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A United Approach
June 14th, 2019
By Namas | Published June 14th, 2019 - Last Review/Update June 18th, 2019
A United Approach
As auditors, we all have a different perspective when evaluating documentation. It would be unreasonable to think that we all view things the same way. In my opinion, differing perspectives are what makes a great team because you can coalesce on a particular chart, work it through and ...
HHS Proposes Significant Changes to Patient Access Rules
February 11th, 2019
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 11th, 2019
In a significant announcement on February 11, 2019, HHS proposed new rules aimed at improving interoperability of electronic health information. This announcement was made in support of the MyHealthEData initiative which was announced by the Trump administration on March 6, 2018. The goal of that initiative was to break down ...
By Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA | Published May 30th, 2018 - Last Review/Update June 4th, 2018
Whether I am assisting clients or presenting, I am often asked about legal holds and e-discovery. The transition from paper to electronic records, which include emails, computer faxes, protected health information ("PHI"), personally identifiable information ("PII") and documents that are created, received, maintained or transmitted in an electronic format created...
By Dugan MadduxDugan Maddux, MD, FACP & Dr. Ahmad SharifAhmad Sharif, MD, MPH | Published April 24th, 2018 - Last Review/Update May 2nd, 2018
Like a moth to a flame, we periodically have to take a close look at FHIR. As mentioned in the March 26 blog post, interoperability was the hot topic at HIMSS, and FHIR is at the blazing edge of interoperability...
Health Information Exchange and Trusted Exchange Frameworks
February 27th, 2018
By Dugan Maddux, MD, FACP | Published February 27th, 2018 - Last Review/Update April 12th, 2018
Despite progress in health IT, Health Information Exchange (HIE) remains squarely in toll booth mode, with gated stops and slowdowns that may or may not permit information to move forward. ...
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published February 6th, 2017
The Medicare and Medicaid incentive programs are different. The Medicare EHR incentive program has been incorporated into the new Quality Payment Program (QPP). However, providers may be unaware that there is still a Medicaid EHR incentive program. The time period for signing up for the Medicaid EHR incentive program ended in 2016. ...
What are the Rules for Safeguarding Patient Records?
February 11th, 2016
By ChiroCode | Published February 11th, 2016 - Last Review/Update March 5th, 2019
Secure medical records is a broad topic that should be addressed in detail by all practices. There are multiple items to consider when meeting standards to best safeguard protected health information (PHI).
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published January 29th, 2016
The Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) combines PQRS, VM, and EHR into a single Medicare pay-for-performance quality payment system scheduled to begin in 2019.
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published October 8th, 2015
There is a new Final Rule scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on October 16, 2015. There are changes to the requirements of the EHR Incentive Program which are aimed to ease the burden on providers.
First Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule Since SGR Repeal
August 19th, 2015
By Wyn Staheli, Director of Research | Published August 19th, 2015
Even though the SGR has been repealed, providers still need to be aware of annual fee revisions by CMS. On July 8, 2015, CMS announced their first proposed Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MFPS) since the SGR repeal. As in years past, there will continue to be reviews of the Relative Value ...
By | Published August 10th, 2015 - Last Review/Update January 27th, 2017
By Dr. Jeff Brown -Meaningful Use Mentor
The big, bad word feared by many, “Meaningful Use,” simply means the performance of specific activities, known as Meaningful Use measures, with the aid of your certified EHR software. It’s not big and it’s not bad, and you definitely have nothing to fear.
To begin, ...
By | Published February 27th, 2015 - Last Review/Update June 9th, 2016
Originally, for providers to Attest EHR/Meaningful Use for the 2014 reporting period, the attestation deadline was February 28, 2015. However, to encourage providers to start attesting for the 2014 reporting year, CMS has extended the attestation deadline for eligible professionals to March 20, 2015. CMS indicates this has been done, ...
By Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published February 15th, 2015 - Last Review/Update March 1st, 2016
Per Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), VSAC is the official repository for Value Sets that support 2014 Meaningful Use Clinical Quality Measures (CQMs). VSAC will also host other value sets such as Routes of Administration and Patient Assessment Instruments in the near future.
The VSAC provides Certified EHR implementers ...
New PQRS and EHR Incentive Programs FAQs Available
October 17th, 2014
By Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published October 17th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2017
CMS has added two new FAQs to their website.
CEHRT Day 1 FAQ: This FAQ provides information regarding when Certified Electronic Health Record Technology (CEHRT) must be implemented to be successful for 2014 PQRS reporting.
2014 Registry XML NPI Validation FAQ: This FAQ provides guidance on the error message received when registries ...
By Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published September 26th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 30th, 2017
MEASURE COMPLIANCE - Meeting the Patient Electronic Access Objective
Starting in 2014, CMS requires that providers participating in both Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the EHR Incentive Programs must meet the Patient Electronic Access objective, which gives patients access to their health information in a timely manner. Providers participating in ...
EHR Incentive Programs: Exclusions and Hardship Exceptions
September 15th, 2014
By Instacode Institute | Published September 15th, 2014 - Last Review/Update March 5th, 2019
CMS offers exclusions and hardship exceptions for eligible professionals who face challenges in meeting meaningful use objectives that require that they and their patients have broadband access and Internet connectivity.
Patients’ Access to BroadbandThe Secure Electronic Messaging measure for eligible professionals and the second measure for the Patient Electronic Access objective for eligible professionals and ...
Q & A: Does an individual need to have the job title of medical assistant in order to use the CPOE function of Certified EHR Technology?
August 26th, 2014
By Chris Woolstenhulme, QCC, CMCS, CPC, CMRS | Published August 26th, 2014 - Last Review/Update August 9th, 2017
Q: When meeting the meaningful use measure for computerized provider order entry (CPOE) in the Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs, does an individual need to have the job title of medical assistant in order to use the CPOE function of Certified EHR Technology (CEHRT) for the entry to count toward ...
By | Published July 24th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 29th, 2016
Are Medicare fees going up? Or down? Results for the following:
Sequestration
Chiropractic Demonstration Project
Electronic Health Record/Meaningful Use
Physician Quality Reporting System - PQRS
Value-Based Modifier
Will mandatory Medicare payment cuts (due to the SGR) get repealed?
March 2nd, 2014
By | Published March 2nd, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 27th, 2017
Since 2003, healthcare providers have been dealing with the the short term patches to the Medicare payment system. After all this time, it now appears that Congress is making a move to address the ongoing issues with the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR). This is the formula that has caused the payment problems with Medicare. Many professional organizations are endorsing the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014 (H.R. 4015, S. 2000) and encouraging providers to contact their congressional leaders and lend their support for this legislation. If you wish to join those lending their support CLICK HERE for a helpful tool to contact YOUR congressional leaders.
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By | Published February 12th, 2014 - Last Review/Update January 27th, 2017
The following information is from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regarding the Electronic Health Records (EHR) payment reduction hardship exemption.
By Rick Lehtinen | Published December 29th, 2011 - Last Review/Update January 27th, 2017
The digitization of medical records is one of the most exciting, and yet the most challenging, fronts in health care today. There is a lot of misinformation, and a lot of important information. There are things that you should know that are not well explained. Electronic medical record keeping is being billed as the last great tool to conserve healthcare dollars by cutting out the waste and delays caused by paper records. But there may be more than meets the eye.
To start, electronic medical records include lots of abbreviations and new terms, some of which overlap. Here are three biggies:
Personal Health Record (PHR)
Electronic Medical Record (EMR)
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
A simple and practical guide to implementing HIPAA, HITECH, and Omnibus Final Rule components. Includes the forms and policies and information you need to meet compliance requirements. Plus over 50 customizable forms!
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