04/17/2013
Six Republican senators have released a white paper outlining their concerns about current federal health IT policy and calling for an overhaul of the meaningful use program. In an accompanying letter, the lawmakers asked HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to address the concerns cited in the white paper and to provide additional information about the meaningful use program. FierceEMR et al.
04/11/2013
In a letter to CMS, the American Hospital Association highlighted its concerns about reporting clinical quality measures for the meaningful use program and other initiatives. AHA urged CMS to consider ways to streamline reporting requirements. EHR Intelligence, AHA News.
04/04/2013
CMS recently updated the 2014 clinical quality measures for hospitals participating in the meaningful use program. The agency will maintain the original specifications and the updated specifications as acceptable meaningful use criteria for 2014. Healthcare IT News et al.
04/04/2013
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT has launched a challenge calling for states to boost health care providers' participation in the meaningful use program. ONC plans to post updates about the challenge online. HIT Consultant, ONC's "Health IT Buzz."
04/03/2013
A new report from CMS finds that nearly $12.7 billion in meaningful use incentive payments had been distributed to 234,065 eligible hospitals and health care professionals through February. The latest figures exceed previous estimates from a CMS official. Modern Healthcare.
04/03/2013
Reps. Tom Price and Ron Kind have introduced legislation in the House that would exempt pathologists from requirements and penalties under the meaningful use program. The bill states that pathologists should not have to meet the meaningful use program's requirements because they do not interact enough with patients and do not use a core electronic health record system. PhysBizTech et al.
03/29/2013
Rep. Diane Black recently introduced a bill that would eliminate reimbursement penalties for certain physicians who are unable to fully participate in the Medicare portion of the meaningful use program. Such exemptions would apply to physicians who have limited capital, time or staff resources, as well as those who are preparing to retire. Bloomberg BNA, EHR Intelligence.
03/28/2013
An analysis finds that Epic Systems and Meditech are the top two vendors for hospitals using a complete, inpatient electronic health record system for Medicare meaningful use attestation. The analysis also identifies top hospital EHR vendors in other categories. Modern Healthcare.
03/27/2013
An analysis finds that Epic Systems is the top vendor for professionals in an ambulatory care setting who used a complete electronic health record system for Medicare meaningful use attestation. The analysis also cites top vendors in other categories. Modern Healthcare.
03/26/2013
CMS is conducting prepayment audits of 5% to 10% of health care providers who attested to meaningful use in January. CMS officials say that meaningful use incentive payments will be withheld until providers pass the audit review. FierceEMR, AAFP News Now.
03/22/2013
An Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT issue brief says that long-term and post-acute care providers are lagging behind in health IT adoption. The exclusion of such providers from the meaningful use program is cited as a possible explanation. InformationWeek, FierceEMR.
03/18/2013
About $12.3 billion in meaningful use incentive payments have been doled out to 219,000 eligible hospitals and professionals from the start of the program through February, according to a CMS official. A total of $725 million was paid out in February, the official said. Government Health IT.
03/08/2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference, a CMS official said the agency will not issue rules on Stage 3 of the meaningful use program this year, and National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari delivered a keynote address. AHA News et al.
03/07/2013
A report released at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference finds a drop in user satisfaction with electronic health record systems. Also at the conference, former President Clinton delivered a keynote speech. Medical News Today et al.
03/06/2013
At the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference, CMS launched its eHealth website to offer guidance on federal health IT initiatives. Also at the conference, experts discussed sequestration, in-car health technology and other issues. Modern Healthcare et al.