05/15/2013
Congress needs to be sure to consider the positives of health IT when considering reductions in health care spending. Thanks to the contributions of electronic health records, care quality and safety are improving, while medical errors are being reduced. By John Halamka and John P. Hoyt
04/08/2013
HHS is seeking feedback on ways to accelerate electronic health information exchange within the health care industry. One of the policy changes HHS is considering is requiring health care providers to engage in electronic HIE in order to participate in Medicare. by Helen R. Pfister and Susan R. Ingargiola, Manatt Health Solutions
03/26/2013
A recent College of Healthcare Information Management Executives survey found that health care CIOs earned an average base salary of $208,417 in 2012. But a closer look at the survey data shows that hospital size, titles and reporting relationship matter when it comes to executive compensation. By Fred Bazzoli
03/18/2013
The final rule for Stage 2 of the meaningful use program includes some key changes that likely will have significant implications for those participating in the electronic health record incentive program. Health care providers must make plans for how to comply with the new requirements. By Naomi Levinthal and Anantachai (Tony) Panjamapirom
03/08/2013
National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari said "health care is broken." But he pointed to the progress made through the meaningful use program as proof that the system can change. To realize a health care system that provides better and safer care at a lower cost, he said data and incentives will matter. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor
03/06/2013
The big news at Tuesday's Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society conference was CMS' confirmation that cuts under budget sequestration will hit Medicare meaningful use payments beginning April 1. Meanwhile, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will see its budget cut from $60 million to $57 million under the sequester. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor
03/05/2013
Ochsner Health System CEO Warner Thomas said health care should mimic the efficiencies that have been created in the airline, banking and retail industries. Meanwhile, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society released two new surveys and Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT officials tackled tough questions during a town hall session. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor
02/27/2013
The Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's annual conference kicks off in New Orleans on March 3. Patient engagement, mobile health, government leaders, clinical and business intelligence and easier conference navigation top my list of things to watch at HIMSS13. By Carla Smith
02/12/2013
Experts say that the number of physicians who use patient portals could skyrocket in the next few years, in part because of meaningful use incentive program requirements. The increase in adoption of such technology could have a significant effect on health care. by Ken Terry, iHealthBeat Contributing Reporter
01/22/2013
There were a number of important federal health IT developments in the fourth quarter of 2012, from the unveiling of a draft health IT safety plan to the request for comment on proposed criteria for Stage 3 of the meaningful use program to an interim final rule to make changes under Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs. by Helen R. Pfister, Susan R. Ingargiola and Christine D. Chang, Manatt Health Solutions
01/10/2013
With the federal government considering patient-generated health information as part of the requirements for Stage 3 of the meaningful use incentive program, it's crucial that we consider streamlined patient usability of the portal as a critical part of the equation. By Janet Dillione
01/03/2013
With 2012 now behind us, we asked 11 leaders in the health IT field to reflect on the progress and missed opportunities of the past year, as well as their hopes for health IT in 2013. by Kate Ackerman, iHealthBeat Managing Editor
12/13/2012
In 2013, health IT will be shaped by federal legislation, economic market realities and patient engagement. If patients are not put in the center in terms of design, the promise of health IT will be limited and the potential return on substantial investments in a time of national fiscal austerity will fall flat. By Jane Sarasohn-Kahn
12/11/2012
One of the Health IT Policy Committee's proposed recommendations for Stage 3 of the meaningful use incentive program would require participating health care providers to electronically accept patient-generated health information in an effort to increase patient engagement in health care. by Helen R. Pfister and Susan R. Ingargiola, Manatt Health Solutions
12/03/2012
There's growing evidence that most of the nation's smaller health care facilities are lagging behind in meeting meaningful use requirements. However, Henry County Health Center, a 25-bed critical access hospital in Iowa, found that its small size actually provided advantages in moving ahead with EHRs. By Fred Bazzoli