EVENTS

SEP

Policy Committee Enrollment Work Group Meeting

Online

SEP

Health IT Quality Measures Work Group Meeting

Online

SEP

Improving Health Care Through IT, 'Meaningful Use'

Greensboro, N.C.

View All Events

FROM THE FOUNDATION

HIT Adoption Among California Dentists

What's the level of interest among California dentists in adopting health information technology, such as electronic dental health records, and how many are already making use of such systems? This snapshot of survey data provides some answers.

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.

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Friday

iHealthBeat will not publish Monday, Aug. 30, through Monday, Sept. 6.
Publication will resume Tuesday, Sept. 7.

Groups Want ONC Regulation of Tracking Systems for Health Data

Two health care industry trade groups are encouraging the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT to adopt a global tracking system that would align health care products with electronic health records. A not-for-profit electronic tracking firm also is supporting the effort, which proponents say would boost patient safety during product recalls. Modern Healthcare, Health Data Management.

Survey: Private Doctors Slow To Adopt Tools for Electronic Prescriptions

A new survey finds that about two in five physicians in private practice reported having access to electronic prescribing tools in 2008 but that about 25% of those doctors said they used the systems only occasionally or not at all. Healthcare IT News, Modern Healthcare.

Meeting Standards for 'Meaningful Use' Tops Goals of Health Leaders

In a new survey, nine out of 10 health care leaders report that meeting newly released standards for the "meaningful use" of electronic health records is a top priority for their facilities. Meanwhile, 10% said that converting to ICD-10 coding is their top goal. InformationWeek, Healthcare IT News.

Hospital Group Pushes CMS for More Inclusive Telemedicine Rules

The American Hospital Association recently sent a letter to CMS asking the agency to include physician groups and other entities that provide services to smaller hospitals in its proposed telemedicine credentialing rule. AHA News, Modern Healthcare.

New E-Mail Initiative Alerts Calif. Residents to Insurance Rate Hikes

California's insurance commissioner recently announced that state residents can sign up to receive e-mails notifying them when health insurance companies file rate increases for individual health insurance plans. Modern Healthcare, California Department of Insurance release.

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

How Important Do You Consider Certification When Evaluating an Ambulatory EHR System?

Nearly 90% of health care providers surveyed said certification is important or very important when evaluating ambulatory electronic health record systems, according to a recent survey. Just 2% of health care providers surveyed said certification is not important, while 9% of respondents said they were unsure how important certification is when considering an ambulatory EHR system.

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

PERSPECTIVES

'Meaningful Use' Marks Solid Start for Federal Health IT Efforts

by Steven Findlay

Federal officials got it pretty right with last week's release of the final rule on the "meaningful use" of electronic health records. The rule offers objectives that matter, have public support and can be significantly changed by EHRs.