GAO Calls for Improvements in CMS' Oversight of EHR Program

A Government Accountability Office report recommends that CMS take certain steps to improve its process for verifying that health care providers qualify for incentive payments through the meaningful use program. For example, GAO suggests that CMS consider conducting more prepayment verifications for the Medicare meaningful use program. Health Data Management et al.

AHA Says Meaningful Use Program Might Be Overly Ambitious

In a letter to CMS, the American Hospital Association said that the meaningful use program might be too ambitious to achieve its goals. Meanwhile, Rep. Renee Ellmers is urging CMS to exempt certain health care providers from penalties if they fail to achieve meaningful use. Bloomberg et al.

More Companies Using Online Games To Boost Employee Wellness

Employers and health insurers increasingly are using online games to encourage healthier behavior among workers. However, researchers note that there is a lack of data showing that such games are an effective strategy to improve employee wellness. Wall Street Journal.

FDA Looking Into Use of Technology Tools To Help People Self-Diagnose, Obtain Medications

Marcie Bough of the American Pharmacists Association, Charles Daniels of the University of California-San Diego and Sandra Adamson Fryhofer, chair-elect of the American Medical Association's council on science and public health, spoke with iHealthBeat about how technology could expand the number of medications available without a prescription.

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DATA POINTS

Among Hospitals That Reported a Data Breach Last Year, How Many Breaches Did They Face?

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In 2012, 69% of surveyed hospitals that reported a data breach in the past twelve months said that they had experienced more than one breach during that time frame, compared with 58% of surveyed hospitals in 2010, according to a HIMSS Analytics report commissioned by Kroll Advisory Solutions.

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