09/07/2010
Last week, the Certification Commission for Health IT and the Drummond Group were named the first ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies under the temporary electronic health record certification program -- a key step in ensuring certified EHR products are available in time for the "meaningful use" incentive program. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor
08/23/2010
The federal government's "meaningful use" incentive program addresses the well-documented financial barriers to electronic health record adoption, but fails to take into account the environment and local context of an organization. By Nir Menachemi
07/29/2010
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. By Speranza Avram
07/20/2010
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. By Steven Findlay
07/13/2010
There is great promise for personal health records, yet consumers' privacy and other concerns have held back widespread adoption. Establishing a regulatory framework specific to PHRs is a good first step to encouraging their use. By Deven McGraw and Harley Geiger
06/28/2010
HHS has tapped a public relations firm to educate consumers about health IT adoption and announced plans to survey patients on their perceptions of electronic health records. But at this late stage in federal government's health IT efforts, could it be too little, too late? by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor
05/17/2010
We must better understand and respect market forces, harness them to our advantage and align them with good policy when developing health information exchanges. Unfortunately, it does not appear that "meaningful use" requirements and payments -- the market forces -- will optimally favor state HIE programs. By Jonah Frohlich
05/14/2010
Personal health records have long been touted as playing a key role in patient-centered health care, but a recent study finds that the tools often lack key patient-centric functions. How can PHRs be improved and when will we reach a tipping point in adoption? by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor
04/14/2010
A new California HealthCare Foundation survey finds that 7% of U.S. adults have used a personal health record, up about 159% from a 2008 Markle Foundation survey. Less-educated patients with lower incomes and multiple chronic conditions reported the greatest benefits from PHRs. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor
04/08/2010
The Drug Enforcement Agency's recently released interim final rule on the electronic prescribing of controlled substances removes what many say has been significant barrier to e-prescribing adoption. However, while a step in the right direction, hurdles still remain. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Senior Editor
04/06/2010
Proposed health IT rules are on par with the far-reaching impact of auto, environmental, food, drug and airline regulations. Health care providers should commit to a transformation in the health care system that might not necessarily net them additional income but will without question benefit patient care. By Steven Findlay
03/05/2010
Over the past year, the promise of federal incentive payments have motivated many hospitals to adopt health IT systems. The incentives are a good nudge, but greater use of health IT also raises the possibility of hospitals faring better under overhauled payment models and moving into new lines of business. By David Katz, M.D., J.D.
03/04/2010
National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal discussed recently released health IT regulations and said his office's focus now would shift to implementation. Meanwhile, U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra spoke about innovation, and AHRQ's Jon White discussed health IT research. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat editor
03/03/2010
A surprise announcement by National Coordinator for Health IT David Blumenthal that the long-awaited proposed rule on the electronic health record certification process had been released was the big news of the second day of the HIMSS conference. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Editor
02/25/2010
As the industry ramps up to meet new health IT regulations included in the 2009 federal stimulus package, there is still no official word on the EHR certification process. An ONC official said that last piece of the health IT puzzle would be available soon. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Editor