Physicians in Queens, northern Brooklyn, and surrounding communities are receiving funding through the Interboro RHIO Health Information Exchange. Through a grant from New York State, Interboro is subsidizing EHR costs by paying 85% towards electronic health record adoption and implementation for physicians in the local area. The subsidy makes the switch to an electronic system more affordable and accessible even during slow economic times. Physicians are urged to take advantage of this of this offer and similar offers provided before the limited grant money runs out.

Through the Interboro deal physicians receive:

·         EHR License

·         Implementation & customization

·         3 Days of on-site implementation assistance

·         10 months of maintenance & support

·         On-site Health IT adoption and support assistance*

·         Interboro RHIO connectivity (through 2011)

*As part of the Interboro RHIO project, physicians receive an assigned consultant from the Massachusetts eHealth Collaborative Professional Services Corporation (MAEHC) in order to increase the likelihood of successful implementation. Traditionally, the lack of support has been the missing link for many practices with regards to successful EHR implementation. Luckily, this subsidy took into account prior difficulties and addressed the issues.

With funding and a support team focused on implementation available, EHR adoption becomes easy!

To find out if your practice is within the qualifying zip code or to receive details about the subsidy, please contact a Healthcare DPS representative at 877-423-7702.

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In addition to the government’s stimulus incentives, e-prescription incentives, and electronic health record (EHR) subsidies, physicians may also receive Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) incentive payments from CMS equal to 2% of total estimated Medicare Part B PFS allowed charges during the reporting period for 2010.

To participate in the 2010 PQRI, practices must report information on individual PQRI quality measures or measures groups. An easy and quick way to submit required information is directly from EHR software.

However, the software needs to be “qualified” by CMS for electronic submission. Currently, only seven EHR systems have been qualified by CMS for electronic reporting purposes.

In order to qualify, each EHR vendor went through a thorough process to check the capability of providing the required PQRI data elements for 10 PQRI measures. These “qualified” EHRs capture the required data for the measure calculation, but also transmit the required information in the requested file format.

Products that have not been qualified by CMS may claim similar capabilities, but CMS cannot guarantee that these other products will be compatible for EHR based submission for PQRI.

Luckily, Healthcare DPS offers an EHR that has been qualified for electronic submissions, allowing physicians to easily submit for both PQRI and e-prescription incentives provided by CMS.

For more information, please contact 877-423-7701 or visit www.healthcaredps.com.

For more detailed PQRI information, please visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri/

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Before 2009 ended, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) proposed the definition of “meaningful use” for electronic health record (EHR) technology and outlined the provisions for EHR incentive program qualifications.

The initial proposal defines standards to ensure an accurate and secure exchange of health information across a variety of EHR systems, as well as formats for clinical summaries and prescriptions, and terms to describe clinical problems, procedures and tests.

The regulations are a foundation for improving quality, efficiency, and safety through meaningful use of electronic health record technology.

“These regulations are closely linked,” said Charlene Frizzera, CMS acting administrator.  “CMS’s proposed regulation would define and specify how to demonstrate ‘meaningful use’ of EHR technology, which is a prerequisite for receiving the Medicare incentive payments.  Our rule also outlines the proposed payment methodologies for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs.  ONC’s regulation sets forth the standards and specifications that will enhance the interoperability, functionality, utility and security of health information technology.”

The incentives are scheduled to take begin October 1, 2011. Experts say providers should not waste time because there is a shortage of experts available to help. Healthcare DPS is fully versed in Electronic Health Record technology and has the software and ability to assist healthcare professionals in meeting the necessary requirements to collect incentives.

For more information, please contact 877-423-7701 or visit www.healthcaredps.com.

To read the full Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program document, click the following link http://www.federalregister.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2009-31217_PI.pdf

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RHIOs which are Regional Health Information Organizations were created to facilitate the sharing of patient information among health care providers at the point of care within a community. The overall goal is to achieve dramatic improvements in healthcare in terms of safety, effectiveness, patient-centeredness, timeliness, efficiency, and equity through the use of electronic health records.

The key factor that has hindered many physicians from switching from paper-based records to electronic format is the financial barrier. However, through government support, RHIOs all over the area are receiving grants to aid qualifying community physicians with EHR implementation. With the significant monetary assistance available, the barrier to adoption is removed. Physicians can easily adopt more efficient workflows and improve their practices as well as provide increased quality care to all patients.

For more information about available grants at participating RHIOs, please contact Healthcare DPS at 877-423-7701.

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“There is a high risk that providers would not achieve meaningful use to qualify for the ARRA incentives in 2011 and 2012 if they wait until late 2010 to implement certified electronic health records (EHR) systems and technologies,” said Mark Leavitt, M.D., chairman of the Certification Commission for healthcare information technology (CCHIT).

Now is the time to act.

Publication of HHS criteria is expected by the end of 2009 with final rules on meaningful use expected in the spring of 2010. If physicians delay the purchase and implementation of EHR software until all details are finalized, they leave a short period of time to become fully proficient with the functionality required to collect the incentives as well as limited time to migrate patient information from paper to electronic format. EHR implementation and usability will not happen overnight.

Avoid the mandated push towards EHR. With each passing day, the pressure to use EHR grows and staff frustrations and stress levels will rise. Physicians that make the investment now can take advantage of a slow adoption approach, as well as achieve a high level of comfort before the necessary deadlines. Healthcare providers convert at their desired pace with minimal disruption to their current practice while learning how to appropriately achieve meaningful use over a longer period of time.

Healthcare DPS offers practices a seamless transition to EHR use with a CCHIT certified EHR software that integrates the features of Practice Management and Electronic Health Records. For information regarding electronic health records, please contact 877-423-7702 or www.healthcaredps.com

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The results of a Denver study utilizing the features and benefits of an electronic health record system were astounding.  The trial linked coronary artery disease patients with their caregivers electronically providing a follow-up system for patients discharged from a cardiovascular risk reduction service.

Patients received electronic reminders in their chart to ensure lipid panels were ordered annually as well as lab tests, with results being sent directly to their primary care physician.

The results of patients using EHR compared to those not in the program:

Cardiac deaths were cut by 73%.

The risk of dying of a cardiac-related cause was reduced by 88%.

Patients remained healthy two years later.

Patients who met their cholesterol goal improved to 73% (from 26%)

Cholesterol screens increased to 97% (from 55%).

The study results demonstrate that patients maintained control of their risk factors with the help of electronic reminders. The EHR system effectively kept cholesterol, lipid levels, and blood pressure in check, compared to the traditional approach.

The study’s lead author, Kari L. Olson, states, “The takeaway message here is that we can help support patients in maintaining treatment goals and medication adherence, which is often a challenge with most chronic conditions. Using technology and integrated systems already in place, we can help keep patients healthy for longer and deliver continuity of care in a cost-efficient manner.”

To learn how your office can take advantage of an electronic health records system, please visit www.healthcaredps.com

For the full story click here

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The federal HIT Policy Committee has approved revised recommendations for “meaningful use” of electronic health records systems which were submitted to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology and other units of the Department of Health and Human Services. The recommendations will be used by HHS for guidance as they develop rules to implement the incentive programs.  By the end of this year, a proposed rule is expected.

Why is this important?
Providers must demonstrate meaningful use of EHRs to qualify for stimulus package incentives under the economic stimulus law.

What are the changes and suggestions?

Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) Criteria
CPOE systems must be used for 10% of all orders of any type, but clarity is needed on whether the 10% requirement would apply to each individual order type or all orders total.

HIPAA
CMS may withhold incentive payments until HIPAA violation charges are resolved.

Adoption Benchmarks
Initial 2011 criteria may apply to the first year a medical office adopts EHR. For example, EHR adoption in 2012 would follow criteria for 2011 (which would be marked as adoption year 1).

Electronic Actions
Claims would be submitted electronically to payers. Insurance eligibility would be checked electronically (when possible). One clinical decision support rule relevant to a specialty or a high clinical priority would be implemented.

Patient-Related
Patients would have access to personal health records populated in real-time in 2013, two years earlier than proposed. Patients, upon request, would be provided with an electronic copy of their discharge instructions and procedures at the time of discharge. Patients would be provided with timely electronic access to their health information.

Data Exchange
The EHR would have capability to exchange health information where possible in 2011, with participation in a national health information exchange by 2015.

For the complete list of workgroup recommendations click here

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Based on current annual adjustments, CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) projected a -21.5% rate reduction in 2010 to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS).
The continuous negative updates have been a constant issue. To combat the reductions, CMS announced proposed changes to policies and payment rates for the 2010 MPFS, with expectations of increasing rates for primary care services.

CMS proposed to refine practice expenses, eliminate payment for consultation codes, and revisit treatment of malpractice premiums. These changes may increase payments to general practitioners, family physicians, internists, and geriatric specialists by between 6-8% which may reduce the number of years that physicians experience a loss.

Even with the potential reform to payment rate, physicians need ways to increase revenues while reducing costs in order to receive the maximum return for their hard work. Healthcare DPS offers various solutions to bring a practice to its fullest potential, allowing physicians to work efficiently while enhancing revenue and decreasing costs. For more information regarding Healthcare DPS offerings, please visit

www.healthcaredps.com

For the full story click here

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As reported by the National Committee for Quality Assurance, small practices provide about 75% of U.S. ambulatory care, but many lack the resources to implement EHRs, improve care quality, or serve diverse populations. Legislative awareness of this barrier to adoption helped introduce a bill that will encourage small practices to implement health IT technologies. The bill, the Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act, was introduced by subcommittee Chairwoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-Pa.) to help providers overcome the financial barriers for HIT adoption. The bill would establish a loan program specifically for small practices who want financing to invest in health IT.

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The government is providing significant financial incentives to qualifying physicians. Specifically, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provides $19.2 billion dollars towards Health Information Technology (HIT) to encourage the adoption of EHR systems. 

Under the Stimulus Package, the HITECH Act outlines two types of incentive programs for Medicare and Medicaid. Providers may only submit and receive payment from one program; however, each provider can submit individual claims, maximizing reimbursements specifically within group practices.

Medicare Program
Beginning in 2011, physicians will be eligible for a maximum payout of $44,000 over the course of 5 years. An additional 10% incentive is available for physicians who practice in a “provider shortage area”.

Medicaid Program
The Medicaid program offers up to $64,000 to physicians who see more than 30% of patients paying with Medicaid, (20% for pediatricians).

Eligibility
In order to qualify for the stimulus plan, physicians must implement a certified electronic health record (EHR) system and demonstrate “meaningful use”.

Physicians that do not accept Medicare or those that do not have a payer mix of greater than 30% Medicaid (20% for pediatricians) will not qualify. Physicians who operate solely in a hospital environment, such as anesthesiologists, pathologists, and emergency physicians are not eligible.

Penalties
Providers that fail to implement a certified EHR and demonstrate meaningful use will begin to see a reduction in Medicare fee schedules, with penalties potentially reaching as high as 5%.

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