02/10/2012
A federal judge has approved the distribution of $200 million to physicians under a settlement in a lawsuit against UnitedHealth Group. The lawsuit was filed over an allegedly flawed database that underpaid out-of-network doctors. Modern Physician, Health Data Management.
02/08/2012
A new report by Cal eConnect finds that about 25% of California physicians currently send prescriptions electronically, up from 3% in 2007. However, the report also notes that only about 16% of eligible prescriptions are sent electronically. Healthcare IT News, Cal eConnect report.
02/08/2012
The University of Michigan Health System is using technology to track surgical items during operations. For example, it has implemented an electronic radiology order system and placed radiopaque tags and barcodes on surgical sponges. FierceHealthIT, CMIO.
02/03/2012
American Medical Association Executive Vice President and CEO James Madara has sent a letter urging HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to block implementation of the ICD-10 coding system. Madara recently sent a similar letter to House Speaker John Boehner. Modern Healthcare et al.
02/03/2012
Sen. Tom Udall plans on introducing a bill that would make it easier for physicians to practice telemedicine in different states. Currently, physicians must apply for a different license in each state where patients are treated remotely. The bill would streamline licensure portability between states by creating a standardized list of credentialed practitioners. Government Health IT.
02/02/2012
Medical Group Management Association President and CEO Susan Turney has sent a letter calling for HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to address several challenges health care providers are facing as they work to adopt HIPAA 5010 transaction standards. The letter reiterated MGMA's request for CMS to delay enforcement of HIPAA 5010 standards until June. Modern Healthcare et al.
02/02/2012
A report by Surescripts finds that electronic prescribing could increase the percentage of patients who pick up new prescriptions. Surescripts says the technology could curb health care spending by up to $240 billion over a decade by improving medication adherence. InformationWeek et al.
02/02/2012
A survey by the Medical Group Management Association finds that 51% of physician practices with three or more doctors have fully implemented an electronic health record system. However, many EHR users said their systems lack certain capabilities. InformationWeek.
01/31/2012
The American Health Information Management Association is urging the health care industry to continue its efforts to implement ICD-10 code sets. AHIMA's statement comes shortly after American Medical Association CEO and Executive Vice President James Madara sent a letter asking House Speaker John Boehner to block ICD-10 implementation. Health Data Management, CMIO.
01/31/2012
The Rural Assistance Center and the National Rural Health Resources Center have released an online toolkit aimed at helping rural health care providers implement health IT projects. The toolkit offers resources on obtaining health IT training and funding. AHA News, RAC release.
01/26/2012
James Madara -- executive vice president and CEO of the American Medical Association -- has asked House Speaker John Boehner to stop the rollout of the ICD-10 coding system. Madara argues that the transition will burden the U.S. health care system. Modern Healthcare.
01/25/2012
A survey by health IT vendor Practice Fusion finds that 60% of physicians in small- and medium-sized practices said that technology has made their work easier. Twenty-six percent of respondents said the computers in their practice are less than a year old. Healthcare IT News.
01/24/2012
CMS has unveiled guidance on the appeals process for health care providers who have failed to receive meaningful use incentive payments or are seeking to challenge their payment amount. The guidance outlines deadlines for submitting an appeal. Modern Healthcare, CMS guidance.
01/23/2012
A New York Times editorial praises the federal government's plans for an online database to disclose physicians' financial ties to drugmakers and medical device firms, while a Wall Street Journal opinion piece criticizes the planned database. New York Times, Wall Street Journal.
01/23/2012
In a recent Wall Street Journal special section on health care, experts offered opposing opinions on various issues, such as whether physicians should email with their patients and whether the U.S. should implement universal patient identifier numbers. Wall Street Journal.