Archive for the ‘Health Information Technology’ Category

Possible Extension of EHR Donation Regulations

Authored By: Jeffrey W. Short

Bureau of National Affairs is reporting that CMS and the OIG have submitted proposed regulations to extend the exception from the physician self-referral law and the safe harbor under the anti-kickback statute for EHR donations.  The report indicates that proposed regulations have been sumitted to the White House Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) for review.  Submission to the OMB is typically the final step to proposed regulations being issued.

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FTC Issues Mobile Privacy and Security Publications

Authored By: Mark R. Dahlby

On February 1, 2013, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued two publications recommending ways that key players in the mobile marketplace, such as operating system providers, application developers, advertising networks and analytics companies, can promote mobile privacy and security.

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ECRI Institute Publishes Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2013

Authored By: Mark R. Dahlby

ECRI Institute has released its list of the Top 10 Health Technology Hazards for 2013.  The annual report is based on the prevalence and severity of incidents reported by health care facilities and information found in the Institute’s medical device problem reporting databases.

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Upcoming Health Information Exchange Governance Town Hall Meetings

Authored By: Ammon R. Fillmore

The National eHealth Collaborative will host two upcoming Health Information Exchange Governance Town Hall Meetings.  These Town Hall Meetings aim to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to describe and offer input on their experiences, practices, issues, priorities and suggestions regarding Health Information Exchange Governance initiatives. (more…)

The FCC Releases Rules for Healthcare Connect Fund and Announces Pilot to Expand Infrastructure Funding to Skilled Nursing Facilities

Authored By: William A. Dummett

The Federal Communication Commission (“FCC”) released rules governing how it will distribute $150 million annually out of the Healthcare Connect Fund to qualifying health care providers to support the provision of health care services to the rural population.  The Healthcare Connect Fund grows on the experience and lessons learned by the FCC through its Rural Healthcare Pilot Project.  (more…)

FCC Revises Universal Service Fund to Create Healthcare Connect Fund and Expand Access to Broadband

Authored By: Michael T. Batt

On December 12, 2012 the FCC approved a report and order expanding the scope of the Universal Service Fund (“USF”).  The $400 million annual fund exists to bring telecommunication services to health care providers for the benefit of persons who reside in rural areas.  The FCC acted to revise the existing USF program by: (more…)

Establishing an Effective Records Management and Data Retention Program: Health Care Industry Considerations

Authored By: Mark T. Garsombke

Attached is a link to a webinar that I recently conducted with Teramedica on Establishing an Effective Records Management and Data Retention Program: Health Care Industry Considerations.

This one-hour webinar helps health care organizations gain tactical insight into the essential legal and business requirements of establishing an effective records management and data retention program. Patient data storage and data access is becoming one of the most costly and challenging areas of health care delivery. (more…)

Disaster Preparedness Final Report

Authored By: Alisa C. Kuehn

Several southeastern states (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas) collaborated under the direction of ONC to analyze the country’s ability to respond to disasters through the use of Health Information Exchange (HIE).  This initiative, called the Southeast Regional HIT-HIE Collaboration (SERCH) project,  focused on the development of a strategic plan for sharing health information among states during and after a natural disaster.  The Final Report issued by SERCH includes a plan for incorporating HIE into disaster preparedness efforts and addresses legal, technical, and governance issues that are likely to arise as part of such an effort.  A copy of the Final Report is available here.

If you have any questions regarding the above, disaster recovery plans, or responding in the event of a disaster, please contact Alisa Kuehn at 317-977-1475 or akuehn@hallrender.com

Meditech, FTI Cambio and HealthNET Settle Dispute with Methodist Hospitals

Authored By: Michael T. Batt

As reported by the Post-Tribune, Methodist Hospitals has settled a dispute with Medical Information Technology (MEDITECH), FTI Cambio and HealthNET related to the failed implementation of an electronic health record (EHR) sytem.  If you are experiencing challenges with an EHR implementation, please see our prior post 4 Action Items When Facing an EHR Software Implementation Failure or contact Michael T. Batt at 317.977.1417 or mbatt@hallrender.com.

House Republican Leaders Urge Halt to Stage 2 Meaningful Use Payments

Authored By: Michael T. Batt

Yesterday (10/4/2012), in a letter from House Republican leaders to HHS, House Republican leaders expressed serious concern regarding the Stage 2 Meaningful Use program and requested HHS to take the following action:

  1. Immediately suspend the distribution of incentive payments until universal interoperable standards are promulgated by HHS;
  2. Increase what is expected of Meangingful Users (e.g., increasing the utilization percentages established in the current Stage 2 rules);
  3. Eliminate the subsidization of business practices that block the exchange of information between providers.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

If you have any questions about Stage 2 or further developments on this matter, please contact Michael T. Batt at mbatt@hallrender.com or 317-977-1417

 

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