CHIME is urging HHS to extend the concept of certification to the health information exchange marketplace to advance interoperability and improve data flow. In comments submitted Thursday in response to a request for information (RFI) from CMS and ONC, CHIME pushed for a strategy that enables local flexibility, while leading stakeholders in the development of […]
Stage 2 Meaningful Use Proposal Announced
CMS announced the proposed rule for Stage 2 Meaningful Use requirements for EHR incentive programs today during a session led by National Coordinator for Health IT Farzad Mostashari at the HIMSS conference in Las Vegas. The proposed requirements were posted to the Federal Register and are expected to be published next week. The final rule […]
AHA Says ACO Costs Far Exceed CMS Estimates
The start-up investment required to establish and sustain an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) is considerably higher — $11.6 to $26.1 million — than the $1.8 million estimated by CMS in its proposed rule for launch and one year of ongoing operations, according to a study by the American Hospital Association. Caroline Steinberg, VP of Health […]
Don’t Let ONC’s Numbers Fool You
If ever the expression “the devil’s in the details” was called for, it’s around meaningful use. In fact, the words seem tailor made for the program. That much was made crystal clear during testimony last week by those who’ve made inroads toward meeting requirements which sometimes behave like slippery eels when grasped. Read the rest […]
CMS MU Seminar Answers (and Raises) Questions
As part of an effort to clear up lingering questions about its program to financially reward Meaningful Users of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) held a session of its Education Series for Providers, specifically, this time, for hospitals. But while the session provided much detail around many aspects of the program, the Q&A after it resulted in a few “we’ll have to get back to you” answers from CMS representatives.