brooklyn, NY

Rachel Block, Deputy Commissioner for Health Information Technology Transformation in the New York State Department of Health

Curtis Cole, MD, Chief Information Officer for Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City

Deborah Johnson-Ingram, Senior Program Manager on the Performance Improvement Team with Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC) in New York City

Joseph Kannry, MD, Lead Technical Informaticist on the EMR Clinical Transformation Group at Mount Sinai

Glenn Martin, MD, Director of Medical Informatics for the Queens Health Network (QHN) in New York, a winner of the Nicholas E. Davies Award of Excellence

Jason Shapiro, MD, MA, Associate Professor and Chief of the Division of Informatics in the Department of Emergency Medicine at Mount Sinai

Mytri Pritam Singh, MPH, Executive Director of Implementation at the Primary Care Information Project (PCIP), a Bureau within the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH)

Alan Silver, MD, MPH, Medical Director at IPRO, a non-profit healthcare assessment and quality improvement company

Salvatore Volpe, MD, FAAP, FACP, CHCQM, Physician Liaison and Clinical Champion for the NYC DOH Primary Care Information Project and NYC REACH (Regional Extension Center)

Additional Information

Registration Information
Cost: Free, but advance registration required

Register now

Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs One Year Milestone

Like a train, it may have been slow to start; but now it is gaining momentum.
This is the last year to get the full Medicare Incentive Payment, so call your local RECs and AMA to get help with choosing, implementing and using EHRs. SV

January 3rd Marked the One Year Milestone for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
January 3rd was the one year anniversary of the start of registration for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. Over the past year, there has been a tremendous amount of interest in the incentive programs as providers across the country have implemented EHRs. Year one highlights include:

43 states have started their Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
Over 176,000 people have registered for the Medicare and/or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs
Over $2.5 billion has been paid in incentive payments to eligible professionals (EPs) and eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) across the country

RECs List

AMA

The Medicare EHR Incentive Program: Last day to attest for 2011 (Calendar Year)

February 29, 2012 is the last day for eligible professionals to register and attest to receive an Incentive Payment for calendar year (CY) 2011.


The Medicare EHR Incentive Program will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.

Participation began in 2011.

Eligible professionals can receive up to $44,000 over five years under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program. There's an additional incentive for eligible professionals who provide services in a Health Professional Shortage Area (HSPA).

To receive full Medicare benefits, you will need to be using your EHR in a meaningful manner by October 1, 2012.

Important! For 2015 and later, Medicare eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and CAHs that do not successfully demonstrate meaningful use will have a payment adjustment in their Medicare reimbursement.

Please contact your State Medical Societies, Specialty Medical Societies, the AMA and your local Regional Extension Centers for details.

AMA

Regional Extension List

2012 PharmEHR Summit March 20 & 21, Philadelphia

Delivering Bio/Pharmaceutical Marketing and Regulatory Results Using Electronic Health Records (EHRs):
Messages to Physicians at the Point of Prescribing and Care

Philadelphia Hyatt at the Bellevue, March 20-21, 2012

For more information, please contact PDR Network representative Thomas Eck at (201) 358-7424 or via email at thomas.eck@pdr.net.

This exclusive, invitation-only event will feature industry-leading speakers from Bio/Pharma; the federal government, including Janet Woodcock, MD, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA; and EHR vendor firms, including Glen Tullman, CEO of Allscripts, the country’s largest EHR vendor.

Industry leaders will discuss, demonstrate and design practical means to deliver drug safety, risk management, patient support, marketing services and regulatory messages within physician workflow via EHRs. Key areas of discussion will include:
• EHR adoption and the powerful impact on physician decision-making: “The New MD Desktop”
• Regulatory and brand message integration into the new physician workflow
• Improving prescription fulfillment and medication adherence


About the PharmEHR® Summit

Tuesday, March 20
11:00 AM
Arrivals & Lunch

12:00 PM
Welcome and 2011 EHR Look-back

12:30 PM
EHRs: What, Why and Where
EHR Adoption, Drivers and Impact

1:30 PM
Impact of EHRs on the Medical-Legal- Regulatory Framework and the ‘Duty-to-Warn’ Landscape

2:15 PM
Break (15 minutes)

2:30 PM
ePrescribing Adoption, Formulary Compliance

3:15 PM
Integrating EHRs into the Product Marketing Lifecycle

4:15 PM
EHRs – Payer's Perspective

5:00 PM
Break

5:30 PM
Top 100 Wine Tasting

7:00 PM
Dinner Key Note: EHRs - Now and the Near Future
• Glen Tullman, CEO, Allscripts

Wednesday, March 21
7:00 AM
Breakfast

7:45 AM
Welcome & Agenda

8:00 AM
What EHRs Currently Offer Pharma

9:00 AM
What Pharma Wants from EHRs and Their Users

10:00 AM
Break (15 minutes)

10:15 AM
EHRs and Adverse Drug Event Reporting and Follow-up

11:00 AM
EHR Patient Connectivity: Driving Medication Adherence and Safety

12:00 PM
Lunch

1:00 PM
Day Two Key Note: EHRs and FDA Goals: Safety and Adherence
• Janet Woodcock, MD, Director, Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA

1:45 PM
Bringing REMS and Adherence to Life with EHRs

2:30 PM
Closing Remarks/Meeting Adjourns

PDR Network recognized early the significant impact of EHR adoption on the bio/pharmaceutical industry. In addition to leading in the integration of drug-related services into EHRs, PDR Network founded the PharmEHR® Summit – the only national meeting of senior executives from bio/pharma and EHRs. Each year, this invitation-only meeting explores emerging strategies for bio/pharmaceutical marketing, regulatory and other core business objectives.

In hosting the annual PharmEHR® Summit, PDR Network reinforces its commitment as a strategic leader and trusted partner within the healthcare community.

PDR Network