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Quest Diagnostics Taps ELINCS for Data Hub

Quest Diagnostics, a leading provider of diagnostic testing, has implemented the ELINCS lab standard in its national data exchange hub, making it easier for physicians to electronically access Quest Diagnostics lab results.

Paper to Electronic Charts Made Easy

Community clinics with experience making the transition from paper to electronic records share the strategies, techniques, and insights they learned along the way.

Telehealth Project to Provide Dental Care

Low-income families will receive free dental care, thanks to the Virtual Dental Home, a telehealth project supported by CHCF and other funders. The four-year pilot project will eventually operate in nine California communities.

Health Plans

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03/17/2010

AMA Launches First-of-Its-Kind Managed Care Database for Physicians

The American Medical Association's online managed care database aims to help its members better negotiate contracts with managed care organizations. The database will provide model contract language that complies with state laws. Modern Healthcare, HealthLeaders Media.

03/10/2010

BlueCross BlueShield of Western N.Y. To Launch Telemedicine Programs

One of the largest insurers in Western New York has announced plans to introduce a service allowing patients to consult online with physicians 24 hours a day. HealthNow New York said it intends to expand the service to the entire state by 2011. Buffalo News et al.

03/08/2010

Illinois Posting Online Information on Health Insurance Rate Hikes

The Illinois Department of Insurance has begun posting online information about premium increases in the individual health insurance market. State officials say the move aims to provide consumers with greater transparency on the rate policies of health insurers. Chicago Tribune.

03/04/2010

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee Adds Data to Doctor Comparison Tool

BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has added immunizations and heart conditions as quality measures to an online tool that compares physician performances and treatment costs. Thus far, BlueCross members have viewed the tool around 50,000 times. Tennesseean.

03/03/2010

Kaiser Announces Full Launch of Electronic Health Records System

Now that Kaiser Permanente's HealthConnect EHR system is up and running in all of its hospitals and medical offices, officials at the California-based HMO assert that it is the largest private sector EHR system in the world.  The project cost $4 billion over 10 years. Oakland Tribune.

02/19/2010

Surescripts To Decrease E-Prescribing Charges for Pharmacies, Others

Surescripts officials are cutting prices for access to the company's electronic prescribing network for pharmacies, pharmacy vendors and pharmacy benefit managers. The move is intended to encourage more independent pharmacies to join the network. Healthcare IT News, Modern Medicine.

02/18/2010

Computer Glitch Leads To Problems in Mont. Kids' Health Program

A recent computer system glitch in Montana caused some children to face difficulty obtaining prescription drugs. The problem occurred after the state implemented a new program that combined its Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program rolls. Bozeman Daily Chronicle.

02/12/2010

UCLA, Health Net Plan Social Networking Site Targeting Teen Health

The social networking site aims to encourage California adolescents to take advantage of health services under Medicaid and the state's Children's Health Insurance Program. The UCLA School of Public Health is working with the insurer Health Net on the project. Payers & Providers.

02/11/2010

N.J. Pilot Program Offers Web Portal for Tracking Coverage, Claims Status

America's Health Insurance Plans and the BlueCross BlueShield Association are teaming up for a New Jersey pilot program that will help physicians check patient coverage and track claims. Five of the state's major insurers will offer data through the Web portal. New York Times.

02/08/2010

Report: 45 Federal Employee Health Plans Offer Health IT Tools

A new report released by the Office of Personnel Management lists 45 health plans in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program that offer personal health records and online tools for accessing health care cost and quality information. NextGov, Federal News Radio

02/05/2010

Business Associates Will Pay Up for Health Data Breaches, Official Says

Sue McAndrew of HHS' Office of Civil Rights said health care business associates might need to pay OCR directly for violations of the HIPAA privacy and security rules. McAndrew said OCR might waive some penalties under certain circumstances. HealthLeaders Media.

02/02/2010

Social Networking Site Offers Aetna Members Addiction Support

Aetna is offering its members access to a social networking Web site aimed at providing support to people recovering from alcoholism, addiction or eating disorders. This is the first-of-its-kind arrangement between a health plan and an online support network. Hartford Courant.

01/29/2010

SSA, MedVirginia Health Data Exchange Created $2M Boost for Users

A Social Security Administration study found that a Virginia health data exchange project helped increase the efficiency of electronic disability claims processing. The study noted that reduced processing times helped generate additional revenue for users. Federal Computer Week.

01/26/2010

Tab for Response to Data Breach Hits $7 Million for BCBS of Tennessee

After an October theft, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee has spent more than $7 million to assess the missing data and provide credit monitoring for affected members. The insurer said it might have to spend millions more as the investigation continues. Chattanooga Times Free Press.

01/13/2010

Kaiser Informs More Than 15,000 Members of Health Data Breach

Kaiser Permanente is notifying more than 15,000 members in Northern California that an external computer drive containing their personal data was stolen from a Kaiser employee's car last month. The breach comes after Kaiser was fined last year under new California privacy laws. San Francisco Chronicle et al.

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