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