Healthcare IT News For VARs — October 3, 2014
By Megan Williams, contributing writer
In this week’s news, Meaningful Use (MU) penalties are about to hit, and AHIMA releases principles for data governance of health information.
Billions In MU Penalties To Hit Next Year
HealthData Management reports that providers enrolled in the Medicare and Medicaid Incentive programs will soon have to demonstrate Meaningful Use, or face hefty penalties. The penalties, which could amount to $6 billion in savings for the federal government, begin kicking in 2015. If levied against a provider, they could take the form of measured reduction against an entity’s Medicare Part B reimbursement rates, beginning with a 1 percent rate cut in 2015, possibly climbing to 5 percent.
Nurses In Need Of Training On Health Tech
Nursing leaders and technology experts are highlighting the need for training in their field. Nurses hold the lion’s share of the responsibility for entering information into electronic health records (EHRs), and their job descriptions are becoming increasingly focused on machine operation, maintenance, and evaluation. Read more at Modern Healthcare.
AHMIA Releases Principles For Data Governance
The American Health Information Management Association has recently launched a program to educate its members along the path to expert understanding of the new field of data governance of health information. Data governance is the “management, compliance, and control of health information in a given organization”, according to the 21-page document released Tuesday by the association. According to Modern Healthcare, the association also included a set of eight principles that form the foundation of a solid information governance policy.
ONC Roadmap To Interoperability To Be Unveiled October 15
The first draft of a federal roadmap to healthcare IT interoperability will be released Oct. 15, according to Dr. Karen DeSalvo, head of the Office Of The National Coordinator for Health Information Technology. The roadmap will be unveiled at a joint meeting of the HIT Policy And Standards committees. Read more at Modern Healthcare.
Healthcare IT Talking Points
This article from the Washington Post discusses the questions around data mining with some uncommon perspectives. It takes a critical look at the claims around how many lives the technology can supposedly save, and addresses a controversial figure in the healthcare-business space. It also covers some of the less-commonly discussed potentials around data theft, like using MRI’s and CT scans to find someone on Facebook.
Forbes will be hosting the third annual Healthcare Summit in Manhattan on December 3 and 4. The event is by invitation only and has become a highlight event for thought leaders in pharmaceuticals, insurance, hospitals, and science. This year, the event will cover topics like big data and how it impacts R&D. Read more at Forbes.
For more news and insights, visit BSMinfo’s Healthcare IT Resource Center.