Friday, March 14, 2014

Governor Cuomo Names Primary Care Partnership as "Pay for Success" Finalist

Congratulations to the Finalists! SV


Governor Cuomo Names Primary Care Partnership as "Pay for Success" Finalist

(March 14, 2014)  Governor Andrew Cuomo last week announced that a primary care partnership is one of four finalists for New York State's "Pay for Success" initiative.  The partnership consists of the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC), three federally qualified community health centers - HRHCare Community Health, The Institute for Family Health, Open Door Family Medical Centers, Inc., and Hudson Information Technology for Community Health (HITCH). 

In announcing the finalists on March 6th, Governor Cuomo stated: "This public-private partnership model is one we see working over and over again and one that saves taxpayers money and improves how we deliver services here in New York." Read the Governor's press release here.

The partnership seeks to reduce the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes among adults in New York City and the Hudson Valley by improving the identification of at-risk patients, and engaging patients in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) "National Diabetes Prevention Program" (NDPP). Evidence shows that successful completion of the NDPP reduces a patient's risk of getting diabetes by 58%. The three health centers care for roughly 140,000 adult patients: an estimated 8.8% are diabetic and at least 8.3% are prediabetic. The five-year initiative is expected to benefit about 3,600 patients and save about $10 million in health care costs. Longer term cumulative savings to all levels of government are projected at $47 million. The award will be final upon approval of the State budget and completion of a contract between the partnership and the State.

"Pay for Success" projects, often financed through Social Impact Bonds, are an innovative method of funding projects that benefit the public. In New York's Pay for Success program, the state and service providers (such as healthcare providers) will agree upon performance goals, and private and philanthropic investors will fund the projects at no initial cost to the state. The state will repay investors based on the program's performance, and will only make payments if the goals are achieved. 

PCDC is a nonprofit that provides affordable capital, expert technical assistance and public advocacy to expand and transform primary care in underserved communities to improve health outcomes, lower health costs and reduce disparities. HRHCare Community HealthThe Institute for Family Health and Open Door Family Medical Centers, Inc. are federally qualified health center networks that operate 50 community health centers in New York State.  The centers offer primary care, dental care and mental health care for children and adults.  All of the centers have been designated Patient Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.HITCH is a non-profit coalition that promotes high quality health care among safety-net primary care providers.

Contact Information:
Dan Lowenstein (PCDC) - 212-437-3942, dlowenstein@pcdc.org
Lauren Candela-Katz, (HRHCare Community Health) 914-734-8555, lcandelakatz@hrhcare.org
Lindsay Farrell, (Open Door Family Medical Centers, Inc.) 914-502-1450, lfarrell@odfmc.org
Maxine Golub (The Institute for Family Health) - 212-633-0800 ext 1286mgolub@institute2000.org
Helene Kopal (HITCH), 914-488-6401, hkopal@hitch.org

Monday, March 03, 2014

Allscripts: HIMSS Analytics Announces First Certified Educator of the EMR Adoption Model

Congratulations! SV

“Allscripts is honored to be named the first Certified Educator for EMRAM,” said Paul M. Black, President and Chief Executive Officer, Allscripts. “The certification will enable Allscripts to better assist our clients in achieving HIMSS Stage 6 or 7, critical for future success for healthcare organizations.”

HIMSS ANALYTICS

CMS: Meaningful Use Medicare Payment Adjustments & Hardship Exceptions Tipsheet for Eligible Professionals

The AMA has put together an excellent document explaining the hardship exceptions. SV


AMA

CMS


Sunday, March 02, 2014

AHIMA ICD-10 Clinical Documentation Training for Physicians and Clinicians

Check it out and let us know what you think. SV

Product Demonstration
Relevant Physician Training by Specialty
The deadline for the transition to ICD-10 is October 1, 2014. The American Health Information Management Association's (AHIMA's) new clinical documentation for ICD-10 training provides interactive, online training on the documentation needed to meet ICD-10-CM/PCS's requirements.
Written by physicians, CDI specialist, and medical coding experts, these bite-sized, on-demand modules ensure relevant and targeted clinical documentation support for physicians and clinicians.
The program customizes learning by delivering three-to-five-minute modules covering each physician's 10 to 20 most billed diagnoses and conditions, making learning targeted and highly relevant.
Clinicians love AHIMA's ICD-10 Clinical Documentation Training because its design works with their busy schedules and is proven to be more effective in retaining necessary information.
Advantages include:
  • Short, self-paced training modules
  • Specialty-specific training
  • Case-based, real-life examples
  • Computer, tablet, or smartphone access
  • IOS and Android App
  • Interactive learning for greatest recall
  • CM and PCS
  • Earn CMEs
Improved Documentation = More Accurate Coding =
Fewer Returned Queries
To register for this complimentary online event