EVENTS

MAY

Summit About Wireless Health Convergence

San Diego

MAY

Webinar About Health IT Privacy, Security Risks

Online

JUN

'Datapalooza' Conference on Health Data Tools

Washington, D.C.

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

All Over the Map

A newly updated interactive map unleashes data to highlight medical treatment variation across California. Now with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and spine procedures, this CHCF-sponsored research shows that practice patterns vary dramatically from place to place.

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Friday

CMS Announces Delay for Data Collection Under Sunshine Act

CMS recently announced that it will not require medical industry companies to collect data for the Physician Payments Sunshine Act until 2013. The act requires companies to report certain payments to health care providers, and the information will be available on a public website. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Herb Kohl said they are disappointed by the delay. Modern Physician et al.

Health IT Supporting Programs in Developing Countries, Report Finds

Many health programs in low- and middle-income countries are using health IT to improve communications and access to care, according to a Results for Development Institute report published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization. FierceHealthIT, R4D release.

Employers, Insurers Embracing Telehealth, but Barriers Remain

Health insurers and employers are offering telehealth-based physician appointments to curb costs and improve access to care. However, some state medical boards' licensing requirements make it difficult for doctors to participate in telehealth programs. Kaiser Health News/USA Today.

HIMSS EHR Association Submits Comments on Stage 2 Proposed Rules

The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's Electronic Health Record Association is calling for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program to include fewer clinical quality measures and more time for EHR upgrades. Healthcare IT News, Health Data Management.

Missouri State Senator Blocks Bill To Create Rx Tracking Database

Last week, a Missouri state senator led an eight-hour filibuster to block the passage of a bill that would have authorized the state to create a prescription drug monitoring database. The senator said the bill would have infringed on patients' privacy rights. AP/Kansas City Star.

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.

Running Time: 4:33

DATA POINTS

What Are Consumers' Top Concerns About Sharing Health Information via Social Media?

When asked about their top concerns about using social media to share health information, 63% of U.S. consumers cited their health data being shared publicly and 57% cited their health data being hacked or leaked, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers' Health Research Institute survey.

FEATURES

EHR Vendor Contract Controversy Persists

by Bonnie Darves, iHealthBeat Contributing Reporter

As the focus on health IT-related safety issues mounts, common non-disclosure and "hold harmless" clauses in electronic health record contracts are sparking debate. Vendors cite their right to protect intellectual property and to manage processes by which problems are reported and addressed.

PERSPECTIVES

Health Systems Spending Billions To Prepare for the 'Last War'

by Dave Chase

The meaningful use program supports health IT systems optimized for the "do more, bill more" reimbursement model that is rapidly being replaced by a focus on value and outcomes. To support the array of new demands, health IT systems will need to be nimble, affordable and patient-centered.