Tagged with EMR EHR Electronic Medical Records
New York – State Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Update
The New York Department of Health has released an update regarding its Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Program which provides financial incentives to eligible professionals (EPs) and hospitals to promote the transition to EHRs.
CMS Introduces New Interoperability Initiative
CMS has announced its new initiative for interoperability, MyHealthEData. The program has been designed to empower patients by giving them control of their healthcare data, and allowing it to follow them through their healthcare journey.
CMS Launches New QPP Data Submission System for Clinicians
CMS has launched a new data submission system for clinicians participating in the Quality Payment Program (QPP), designed to reduce administrative burdens and streamline the data submission process.
CMS Issues Clarification around Texting Patient Orders
CMS, on December 28th, issued a Survey and Certification Memorandum (S&C Memo) to state survey agencies to clarify and reinforce its position that it prohibits physicians and health care providers from texting orders.
Medicare HOPPS, ASC Rates and Policies Finalized for CY 2018
CMS has published the final rule updating Medicare Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System rates and policies for calendar year 2018 (CY 2018).
Connecticut Department of Social Services Implements New Medically Unlikely Edits Review Process
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) recently released a memo announcing implementation plans for its process for reviewing claims denied solely due to exceeding the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medically Unlikely Edit (MUE) limit for dates of service July 1st, 2016 and forward.
CMS Announces Transition of eCQMs to CQL for CY2019 Reporting Periods
CMS, on October 31st, announced that electronic clinical quality measures (eCQMs) in CMS quality programs will be transitioned to use the Clinical Quality Language (CQL) standard (CQL Release 1, Standard for Trial Use (STU) 2) for logic expression. Additionally, CMS has issued revised technical release notes (TRNs) for the addendum to the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) annual update specifications for 4th Quarter 2017 reporting and 2018 reporting periods.
CMS Issues Guidance on Information Blocking Prevention in MIPS
CMS has published guidelines detailing requirements as to how Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)-eligible clinicians must attest in order to prove they have made a good-faith effort to implement and use EHR technology that supports the timely exchange of healthcare information.
2018 eCQM Value Set Addendum for EPs, ECs Released
CMS has released an addendum to the electronic clinical quality measure (eCQM) annual update specifications originally published in May 2017. This addendum updates eCQM value sets for the 2018 performance period for Eligible Professionals (EPs) and Eligible Clinicians (ECs).
VA Issues Proposed Rule to Allow Telemedicine Across State Lines
The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has proposed a rule that would preempt state laws restricting the ability of VA healthcare providers to supply telehealth services to veterans across state lines or within states, intended to increase the availability of mental health, specialty care, and general clinical care to veterans, especially in rural areas.
CMS Releases Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule
On June 20th, CMS released its 2018 Medicare Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule. Officially titled, “CY 2018 Updates to the Quality Payment Program,” the rule includes key policy updates that seek to streamline reporting requirements and simplify participation under the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) [Track 1] and the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (Advanced APM) [Track 2] pathways created by the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).
TX – House Passes Bill to Allow Virtual Visits
The Texas House of Representatives has passed a bill, by unanimous vote, that will enable physicians licensed in the state to supply telemedicine services to patients they have never met in person.
CMS gives over 800K Physicians Reprieve from MACRA Reporting in 2017
CMS has sent over 800,000 letters to clinicians, with notification that they will not be evaluated under the MACRA Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2017. Federal officials predict only about one-third of clinicians will have to file quality reports this year under the new Medicare payment system.
CMS Proposes 2018 Updates for Medicare Hospital Admissions
CMS has issued FY 2018 proposed rule for Medicare Hospital Inpatient Prospective Payment System and Long Term Acute Care Hospital Prospective Payment System. The proposal hopes to relieve regulatory burdens for providers and encourage transparency, flexibility, and innovation in care delivery.
PA – Report Links over 850 Medication Errors to Health Information Technology
The Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority released an in-depth analysis of health information technology (HIT) related medication errors. The report indicates that 889 medication-error events were reported by health care facilities between January 1 and June 30, 2016, all of which indicated health information technology as a contributing factor.
PQRS EHR Reporting Deadline Extended through March 31
CMS has extended the deadline for PQRS EHR reporting for EPs, group practices, and their vendors through March 31.
PTAC Now Accepting APM Proposals
The Physician-Focused Payment Model Technical Advisory Committee (PTAC) was established earlier this year by MACRA and is now accepting proposals for alternative payment models (APMs).
21st Century Cures Bill Breezes through Senate
On December 7, the Senate voted 94-5 to pass the long-awaited mental health legislation, the 21st Century Cures Bill. The bill was signed by President Obama in a White House ceremony on December 13.
Final 2017 Medicare Hospital Rates
The IPPS final rule for 2017 increases rates for general acute care hospitals by approximately 0.95%. It eliminates the two-midnight rule’s inpatient pay cuts and also includes rate changes for long-term care hospitals.