AMA e-Prescribing Learning Center is now available
This is a good site for reviewing the topic of e-Prescribing, determining the value and choosing a vendor. SV
There are five sections:
Definitions
Benefits
Costs
Preparation
Users' experiences
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
HHS RELEASE--NEW STATE BY STATE REPORTS
I know its a little off topic, but this release emphasizes the need for re-engineering the current system. SV
Date: June 26, 2009
For Release: Immediately
Contact: HHS Press Office
202) 690-6343
Headline: Secretary Sebelius Releases New State by State Reports
Highlighting Urgent Need for Health Reform
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a series of new reports
on the health care status quo that highlight the urgent need for health
reform across the nation. The new reports are available at
www.HealthReform.gov and include information on health care cost and
quality in all fifty states.
"In states across the country, health care costs are going up and
families are struggling to get the quality care they need and deserve,"
Secretary Sebelius said. "We cannot wait to pass reform that protects
what works about health care and fixes what's broken."
Each report includes data regarding the health care status quo such as:
* Percent increase in family premiums since 2000.
* The hidden tax individuals and families pay as a result of
subsidizing care for the uninsured.
* Percent of state residents without insurance.
* Overall quality ratings for health care in each state.
* The impact of failing to adequately invest in preventative
measures that could prevent disease and illness.
"The American people have been calling for reform, and they should not
have to wait any longer," added Sebelius. "Health reform will assure
quality affordable health care for all Americans, lower costs, and give
more Americans the choices they deserve. The time for reform is now."
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
I know its a little off topic, but this release emphasizes the need for re-engineering the current system. SV
Date: June 26, 2009
For Release: Immediately
Contact: HHS Press Office
202) 690-6343
Headline: Secretary Sebelius Releases New State by State Reports
Highlighting Urgent Need for Health Reform
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today released a series of new reports
on the health care status quo that highlight the urgent need for health
reform across the nation. The new reports are available at
www.HealthReform.gov and include information on health care cost and
quality in all fifty states.
"In states across the country, health care costs are going up and
families are struggling to get the quality care they need and deserve,"
Secretary Sebelius said. "We cannot wait to pass reform that protects
what works about health care and fixes what's broken."
Each report includes data regarding the health care status quo such as:
* Percent increase in family premiums since 2000.
* The hidden tax individuals and families pay as a result of
subsidizing care for the uninsured.
* Percent of state residents without insurance.
* Overall quality ratings for health care in each state.
* The impact of failing to adequately invest in preventative
measures that could prevent disease and illness.
"The American people have been calling for reform, and they should not
have to wait any longer," added Sebelius. "Health reform will assure
quality affordable health care for all Americans, lower costs, and give
more Americans the choices they deserve. The time for reform is now."
###
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are
available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
MEDICARE AND MEDICAID HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: TITLE IV OF THE AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT Fact Sheet
CMS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: When will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publish regulations to define certified Electronic Health Records and “meaningful use?”
Answer: CMS intends to publish a proposed rule in late 2009 to define meaningful use of certified Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology and establish criteria for the incentives programs. We are working extensively with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology(ONC) to identify the proposed criteria.
Question: What is CMS’ overall time frame for actions and activities related to the incentive program?
Answer: Although further details will be developed, CMS can provide the following timeline based on the current implementation plan:
Date
Milestone
2009
Coordinate with ONC to develop policies such as the definition of meaningful use
Develop proposed rules to allow public input to the incentive program policies
Plan systems and other requirements needed to support the incentives programs
Plan national outreach program
2010
Conduct outreach to eligible professionals and providers and to State Medicaid Agencies
Develop systems to support the payment of incentives
Develop final rules to establish policies needed to pay incentives
Develop systems to monitor and evaluate incentive payments
No sooner than October 2010
Start to pay hospital incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
No sooner than January 2011
Start to pay eligible professionals for Medicare and monitor payments
Begin and monitor Medicaid incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals
2011 - 2016
Continue paying hospital incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
2011 – 2016
Continue paying eligible professionals incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
2011 - 2021
Continue paying Medicaid incentives to eligible professionals and hospitals and monitor payments
2015 and thereafter
Initiate payment reductions to Medicare hospitals and eligible professionals that fail to adopt EHRs
Question: When will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) begin to pay incentives to eligible professionals and hospitals for using certified Electronic Health Records ( EHRs)?
Answer: By statute, the earliest dates that CMS will be able to pay an incentive under Medicare is October 1, 2010, for hospitals and January 1, 2011, for eligible professionals.
The statute does not define a date for the Medicaid incentives program. Given the range of regulatory and planning activities that must precede States being able to make provider incentive payments, as well as the importance of coordinating Medicaid and Medicare payments to prevent duplication, CMS does not expect that States will be able to make such payments until 2011.
Work is underway to define the meaningful EHR user criteria, as well as the requirements for applying for and receiving the EHR payment incentives, CMS expects to issue a proposed rule in late 2009.
Question: If an eligible professional uses a certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) in a meaningful way in accordance with the adopted regulations, and meets the requirements established by CMS, could that professional receive both the Medicare EHR payment incentive as well as the Medicaid EHR payment incentive?
Answer: No, an eligible professional may only receive an EHR payment under either Medicare or Medicaid. CMS expects to more fully address the issue of duplicative payments under Medicare and Medicaid through rulemaking.
Question: If I already have an Electronic Health Record (EHR) that has been certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), will I have to buy a new system if the government mandates that only EHRs that meet a higher certification level are considered certified EHRs?
Answer: Decisions about EHR standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria have not been made yet, and are under development. Policies will be proposed in the regulation to be published in late 2009.
Question: What is the maximum incentive an eligible professional can earn for using an Electronic Health Record under Medicaid?
Answer: The statute does not define fixed amounts for the incentive payments, only ceilings that cannot be exceeded. CMS expects that the actual payment amounts will be more fully addressed through notice and comment rulemaking.
Question: What is the maximum Electronic Health Record(EHR) incentive an eligible professional can earn under Medicare?
Answer: Eligible professionals(EPs), who adopt Electronic Health Records as early as 2011 or 2012 may be eligible for up to $44,000 in Medicare incentive payments spread out over five years (increased by 10 percent for EPs who predominantly furnish services in a health professional shortage area).
Question: What if my Electronic Health Record (EHR) system costs much more than the incentive the government will pay? May I request additional funds?
Answer: The Recovery Act does not provide for incentive payments under Medicare or Medicaid beyond the limits established by the legislation, regardless of the cost of the EHR system chosen by eligible professionals or hospitals. With regard to Medicaid, the purpose of the 100 percent FFP provider incentive payments to certain eligible Medicaid providers is to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology. While the incentive payments are expected to be used for certified EHR technology and support services, including maintenance and training necessary for the adoption and operation of such technology, the incentive payments are not direct reimbursement for such activities, but rather are intended to serve as an incentive for eligible professionals and hospitals to adopt and meaningfully use certified EHR technology
Question: What is the earliest date the payment adjustments will start to be imposed for eligible professionals and hospitals that are not meaningful Electronic Health Record (EHR) users under the HITECH provisions of the Recovery Act?
Answer: The HITECH provisions of the Recovery Act establish 2015 as the first year that payment adjustments will start to be imposed on Medicare eligible professionals and hospitals that are not meaningful EHR users. There are no payment adjustments associated with the Medicaid provisions under Section 4201.
Question: How will eligible providers and hospitals apply for incentives if they are using certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in accordance with the standards established by Health and Human Services (HHS) under the HITECH portion of the Recovery Act?
Answer: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will publish a rule establishing the criteria which eligible professionals and hospitals must meet in order to qualify for the EHR incentive payments, including defining meaningful EHR users. The rule will also explain how to apply for those incentives.
Question: How will the public know who has received incentive payments under the Recovery Act?
Answer: CMS will post the names of those receiving Medicare incentives online. The list will include the elements identified in the Recovery Act: name, business addresses, and business phone number of all Medicare eligible professionals and hospitals who received incentive payments under the Recovery Act. There is no such requirement for CMS to publish the names of those receiving Medicaid incentive payments under Section 4201 though States may opt do so.
Question: What will be done to help prepare providers to take advantage of the incentive payments for the meaningful use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR)?
Answer: A set of supportive programs will be announced after CMS publishes a proposed rule in late 2009, that is, regarding a definition of meaningful use of certified EHR technology and criteria for the incentives programs. These programs are intended to educate and support providers, enable health information exchange, and build the workforce that will be needed for success. Information about these supportive efforts will be communicated to eligible providers through many channels.
CMS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question: When will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publish regulations to define certified Electronic Health Records and “meaningful use?”
Answer: CMS intends to publish a proposed rule in late 2009 to define meaningful use of certified Electronic Health Records (EHR) technology and establish criteria for the incentives programs. We are working extensively with the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology(ONC) to identify the proposed criteria.
Question: What is CMS’ overall time frame for actions and activities related to the incentive program?
Answer: Although further details will be developed, CMS can provide the following timeline based on the current implementation plan:
Date
Milestone
2009
Coordinate with ONC to develop policies such as the definition of meaningful use
Develop proposed rules to allow public input to the incentive program policies
Plan systems and other requirements needed to support the incentives programs
Plan national outreach program
2010
Conduct outreach to eligible professionals and providers and to State Medicaid Agencies
Develop systems to support the payment of incentives
Develop final rules to establish policies needed to pay incentives
Develop systems to monitor and evaluate incentive payments
No sooner than October 2010
Start to pay hospital incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
No sooner than January 2011
Start to pay eligible professionals for Medicare and monitor payments
Begin and monitor Medicaid incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals
2011 - 2016
Continue paying hospital incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
2011 – 2016
Continue paying eligible professionals incentives for Medicare and monitor payments
2011 - 2021
Continue paying Medicaid incentives to eligible professionals and hospitals and monitor payments
2015 and thereafter
Initiate payment reductions to Medicare hospitals and eligible professionals that fail to adopt EHRs
Question: When will the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) begin to pay incentives to eligible professionals and hospitals for using certified Electronic Health Records ( EHRs)?
Answer: By statute, the earliest dates that CMS will be able to pay an incentive under Medicare is October 1, 2010, for hospitals and January 1, 2011, for eligible professionals.
The statute does not define a date for the Medicaid incentives program. Given the range of regulatory and planning activities that must precede States being able to make provider incentive payments, as well as the importance of coordinating Medicaid and Medicare payments to prevent duplication, CMS does not expect that States will be able to make such payments until 2011.
Work is underway to define the meaningful EHR user criteria, as well as the requirements for applying for and receiving the EHR payment incentives, CMS expects to issue a proposed rule in late 2009.
Question: If an eligible professional uses a certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) in a meaningful way in accordance with the adopted regulations, and meets the requirements established by CMS, could that professional receive both the Medicare EHR payment incentive as well as the Medicaid EHR payment incentive?
Answer: No, an eligible professional may only receive an EHR payment under either Medicare or Medicaid. CMS expects to more fully address the issue of duplicative payments under Medicare and Medicaid through rulemaking.
Question: If I already have an Electronic Health Record (EHR) that has been certified by the Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology (CCHIT), will I have to buy a new system if the government mandates that only EHRs that meet a higher certification level are considered certified EHRs?
Answer: Decisions about EHR standards, implementation specifications and certification criteria have not been made yet, and are under development. Policies will be proposed in the regulation to be published in late 2009.
Question: What is the maximum incentive an eligible professional can earn for using an Electronic Health Record under Medicaid?
Answer: The statute does not define fixed amounts for the incentive payments, only ceilings that cannot be exceeded. CMS expects that the actual payment amounts will be more fully addressed through notice and comment rulemaking.
Question: What is the maximum Electronic Health Record(EHR) incentive an eligible professional can earn under Medicare?
Answer: Eligible professionals(EPs), who adopt Electronic Health Records as early as 2011 or 2012 may be eligible for up to $44,000 in Medicare incentive payments spread out over five years (increased by 10 percent for EPs who predominantly furnish services in a health professional shortage area).
Question: What if my Electronic Health Record (EHR) system costs much more than the incentive the government will pay? May I request additional funds?
Answer: The Recovery Act does not provide for incentive payments under Medicare or Medicaid beyond the limits established by the legislation, regardless of the cost of the EHR system chosen by eligible professionals or hospitals. With regard to Medicaid, the purpose of the 100 percent FFP provider incentive payments to certain eligible Medicaid providers is to encourage the adoption and meaningful use of certified EHR technology. While the incentive payments are expected to be used for certified EHR technology and support services, including maintenance and training necessary for the adoption and operation of such technology, the incentive payments are not direct reimbursement for such activities, but rather are intended to serve as an incentive for eligible professionals and hospitals to adopt and meaningfully use certified EHR technology
Question: What is the earliest date the payment adjustments will start to be imposed for eligible professionals and hospitals that are not meaningful Electronic Health Record (EHR) users under the HITECH provisions of the Recovery Act?
Answer: The HITECH provisions of the Recovery Act establish 2015 as the first year that payment adjustments will start to be imposed on Medicare eligible professionals and hospitals that are not meaningful EHR users. There are no payment adjustments associated with the Medicaid provisions under Section 4201.
Question: How will eligible providers and hospitals apply for incentives if they are using certified Electronic Health Records (EHRs) in accordance with the standards established by Health and Human Services (HHS) under the HITECH portion of the Recovery Act?
Answer: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will publish a rule establishing the criteria which eligible professionals and hospitals must meet in order to qualify for the EHR incentive payments, including defining meaningful EHR users. The rule will also explain how to apply for those incentives.
Question: How will the public know who has received incentive payments under the Recovery Act?
Answer: CMS will post the names of those receiving Medicare incentives online. The list will include the elements identified in the Recovery Act: name, business addresses, and business phone number of all Medicare eligible professionals and hospitals who received incentive payments under the Recovery Act. There is no such requirement for CMS to publish the names of those receiving Medicaid incentive payments under Section 4201 though States may opt do so.
Question: What will be done to help prepare providers to take advantage of the incentive payments for the meaningful use of an Electronic Health Record (EHR)?
Answer: A set of supportive programs will be announced after CMS publishes a proposed rule in late 2009, that is, regarding a definition of meaningful use of certified EHR technology and criteria for the incentives programs. These programs are intended to educate and support providers, enable health information exchange, and build the workforce that will be needed for success. Information about these supportive efforts will be communicated to eligible providers through many channels.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
CCHIT concise criteria for 2009 and ARRA
Here are the 2009 ambulatory and inpatient EHR specificiations that will ensure that the EHRs meet the federally qualified criteria. SV
CCHIT
Here are the 2009 ambulatory and inpatient EHR specificiations that will ensure that the EHRs meet the federally qualified criteria. SV
CCHIT
Friday, June 19, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
GE Stimulus Simplicity: EHR: certification and interest free loans
The guarantee of meeting Federal Certification standards and interest free loans should greatly exspedite adoption. SV
GE Launches Program to Doctors, Hospitals to Accelerate EMR Adoption; First $100 Million of healthymagination Commitment
Offers Healthcare Providers Interest-free Funding for Immediate Access to Electronic Medical Records, Commits to Stimulus Warranty
Electronic Medical Records Can Help Improve Patient Outcomes, Reduce Medical Errors and Costs
Fairfield, CONN. – June 15, 2009 – GE (NYSE: GE) today announced, as part of its healthymagination initiative to increase access to technology and reduce cost, the launch of a new program, Stimulus Simplicity, which offers doctors and hospitals an easier path to electronic medical records (EMR) adoption. This program is a joint offering of GE Healthcare and GE Capital and contains two core elements – a commitment to ensure the EMRs are certified (a precursor to federal stimulus reimbursement eligibility) and an interest-free loan with deferred payments. The program addresses some of the biggest barriers to EMR adoption faced by healthcare providers, uncertainty around future standards and interim funding to cover the capital investment.
GE’s Stimulus Simplicity program helps physician offices and hospitals that invest in GE’s electronic medical records (EMR) products, GE Centricity® EMR and Centricity Enterprise solutions, maximize the potential benefits of the increased focus on EMR under President Obama’s stimulus funding bill. The financing enables healthcare providers to accelerate adoption of EMRs and further their efforts to reduce cost and improve patient care through greater access to valuable information at the point of care. GE’s financial services business, GE Capital, will provide the financing with GE Healthcare providing its EMR product certification warranty.
GE
The guarantee of meeting Federal Certification standards and interest free loans should greatly exspedite adoption. SV
GE Launches Program to Doctors, Hospitals to Accelerate EMR Adoption; First $100 Million of healthymagination Commitment
Offers Healthcare Providers Interest-free Funding for Immediate Access to Electronic Medical Records, Commits to Stimulus Warranty
Electronic Medical Records Can Help Improve Patient Outcomes, Reduce Medical Errors and Costs
Fairfield, CONN. – June 15, 2009 – GE (NYSE: GE) today announced, as part of its healthymagination initiative to increase access to technology and reduce cost, the launch of a new program, Stimulus Simplicity, which offers doctors and hospitals an easier path to electronic medical records (EMR) adoption. This program is a joint offering of GE Healthcare and GE Capital and contains two core elements – a commitment to ensure the EMRs are certified (a precursor to federal stimulus reimbursement eligibility) and an interest-free loan with deferred payments. The program addresses some of the biggest barriers to EMR adoption faced by healthcare providers, uncertainty around future standards and interim funding to cover the capital investment.
GE’s Stimulus Simplicity program helps physician offices and hospitals that invest in GE’s electronic medical records (EMR) products, GE Centricity® EMR and Centricity Enterprise solutions, maximize the potential benefits of the increased focus on EMR under President Obama’s stimulus funding bill. The financing enables healthcare providers to accelerate adoption of EMRs and further their efforts to reduce cost and improve patient care through greater access to valuable information at the point of care. GE’s financial services business, GE Capital, will provide the financing with GE Healthcare providing its EMR product certification warranty.
GE
David A. Dorr, MD MS at the New York Academy of Medicine
David A. Dorr, MD MS will speak Thursday, June 18, 5-7 pm at the New York Academy of Medicine. He will speak on Collaborative, Coordinated Care in Chronic Disease. His clinical and research interest is in care management, coordination of care, collaborative care, chronic disease management, quality, and electronic clinical information systems to support these areas. His current projects include Expanding Guidelines to Collaborative Care Agents (funded by the National Library of Medicine); the Care Management Plus project (funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation—see http://www.caremanagementplus.org/); and participation in The John A. Hartford Geriatric Teams in Practice dissemination with Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City. He also works with RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports) to improve patient safety and with the CHIACC (Creating HealtheVet Informatics Applications for Collaborative Care) group at the VA.
In conjunction with the meeting in New York City at The New York Academy of Medicine, Fifth Ave. at 103rd St. ,there will be remote access via telephone and WebEx.
RSVP is REQUIRED. Please email to pcipspeaker@health.nyc.gov by 5 pm Tuesday June 16 and NOTE if you will join in person, by phone, and/or by WebEx. By return email, you will receive information for joining the meeting remotely.
David A. Dorr, MD MS will speak Thursday, June 18, 5-7 pm at the New York Academy of Medicine. He will speak on Collaborative, Coordinated Care in Chronic Disease. His clinical and research interest is in care management, coordination of care, collaborative care, chronic disease management, quality, and electronic clinical information systems to support these areas. His current projects include Expanding Guidelines to Collaborative Care Agents (funded by the National Library of Medicine); the Care Management Plus project (funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation—see http://www.caremanagementplus.org/); and participation in The John A. Hartford Geriatric Teams in Practice dissemination with Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City. He also works with RADAR (Research on Adverse Drug events And Reports) to improve patient safety and with the CHIACC (Creating HealtheVet Informatics Applications for Collaborative Care) group at the VA.
In conjunction with the meeting in New York City at The New York Academy of Medicine, Fifth Ave. at 103rd St. ,there will be remote access via telephone and WebEx.
RSVP is REQUIRED. Please email to pcipspeaker@health.nyc.gov by 5 pm Tuesday June 16 and NOTE if you will join in person, by phone, and/or by WebEx. By return email, you will receive information for joining the meeting remotely.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Medicare E-Prescribing Incentive Program Guide
To assist providers who plan to participate in the Medicare E-Prescribing Incentive Program, CMS recently issued an instruction sheet explaining how to report the e-prescribing measure on CMS-1500 claim forms. In general, the G-code for the reporting measure must be listed as a separate line-item on the same claim form as the CPT code, for the same beneficiary, same prescriber and same date of service. The G-code should include a line-item charge of 000.
In addition, members interested in receiving the 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period should begin e-prescribing as soon as possible. In order to be a successful e-prescriber, the provider must report an e-prescribing G-code in at least 50% of applicable cases. A provider who begins e-prescribing too late in the reporting period may be less likely to qualify for the 50% minimum requirement.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/11399.pdf
Additional information can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp#TopOfPage
To assist providers who plan to participate in the Medicare E-Prescribing Incentive Program, CMS recently issued an instruction sheet explaining how to report the e-prescribing measure on CMS-1500 claim forms. In general, the G-code for the reporting measure must be listed as a separate line-item on the same claim form as the CPT code, for the same beneficiary, same prescriber and same date of service. The G-code should include a line-item charge of 000.
In addition, members interested in receiving the 2% incentive payment for the 2009 reporting period should begin e-prescribing as soon as possible. In order to be a successful e-prescriber, the provider must report an e-prescribing G-code in at least 50% of applicable cases. A provider who begins e-prescribing too late in the reporting period may be less likely to qualify for the 50% minimum requirement.
http://www.cms.hhs.gov/partnerships/downloads/11399.pdf
Additional information can be found at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp#TopOfPage
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
CCHIT TO PROPOSE NEW PATHS TO CERTIFICATION
Seeks input on new concepts for certifying EHR technologies
CHICAGO – June 9, 2009 – The Certification Commission today announced a series of two Town Call web conferences on June 16 and 17 to gather stakeholder input on new paths to certification of electronic health record (EHR) technologies, with the goal of supporting more rapid, widespread adoption and meaningful use under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
“ARRA has turbocharged the drive for health IT adoption and meaningful use,” said Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., Commission chair. “Certification -- an explicit requirement of that law -- must become more robust and more flexible at the same time, to allow these powerful incentives to deliver the desired result: improved health and healthcare. We will share our new ideas and invite feedback from the health community.”
Areas to be explored during the Town Calls include the crosswalk from certification to meaningful use, enhancements to current programs, and new and updated programs to make certification more accessible to a wider variety of EHR technologies, including modular, self-developed, and open source applications.
The first Town Call, “New Paths to Certification: Dialog with the Open Source Community”, on June 16 at 1:00 PM Eastern will focus on concerns regarding certification of applications licensed under open source models. During the Web conference, Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., Commission chair, and Dennis Wilson, the Commission’s technology director, will discuss the new concepts from the perspective of technology developers.
The second Town Call, “New Paths to Certification”, on June 17 at 11:00 AM Eastern is intended for a general audience, and will explore all of the new programs and their intended goals. During both events, participants will be invited to submit questions and comments online. Registration is required for the free Town Calls at http://cchit.org/towncalls.
The Certification Commission is actively adapting its certification programs and timelines to conform to the new requirements of ARRA as the definition of meaningful use emerges. Instead of immediately launching a 2009-10 certification program, the Commission submitted its new released 09 criteria to the Health Information Technology Standards Committee for review and, anticipating a draft definition of meaningful use by June 16 and draft standards and certification criteria by August 26, will work to quickly resolve any gaps and begin accepting applications for newly designed certification programs as quickly as possible after that.
C Sue Reber
Marketing Director, CCHIT
Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
503.288.5876 office | 503.703.0813 cell | 503.287.4613 fax
sreber@cchit.org
Learn more about CCHIT
Learn more about EHR Decisions
Seeks input on new concepts for certifying EHR technologies
CHICAGO – June 9, 2009 – The Certification Commission today announced a series of two Town Call web conferences on June 16 and 17 to gather stakeholder input on new paths to certification of electronic health record (EHR) technologies, with the goal of supporting more rapid, widespread adoption and meaningful use under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).
“ARRA has turbocharged the drive for health IT adoption and meaningful use,” said Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., Commission chair. “Certification -- an explicit requirement of that law -- must become more robust and more flexible at the same time, to allow these powerful incentives to deliver the desired result: improved health and healthcare. We will share our new ideas and invite feedback from the health community.”
Areas to be explored during the Town Calls include the crosswalk from certification to meaningful use, enhancements to current programs, and new and updated programs to make certification more accessible to a wider variety of EHR technologies, including modular, self-developed, and open source applications.
The first Town Call, “New Paths to Certification: Dialog with the Open Source Community”, on June 16 at 1:00 PM Eastern will focus on concerns regarding certification of applications licensed under open source models. During the Web conference, Mark Leavitt, M.D., Ph.D., Commission chair, and Dennis Wilson, the Commission’s technology director, will discuss the new concepts from the perspective of technology developers.
The second Town Call, “New Paths to Certification”, on June 17 at 11:00 AM Eastern is intended for a general audience, and will explore all of the new programs and their intended goals. During both events, participants will be invited to submit questions and comments online. Registration is required for the free Town Calls at http://cchit.org/towncalls.
The Certification Commission is actively adapting its certification programs and timelines to conform to the new requirements of ARRA as the definition of meaningful use emerges. Instead of immediately launching a 2009-10 certification program, the Commission submitted its new released 09 criteria to the Health Information Technology Standards Committee for review and, anticipating a draft definition of meaningful use by June 16 and draft standards and certification criteria by August 26, will work to quickly resolve any gaps and begin accepting applications for newly designed certification programs as quickly as possible after that.
C Sue Reber
Marketing Director, CCHIT
Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology
503.288.5876 office | 503.703.0813 cell | 503.287.4613 fax
sreber@cchit.org
Learn more about CCHIT
Learn more about EHR Decisions
Thursday, June 04, 2009
IBM promotes Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH):Outlines New Model for Healthcare
Patient Centered Medical Home Can Change the Way Care is Delivered
ARMONK, N.Y. - 28 May 2009: IBM today announced the findings of a major healthcare study that underscores the critical need for a new model of care called the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The new study, “Patient Centered Medical Home: What, Why and How?,” (www.ibm.com/healthcare/medicalhome) identifies the PCMH as a viable foundation for the reform of today’s unsustainable healthcare system because it is committed to primary-care based, coordinated, proactive, preventive, acute, chronic, long-term and end-of-life care.
Rising health care costs continue to be a burden on families, businesses and the entire economy and are projected to increase even further. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, national healthcare expenditures – already the highest in the world – are expected to grow an average of 6.2 percent per year from 2008 to 2018 and outpace GDP growth. Moreover, it will consume 20.3 percent of GDP by 2018.
Patient Centered Medical Home Can Change the Way Care is Delivered
ARMONK, N.Y. - 28 May 2009: IBM today announced the findings of a major healthcare study that underscores the critical need for a new model of care called the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH). The new study, “Patient Centered Medical Home: What, Why and How?,” (www.ibm.com/healthcare/medicalhome) identifies the PCMH as a viable foundation for the reform of today’s unsustainable healthcare system because it is committed to primary-care based, coordinated, proactive, preventive, acute, chronic, long-term and end-of-life care.
Rising health care costs continue to be a burden on families, businesses and the entire economy and are projected to increase even further. According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, national healthcare expenditures – already the highest in the world – are expected to grow an average of 6.2 percent per year from 2008 to 2018 and outpace GDP growth. Moreover, it will consume 20.3 percent of GDP by 2018.
CCHIT Certified 08 Ambulatory EHR
The list of CCHIT Certified Ambulatory EHRs certified under the 08 criteria continues to grow:
ABELMed EHR-EMR/PM v9
Abraxas EMR 4.1* |
Agastha PM & EMR 1.2 |
Allscripts Enterprise 11.1.6* |
Allscripts Professional EHR, Version 8.2 |
Amazing Charts 5* |
ASG-Medappz iSuite, Version 4 |
athenaClinicals 9.15.1 |
Cerner Millennium Powerchart/PowerWorks EMR 2007.19* |
ChartMaker® Clinical version 3.1 |
Criterions 1.0.0 |
CureMD EHR 10* |
eClinicalWorks 8.0 |
Eclipsys PeakPractice 1093 |
Electronic Patient Charts, Version 20 |
e-MDs Solution Series, Version 6.3 |
Elysium 9* |
e-Medsys - Electronic Health Record (EHR) 5.2 |
EpicCare Ambulatory EMR Spring 2008 |
EZChart 1.2.0.0 |
ezEMRxPrivate 7.00* |
GEMMS ONE G1.07 |
GlaceEMR 3.0 |
gloEMR 5.0 |
Intelligent Medical Software (IMS) 12 |
iSuite, Version 4 |
Lytec MD 2009 |
MEDENT 18.1 |
Medflow EMR Version 7.1* |
Medical and Practice Management (MPM) Suite Client/Server 5.6 |
MedicsDocAssistant Version 4.0.1 |
MedInformatix, Version 7.0 |
Medisoft Clinical 15 |
MedLink TotalOffice 3.1 |
MedPlexus EHR 9.2.0.0 |
MedPointe 9 |
MicroMD EMR 7.0 * |
MTBC EMR 4.0 |
NetPractice EHR 7.0* |
NextGen EMR 5.5.27 |
Office Practicum 8.1 |
OIS EMR 4.1* |
Practice Partner 9.3 |
PrimeSuite 2008 |
Pulse Patient Relationship Management 4.1 |
Sage Intergy EHR v5.5 |
Sevocity Version 08* |
SILK 4.2 |
SmartClinic 16 * |
STIX EHR Release 9.1* |
SuiteMed Intelligent Medical Software 12 |
UroChart EHR v3.0* |
Xpert EMR 2.0*
* Pre-market conditional certification
CCHIT
The list of CCHIT Certified Ambulatory EHRs certified under the 08 criteria continues to grow:
ABELMed EHR-EMR/PM v9
Abraxas EMR 4.1* |
Agastha PM & EMR 1.2 |
Allscripts Enterprise 11.1.6* |
Allscripts Professional EHR, Version 8.2 |
Amazing Charts 5* |
ASG-Medappz iSuite, Version 4 |
athenaClinicals 9.15.1 |
Cerner Millennium Powerchart/PowerWorks EMR 2007.19* |
ChartMaker® Clinical version 3.1 |
Criterions 1.0.0 |
CureMD EHR 10* |
eClinicalWorks 8.0 |
Eclipsys PeakPractice 1093 |
Electronic Patient Charts, Version 20 |
e-MDs Solution Series, Version 6.3 |
Elysium 9* |
e-Medsys - Electronic Health Record (EHR) 5.2 |
EpicCare Ambulatory EMR Spring 2008 |
EZChart 1.2.0.0 |
ezEMRxPrivate 7.00* |
GEMMS ONE G1.07 |
GlaceEMR 3.0 |
gloEMR 5.0 |
Intelligent Medical Software (IMS) 12 |
iSuite, Version 4 |
Lytec MD 2009 |
MEDENT 18.1 |
Medflow EMR Version 7.1* |
Medical and Practice Management (MPM) Suite Client/Server 5.6 |
MedicsDocAssistant Version 4.0.1 |
MedInformatix, Version 7.0 |
Medisoft Clinical 15 |
MedLink TotalOffice 3.1 |
MedPlexus EHR 9.2.0.0 |
MedPointe 9 |
MicroMD EMR 7.0 * |
MTBC EMR 4.0 |
NetPractice EHR 7.0* |
NextGen EMR 5.5.27 |
Office Practicum 8.1 |
OIS EMR 4.1* |
Practice Partner 9.3 |
PrimeSuite 2008 |
Pulse Patient Relationship Management 4.1 |
Sage Intergy EHR v5.5 |
Sevocity Version 08* |
SILK 4.2 |
SmartClinic 16 * |
STIX EHR Release 9.1* |
SuiteMed Intelligent Medical Software 12 |
UroChart EHR v3.0* |
Xpert EMR 2.0*
* Pre-market conditional certification
CCHIT
CCHIT 2009-2010 Criteria Published; Timelines Changed
CCHIT final materials from the 09 development cycle and a new Concise Guide to CCHIT Criteria are now available. The new guide maps the criteria to the requirements of an ARRA-qualified EHR and highlights the 09 changes.
CCHIT is transitioning its timelines to adapt to the new requirements of ARRA as well as the still-emerging work of ONC and its committees. Instead of immediately launching 09 certification programs, CCHIT submitted the criteria to the HIT Standards Committee for review, and we anticipate some degree of feedback by August 26, 2009. CCHIT will begin accepting applications for 2009-2010 programs as soon as possible after receiving feedback and resolving any gaps.
CCHIT
CCHIT final materials from the 09 development cycle and a new Concise Guide to CCHIT Criteria are now available. The new guide maps the criteria to the requirements of an ARRA-qualified EHR and highlights the 09 changes.
CCHIT is transitioning its timelines to adapt to the new requirements of ARRA as well as the still-emerging work of ONC and its committees. Instead of immediately launching 09 certification programs, CCHIT submitted the criteria to the HIT Standards Committee for review, and we anticipate some degree of feedback by August 26, 2009. CCHIT will begin accepting applications for 2009-2010 programs as soon as possible after receiving feedback and resolving any gaps.
CCHIT
UnitedHealth Group's OptumHealth, American Well Join Forces to Provide First Nationwide Service Offering Consumers 24/7 Online Access to Physicians
Consumers and employers now have another variable in determining which health plan to choose: online access to their healthcare providers. It will be interesting to see how the online visit would be incorporated into EHRs and PHRs other than as a text blob. While coverage for the visit is currently covered by a division of AIG, I would recommend providers contact their current medical malpractice carrier to review the state regulations as well as their primary policy.SV
Two Innovative Technologies, Powered by Real-time Information, Allow Individuals to Reach Doctors When Needed, and Doctors to Deliver Better-Informed Care
SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2009) — OptumHealth Inc. today announced that it is collaborating with American Well Corp. to offer the first nationwide service allowing individuals immediate access to physicians and clinicians via two-way video, secure chat, the phone or a corporation’s health care portal. The announcement was made during this year’s annual America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) conference in San Diego.
OptumHealth and American Well plan to leverage two proprietary technologies: OptumHealth’s eSync PlatformSM, which synchronizes health information to deliver prioritized, clinically appropriate and personalized health care information; and American Well’s Online Care platform, which enables real-time conversations between individuals and physicians. Together, the technologies will allow consumers on a state-by-state basis to talk with a local health care professional in a secure environment any time, anywhere; and physicians to expand their practices and care for their patients beyond a traditional office setting. The service will be available to employers, their employees and individual consumers.
OptumHealth
Consumers and employers now have another variable in determining which health plan to choose: online access to their healthcare providers. It will be interesting to see how the online visit would be incorporated into EHRs and PHRs other than as a text blob. While coverage for the visit is currently covered by a division of AIG, I would recommend providers contact their current medical malpractice carrier to review the state regulations as well as their primary policy.SV
Two Innovative Technologies, Powered by Real-time Information, Allow Individuals to Reach Doctors When Needed, and Doctors to Deliver Better-Informed Care
SAN DIEGO (June 3, 2009) — OptumHealth Inc. today announced that it is collaborating with American Well Corp. to offer the first nationwide service allowing individuals immediate access to physicians and clinicians via two-way video, secure chat, the phone or a corporation’s health care portal. The announcement was made during this year’s annual America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) conference in San Diego.
OptumHealth and American Well plan to leverage two proprietary technologies: OptumHealth’s eSync PlatformSM, which synchronizes health information to deliver prioritized, clinically appropriate and personalized health care information; and American Well’s Online Care platform, which enables real-time conversations between individuals and physicians. Together, the technologies will allow consumers on a state-by-state basis to talk with a local health care professional in a secure environment any time, anywhere; and physicians to expand their practices and care for their patients beyond a traditional office setting. The service will be available to employers, their employees and individual consumers.
OptumHealth
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
CMS HIPAA Call: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host a national education conference call to address Medicare’s FFS implementation of HIPAA Version 5010.
This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of Medicare’s transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions specific to Medicare. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Web page prior to the call. The CMS 5010 Web address is http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ElectronicBillingEDITrans/18_5010D0.asp
Conference call details:
Date: June 9, 2009
Conference Title:
Medicare audio conference call: HIPAA Version 5010 – What you need to know!
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, there will be an audio version available for downloading on the 5010 Web page.
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/060909
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter.
Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
This call is being conducted for all Medicare fee-for-service providers. The call will give a general overview of Medicare’s transition to HIPAA Version 5010 and address some of the exceptions and situations you may encounter as the new version is implemented. A presentation will be given and Subject Matter Experts will be available to answer questions specific to Medicare. A PowerPoint presentation will be posted on the CMS 5010 Web page prior to the call. The CMS 5010 Web address is http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ElectronicBillingEDITrans/18_5010D0.asp
Conference call details:
Date: June 9, 2009
Conference Title:
Medicare audio conference call: HIPAA Version 5010 – What you need to know!
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. ET
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, there will be an audio version available for downloading on the 5010 Web page.
Registration will close at 2:30 p.m. ET on June 8, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
1. To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/060909
2. Fill in all required data.
3. Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
4. Click "Register".
5. You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter.
Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
CalRHIO, UnitedHealthcare Medical Information Exchange
Bravo. This is a good start. Not included at this time are the Medicare HMO patient data. Let's see more companies come on board.
The information: medication history, laboratory results,and clinical data from claims will be made available to hospital emergency room departments. SV
UnitedHealthcare announced on May 20, 2009 that it will participate in CalRHIO, California’s statewide electronic health information exchange (HIE), making it the first national health plan in the country to agree to pay for statewide HIE services.
CalRHIO
Bravo. This is a good start. Not included at this time are the Medicare HMO patient data. Let's see more companies come on board.
The information: medication history, laboratory results,and clinical data from claims will be made available to hospital emergency room departments. SV
UnitedHealthcare announced on May 20, 2009 that it will participate in CalRHIO, California’s statewide electronic health information exchange (HIE), making it the first national health plan in the country to agree to pay for statewide HIE services.
CalRHIO
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
NJ HIMSS:Interoperability Convergence:PHYSICIAN, FACILITY AND HOSPITAL ALIGNMENT
Presented by NJHIMSS, ACHENJ, MSNJ, ONENJ
Join us for this year’s Spring Conference where the importance of working together is the focus. Hospitals, physicians and the entire management team need to find solutions to work together not only in the clinical setting, but also through IT.
This year’s speakers will guide you to attaining this goal through a series of informative interactive presentations and displays by our vendors/sponsors.
Our Keynote speaker, Simon Samaha, M.D., was appointed president and chief executive officer of Summit Medical Group in 2009. Previously, Samaha was senior executive vice president and chief medical officer at Cooper University Hospital, Camden, N.J. Samaha received his medical degree from St. Joseph University in Lebanon. He received his MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and his master’s in science in information systems from Drexel University. Samaha was named in Modern Healthcare’s 2001 list of Up and Comers and is board-certified in internal medicine.
Interoperability Convergence: Physician, Facility and Hospital Alignment
JUNE 10, 2009 ~ THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT NJHA, PRINCETON, NJ
REGISTRATION FORM
Register online at NJHIMSS.ORG with a credit card or make checks payable to NJHIMSS
Fee: $75.00 for HIMSS, ACHENJ, MSNJ and ONENJ Members
$30.00 for NJHIMSS membership
$125.00 for non-members Send fee* and form to:
HIMSS NEW JERSEY CHAPTER 760 Alexander Road, PO Box 1 Princeton, NJ 08543
* Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and course materials
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: DAY OF EVENT - No refunds
Presented by NJHIMSS, ACHENJ, MSNJ, ONENJ
Join us for this year’s Spring Conference where the importance of working together is the focus. Hospitals, physicians and the entire management team need to find solutions to work together not only in the clinical setting, but also through IT.
This year’s speakers will guide you to attaining this goal through a series of informative interactive presentations and displays by our vendors/sponsors.
Our Keynote speaker, Simon Samaha, M.D., was appointed president and chief executive officer of Summit Medical Group in 2009. Previously, Samaha was senior executive vice president and chief medical officer at Cooper University Hospital, Camden, N.J. Samaha received his medical degree from St. Joseph University in Lebanon. He received his MBA from New York University Stern School of Business and his master’s in science in information systems from Drexel University. Samaha was named in Modern Healthcare’s 2001 list of Up and Comers and is board-certified in internal medicine.
Interoperability Convergence: Physician, Facility and Hospital Alignment
JUNE 10, 2009 ~ THE CONFERENCE CENTER AT NJHA, PRINCETON, NJ
REGISTRATION FORM
Register online at NJHIMSS.ORG with a credit card or make checks payable to NJHIMSS
Fee: $75.00 for HIMSS, ACHENJ, MSNJ and ONENJ Members
$30.00 for NJHIMSS membership
$125.00 for non-members Send fee* and form to:
HIMSS NEW JERSEY CHAPTER 760 Alexander Road, PO Box 1 Princeton, NJ 08543
* Fee includes continental breakfast, lunch and course materials
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: DAY OF EVENT - No refunds
HIMSS NYS :Telemedicine Seminar
Education, Networking and Fun
Prepare for setting up your Patient Centered Medical Home:
See how the VNS has incorporated Telemedicine to assist physicians in the management of patients.
Date: Friday, June 26th
Location: NYC Battery Gardens, inside Battery Park opposite 17 State Street(map)
Time: 6:00 PM- 10:00 PM
Cost: Members $50, Non Member $150 Students $50 What’s included: Open bar, full sit down dinner, networking and educational sessions
Click here to Register
Education, Networking and Fun
Prepare for setting up your Patient Centered Medical Home:
See how the VNS has incorporated Telemedicine to assist physicians in the management of patients.
Date: Friday, June 26th
Location: NYC Battery Gardens, inside Battery Park opposite 17 State Street(map)
Time: 6:00 PM- 10:00 PM
Cost: Members $50, Non Member $150 Students $50 What’s included: Open bar, full sit down dinner, networking and educational sessions
Click here to Register
THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF THE COUNTY OF KINGS NYC
Free Information Technology Fair
DATE: MAY 19, 2009
TIME: 3:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: Dyker Beach Golf Club
Seventh Avenue & 86th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11228
Excellent opportunity to see for yourself Electronic Medical Records and e-Prescribing Systems
Important information will be provided to help you collect thousands of dollars every year from various governmental programs to promote EMR & E-RX initiatives. (Collect $$ per each ELECTRONIC prescription written with additional 2% of your annual collection. More than $40,000 for IMPLEMENTING EMR.)
Cocktails and dinner lecture to follow this event. (Free for members of the MSCK or if you join at the event. Non-member free IT Expo - dinner/lecture fee $100.00 per person).
To register, please complete this form, e-mail to bklynacade@aol.com,
or fax to (718) 745-5833, or call (718) 745-5800.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fair [ ] Fair & Dinner/Lecture
____________________________________
Name (please print)
____________________________________
Number of attendees
____________________________________
Address
____________________________________
Telephone Fax
____________________________________
e-mail
For more information, contact Niraj N. Acharya, M.D. Chair, IT Committee, MSCK at Acharya@optonline.net
Free Information Technology Fair
DATE: MAY 19, 2009
TIME: 3:00 P.M. TO 6:00 P.M.
PLACE: Dyker Beach Golf Club
Seventh Avenue & 86th Street
Brooklyn, New York 11228
Excellent opportunity to see for yourself Electronic Medical Records and e-Prescribing Systems
Important information will be provided to help you collect thousands of dollars every year from various governmental programs to promote EMR & E-RX initiatives. (Collect $$ per each ELECTRONIC prescription written with additional 2% of your annual collection. More than $40,000 for IMPLEMENTING EMR.)
Cocktails and dinner lecture to follow this event. (Free for members of the MSCK or if you join at the event. Non-member free IT Expo - dinner/lecture fee $100.00 per person).
To register, please complete this form, e-mail to bklynacade@aol.com,
or fax to (718) 745-5833, or call (718) 745-5800.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[ ] Fair [ ] Fair & Dinner/Lecture
____________________________________
Name (please print)
____________________________________
Number of attendees
____________________________________
Address
____________________________________
Telephone Fax
____________________________________
For more information, contact Niraj N. Acharya, M.D. Chair, IT Committee, MSCK at Acharya@optonline.net
AMA ARRA Webinar Series
Health Information Technology (HIT) Resources and Activities
Free ARRA webinar series
Are you ready to maximize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) opportunities in your practice? This webinar series is designed to support physician practices as they prepare for a new health care environment. As new information becomes available, experts and health care leaders representing diverse sectors will review key components of ARRA and offer insights on the impact to the physician community. Plus, hear from practices using EHR systems and how they made the transition.
AMA
Health Information Technology (HIT) Resources and Activities
Free ARRA webinar series
Are you ready to maximize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) opportunities in your practice? This webinar series is designed to support physician practices as they prepare for a new health care environment. As new information becomes available, experts and health care leaders representing diverse sectors will review key components of ARRA and offer insights on the impact to the physician community. Plus, hear from practices using EHR systems and how they made the transition.
AMA
Friday, May 08, 2009
Eclipsys H1N1 Swine Flu Tool Kit interview and presentation
I had the pleasure to talk to Rick Mansour, M.D. - CMIO - Eclipsys.
The tool was essentially created within 24 hours of conception.
The tool is modifiable by the end user and can be adapted for other scenarios.
In an altruistic gesture, it is available as free download from a library of "kits", may of which are "donated" by other users. SV
The solution prompts triage caregivers to assess patients for the presence of acute respiratory disease and accompanying risk factors. If positive conditions are indicated, laboratory orders for influenza screening (including H1N1 Flu-specific orders) are then triggered. Meanwhile the patient is placed on a watch list, followed by the creation of patient education and preventive treatment instructions. In addition, the toolkit allows for the export of data to the CDC.
H1N1 Toolkit Presentation
I had the pleasure to talk to Rick Mansour, M.D. - CMIO - Eclipsys.
The tool was essentially created within 24 hours of conception.
The tool is modifiable by the end user and can be adapted for other scenarios.
In an altruistic gesture, it is available as free download from a library of "kits", may of which are "donated" by other users. SV
The solution prompts triage caregivers to assess patients for the presence of acute respiratory disease and accompanying risk factors. If positive conditions are indicated, laboratory orders for influenza screening (including H1N1 Flu-specific orders) are then triggered. Meanwhile the patient is placed on a watch list, followed by the creation of patient education and preventive treatment instructions. In addition, the toolkit allows for the export of data to the CDC.
H1N1 Toolkit Presentation
Thursday, May 07, 2009
GE Launches ‘Healthymagination’; Will Commit $6 Billion to Enable Better Health Focusing on Cost, Access and Quality
WASHINGTON--07 May 2009-- GE announced today that it will spend $3 billion over the next six years on healthcare innovation that will help deliver better care to more people at lower cost. In addition, the company will commit $2 billion of financing and $1 billion in related GE technology and content to drive healthcare information technology and health in rural and underserved areas. These investments are the foundation of GE’s healthymagination initiative, which is built on the global commitments of reducing costs, improving quality and expanding access for millions of people.
Under healthymagination, by 2015 GE will:
Invest $3 billion in research and development to launch at least 100 innovations that lower cost, increase access and improve quality by 15 percent. GE will also apply its expertise in services and its suite of performance improvement tools for impact in these areas. These actions will strengthen GE Healthcare’s business model.
Work with partners to focus innovations on four critical needs to start: accelerating healthcare information technology; target high-tech products to more affordable price points; broaden access to the underserved; and support consumer-driven health.
Expand its employee health efforts by creating new wellness and healthy worksite programs while keeping cost increases below the rate of inflation.
Increase the “value gap” between its health spend and GE Healthcare’s earnings to drive new value for GE shareholders.
Engage and report on its progress. GE will engage experts and leaders on policy and programs and create a GE Health Advisory Board, which will include former U.S. senators Bill Frist and Tom Daschle and other global healthcare leaders.
GE
GE FACT SHEET
WASHINGTON--07 May 2009-- GE announced today that it will spend $3 billion over the next six years on healthcare innovation that will help deliver better care to more people at lower cost. In addition, the company will commit $2 billion of financing and $1 billion in related GE technology and content to drive healthcare information technology and health in rural and underserved areas. These investments are the foundation of GE’s healthymagination initiative, which is built on the global commitments of reducing costs, improving quality and expanding access for millions of people.
Under healthymagination, by 2015 GE will:
Invest $3 billion in research and development to launch at least 100 innovations that lower cost, increase access and improve quality by 15 percent. GE will also apply its expertise in services and its suite of performance improvement tools for impact in these areas. These actions will strengthen GE Healthcare’s business model.
Work with partners to focus innovations on four critical needs to start: accelerating healthcare information technology; target high-tech products to more affordable price points; broaden access to the underserved; and support consumer-driven health.
Expand its employee health efforts by creating new wellness and healthy worksite programs while keeping cost increases below the rate of inflation.
Increase the “value gap” between its health spend and GE Healthcare’s earnings to drive new value for GE shareholders.
Engage and report on its progress. GE will engage experts and leaders on policy and programs and create a GE Health Advisory Board, which will include former U.S. senators Bill Frist and Tom Daschle and other global healthcare leaders.
GE
GE FACT SHEET
Tuesday, May 05, 2009
Eclipsys Offers H1N1 Virus EHR tool
Here is an example of the ability of EHRs to promote best practices to solve problems.
Please let us know of any other vendors that have done the same. SV
Proactive Client Offering Based on CDC Recommendations; Customized Clinical Workflow Protocols Designed to Expedite Identification and Quarantine of Infected Patients
Eclipsys
Here is an example of the ability of EHRs to promote best practices to solve problems.
Please let us know of any other vendors that have done the same. SV
Proactive Client Offering Based on CDC Recommendations; Customized Clinical Workflow Protocols Designed to Expedite Identification and Quarantine of Infected Patients
Eclipsys
Sunday, April 26, 2009
2009 Electronic Prescribing Incentive Program Updates
Two New Electronic Prescribing Section Pages Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that two (2) new section pages have been created on the 2009 Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program webpage on the CMS website.
E-Prescribing Measure Section page - This page contains several resources including: Measure Specifications; new Claims-Based Reporting Principles and a Sample E-Prescribing Claim. To access these resources, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp on the CMS website.
Educational Resources Section Page – This page contains MLN Matters articles; E-Prescribing Incentive Program fact sheets; a link to Medicare’s Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program, and information on how to receive continuing education credit related to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. To access these resources and information, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/09_Educational_Resources.asp on the CMS website.
New and updated information will continually be added, so please visit the E-Prescribing Incentive Program web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERXIncentive on the CMS website on a frequent basis.
Two New Electronic Prescribing Section Pages Now Available
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce that two (2) new section pages have been created on the 2009 Electronic Prescribing (E-Prescribing) Incentive Program webpage on the CMS website.
E-Prescribing Measure Section page - This page contains several resources including: Measure Specifications; new Claims-Based Reporting Principles and a Sample E-Prescribing Claim. To access these resources, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/06_E-Prescribing_Measure.asp on the CMS website.
Educational Resources Section Page – This page contains MLN Matters articles; E-Prescribing Incentive Program fact sheets; a link to Medicare’s Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program, and information on how to receive continuing education credit related to the E-Prescribing Incentive Program. To access these resources and information, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERxIncentive/09_Educational_Resources.asp on the CMS website.
New and updated information will continually be added, so please visit the E-Prescribing Incentive Program web page at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ERXIncentive on the CMS website on a frequent basis.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Three Million People Now Using Kaiser Permanente’s Personal Health Record
My Health Manager is Most Widely Used PHR, Offers Convenience and Health Management Tools
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente announced today that more than 3 million members are using My Health Manager, the personal health record available on www.kp.org. The growing number of active users — now more than one-third of Kaiser Permanente’s 8.6 million members — demonstrates that consumers find the organization’s personal health record an effective, easy and convenient way to manage their care. This announcement comes during the annual Health 2.0 — 1x® conference in Boston, where leaders from Kaiser Permanente and other providers are collaborating to find the best ways to empower and engage patients in their own care.
Available to Kaiser Permanente adult members, My Health Manager allows members to securely access their personal health records from home, as well as e-mail their physicians, order prescriptions, make, change and cancel appointments for themselves or for family members, and even view lab results — all on the Web, and at no extra charge. Each month, more than 600,000 secure e-mail messages are sent to Kaiser Permanente doctors and clinicians, and more than 1.6 million lab test results are viewed online, making them two of the more popular features on My Health Manager.
Kaiser
My Health Manager is Most Widely Used PHR, Offers Convenience and Health Management Tools
OAKLAND, Calif. — Kaiser Permanente announced today that more than 3 million members are using My Health Manager, the personal health record available on www.kp.org. The growing number of active users — now more than one-third of Kaiser Permanente’s 8.6 million members — demonstrates that consumers find the organization’s personal health record an effective, easy and convenient way to manage their care. This announcement comes during the annual Health 2.0 — 1x® conference in Boston, where leaders from Kaiser Permanente and other providers are collaborating to find the best ways to empower and engage patients in their own care.
Available to Kaiser Permanente adult members, My Health Manager allows members to securely access their personal health records from home, as well as e-mail their physicians, order prescriptions, make, change and cancel appointments for themselves or for family members, and even view lab results — all on the Web, and at no extra charge. Each month, more than 600,000 secure e-mail messages are sent to Kaiser Permanente doctors and clinicians, and more than 1.6 million lab test results are viewed online, making them two of the more popular features on My Health Manager.
Kaiser
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
AMA and DrFirst partnership: ePrescribing
DrFirst appears to be the first of many soon to come "plug and play" offerings via the Covisint platform. Can a Google Health and/or Microsoft HealtVault PHR be far behind? SV
April 22, 2009, Rockville, MD -- DrFirst announced today that it is working with the American Medical Association to offer its ePrescribing services to physicians through a new online platform being developed by the AMA. The collaboration represents a major turning point in healthcare technology adoption. The collaboration is expected to reduce current confusion around ePrescribing while increasing the percentage of physicians using it.
“As the largest and most respected professional physician association in the United States, the AMA represents a broad base of physicians in the country, therefore this collaboration has the potential to quickly penetrate the market and significantly improve patient safety,” said Peter N. Kaufman, MD chief medical officer at DrFirst. “We strongly believe the implementation of this portal will result in the widespread adoption and diffusion of ePrescribing across the nation to the mainstream physician.”
DrFirst is the first company to announce that it is offering its services through the new AMA online platform. The platform, which is currently in beta testing, is aimed at providing physicians access to information, products, services and resources that can facilitate medical practice and ease adoption of evolving health information technologies. The AMA aims to launch its new platform in early 2010.
DrFirst
DrFirst appears to be the first of many soon to come "plug and play" offerings via the Covisint platform. Can a Google Health and/or Microsoft HealtVault PHR be far behind? SV
April 22, 2009, Rockville, MD -- DrFirst announced today that it is working with the American Medical Association to offer its ePrescribing services to physicians through a new online platform being developed by the AMA. The collaboration represents a major turning point in healthcare technology adoption. The collaboration is expected to reduce current confusion around ePrescribing while increasing the percentage of physicians using it.
“As the largest and most respected professional physician association in the United States, the AMA represents a broad base of physicians in the country, therefore this collaboration has the potential to quickly penetrate the market and significantly improve patient safety,” said Peter N. Kaufman, MD chief medical officer at DrFirst. “We strongly believe the implementation of this portal will result in the widespread adoption and diffusion of ePrescribing across the nation to the mainstream physician.”
DrFirst is the first company to announce that it is offering its services through the new AMA online platform. The platform, which is currently in beta testing, is aimed at providing physicians access to information, products, services and resources that can facilitate medical practice and ease adoption of evolving health information technologies. The AMA aims to launch its new platform in early 2010.
DrFirst
AMA and Covisint (a Compuware subsidary) partners: Web-based solutions
DETROIT and CHICAGO--April 22, 2009--Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ: CPWR) announced today that its Covisint subsidiary signed an agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA) to deploy an innovative health information exchange solution delivering value to its 240,000 member physicians and the physician population at large. This partnership extends Covisint’s momentum and reach in connecting doctors across physician organizations, state-based societies, entire states and now, with the AMA, nationally. Covisint will enable AMA physicians to have access to a variety of health information technologies via an AMA-branded, web-based solution.
AMA
DETROIT and CHICAGO--April 22, 2009--Compuware Corporation (NASDAQ: CPWR) announced today that its Covisint subsidiary signed an agreement with the American Medical Association (AMA) to deploy an innovative health information exchange solution delivering value to its 240,000 member physicians and the physician population at large. This partnership extends Covisint’s momentum and reach in connecting doctors across physician organizations, state-based societies, entire states and now, with the AMA, nationally. Covisint will enable AMA physicians to have access to a variety of health information technologies via an AMA-branded, web-based solution.
AMA
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Mayo Clinic plus Healthvault PHR = Mayo Clinic Health Manager
More than just a repository, the Mayo Clinic Health Manager multiples the value of the collected information through guidelines produced by the Mayo Clinic. This "private label" approach shows that Healthvault is a foundation that many can build upon. SV
Mayo Clinic Health Manager, powered by Microsoft® HealthVault™, is a personalized, online service that can help you effectively manage and protect your family’s health. It enables you to organize health information for multiple family members in one place. Based on the data you enter about yourself and your family, you will receive customized information, reminders and health guidance developed by experts at Mayo Clinic.
More than just a repository, the Mayo Clinic Health Manager multiples the value of the collected information through guidelines produced by the Mayo Clinic. This "private label" approach shows that Healthvault is a foundation that many can build upon. SV
Mayo Clinic Health Manager, powered by Microsoft® HealthVault™, is a personalized, online service that can help you effectively manage and protect your family’s health. It enables you to organize health information for multiple family members in one place. Based on the data you enter about yourself and your family, you will receive customized information, reminders and health guidance developed by experts at Mayo Clinic.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Alaska Senate Bill 133 : statewide electronic health information exchange system
Another state sees the advantage of facilitating information exchange.SV
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature to create a secure electronic health information exchange system that
(1) ensures that the confidentiality of individually indentifying health
information of a patient is secure and protected;
(2) improves health care quality, reduces medical errors, increases the
efficiency of care, and advances the delivery of appropriate, evidence-based health care
services;
(3) promotes wellness, disease prevention, and management of chronic
illnesses by increasing the availability and transparency of information related to the health
01 care needs of an individual for the benefit of the individual;
02 (4) ensures that appropriate information needed to make medical decisions is
03 available in a usable form at the time and in the location that the medical service is provided;
04 (5) produces greater value for health care expenditures by reducing health care
05 costs that result from inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, and incomplete
06 information;
07 (6) promotes a more effective marketplace, greater competition, greater
08 systems analysis, increased choice, enhanced quality, and improved outcomes in health care
09 services; and
10 (7) improves the coordination of information and the provision of health care
11 services through an effective infrastructure for the secure and authorized exchange and use of
12 health care information.
SB 133
Another state sees the advantage of facilitating information exchange.SV
LEGISLATIVE INTENT. It is the intent of the legislature to create a secure electronic health information exchange system that
(1) ensures that the confidentiality of individually indentifying health
information of a patient is secure and protected;
(2) improves health care quality, reduces medical errors, increases the
efficiency of care, and advances the delivery of appropriate, evidence-based health care
services;
(3) promotes wellness, disease prevention, and management of chronic
illnesses by increasing the availability and transparency of information related to the health
01 care needs of an individual for the benefit of the individual;
02 (4) ensures that appropriate information needed to make medical decisions is
03 available in a usable form at the time and in the location that the medical service is provided;
04 (5) produces greater value for health care expenditures by reducing health care
05 costs that result from inefficiency, medical errors, inappropriate care, and incomplete
06 information;
07 (6) promotes a more effective marketplace, greater competition, greater
08 systems analysis, increased choice, enhanced quality, and improved outcomes in health care
09 services; and
10 (7) improves the coordination of information and the provision of health care
11 services through an effective infrastructure for the secure and authorized exchange and use of
12 health care information.
SB 133
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Microsoft HealthVault PHR/EHR sample interface solutions
Here some examples of how HealthVault provides "interoperability" between ambulatory EHRs, hospital EHRs, ePrescribing systems and even other personal health record systems.
As you can see major EHR vendors such as eClinicalWorks, Greenway, Eclipsys; major Hospital systems such NYU and Medstar and PHR vendors Nomoreclipboards and PeaceHealth signed on as partners.
Pro-active patients will find this virtual filing system a good adjunct to the home file cabinet filled with years of medical results.
Even EHR vendors with PHR products will find products such as HealthVault and Google Health will provide a lower cost solution to being "interoperable" with the rest of the healthcare community. SV
NoMoreClipboard
Peace Health Shared Care Plan
Microsoft HealthVault
Allscripts
eClinicalWorks
Greenway
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
HIMSS Medical Home Podcast
Episode #9: The Medical Home Model
The Medical Home model of collaborative care will require electronic tools to make it efficient and scaleable. Steven Clemenson, MD, CMIO, Internal Medicine Associates, Fargo, ND and Salvatore Volpe , MD, FAAP, FACP, CHCQM, Oakwood Medical Solutions, Staten Island, NY discuss the efficiency gains and cost savings that have been shown using this care model. The interview was conducted by William F. Bria, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Chair of the HIMSS/AMDIS Physician Community.
HIMSS
Episode #9: The Medical Home Model
The Medical Home model of collaborative care will require electronic tools to make it efficient and scaleable. Steven Clemenson, MD, CMIO, Internal Medicine Associates, Fargo, ND and Salvatore Volpe , MD, FAAP, FACP, CHCQM, Oakwood Medical Solutions, Staten Island, NY discuss the efficiency gains and cost savings that have been shown using this care model. The interview was conducted by William F. Bria, MD, Chief Medical Information Officer, Shriners Hospital for Children, and Chair of the HIMSS/AMDIS Physician Community.
HIMSS
Saturday, April 11, 2009
GAO picks first 13 members of HIT Policy Committee
Advocates for Patients or Consumers
1. Christine Bechtel, Washington, D.C. (3-year term)
Vice President, National Partnership for Women & Families
2. Arthur Davidson, M.D., Denver (2-year term)
Denver Public Health Department; Director, Public Health Informatics; Director, Denver Center for Public Health Preparedness; Medical epidemiologist; Director, HIV/AIDS Surveillance, City and County of Denver
3. Adam Clark, Ph.D., Austin, Texas (1-year term)
Director of Research and Policy, Lance Armstrong Foundation
Representatives of Health Care Providers, including 1 physician
4. Marc Probst, Salt Lake City (3-year term)
Chief Information Officer, Intermountain Health Care
5. Paul Tang, M.D., Mountain View, Calif. (2-year term)
Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer, Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Labor Organization Representing Health Care Workers
6. Scott White, New York City (1-year term)
Assistant Director, Technology Project Director, 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Fund
Expert in Health Information Privacy & Security
7. LaTanya Sweeney, Ph.D., Pittsburgh (3-year term)
Director, Data Privacy Lab, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Technology and Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
Expert in Improving the Health of Vulnerable Populations
8. Neil Calman, M.D., New York City (2-year term)
President and CEO, The Institute for Family Health
Research Community
9. Connie Delaney, R.N., Ph.D., Minneapolis (1-year term)
Dean, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
Representative of Health Plans or Other Third-Party Payers
10. Charles Kennedy, M.D., Camarillo, Calif. (3-year term)
Vice President, Health Information Technology, WellPoint
Representative of Information Technology Vendors
11. Judith Faulkner, Verona, Wis. (2-year term)
Founder, CEO, President, Chairman of the Board, Epic Systems Corp.
Representative of Purchasers or Employers
12. David Lansky, Ph.D., San Francisco (1-year term)
President and CEO, Pacific Business Group on Health
Expert in Health Care Quality Measurement and Reporting
13. David Bates, M.D., Boston (3-year term)
Medical Director for Clinical and Quality Analysis, Chief of General Internal Medicine, Partners HealthCare System and Brigham & Women's Hospital
GAO
Advocates for Patients or Consumers
1. Christine Bechtel, Washington, D.C. (3-year term)
Vice President, National Partnership for Women & Families
2. Arthur Davidson, M.D., Denver (2-year term)
Denver Public Health Department; Director, Public Health Informatics; Director, Denver Center for Public Health Preparedness; Medical epidemiologist; Director, HIV/AIDS Surveillance, City and County of Denver
3. Adam Clark, Ph.D., Austin, Texas (1-year term)
Director of Research and Policy, Lance Armstrong Foundation
Representatives of Health Care Providers, including 1 physician
4. Marc Probst, Salt Lake City (3-year term)
Chief Information Officer, Intermountain Health Care
5. Paul Tang, M.D., Mountain View, Calif. (2-year term)
Vice President and Chief Medical Information Officer, Palo Alto Medical Foundation
Labor Organization Representing Health Care Workers
6. Scott White, New York City (1-year term)
Assistant Director, Technology Project Director, 1199 SEIU Training and Employment Fund
Expert in Health Information Privacy & Security
7. LaTanya Sweeney, Ph.D., Pittsburgh (3-year term)
Director, Data Privacy Lab, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Technology and Policy, Carnegie Mellon University
Expert in Improving the Health of Vulnerable Populations
8. Neil Calman, M.D., New York City (2-year term)
President and CEO, The Institute for Family Health
Research Community
9. Connie Delaney, R.N., Ph.D., Minneapolis (1-year term)
Dean, School of Nursing, University of Minnesota
Representative of Health Plans or Other Third-Party Payers
10. Charles Kennedy, M.D., Camarillo, Calif. (3-year term)
Vice President, Health Information Technology, WellPoint
Representative of Information Technology Vendors
11. Judith Faulkner, Verona, Wis. (2-year term)
Founder, CEO, President, Chairman of the Board, Epic Systems Corp.
Representative of Purchasers or Employers
12. David Lansky, Ph.D., San Francisco (1-year term)
President and CEO, Pacific Business Group on Health
Expert in Health Care Quality Measurement and Reporting
13. David Bates, M.D., Boston (3-year term)
Medical Director for Clinical and Quality Analysis, Chief of General Internal Medicine, Partners HealthCare System and Brigham & Women's Hospital
GAO
HEAL NY - Phase 10 Grant PCMH Focus
NYS HEAL grant information has just been released.SV
HEAL 10 will support competitive projects across all regions of New York State designed to improve the coordination and management of patient care through implementation of a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model supported by the effective use of interoperable health information technology (health IT). The projects will identify a target patient population with a chronic disease or high risk/high cost diagnosis and include all of the key care givers in their community involved in patient care for this population.
Request for Grant Applications - HEAL NY Phase 10 - Improving Care Coordination and Management Through a Patient Centered Medical Home Model Supported by an Interoperable Health Information Infrastructure Due June 15, 2009, 3 PM
NYS HEAL grant information has just been released.SV
HEAL 10 will support competitive projects across all regions of New York State designed to improve the coordination and management of patient care through implementation of a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) model supported by the effective use of interoperable health information technology (health IT). The projects will identify a target patient population with a chronic disease or high risk/high cost diagnosis and include all of the key care givers in their community involved in patient care for this population.
Request for Grant Applications - HEAL NY Phase 10 - Improving Care Coordination and Management Through a Patient Centered Medical Home Model Supported by an Interoperable Health Information Infrastructure Due June 15, 2009, 3 PM
Monday, April 06, 2009
Sam's Club EHR eClinicalworks Electronic Health Records
Well its official.
Here’s the press release
Sam's Club
Here's the video link
Video
Here's a link to the actual product page
Product description
Virginia, Illinois and Georgia First States Targeted for Phased Implementation
Well its official.
Here’s the press release
Sam's Club
Here's the video link
Video
Here's a link to the actual product page
Product description
Virginia, Illinois and Georgia First States Targeted for Phased Implementation
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Patient Centered Medical Home
A new pilot program, based on the Patient Centered Medical Home, (PCMH) will strengthen the relationship Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) members have with their personal physicians to improve the quality of care and reduce health care costs.
The pilot program is a collaboration between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP) that will use elements of the PCMH model of care to improve health outcomes for Horizon BCBSNJ members.
Let's keep the joint projects coming. SV
BCBSNJ
A new pilot program, based on the Patient Centered Medical Home, (PCMH) will strengthen the relationship Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) members have with their personal physicians to improve the quality of care and reduce health care costs.
The pilot program is a collaboration between Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and the New Jersey Academy of Family Physicians (NJAFP) that will use elements of the PCMH model of care to improve health outcomes for Horizon BCBSNJ members.
Let's keep the joint projects coming. SV
BCBSNJ
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Personal Health Records
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has been working with Microsoft and is now offering Microsoft's Personal Health Record.
Initially it will be offered for cardiac patients.
The website, myNYP.org, features Dr. Mehmet Oz. Patients will be able to review information generated by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as well as read educational material on tests and on recovery guides.SV
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital has been working with Microsoft and is now offering Microsoft's Personal Health Record.
Initially it will be offered for cardiac patients.
The website, myNYP.org, features Dr. Mehmet Oz. Patients will be able to review information generated by NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital as well as read educational material on tests and on recovery guides.SV
HIMSS09 2009 Chicago
I just got back from the weekend presentations.
The Physicians Symposia were excellent with topics such as the Patient Centered Medical Home.
Insider's tip: bring comfortable shoes. SV
HIMSS09
I just got back from the weekend presentations.
The Physicians Symposia were excellent with topics such as the Patient Centered Medical Home.
Insider's tip: bring comfortable shoes. SV
HIMSS09
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 14, 2009
MSSNY HIT Fair and Vendor Demonstrations March 2009
HIT: “Why it’s Better for You & Your Patients”
Long Island Vendor Fair
Long Island Huntington Hilton on Route 110
598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY 11747
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New York City Vendor Fair
Marriott Marquis Hotel on Times Square
45th Street (1535 Broadway), New York, New York 10036
Friday, March 27, 2009
NYC Area Physicians and Office Managers
Everything You Need to Know about Electronic Health Records (EHR.
Is it time to invest in EHR system? What system is good? What system should I buy? Shouldn’t I see several systems at once to compare?Hear from other physicians how to get started with an EHR system for your practice.
Take advantage of MSSNY’s year-long vetting process and meet the six vendor finalists! All your questions will be answered on Friday, March 27th at a day-long forum hosted by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) at the Marriott New York Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York City.
The program will give NCC area physicians and practice managers a chance to hear from other physicians about their transition experience. There is no charge for the program.
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration starts at 8am.
TO REGISTER PHYSICIANS/OFFICE MANAGERS,
CLICK HERE:March 25, 2009
:March 27, 2009
For more information, contact Eileen Clinton: eclinton@mssny.org; 518-465-8085
Medical Society of the State of New York , 865 Merrick Ave. , Westbury , NY 11590
HIT: “Why it’s Better for You & Your Patients”
Long Island Vendor Fair
Long Island Huntington Hilton on Route 110
598 Broadhollow Road, Melville, NY 11747
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
New York City Vendor Fair
Marriott Marquis Hotel on Times Square
45th Street (1535 Broadway), New York, New York 10036
Friday, March 27, 2009
NYC Area Physicians and Office Managers
Everything You Need to Know about Electronic Health Records (EHR.
Is it time to invest in EHR system? What system is good? What system should I buy? Shouldn’t I see several systems at once to compare?Hear from other physicians how to get started with an EHR system for your practice.
Take advantage of MSSNY’s year-long vetting process and meet the six vendor finalists! All your questions will be answered on Friday, March 27th at a day-long forum hosted by the Medical Society of the State of New York (MSSNY) at the Marriott New York Marquis, 1535 Broadway, New York City.
The program will give NCC area physicians and practice managers a chance to hear from other physicians about their transition experience. There is no charge for the program.
Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. Registration starts at 8am.
TO REGISTER PHYSICIANS/OFFICE MANAGERS,
CLICK HERE:March 25, 2009
:March 27, 2009
For more information, contact Eileen Clinton: eclinton@mssny.org; 518-465-8085
Medical Society of the State of New York , 865 Merrick Ave. , Westbury , NY 11590
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Sam's Club to sell eCW Electronic Health Records (EHR)
According to the NY Times, soon you'll be able to go to a local Sam's Club and purchase a package that includes eClinicalWorks and Dell computers for about $25,000.00 for the first doctor.
Annual support would be between $4000.00 and $6000.00.
I guess the Stimulus Package and a positive experience with the software in the Redi-Clinics has gotten Walmart to look at EHR distribution as a new product/service with a lot of potential.
I look forward to see if Walmart will now start promoting the DOSSIA PHR as well.
How many of you expect this announcement before year's end:
Rediclinic + Walmart medical customers + DOSSIA + eEHX = Community Health Information Exchange (HIE)?
What do you think? SV
NY Times
According to the NY Times, soon you'll be able to go to a local Sam's Club and purchase a package that includes eClinicalWorks and Dell computers for about $25,000.00 for the first doctor.
Annual support would be between $4000.00 and $6000.00.
I guess the Stimulus Package and a positive experience with the software in the Redi-Clinics has gotten Walmart to look at EHR distribution as a new product/service with a lot of potential.
I look forward to see if Walmart will now start promoting the DOSSIA PHR as well.
How many of you expect this announcement before year's end:
Rediclinic + Walmart medical customers + DOSSIA + eEHX = Community Health Information Exchange (HIE)?
What do you think? SV
NY Times
Sunday, March 08, 2009
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
Here HIMSS' FAQ's related to Health Information Technology (HIT)as well as information on Medicare Incentive Payments. SV
HIMSS FAQ
HIMSS ARRA
Here HIMSS' FAQ's related to Health Information Technology (HIT)as well as information on Medicare Incentive Payments. SV
HIMSS FAQ
HIMSS ARRA
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Whitehouse Health Summit Today
Here is the list of the participants. SV
Participants
Here are the links to the videos:
President's Opening remarks
President's closing remarks
Summit Breakout
Here is the list of the participants. SV
Participants
Here are the links to the videos:
President's Opening remarks
President's closing remarks
Summit Breakout
MAEHC EHR Education Session V: "System Deployment and Implementation"
Join the Webinar on March 9
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/152490899
“System Deployment and Implementation" presented by Dr. Alice Loveys, CMIO of the Monroe County Medical Society, Dr. Bonnie Sunday, a practicing New York physician in Family Practice, Karen Fairchild of Fairchild Consulting Inc. and Barbara Cox of Gap Consulting Inc.
Title: EHR Education Session V "System Deployment and Implementation"
Date:Monday, March 9, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Session Objectives:
• EHR vendor capabilities: roles and responsibilities
• Hardware and network infrastructure requirements to support EMR and RHIO connectivity
• Protecting practice and patient data
• Maintaining systems in the practice
• Backups and disaster recovery
• Maintaining and refreshing hardware
• Training staff on hardware maintenance and support
• RHIO and SHIN-NY for interoperability
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
Save the Date
Session VI Monday, March 23, 11 - 12:30 PM
"Reporting, Decision Support and Performance Measurement"
Presenters:
Dr. Alan Silver, Medical Officer, IPRO
Dr. Amanda Parsons, Director of Medical Quality, Primary Care Information Project, DOHMH
Join the Webinar on March 9
Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/152490899
“System Deployment and Implementation" presented by Dr. Alice Loveys, CMIO of the Monroe County Medical Society, Dr. Bonnie Sunday, a practicing New York physician in Family Practice, Karen Fairchild of Fairchild Consulting Inc. and Barbara Cox of Gap Consulting Inc.
Title: EHR Education Session V "System Deployment and Implementation"
Date:Monday, March 9, 2009
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM EDT
After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.
Session Objectives:
• EHR vendor capabilities: roles and responsibilities
• Hardware and network infrastructure requirements to support EMR and RHIO connectivity
• Protecting practice and patient data
• Maintaining systems in the practice
• Backups and disaster recovery
• Maintaining and refreshing hardware
• Training staff on hardware maintenance and support
• RHIO and SHIN-NY for interoperability
System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista
Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer
Save the Date
Session VI Monday, March 23, 11 - 12:30 PM
"Reporting, Decision Support and Performance Measurement"
Presenters:
Dr. Alan Silver, Medical Officer, IPRO
Dr. Amanda Parsons, Director of Medical Quality, Primary Care Information Project, DOHMH
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
National Provider Question and Answer Session on PQRI
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the second in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., EST, on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) made the PQRI program permanent, but only authorized incentive payments through 2010. Eligible professionals who meet the criteria for satisfactory submission of quality measures data for services furnished during the reporting period, January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009, will earn an incentive payment of 2.0 percent of their total allowed charges for Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) covered professional services furnished during that same period. The 2009 PQRI consists of 153 quality measures and 7 measures groups.
The topics covered on this National Provider Call will include a review of the aggregate level measure submission feedback report from PQRI 2008 and an update regarding 2009 PQRI measure submission. Following the presentation, the lines will be opened to allow participants to ask questions of CMS PQRI subject matter experts.
Educational products are available on the PQRI dedicated web page located at, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI , on the CMS website, in the Educational Resources section. Feel free to download the resources prior to the call so that you may ask questions of the presenters, Dr. Michael Rapp and Dr. Daniel Green.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below.
Registration will close at 1:30 p.m. EST on February 17, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
To Register
To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/021809
1) Fill in all required data.
2) Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
3) Click "Register".
You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be accessible from 2:30 p.m. EST 2/18/2009 until 11:59 p.m. EST 2/25/2009. The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is 84543925.
If you require services for the hearing impaired please send an email to: Medicare.TTT@PalmettoGBA.com.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Provider Communications Group will host the second in a series of national provider conference calls on the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This toll-free call will take place from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., EST, on Wednesday, February 18, 2009.
The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) made the PQRI program permanent, but only authorized incentive payments through 2010. Eligible professionals who meet the criteria for satisfactory submission of quality measures data for services furnished during the reporting period, January 1, 2009 - December 31, 2009, will earn an incentive payment of 2.0 percent of their total allowed charges for Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) covered professional services furnished during that same period. The 2009 PQRI consists of 153 quality measures and 7 measures groups.
The topics covered on this National Provider Call will include a review of the aggregate level measure submission feedback report from PQRI 2008 and an update regarding 2009 PQRI measure submission. Following the presentation, the lines will be opened to allow participants to ask questions of CMS PQRI subject matter experts.
Educational products are available on the PQRI dedicated web page located at, http://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI , on the CMS website, in the Educational Resources section. Feel free to download the resources prior to the call so that you may ask questions of the presenters, Dr. Michael Rapp and Dr. Daniel Green.
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. It is important to note that if you are planning to sit in with a group, only one person needs to register to receive the call-in data. This registration is solely to reserve a phone line, NOT to allow participation. If you cannot attend the call, replay information is available below.
Registration will close at 1:30 p.m. EST on February 17, 2009, or when available space has been filled. No exceptions will be made, so please be sure to register prior to this time.
To Register
To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www2.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/021809
1) Fill in all required data.
2) Verify your time zone is displayed correctly the drop down box.
3) Click "Register".
You will be taken to the “Thank you for registering” page and will receive a confirmation email shortly thereafter. Note: Please print and save this page, in the event that your server blocks the confirmation emails. If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your spam/junk mail filter as it may have been directed there.
For those of you who will be unable to attend, a replay option will be available shortly following the end of the call. This replay will be accessible from 2:30 p.m. EST 2/18/2009 until 11:59 p.m. EST 2/25/2009. The call in data for the replay is (800) 642-1687 and the passcode is 84543925.
If you require services for the hearing impaired please send an email to: Medicare.TTT@PalmettoGBA.com.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
NCQA Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) Level 3
After good amount of intensive data mining with our Electronic Health Record and adjustment of some of our documentation methods, we finally received certification!
The mountain climb was not without effort, but the results for us and our patients are a great reward. I've included a link to our evolving home page.
I am proud to say many of the necessary elements are performed on a regular basis by myself and my peers. The Electronic Health Record features especially the Registry may generating the evidence much less difficult. We are a solo practice with limited support staff. Based upon a review of the many demonstration projects, the potential additional revenue that will be made available will keep this a sustainable option for practices of all sizes.
Congratulations to my staff, my patients and my patient family. SV
www.svolpemd.com
After good amount of intensive data mining with our Electronic Health Record and adjustment of some of our documentation methods, we finally received certification!
The mountain climb was not without effort, but the results for us and our patients are a great reward. I've included a link to our evolving home page.
I am proud to say many of the necessary elements are performed on a regular basis by myself and my peers. The Electronic Health Record features especially the Registry may generating the evidence much less difficult. We are a solo practice with limited support staff. Based upon a review of the many demonstration projects, the potential additional revenue that will be made available will keep this a sustainable option for practices of all sizes.
Congratulations to my staff, my patients and my patient family. SV
www.svolpemd.com
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
CMS Special Open Door Forum on PQRI
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
3:00PM – 4:30PM Eastern Time (ET)
Conference Call Only
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This call will be geared to those eligible professionals planning to participate in the PQRI for the first time in 2009 and will cover the basics of how to satisfactorily report the 2009 PQRI quality measures through claims-based reporting.
During this Special ODF, CMS staff will discuss the basics of how to satisfactorily report the 2009 PQRI quality measures through claims-based reporting. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
Additional Information
For information about the PQRI, including educational products, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.
We look forward to your participation.
Special Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 83501646
Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired.
For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880 and for Internet Relay services click here http://www.consumer.att.com/relay/which/index.html
A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning February 20, 2009.
For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates (E-Mailing list subscriptions) and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI)
Thursday, February 12, 2009
3:00PM – 4:30PM Eastern Time (ET)
Conference Call Only
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will hold a Special Open Door Forum (ODF) to discuss the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). This call will be geared to those eligible professionals planning to participate in the PQRI for the first time in 2009 and will cover the basics of how to satisfactorily report the 2009 PQRI quality measures through claims-based reporting.
During this Special ODF, CMS staff will discuss the basics of how to satisfactorily report the 2009 PQRI quality measures through claims-based reporting. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for the public to ask questions.
Additional Information
For information about the PQRI, including educational products, go to www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI.
We look forward to your participation.
Special Open Door Forum Participation Instructions:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 Conference ID 83501646
Note: TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired.
For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880 and for Internet Relay services click here http://www.consumer.att.com/relay/which/index.html
A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
An audio recording of this Special Forum will be posted to the Special Open Door Forum website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/OpenDoorForums/05_ODF_SpecialODF.asp and will be accessible for downloading beginning February 20, 2009.
For automatic emails of Open Door Forum schedule updates (E-Mailing list subscriptions) and to view Frequently Asked Questions please visit our website at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/opendoorforums/
CMS MEDICARE ePrescribing "Made Simple"
Here are two links to the CMS that walks you through the process as well as short summary.SV
You do not have to register to participate in this incentive program.
Eligible professionals who successfully report the e-prescribing measure in 2009 may be eligible to receive an incentive payment equal to 2% of all of their Medicare Part B (Fee-for-Service, or FFS) allowed charges for services furnished during the reporting period.
The 2009 Reporting Period is January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. This measure can only be reported using the Medicare claims process.
Table 2: E-Prescribing Measure Denominator Codes
The following CPT or HCPCS G-codes are included in the denominator of the
e-prescribing measure AND must equal at least 10% of your total Medicare Part B allowable FFS billing on at least 50% of the Medicare FFS patients seen:
90801,96150,
99215, 90802,
96151,
99241, 90804,
96152,
99242, 90805,
99201,
99243, 90806,
99202,
99244, 90807,
99203,
99245, 90808,
99204,
G0101, G0108, G0109,90809, 92002, 92004,
99205, 99211, 99212, 92012, 92014,
99213, 99214,
CMS
CMS ERX MADE SIMPLE
Here are two links to the CMS that walks you through the process as well as short summary.SV
You do not have to register to participate in this incentive program.
Eligible professionals who successfully report the e-prescribing measure in 2009 may be eligible to receive an incentive payment equal to 2% of all of their Medicare Part B (Fee-for-Service, or FFS) allowed charges for services furnished during the reporting period.
The 2009 Reporting Period is January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009. This measure can only be reported using the Medicare claims process.
Table 2: E-Prescribing Measure Denominator Codes
The following CPT or HCPCS G-codes are included in the denominator of the
e-prescribing measure AND must equal at least 10% of your total Medicare Part B allowable FFS billing on at least 50% of the Medicare FFS patients seen:
90801,96150,
99215, 90802,
96151,
99241, 90804,
96152,
99242, 90805,
99201,
99243, 90806,
99202,
99244, 90807,
99203,
99245, 90808,
99204,
G0101, G0108, G0109,90809, 92002, 92004,
99205, 99211, 99212, 92012, 92014,
99213, 99214,
CMS
CMS ERX MADE SIMPLE
HIT: Changing the Delivery Paradigm Seminar
Health Information Technology
Bronx - February 5
An Educational Program Offered by the
Medical Society of the State of New York and Hosted by the
NY Chapter ACP - Bronx District and Bronx County Medical Society
Thursday, February 5, 2009
5:30 Registration - 6:00 Dinner Program
Mario’s Restaurant, 2342 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY
To Register, call: Loretta Ponesse - (518) 427-0366 or email: lponesse@nyacp.org
Presented by: Salvatore Volpe, MD Co-Chair, MSSNY’s HIT Task Force Education Committee
Health Information Technology
Bronx - February 5
An Educational Program Offered by the
Medical Society of the State of New York and Hosted by the
NY Chapter ACP - Bronx District and Bronx County Medical Society
Thursday, February 5, 2009
5:30 Registration - 6:00 Dinner Program
Mario’s Restaurant, 2342 Arthur Avenue, Bronx, NY
To Register, call: Loretta Ponesse - (518) 427-0366 or email: lponesse@nyacp.org
Presented by: Salvatore Volpe, MD Co-Chair, MSSNY’s HIT Task Force Education Committee
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
NJ HIMSS Chapter - Clinical Informatics Workshop
For those of you in the NY/NJ area, see below. SV
NJ HIMSS Chapter - Clinical Informatics Workshop
Date: 2/10/2009
8:30:00 AM-4:00:00 PM
Location:
Conference Center at NJHA
760 Alexander Road
Princeton, NJ
Cost:
$75 HIMSS members
$125 nonmembers
Description:
Join us for a full day of learning and workshops with Carol Brown, PhD, Distinguished Professor-Program Director IT Healthcare, Stevens Institute of Technology. Ms Brown leads the curriculum for the school’s Healthcare IT Management course that works with healthcare professionals and IT experts to create the industry’s most needed Healthcare IT specialist.
Healthcare professionals and IT professionals will strengthen their knowledge about clinical, financial and other administrative software applications to assist in:
• Making sound business decisions about software investments
• Communicate workflow and technical support needs to others
• Improve healthcare services by leveraging proven products
• Avoid common pitfalls when implementing new systems
• Influence others about IT policy decisions and eHealth trends
• Developing better IT products and services for the healthcare industry
• Communicate the value of operational and clinical IT solutions
For more information regarding this event or the New Jersey Chapter, please go to the website here.
For those of you in the NY/NJ area, see below. SV
NJ HIMSS Chapter - Clinical Informatics Workshop
Date: 2/10/2009
8:30:00 AM-4:00:00 PM
Location:
Conference Center at NJHA
760 Alexander Road
Princeton, NJ
Cost:
$75 HIMSS members
$125 nonmembers
Description:
Join us for a full day of learning and workshops with Carol Brown, PhD, Distinguished Professor-Program Director IT Healthcare, Stevens Institute of Technology. Ms Brown leads the curriculum for the school’s Healthcare IT Management course that works with healthcare professionals and IT experts to create the industry’s most needed Healthcare IT specialist.
Healthcare professionals and IT professionals will strengthen their knowledge about clinical, financial and other administrative software applications to assist in:
• Making sound business decisions about software investments
• Communicate workflow and technical support needs to others
• Improve healthcare services by leveraging proven products
• Avoid common pitfalls when implementing new systems
• Influence others about IT policy decisions and eHealth trends
• Developing better IT products and services for the healthcare industry
• Communicate the value of operational and clinical IT solutions
For more information regarding this event or the New Jersey Chapter, please go to the website here.
Monday, January 26, 2009
HEALTHeLINK Western New York Clinical Information Exchange is Live!
500 physicians have signed on for Free access to view lab results, radiology results and transcribed reports from hospitals. ePrescribing is also an option. SV
HEALTHeLINK which is a collaborative effort among physician, hospital, and insurance organizations to share clinical information in efficient and meaningful ways to improve the delivery of care, enhance clinical outcomes, and help control healthcare costs throughout the region. HEALTHeLINK is a not-for-profit organization.
HEALTHeLINK supports and is working toward creating a privacy-protected system for health care providers and payers to exchange medical information and other clinical applications through a community-based system.
500 physicians have signed on for Free access to view lab results, radiology results and transcribed reports from hospitals. ePrescribing is also an option. SV
HEALTHeLINK which is a collaborative effort among physician, hospital, and insurance organizations to share clinical information in efficient and meaningful ways to improve the delivery of care, enhance clinical outcomes, and help control healthcare costs throughout the region. HEALTHeLINK is a not-for-profit organization.
HEALTHeLINK supports and is working toward creating a privacy-protected system for health care providers and payers to exchange medical information and other clinical applications through a community-based system.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
President-elect Obama proposes Electronic Health Records for all Americans in 5 years and 20 Billion dollars Stimulus
In 2004, President Bush recommended that this be accomplished by 2014.
This is a daunting task. New York State has led the way with financial investment and perhaps more importantly by creating an opportunity for all the vested interests to participated and fast track the solutions needed for this to be achieved.
New York City has already recruited 1400 healthcare providers to participate in its Health Information Technology initiative (NYC DOH PCIP).
The 20 Billion dollars proposed from the Federal Government will be appreciated. But its not just about dollars. Its about standards, technical support, changes in health care delivery models and educating Americans about healthy lifestyle choices.
Good luck Mr. President, we support you all the way. SV
In 2004, President Bush recommended that this be accomplished by 2014.
This is a daunting task. New York State has led the way with financial investment and perhaps more importantly by creating an opportunity for all the vested interests to participated and fast track the solutions needed for this to be achieved.
New York City has already recruited 1400 healthcare providers to participate in its Health Information Technology initiative (NYC DOH PCIP).
The 20 Billion dollars proposed from the Federal Government will be appreciated. But its not just about dollars. Its about standards, technical support, changes in health care delivery models and educating Americans about healthy lifestyle choices.
Good luck Mr. President, we support you all the way. SV
Monday, January 12, 2009
Senators Stabenow and Snowe Encourage President-elect to Include Health IT in Economic Recovery
Thank you very much Senators. Hopefully a consensus can be reached that will jumpstart the economy and advance HIT adoption. SV
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today announced the introduction of the Health Information Technology Act of 2009 (S. 179) that would provide a much-needed investment to modernize and improve the country’s health care infrastructure. Also today, Stabenow and Snowe sent a letter to President-elect Obama, encouraging him to use the Act as a blueprint for addressing health care issues in the upcoming economic recovery package. The Act would provide critical investments into health care technology that will improve quality of care, improve efficiency and reduce costs. Senators Stabenow and Snowe are co-chairs of the Senate Health Care Quality Improvement and Information Technology Caucus.
Senator Stabenow
Thank you very much Senators. Hopefully a consensus can be reached that will jumpstart the economy and advance HIT adoption. SV
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) today announced the introduction of the Health Information Technology Act of 2009 (S. 179) that would provide a much-needed investment to modernize and improve the country’s health care infrastructure. Also today, Stabenow and Snowe sent a letter to President-elect Obama, encouraging him to use the Act as a blueprint for addressing health care issues in the upcoming economic recovery package. The Act would provide critical investments into health care technology that will improve quality of care, improve efficiency and reduce costs. Senators Stabenow and Snowe are co-chairs of the Senate Health Care Quality Improvement and Information Technology Caucus.
Senator Stabenow
Thursday, January 08, 2009
Nomination of Tom Daschle as Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
All – HIMSS has arranged for you to personally add your support for Senator Tom Daschle to be confirmed as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. As you know, this past Tuesday, the 111th Congress was sworn in and legislators are hitting the ground running. Confirmation hearings of the Secretary-Designates have begun, including hearings for Secretary-Designate of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Tom Daschle.
HIMSS has sent formal letters of support to the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee who will both hold hearings on Senator Daschle’s confirmation. The Senate HELP Committee’s hearing is today and then Senate Finance Committee will hold their hearing next. Senate Finance Committee will then send the confirmation recommendation to the full Senate for a floor vote.
I'd like to encourage all of the to encourage each of our HIMSS members to electronically send a personal letter of support to your United States Senators and local media supporting the nomination of Senator Tom Daschle as Secretary of HHS. You can use our award-winning HIMSS legislative action center as your personalized electronic tool to help you communicate directly with your elected officials.
Just go to: http://www.himss.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp and click to go to the Legislative Action Center. All you need is your zip code to get started. A letter has been drafted for you that you can personalize if you choose. Thanks for taking action today and encourage all your colleagues to take action also.
All – HIMSS has arranged for you to personally add your support for Senator Tom Daschle to be confirmed as the next Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. As you know, this past Tuesday, the 111th Congress was sworn in and legislators are hitting the ground running. Confirmation hearings of the Secretary-Designates have begun, including hearings for Secretary-Designate of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Tom Daschle.
HIMSS has sent formal letters of support to the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee who will both hold hearings on Senator Daschle’s confirmation. The Senate HELP Committee’s hearing is today and then Senate Finance Committee will hold their hearing next. Senate Finance Committee will then send the confirmation recommendation to the full Senate for a floor vote.
I'd like to encourage all of the to encourage each of our HIMSS members to electronically send a personal letter of support to your United States Senators and local media supporting the nomination of Senator Tom Daschle as Secretary of HHS. You can use our award-winning HIMSS legislative action center as your personalized electronic tool to help you communicate directly with your elected officials.
Just go to: http://www.himss.org/advocacy/actioncenter.asp and click to go to the Legislative Action Center. All you need is your zip code to get started. A letter has been drafted for you that you can personalize if you choose. Thanks for taking action today and encourage all your colleagues to take action also.
2007 CMS PQRI Results Disappointing
Over 48% of 14 million quality data points submitted were invalid.
Despite the errors, practices should receive some credited for making the effort.
The best method would be via an EHR which would prompt the healthcare provider at the point of care to collect the data point. The second best is via a Registry.
Let us know which system you have used and what your results have been. SV
2009 PQRI Measures
PQRI Tool Kit
AAFP
Over 48% of 14 million quality data points submitted were invalid.
Despite the errors, practices should receive some credited for making the effort.
The best method would be via an EHR which would prompt the healthcare provider at the point of care to collect the data point. The second best is via a Registry.
Let us know which system you have used and what your results have been. SV
2009 PQRI Measures
PQRI Tool Kit
AAFP
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
MSSNY HIT and RHIO Technology Fairs
Physicians and office managers in New York State are urged to register early for the Health Information Technology Tech Fairs scheduled for the New York medical community over the coming months.
Below are the coming date and locations:
* Rochester:
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at the RIT Conference Center in Rochester.
* Syracuse: Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at the Double Tree at Carrier Circle.
Click Here to Register for Syracuse
* Albany: Saturday, January 17th, 2009 at the Albany Marriott, Wolf Road.
Click Here to Register for Albany
AGENDA LINK
Physicians and office managers in New York State are urged to register early for the Health Information Technology Tech Fairs scheduled for the New York medical community over the coming months.
Below are the coming date and locations:
* Rochester:
Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 at the RIT Conference Center in Rochester.
* Syracuse: Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at the Double Tree at Carrier Circle.
Click Here to Register for Syracuse
* Albany: Saturday, January 17th, 2009 at the Albany Marriott, Wolf Road.
Click Here to Register for Albany
AGENDA LINK
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
PCIP NYC eCW User Conference
Here is an invitation from the NYC PCIP Team.
The target audience consists of PCIP docs and other NYC eCW docs, office staff, and other PCIP partners. SV
Dear Primary Care Information Project Partner,
Mark your calendars! The Primary Care Information Project and eClinicalWorks are very excited to announce that the first NYC eCW User Conference will be held on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at the New York Academy of Medicine.
We are planning an exciting agenda filled with presentations, trainings, and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, including: Best Practices in Coding & Documentation, Advance Your Usage of the EMR Training, Keys to a Successful eCW Implementation, specialty focus groups, and much more. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about new PCIP programs, meet industry thought leaders, participate in free eClinicalWorks trouble-shooting, and network with hundreds of eClinicalWorks users in New York City.
Please stay tuned for registration information, and make sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible for early bird pricing ($50/participant, $250 for up to 10 participants, $450 for up to 20 participants).
We look forward to seeing you next spring!
Happy holidays,
The PCIP Team
Here is an invitation from the NYC PCIP Team.
The target audience consists of PCIP docs and other NYC eCW docs, office staff, and other PCIP partners. SV
Dear Primary Care Information Project Partner,
Mark your calendars! The Primary Care Information Project and eClinicalWorks are very excited to announce that the first NYC eCW User Conference will be held on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at the New York Academy of Medicine.
We are planning an exciting agenda filled with presentations, trainings, and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, including: Best Practices in Coding & Documentation, Advance Your Usage of the EMR Training, Keys to a Successful eCW Implementation, specialty focus groups, and much more. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about new PCIP programs, meet industry thought leaders, participate in free eClinicalWorks trouble-shooting, and network with hundreds of eClinicalWorks users in New York City.
Please stay tuned for registration information, and make sure to reserve your spot as soon as possible for early bird pricing ($50/participant, $250 for up to 10 participants, $450 for up to 20 participants).
We look forward to seeing you next spring!
Happy holidays,
The PCIP Team
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Health Level Seven Publishes Personal Health Record System Functional Model (PHR-S FM) as a Draft Standard for Trial Use
This will help expedite the interoperablity of PHRs and EHRs. SV
– Health Level Seven (HL7), a preeminent healthcare IT standards development organization with broad national and international representation, today announced that the HL7 Personal Health Record System Functional Model (PHR-S FM) has been published as a Draft Standard for Trial Use (DSTU) and is available for download from the HL7 website. The PHR-S FM defines the set of functions that may be present in PHR systems to create and manage an effective PHR. It also offers guidelines that facilitate health information exchange among different PHR systems and between PHR and EHR systems.
HL7
HL7 Functional Profile Registry for EHR-S and PHR-S Profiles
This will help expedite the interoperablity of PHRs and EHRs. SV
– Health Level Seven (HL7), a preeminent healthcare IT standards development organization with broad national and international representation, today announced that the HL7 Personal Health Record System Functional Model (PHR-S FM) has been published as a Draft Standard for Trial Use (DSTU) and is available for download from the HL7 website. The PHR-S FM defines the set of functions that may be present in PHR systems to create and manage an effective PHR. It also offers guidelines that facilitate health information exchange among different PHR systems and between PHR and EHR systems.
HL7
HL7 Functional Profile Registry for EHR-S and PHR-S Profiles
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
Obama/Biden/Daschle Health Care Community Discussions
Here is an opportunity to have your opinions heard.
Follow the link to set up an event and maybe have former sentator Daschle as a guest. SV
Change.gov
Here is an opportunity to have your opinions heard.
Follow the link to set up an event and maybe have former sentator Daschle as a guest. SV
Change.gov
NYC Health eHearts Rewards P4P
This is Pay For Performance program worth reviewing.
Unlike many other P4P programs, this will derive information from the electronic health record! Its a good start and one of many programs to become available. SV
Rewarding & Recognizing Providers for Healthy Hearts
eHearts is designed for adult primary care practices using an EHR that can transmit automated quality reports of core measures from the EHR to the QRS (examples of EHRs that are developing this functionality include NextGen and Epic). Practices interested in applying for the program must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a non hospital-based practice;
2. Verify completion of at least 1 in-person meeting with a PCIP Quality Improvement Specialist (for PCIP practices only);
3. Be able to transmit an automated report* from the EHR to the QRS;
4. Have a minimum number of patients specified by DOHMH across all core measure risk factors documented in the EHR (e.g., patients ages 18-75 AND with ischemic vascular disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, OR hypertension).
NYC DOH PCIP
This is Pay For Performance program worth reviewing.
Unlike many other P4P programs, this will derive information from the electronic health record! Its a good start and one of many programs to become available. SV
Rewarding & Recognizing Providers for Healthy Hearts
eHearts is designed for adult primary care practices using an EHR that can transmit automated quality reports of core measures from the EHR to the QRS (examples of EHRs that are developing this functionality include NextGen and Epic). Practices interested in applying for the program must meet the following criteria:
1. Be a non hospital-based practice;
2. Verify completion of at least 1 in-person meeting with a PCIP Quality Improvement Specialist (for PCIP practices only);
3. Be able to transmit an automated report* from the EHR to the QRS;
4. Have a minimum number of patients specified by DOHMH across all core measure risk factors documented in the EHR (e.g., patients ages 18-75 AND with ischemic vascular disease, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, OR hypertension).
NYC DOH PCIP
Saturday, November 29, 2008
HL7 releases new CDA implementation guidelines
Health Level Seven (HL7), a preeminent developer of global healthcare standards, today announced breakthrough progress with its Clinical Document Architecture (CDA), including four new implementation guides. The guides address basic documentation requirements for diagnostic imaging, consultations, quality reporting and home health monitoring. These four implementation guides have been developed in response to industry demand as is clear from the wide range of supporting and collaborating institutions and providers.
HL7
Health Level Seven (HL7), a preeminent developer of global healthcare standards, today announced breakthrough progress with its Clinical Document Architecture (CDA), including four new implementation guides. The guides address basic documentation requirements for diagnostic imaging, consultations, quality reporting and home health monitoring. These four implementation guides have been developed in response to industry demand as is clear from the wide range of supporting and collaborating institutions and providers.
HL7
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Minnesota awards 3.5 million in EHR grants
Minnesota which may have one of the most agressive EHR implementation time tables is providing financial support. SV
Grants awarded to support interoperable electronic health records
Community collaboratives, community clinics, rural hospitals, small town physician clinics, nursing homes, and other small health care providers in Minnesota are focus of assistance
The Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care today announced they have awarded grants totaling $3.5 million to help Minnesota providers develop interoperable electronic health records.
Minnesota law requires all Minnesota health care providers to begin using an electronic prescribing system by January 1, 2011 and to use full electronic health records by January 1, 2015. These two requirements will allow providers to better exchange patient health information and deliver optimal care at all points of the health care system.
Minnesota
Minnesota which may have one of the most agressive EHR implementation time tables is providing financial support. SV
Grants awarded to support interoperable electronic health records
Community collaboratives, community clinics, rural hospitals, small town physician clinics, nursing homes, and other small health care providers in Minnesota are focus of assistance
The Minnesota Department of Health's Office of Rural Health and Primary Care today announced they have awarded grants totaling $3.5 million to help Minnesota providers develop interoperable electronic health records.
Minnesota law requires all Minnesota health care providers to begin using an electronic prescribing system by January 1, 2011 and to use full electronic health records by January 1, 2015. These two requirements will allow providers to better exchange patient health information and deliver optimal care at all points of the health care system.
Minnesota
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
P4P leads to increased smoking cessation program referrals
A recent article in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that P4P "bonuses" lead to increased referrals in some practices. Not surprisingly,referrals from practices that had a history of proactive referrals, did not vary significantly between controls and participants.
P4P helps practices with limited resources increase proactive activities. SV
Archives of Internal Medicine
A recent article in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that P4P "bonuses" lead to increased referrals in some practices. Not surprisingly,referrals from practices that had a history of proactive referrals, did not vary significantly between controls and participants.
P4P helps practices with limited resources increase proactive activities. SV
Archives of Internal Medicine
Saturday, October 18, 2008
LEAPFROG CPOE EVALUATION TOOL
Leapfrog's recent study of CPOE reinforces the need for QA.
CPOE cannot function in vacuum effectively.
They offer a tool to assess a hospital's effectiveness in CPOE deployment. SV
Leapfrog
Leapfrog's recent study of CPOE reinforces the need for QA.
CPOE cannot function in vacuum effectively.
They offer a tool to assess a hospital's effectiveness in CPOE deployment. SV
Leapfrog
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
eHealthcare Initiative: A Clinician's Guide to e-Prescribing
This is an excellent reference on e-Prescribing including terminology, state/national initiatives and troubleshooting. SV
e-Prescribing Guide
This is an excellent reference on e-Prescribing including terminology, state/national initiatives and troubleshooting. SV
e-Prescribing Guide
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Waterfront Media To Merge With Revolution Health Network
The Brooklyn company (close to home) and the Washington D.C. company merger creates a company with more traffic than WebMD. SV
Waterfront Media
The Brooklyn company (close to home) and the Washington D.C. company merger creates a company with more traffic than WebMD. SV
Waterfront Media
HIXNY, Healthcare Information Xchange New York, will begin Troy Pilot
The last issue to be resolved before they can throw the switch is state approval of the patient consent process.
The first three hospitals will be Samaritan Hospital, Seton Health and Community Care Physicians.SV
Daily Gazette
The last issue to be resolved before they can throw the switch is state approval of the patient consent process.
The first three hospitals will be Samaritan Hospital, Seton Health and Community Care Physicians.SV
Daily Gazette
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Walmart deploying Dossia PHR/PCHR to its associates
This is a major milestone for Dossia and its partner WebMD. SV
Earlier this year, Wal-Mart announced that 92.7 percent of associates have health care coverage, including 50.2 percent of associates who have coverage through Wal-Mart’s plan.
Wal-Mart is also helping provide associates and their families access to information that will enable them to make smarter health care decisions, including personal health records (PHR). Associates will now have the tools and resources to access their own life-long PHR through a secure, personal health care account through WebMD that is powered by Dossia, a health information technology consortium. Whether it is communicating more effectively with doctors or keeping track of vaccinations, PHRs give associates the ability to take a more active, informed role in their own health, as well as that of their families.
Walmart
Dossia
This is a major milestone for Dossia and its partner WebMD. SV
Earlier this year, Wal-Mart announced that 92.7 percent of associates have health care coverage, including 50.2 percent of associates who have coverage through Wal-Mart’s plan.
Wal-Mart is also helping provide associates and their families access to information that will enable them to make smarter health care decisions, including personal health records (PHR). Associates will now have the tools and resources to access their own life-long PHR through a secure, personal health care account through WebMD that is powered by Dossia, a health information technology consortium. Whether it is communicating more effectively with doctors or keeping track of vaccinations, PHRs give associates the ability to take a more active, informed role in their own health, as well as that of their families.
Walmart
Dossia
10 EHRs meet CCHIT Ambulatory EHR 2008 Criteria
Community Computer Service Inc.
MEDENT 18
eClinicalWorks
eClinicalWorks 8.0
Epic Systems Corporation
EpicCare Ambulatory EMR Spring 2008
Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc.
PrimeSuite 2008
McKesson Provider Technologies
Practice Partner 9.3
MedLink International, Inc
MedLink TotalOffice 3.1
MedPlexus, Inc.
MedPlexus EHR 9.2.0.0
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc.
NextGen EMR 5.5.27
Pre-market, conditionally certified EHRs are new products that are fully certified once their operational use at a physician office site has been verified.
Pulse Systems Pulse Patient Relationship Management 4.1
VIP Medicine LLC SmartClinic 16
Community Computer Service Inc.
MEDENT 18
eClinicalWorks
eClinicalWorks 8.0
Epic Systems Corporation
EpicCare Ambulatory EMR Spring 2008
Greenway Medical Technologies, Inc.
PrimeSuite 2008
McKesson Provider Technologies
Practice Partner 9.3
MedLink International, Inc
MedLink TotalOffice 3.1
MedPlexus, Inc.
MedPlexus EHR 9.2.0.0
NextGen Healthcare Information Systems, Inc.
NextGen EMR 5.5.27
Pre-market, conditionally certified EHRs are new products that are fully certified once their operational use at a physician office site has been verified.
Pulse Systems Pulse Patient Relationship Management 4.1
VIP Medicine LLC SmartClinic 16
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
CCHIT indentifies $700 million in EHR funding
The links include a breakdown of 90 programs and 21 states activities. SV
CCHIT
CCHIT Incentive Index
The links include a breakdown of 90 programs and 21 states activities. SV
CCHIT
CCHIT Incentive Index
CCHIT will certify free standing e-Prescribing software
The CCHIT Incentive Index does not yet include what may become one of the largest new incentive programs offered. Under recent legislation (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, or MIPPA), Medicare payment bonuses will become available for any physician who uses qualified electronic prescribing technology beginning in 2009. Although the Commission requires e-prescribing in certified EHR systems, it has not been certifying stand-alone e-prescribing products. But that situation will soon change: At its Sept. 23 meeting, the CCHIT Board of Commissioners officially gave the go-ahead to develop certification for stand-alone e-prescribing systems. After public comments and a pilot test, the Commission expects to launch this new program by July 2009.
CCHIT
The CCHIT Incentive Index does not yet include what may become one of the largest new incentive programs offered. Under recent legislation (Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act, or MIPPA), Medicare payment bonuses will become available for any physician who uses qualified electronic prescribing technology beginning in 2009. Although the Commission requires e-prescribing in certified EHR systems, it has not been certifying stand-alone e-prescribing products. But that situation will soon change: At its Sept. 23 meeting, the CCHIT Board of Commissioners officially gave the go-ahead to develop certification for stand-alone e-prescribing systems. After public comments and a pilot test, the Commission expects to launch this new program by July 2009.
CCHIT
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