Call for PQRS measures open until July 1
Call for PQRS measures open until July 1
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is accepting suggestions for potential inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures in the Physician Quality Reporting System for future rule-making years. Here's how to submit measures for consideration. MORE

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Disabled firewall leads to $400,000 fine May 23, 2013 | Erin McCann - Contributing Writer
Disabled firewall leads to $400,000 HIPAA fine
Idaho State University (ISU) will pay the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to settle alleged violations of the HIPAA Security Rule. The settlement comes after ISU's Pocatello Family Medicine Clinic reportedly disabled server firewall protections for a period of at least 10 months, resulting in the breach of electronic protected health information for 17,500 patients.
HHS sees EHR adoption at 'tipping point' May 23, 2013 | Erin McCann - Contributing Writer
HHS sees EHR adoption at 'tipping point'
More than half of all eligible providers nationwide have received federal incentive payments for demonstrating meaningful use of EHRs, rates that have more than doubled since last year alone, Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced May 22.
Struggles with ECG integration May 22, 2013 | Erin McCann - Contributing Writer
Healthcare providers and industry IT professionals have expressed concern over their ECG technology's lack of bidirectional communication and poor interoperability with electronic medical record systems, according to a KLAS report released May 21.
EHRA responds to senators' MU challenge May 22, 2013 | Mike Miliard - Managing Editor
EHRA responds to senators' MU challenge
One month after six Republican senators published a white paper calling for a new approach to the federal meaningful use incentive program, the HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association has drafted a point-by-point response.
Survey seeks physician input on apps May 21, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor
Survey seeks physician input on mobile apps
The University of Delaware is collaborating with HIMSS Analytics and mHIMSS to assess provider attitudes toward mobile applications. Physicians, nurses and IT staff can assist in the effort by completing a brief online survey about the use of apps in the healthcare setting.
Medicaid simplifies enrollment May 21, 2013 | Kaiser Health News - www.kaiserhealthnews.org
Medicaid simplifies enrollment for expansion states
In a letter to state officials, federal Medicaid Director Cindy Mann laid out several ways states might streamline enrollment for adults, including using data people have already submitted to qualify for foods stamps - a practice that a few states permit for children.
PCP groups beta-test URAC accreditation May 20, 2013 | Bernie Monegain - Editor
Physician groups beta-test URAC clinical integration program
The independent standards organization created the new program to serve as a roadmap for health providers to achieve clinical integration and accountable care. By earning URAC accreditation, providers will demonstrate they are delivering improved patient care and reducing costs.
Consolidation conundrums riddle ACOs May 20, 2013 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor
Consolidation conundrums riddle ACO landscape
How consolidation and integration plays out will determine if providers or payers have more influence on competition, suggested experts at a conference last week sponsored by America’s Health Insurance Plans.

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Call for PQRS measures open until July 1 May 24, 2013
Call for PQRS measures open until July 1
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is accepting suggestions for potential inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures in the Physician Quality Reporting System for future rule-making years. Here's how to submit measures for consideration.
EHR incentives open to CAH II physicians May 22, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor
CAH II physicians can attest for up to $39,000 in EHR incentives
Physicians who assign their reimbursement and billing to a Critical Access Hospital under Method II may participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program as eligible professionals, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CAH II physicians can begin submitting attestations in 2014.
4 reasons why ICD-10 matters May 21, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch
4 reasons why ICD-10 matters
Robert Tagalicod, director of the Office of E-Health Standards and Services, summarizes how important ICD-10 is to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Drilling down on clinical summaries May 17, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor
Drilling down on clinical summaries
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has updated its website with two new FAQs regarding clinical summaries as they relate to the agency's incentive programs for making meaningful use of certified EHR technology. Here's the latest guidance.
5 stages to ACO maturity May 17, 2013 | Mike Miliard - Managing Editor
With recognition that "the path through accountable care is unknown," IDC Health Insights has launched a new Accountable Care Maturity Model, designed to help healthcare organizations gauge their own status and make strategic decisions for funding business and IT initiatives.
OIG strengthens authority on exclusions May 14, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor
OIG strengthens authority on exclusions
The Office of Inspector General has the authority to exclude from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs persons who "have engaged in fraud or abuse and to impose civil money penalties (CMPs) for certain misconduct related to federal healthcare programs." Providers who employ or contract with an excluded person retain substantial potential CMP liability.
Double down on EHR and PQRS incentives May 13, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor
Double down on EHR and PQRS incentives
If you treat Medicare patients and bill for Part B services on the Physician Fee Schedule, you may be eligible for two incentive programs offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
EHR access: How much is too much? May 13, 2013 | Xavier E. Martinez
Patient access to EHRs: How much is too much?
A recent Harris Interactive survey shows that 82 percent of physicians want patients to be active in their healthcare through electronic health records, but only 31 percent believe patients should have full access to their EHR record. Although there are clear benefits to providing patients access to their medical data, such as improved quality of care and patient satisfaction, the report refers to several instances where full patient access to medical records may not be conducive to proper care.

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The VNA Strategy: Balancing Workflow and Enterprise Imaging Management April 16, 2013 | Resource Central
As healthcare providers implement health IT to comply with federal mandates and participate in quality of care programs, VNA solutions can play a critical role in helping them meet their needs today and in their future IT initiatives. Forward-thinking healthcare providers around the world are already successfully meeting this challenge with VNA. Download this Healthcare IT News eBook to learn how VNA enables exchange, supports data consolidation and IT simplification.
Navigating the Path to a Successful ICD-10 Implementation January 28, 2013 | Resource Central
Over the last few years, all healthcare organizations – from payers to vendors to providers – have gone through the rollercoaster ride of preparing for ICD-10 then stopping or slowing down due to deadline delays. Now that the deadline is officially set, every organization needs to focus on their implementation plans to ensure they are prepared. So where should your practice start? This free white paper will provide you with the details you need to: • Build a successful and strategic implementation team • Conduct documentation reviews and gap analyses • Develop an implementation timeline A successful ICD-10 transition will not happen overnight, but with thoughtful planning it will be easier to manage.
Achieving Meaningful Use in Private Practice: A close examination of Stage 2 requirements November 28, 2012 | Resource Central
As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Federal Government laid the groundwork for the nationwide implementation of electronic health records (EHR) systems as a measure to improve patient care, reduce healthcare costs, and increase the level of overall public health. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) program requires providers to demonstrate meaningful use (MU) of an electronic health record system to be eligible for monetary incentives. The implementation of EHR and compliance with meaningful use regulations, should be a top priority for all eligible healthcare professionals (EPs).
A Guide to Selecting a Medical Billing Service: 5 Key Questions to Ask November 14, 2012 | Resource Central
Choosing the right service for your billing may be among the most important decisions for your practice. Use this guide to make sure you’re covering all of your bases when selecting this important partner. Learn why you should outsource your billing now and how to find medical billing service providers. In addition, this guide will tell you what questions to ask during your selection process and more.
Revenue Cycle Mastery: How to Support Industry Standard Best Practices November 14, 2012 | Resource Central
Achieving the highest revenue potential in your medical practice is only found through applying innovative and proven operational principles. The Revenue Cycle Mastery Training and Companion Guide outlines how to implement these industry best practices and secure reimbursements in your practice.
EHR & Practice Management Software Buyer's Guide November 14, 2012 | Resource Central
Eliminate buyer's remorse! Make the right software choice for your medical practice the first time. This paper includes a comprehensive checklist of features and functionality that you must consider in your search for medical software. Cut to the chase to be aware of hidden costs, contract terms, and true ROI.
What You Should Know About ICD-10 Codes November 14, 2012 | Resource Central
This paper identifies what medical offices need to know about ICD-10 codes including: Facts, timing & impact of ICD-10 medical codes; expansion of ICD medical code base; ICD-10 impact on the medical practice and comparison table of ICD-9 & ICD-10 diagnosis medical codes.
There’s Still Time to Earn your Medicare Incentives! October 05, 2012 | Resource Central
You have until December 31st to submit e-prescriptions for 25 Medicare patient encounters in 2012 and still receive the 1% bonus in 2013 and/or avoid the 1.5% penalty in 2014!

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Apparently the HIPAA 5010 transition isn't over May 23, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch
It surprises me that more than a year after the HIPAA 5010 deadline, some healthcare providers are figuring out that they can't rely on clearinghouses.
Wanted: Entrepreneurial business models for doctors May 22, 2013 | David Williams - Health Business Blog
Wanted: Entrepreneurial business models for doctors
I believe many physicians would like to work for themselves if there were a viable way to make it happen.
Dual coding: Will medical practices be required to keep both code sets? May 15, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch
Carl Natale
I have to wonder if practice isn't a compelling enough reason for medical offices of all sizes to try dual coding.
What if the healthcare cost crisis solves itself? May 10, 2013 | David Williams - Health Business Blog
David Williams
Health plans tend to follow Medicare rates and do little to independently establish and negotiate price levels.
Solo practices show promise to persevere May 02, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor
As long as there is entrepreneurial vigor to be found in the men and women of medicine, there will be physicians prepared and dream-driven to serve their career days as both MD and MBA.
Telling a good story May 01, 2013 | Rob Lamberts, MD
Rob Lamberts
In some ways things are going about as well as could be expected with my new practice. The hard part has been that I have not been able to find tools to help me organize my business so it can run efficiently.
ICD-10 challenges for medical practices April 25, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch
ICD-10 challenges for medical practices
The following impacts need to be considered when developing ICD-10 transition plans.
Looking ahead to ONC committee work April 23, 2013 | Anthony Brino - Contributing Writer
Anthony Brino
Here's a look at what the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will be working on over the next six months.

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DataMotion Launches DataMotion Direct to Enable Healthcare Organizations to Meet Meaningful Use Stage 2 Requirements October 24, 2012 | Industry Release
DataMotion (www.datamotion.com), an established cloud-based data delivery provider, today announced DataMotion Direct, a secure email service that enables healthcare industry organizations to integrate with the Direct Project and meet real-world secure communications needs. This announcement also marks DataMotion’s expanded company focus as it begins operations as a health information service provider (HISP).
Elsevier’s MC Strategies announces the continued development of its ICD-10 Roadmap with the introduction of new curricula October 16, 2012
Elsevier’s MC Strategies, a leader in providing eLearning solutions to more than 1,300 healthcare organizations, today announced the continued development of its ICD-10 Roadmap with the introduction of new curricula, including a comprehensive clinical documentation curriculum.
MAXIMUS experts to share insights on health insurance exchanges and Medicaid initiatives at 2012 Medicaid Enterprise Systems Conference August 17, 2012 | Industry Release
MAXIMUS, a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that four of the Company’s leading subject matter experts on Medicaid program administration will be presenters at the Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) Conference: “Healthcare History In The Making.” The MES Conference, formerly known as the Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) Conference, brings together thought leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas and information related to Medicaid systems and initiatives.
Practice Fusion partners with NJ-HITEC to help local doctors earn up to $44K in government incentives August 16, 2012 | Industry Release
Practice Fusion – the nation's largest doctor-patient community – and the New Jersey Health Information Technology Extension Center (NJ-HITEC) are teaming up to help medical professionals across New Jersey quickly and easily start using Practice Fusion's free Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system. The partnership, the first of its kind for Practice Fusion, aims to provide doctors with all the resources they need to qualify for up to $44,000 in Meaningful Use incentives, a federal program designed to promote EMR usage.
Modernizing Medicine launches specialty-specific EMR app August 16, 2012 | Industry Release
Modernizing Medicine, the creator of the Electronic Medical Assistant™ (EMA), a cloud-based specialty-specific EMR application, announced today the availability of EMA Dermatology™ with Logical Images' VisualDx, a comprehensive digital medical image library, proving the company's dedication to bringing dermatologists the most powerful EMR on the market.
New Commonwealth Fund white paper caucuses on strategies for implementing ACOs August 14, 2012 | Industry Release
The Commonwealth Fund released a new white paper on lessons learned from members of the Premier healthcare alliance’s accountable care collaborative.
SimonMed Imaging selects Merge's radiology and interoperability solutions to share images & achieve meaningful use August 14, 2012 | Industry Release
Merge Healthcare Incorporated, a leading provider of clinical systems and innovations that seek to transform healthcare, today announced that SimonMed Imaging, the largest specialized outpatient physician imaging practice in the country, will implement Merge's integrated suite of radiology solutions along with iConnect® Access and iConnect® VNA to provide anywhere, anytime viewing of images and achieve Meaningful Use (MU).
New ACO to improve care and lower costs for 40,000 NJ patients August 13, 2012 | Industry Release
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and Optimus Healthcare Partners (Optimus) today announced the launch of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) agreement to deliver more effective care at lower costs to more than 40,000 Horizon BCBSNJ members. The new ACO agreement will include 42 primary care practices and 104 primary care physicians within 11 New Jersey counties.

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