Meaningful Use OneSource

HIMSS Launches Meaningful Use OneSource, an Authoritative Knowledge Resource

CHICAGO (December 8, 2010) – Providing current and vital resources for implementation of health information technology to improve patient care, HIMSS introduces Meaningful Use OneSource, an online repository of hundreds of documents, tools and links to other knowledge available on the Internet. Users can go to www.himss.org/meaningfuluse to find this meaningful use compendium vetted by content experts.

HIMSS developed the Meaningful Use OneSource to equip its members and interested organizations to prepare for the Meaningful Use and Certification Criteria and Standards regulations. Meaningful Use OneSource provides answers to questions including:

· How to meet and use meaningful use certification criteria;
· How to receive the Medicare and Medicaid incentive funding and avoid penalties;
· How to practically and successfully implement meaningful use in a healthcare organization; and
· How to access recently released updates on federal and state laws and regulations.

$1.1 Billion for Comparative Effectiveness Research

It's hard to imagine $1.1 billion. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 created the Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research to coordinate comparative effectiveness research across the Federal government. The Council will specifically make recommendations for the $400 million allocated to the Office of the Secretary for CER.

ARRA provides:

• $300 million for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
• $400 million for the National Institutes of Health, and
• $400 million for the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services

These funds are to support research assessing the comparative effectiveness of health care treatments and strategies, through efforts that:

1. Conduct, support, or synthesize research that compares the clinical outcomes, effectiveness, and appropriateness of items, services, and procedures that are used to prevent, diagnose, or treat diseases, disorders, and other health conditions.
2. Encourage the development and use of clinical registries, clinical data networks, and other forms of electronic health data that can be used to generate or obtain outcomes data.

So, that totals to $1.1 billion. Wow!  So, how many groups and organizations are going after this money?  Here's a link to the HHS.gov website where you can read about Sec. 804. Federal Coordinating Council for Comparative Effectiveness Research.

Is COBRA the best option for the unemployed?

Earlier this year, the government provided assistance to people who lost jobs in 2009 by paying for a portion of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) health insurance premium. Having the government pay 65% doesn't last forever, so those who lose their jobs in 2010 will have to pay 100% of the COBRA premium.

Will COBRA be the best option for people in 2010? Or, will alternative health plans be more cost-effective? Since health insurance is regulated at the state level, your options will really depend on where you currently live. Perhaps you may want to consider moving back home with your parents if they live in a state that offers better healthcare options. If you lose your job, you get 60 days to decide if you wish to enroll in COBRA.

To learn more about COBRA, visit the U.S. Department of Labor website here.

Are we rushing through healthcare reform?

It seems like some people really love all the healthcare reform proposals and others really hate them. Many people are worried that we might be rushing through this process and the end result might be a disaster. Our country is going through a serious economic recession and there are too many people out there who need health insurance. Unemployment is still rampant and many people are struggling to survive during these difficult times. Are we making decisions based on the current state of the economy or are we planning for the future?

President Obama has outlined eight basic consumer protections:

• No discrimination for pre-existing conditions
• No exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses, deductibles or co-pays
• No cost-sharing for preventive care
• No dropping of coverage if you become seriously ill
• No gender discrimination
• No annual or lifetime caps on coverage
• Extended coverage for young adults
• Guaranteed insurance renewal so long as premiums are paid

All of this sounds great, but how will we get there? I've been speaking with many physicians who are deeply concerned about some of the healthcare reform proposals that are out there. Will these reforms create such a change in the healthcare system that it undermines the quality of care that people end up receiving?

Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives

If you missed the AMA webinar titled, "Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives," then you may be glad to know that you can view the archived session here: www.ama-assn.org/go/hit and then look under "Health IT webinars." Or, you can click on this direct link: https://cc.readytalk.com/play?id=8qo7xu

This is the 3rd part to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) webinar series by the AMA. The presenters include:

• Amanda Ervin, Director of Health Information Technology Initiatives, AMA
• Gary S. Schenk, Sr., MD, Gaston Family Care, Gastonia, NC

The agenda includes the following topics:

• Update on meaningful use
• Small practice perception of meaningful use as it pertains to utilization of an EHR

Seems like we're getting closer to really understanding and defining "meaningful use." The Health IT Policy Committee's "meaningful use" work group will meet today in Washington to submit revised recommendations to Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The next HIT policy committee meeting is scheduled for August 14.

Archived AMA Webinar on Health IT

Free American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) webinar series by the AMA. Want to view the archived AMA (American Medical Association) webinars on heath IT? They currently have archived versions of these 2 webinars:

1. Stimulus 101: Basics of the Health Information Technology Provisions
2. Stimulus 102: Update on the Health Information Technology Provisions

The 3rd webinar (Stimulus 103: Real World Perspectives) is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 12:00 p.m. CST

All of these webinars are FREE, so what are you waiting for?

Point your browsers here: http://www.ama-assn.org/go/hit

AMA on Health IT

Did you catch the AMA webinar today on health IT? It was titled, "Stimulus 102: Update on the Health Information Technology Provisions."

If you missed it, then they will be posting a link to the archived version (and I'll post that link as soon as I get it). The webinar covered updates on the framework for the development and adoption of a nationwide HIT infrastructure. If you wish to gain a better understanding of the HIT provisions in ARRA, then you'll want to catch this webinar. The presenters were:

• Russ Keene, Vice President, Ingenix CareTracker
• Amanda Ervin, Director, Health Information Technology Initiatives

AMA Webinar: Stimulus 101

During my lunch break today, I attended the live AMA (American Medical Association) webinar titled, "Stimulus 101: Basics of the Health Information Technology Provisions"

The presenters were:

• Glen Tullman, CEO, Allscripts
• Margaret Garikes, Director of Federal Affairs, AMA

And the webinar was described as:

• Understand the HIT provisions in the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" (ARRA) and receive the latest update on the HIT Policy and Standards Committees.

If I could summarize several key points that struck out to me, they would be:

1. We're still all waiting for the definition of "meaningful use." (what a surprise, right?)
   
2. An EHR (electronic health record) system that is not currently CCHIT certified is unlikely to qualify under ARRA.
   
3. If you're currently using a non-CCHIT certified EHR, contact your vendor to evaluate whether they plan to update (or completely rebuild) their system to qualify.
   
4. People are confused about whether the Medicare/Medicaid PQRI (Physician Quality Reporting Initiative) measures and e-prescribing incentives are related to the incentives described in the ARRA. (right now, they appear to be completely separate initiatives)

Care to listen to the archived webinar? Click here.

Pfizer Offers Free Drugs to Unemployed, Uninsured

These are tough economic times and we need better patient assistance programs. Pfizer is coming out with a program to help people who have lost their jobs and health insurance. If you lost your jobs since Jan. 1 and you've been taking a Pfizer drug for three months or more, then probably qualify. These individuals will have access to free prescription Pfizer medications (including common drugs like Lipitor which is used to lower cholesterol and Viagra for the treatment of erectile dysfunction) for up to a year.

• Starting today, patients can call a toll-free number, 866-706-2400, to sign up.
• Starting July 1, patients can also apply through the Web site

So, do you know anyone who could take advantage of this program?

Defining "Meaningful Use"

The new HITECH bill is calling hospitals and physicians to demonstrate "meaningful use" with electronic health records (EHRs) so they can receive higher Medicare reimbursements. How do you define this phrase? I'm sure that Dr. Blumenthal and his team will come up with some measurable definitions of the phrase "meaningful use."

Health IT and Political Generosity

There's an interesting article in BusinessWeek about Health IT (or HITECH if you prefer). There's a diagram that show the political generosity associated with some of the major companies that develop EHRs (electronic health records) and e-prescribing solutions. Specifically:

• Allscripts: 100% support to democrats
• Cerner: 35% support to democrats
• Epic: 98% support to democrats
• GE: 61% support to democrats
• McKesson: 44% support to democrats
• Siemens: 60% support to democrats

I don't like to get into politics in my blog, so I won't. However, I find this data to be fascinating. I was reading about how Glen Tullman, the CEO fo Allscripts, used to exercise and play basketball with Obama at the same gym.

The economic stimulus plan includes $19.6 billion towards health IT. How do you think hospitals and physicians will leverage this opportunity?

Medicine, Technology, and the Economy

Thanks to President Obama, Health IT (or HITECH) will play a huge role in helping today's economy recover. Medicine is changing rapidly and there are many new drugs and biologic agents in the pipeline. The FDA has been on the slow side approving new drugs, so sometimes I wonder how that's impacting the economy. Technology is allowing medical device companies to come up with innovative devices to help patients manage their disease. Doctors are getting more sophisticated with the use of medical technology. Small healthcare companies are expected to grow rapidly in the recession. This is especially true for medical companies focused on using information technology. How will they leverage electronic health records (EHRs) or electronic medical records (EMRs) to improve patient care?

HITECH for Health IT

HITECH now stands for health information technology or Health IT. President Obama is making history on several levels: the first Black president, the huge economic stimulus plan, and the push for HITECH to get doctors into the 21st century. Get used to hearing more and more about Health IT or HITECH.

When I hear HITECH, I think of hiking. Why? One of my first hiking boots were made by a company called Hi-Tec. They're still in business and they make footwear for hiking and golf. Now, when I hear HITECH, I'll be thinking about Health IT. Thank you Mr. President!