EVENTS

JUL

Meeting of ONC's Policy Work Group on Enrollment

Washington, D.C.

AUG

Examining Final 'Meaningful Use' Rule Implications

Online

AUG

How 'Meaningful Use' Addresses Safety, Quality

Online

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

Diabetic Retinopathy: Call for Applications

This project will support clinics in providing remote diabetic retinopathy screenings to patients by funding retinal cameras, software, and expert consultation from the UCB School of Optometry. Applications are being accepted now through October 2010.

Revisiting the HITECH Act, One Year Later

A new report examines the progress implementing the U.S. government's multi-billion-dollar effort to jump-start adoption of information technology tools in the health care industry. Recommendations for further action by the White House and Congress are included.

New CHCF Effort to Aid Health Reform

Passage of the federal Affordable Care Act creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to expand health coverage to millions of Californians. As details of the law's implementation unfold, CHCF will launch a new initiative to support the reform effort.

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Payments for 'Meaningful Use' Could Start in May, CMS Says

On Wednesday, a CMS official announced that health care providers could begin receiving "meaningful use" incentive payments as early as May 2011. Health care providers must demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records for 90 consecutive days to be eligible for the incentives. For tracking purposes, Medicare and Medicaid providers will register on the same computer system. Modern Healthcare, CMIO.

FCC, Boeing Argue Over Use of Bandwidth for Remote Monitoring

General Electric has requested federal permission to use bandwidth to transmit data through remote patient monitoring devices. Aircraft maker Boeing says use of the bandwidth would jeopardize airplane passenger safety. Bloomberg, NPR's "Shots."

Mayo Clinic Launches Center To Help Groups Adopt Social Media

Minnesota-based Mayo Clinic has created a Center for Social Media to encourage member facilities to connect doctors and patients using social networking websites. An estimated 15% to 20% of U.S. hospitals use social media. Minneapolis Star Tribune et al.

Groups Release Toolkit on Selecting Practice Management Systems

The American Medical Association and the Medical Group Management Association unveiled an online toolkit designed to help physicians choose the most appropriate practice management software for their health care setting. HealthLeaders Media, Health Data Management.

Oregon Hospitals Using Telemedicine Networks To Expand Services

Oregon hospitals are expanding their telemedicine networks to help patients living in rural areas gain access to specialists. Health care providers hope the networks will help to reduce costs and alleviate an expected physician shortage. Oregonian.

Health IT Community Reacts to Final Rule on Temporary E-Health Record Certification

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Karen Bell of CCHIT, Crystal Kallem of AHIMA, David Muntz of CHIME and Robert Tennant of MGMA discuss the final rule on the temporary electronic health record certification program.

Running Time: 5:47

DATA POINTS

What Percentage of Health Care Providers Recommend Health Websites to Patients?

Eighty-three percent of online registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses report recommending health-related websites to patients in 2010, according to a new report. In comparison, 59% of online physicians say they recommend health-related websites to patients.

PERSPECTIVES

Managing Expectations: A View From the Field From Calif.'s REC

by Speranza Avram

The California Health Information Partnership and Services Organization is gearing up to help 6,187 primary care providers demonstrate "meaningful use" of electronic health records. However, the lack of clarity in several areas adds a layer of uncertainty to an already complex set of rules, regulations and timelines that are not well aligned.

FEATURES

Mental Health Providers Excluded From Health IT Incentives

by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor

Under the HITECH Act, many mental and behavioral health providers are ineligible to receive incentive payments for the meaningful use of electronic health records. A bill by Reps. Patrick Kennedy and Tim Murphy seeks to change that.

COMMENTS (1)

"The exclusion of mental health providers from stimulus monies is unfortunate. Many studies continue to show pervasive links between behavioral health and long-term utilization of health care services. For example, abused women have been shown to us..."

- Linda Toche-Manley