HRSA is offering a Health IT and Quality Webinar entitled "Tips For Generating Quality Data Reports Using Your EHR”, Friday, July 22, 12pm MDT.
For more information and to register, click here.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
CMS Has a New FAQ on Payment for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program
Question: I am an eligible professional (EP) who has successfully attested for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program, so why haven't I received my incentive payment yet?
Answer: For EPs, incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that they have demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that timeframe if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year.
The Medicare EHR incentive payments to EPs are based on 75% of the estimated allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the entire payment year. Therefore, to receive the maximum incentive payment of $18,000 for the first year of participation in 2011 or 2012, the EP must accumulate $24,000 in allowed charges. If the EP has not met the $24,000 threshold in allowed charges at the time of attestation, CMS will hold the incentive payment until the EP meets the $24,000 threshold in order to maximize the amount of the EHR incentive payment the EP receives. If the EP still has not met the $24,000 threshold in allowed charges by the end of calendar year, CMS expects to issue an incentive payment for the EP in March 2012 (allowing 60 days after the end of the 2011 calendar year for all pending claims to be processed).
Payments to Medicare EPs will be made to the taxpayer identification number (TIN) selected at the time of registration, through the same channels their claims payments are made. The form of payment (electronic funds transfer or check) will be the same as claims payments.
Bonus payments for EPs who practice predominantly in a geographic Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) will be made as separate lump-sum payments no later than 120 days after the end of the calendar year for which the EP was eligible for the bonus payment.
For more FAQ's, visit CMS' Frequently Asked Questions site.
Answer: For EPs, incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program will be made approximately four to eight weeks after an EP successfully attests that they have demonstrated meaningful use of certified EHR technology. However, EPs will not receive incentive payments within that timeframe if they have not yet met the threshold for allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the year.
The Medicare EHR incentive payments to EPs are based on 75% of the estimated allowed charges for covered professional services furnished by the EP during the entire payment year. Therefore, to receive the maximum incentive payment of $18,000 for the first year of participation in 2011 or 2012, the EP must accumulate $24,000 in allowed charges. If the EP has not met the $24,000 threshold in allowed charges at the time of attestation, CMS will hold the incentive payment until the EP meets the $24,000 threshold in order to maximize the amount of the EHR incentive payment the EP receives. If the EP still has not met the $24,000 threshold in allowed charges by the end of calendar year, CMS expects to issue an incentive payment for the EP in March 2012 (allowing 60 days after the end of the 2011 calendar year for all pending claims to be processed).
Payments to Medicare EPs will be made to the taxpayer identification number (TIN) selected at the time of registration, through the same channels their claims payments are made. The form of payment (electronic funds transfer or check) will be the same as claims payments.
Bonus payments for EPs who practice predominantly in a geographic Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) will be made as separate lump-sum payments no later than 120 days after the end of the calendar year for which the EP was eligible for the bonus payment.
For more FAQ's, visit CMS' Frequently Asked Questions site.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Accepting Nominations for Rural Health Excellence Award
CRHC is now accepting nominations for the 2011 Rural Health Excellence Award. This prestigious award is given annually by Colorado Rural Health Center to honor those who have made a notable contribution to health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in rural Colorado. For 2011, the award will be presented during the 20th Annual Colorado Rural Health Conference August 11-12th, at the Denver Tech Center Hyatt Regency.
To be eligible for the award, a candidate must have made a significant contribution to the health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in a rural Colorado community, area, or region. Healthcare providers, board members, administrators, volunteers and others are eligible for nomination. Despite their enormous contributions, CRHC Board Members are not eligible for nomination while serving on the Board.
To nominate someone, simply complete the entry form. The 2011 deadline for entries is July 15, 2011.
Questions? Contact Nadine Gressett.
To be eligible for the award, a candidate must have made a significant contribution to the health, healthcare, or a healthcare delivery system in a rural Colorado community, area, or region. Healthcare providers, board members, administrators, volunteers and others are eligible for nomination. Despite their enormous contributions, CRHC Board Members are not eligible for nomination while serving on the Board.
To nominate someone, simply complete the entry form. The 2011 deadline for entries is July 15, 2011.
Questions? Contact Nadine Gressett.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Health IT Workforce Development Opportunity
The U.S. Department of Labor has identified Health IT as a high growth and emerging industry sector. A recent study from the University of California San Diego Extension listed Health IT as the number one career opportunity in 2010. As the nation moves toward a more technologically advanced health care system, providers are going to need highly skilled health IT experts to support them in the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records.
Health IT professionals are in demand, and there is estimated to be a shortage of as many as 200,000 Health IT workers by 2015. This shortage is critical because it may impact organizations’ ability to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records and obtain the financial incentives promised. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) is trying to address this shortage by funding Health IT Workforce Development programs for both Community Colleges and Universities. These programs are graduating high-caliber health information technology professionals interested in supporting the growing and evolving health IT industry.
One of the most important workforce shortage needs to address is providing Health IT education to rural and medically underserved communities. The University of Colorado Denver has received a grant from the ONC to provide graduate-level Health IT education to 132 healthcare professionals. This grant covers the tuition and fees up to $10,000, which covers most of the costs for the student. Rural and medically underserved communities are given first priority for this funding.
Our website (www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/HITEC) provide more information about the program. Applications are being accepted until July 10, 2011, for fall admission. Please forward this information to anyone in your organization that might be interested in this opportunity. These funds will only be available until the positions are filled, which we anticipate will be within the next 6 months. If you have questions about the program, please contact Donna DuLong, Colorado HITEC Program, at (303) 724-5515 or send an email to HITEC@ucdenver.edu.
Health IT professionals are in demand, and there is estimated to be a shortage of as many as 200,000 Health IT workers by 2015. This shortage is critical because it may impact organizations’ ability to demonstrate meaningful use of electronic health records and obtain the financial incentives promised. The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) is trying to address this shortage by funding Health IT Workforce Development programs for both Community Colleges and Universities. These programs are graduating high-caliber health information technology professionals interested in supporting the growing and evolving health IT industry.
One of the most important workforce shortage needs to address is providing Health IT education to rural and medically underserved communities. The University of Colorado Denver has received a grant from the ONC to provide graduate-level Health IT education to 132 healthcare professionals. This grant covers the tuition and fees up to $10,000, which covers most of the costs for the student. Rural and medically underserved communities are given first priority for this funding.
Our website (www.nursing.ucdenver.edu/HITEC) provide more information about the program. Applications are being accepted until July 10, 2011, for fall admission. Please forward this information to anyone in your organization that might be interested in this opportunity. These funds will only be available until the positions are filled, which we anticipate will be within the next 6 months. If you have questions about the program, please contact Donna DuLong, Colorado HITEC Program, at (303) 724-5515 or send an email to HITEC@ucdenver.edu.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
HRSA Webinar June 24th
"Tips for the Safety Net Community on
Using Health IT within a Patient Centered Medical Home"
HRSA Health IT and Quality Webinar
Friday, June 24, 2011 – 2:00-3:30 PM EST
This webinar will provide technical assistance examples of how safety net providers can successfully use health IT in transforming a health center or rural health clinic into a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
Webinar presenters will discuss how “meaningful use” facilitates a PCMH’s objectives. In addition, a medical officer from HRSA’s Office of Health IT and Quality will provide an overview of national efforts in PCHH, recognition standards of the National Committee for Quality Assurance and other organizations, and how health IT assists a provider in meeting these criteria.
Presenters include:
• Lindsay Farrell, M.B.A, FACMPE, President and CEO, Opendoor Family Medical Centers, Ossining NY
• Victor Freeman, M.D., Medical Officer, HRSA Office of Health IT and Quality
• Bill Bolt, PhD. ACMPE, CIO/Practice Administrator, Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, Walsenburg, CO
Registration Link:
http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=79856508
Using Health IT within a Patient Centered Medical Home"
HRSA Health IT and Quality Webinar
Friday, June 24, 2011 – 2:00-3:30 PM EST
This webinar will provide technical assistance examples of how safety net providers can successfully use health IT in transforming a health center or rural health clinic into a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH).
Webinar presenters will discuss how “meaningful use” facilitates a PCMH’s objectives. In addition, a medical officer from HRSA’s Office of Health IT and Quality will provide an overview of national efforts in PCHH, recognition standards of the National Committee for Quality Assurance and other organizations, and how health IT assists a provider in meeting these criteria.
Presenters include:
• Lindsay Farrell, M.B.A, FACMPE, President and CEO, Opendoor Family Medical Centers, Ossining NY
• Victor Freeman, M.D., Medical Officer, HRSA Office of Health IT and Quality
• Bill Bolt, PhD. ACMPE, CIO/Practice Administrator, Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, Walsenburg, CO
Registration Link:
http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=79856508
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
CMS Webinar: Understanding Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Programs – Eligible Professionals
Tuesday June 28, 2011
12:00 – 1:00 PM (MDT)
Target Audience: Eligible Professionals in Region VIII states: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT & WY
Registration is not required for this event. Each session will accommodate 100 participants.
Webinar: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/denverep/
(If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before, test your connection: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm)
Audio Conference Line: 877-267-1577
Conference ID: 7924
The presentation will cover:
• The Path to Payment;
• A Walkthrough of the Attestation Process;
• Troubleshooting;
• Helpful resources; and
• A Q&A Session
12:00 – 1:00 PM (MDT)
Target Audience: Eligible Professionals in Region VIII states: CO, MT, ND, SD, UT & WY
Registration is not required for this event. Each session will accommodate 100 participants.
Webinar: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/denverep/
(If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before, test your connection: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm)
Audio Conference Line: 877-267-1577
Conference ID: 7924
The presentation will cover:
• The Path to Payment;
• A Walkthrough of the Attestation Process;
• Troubleshooting;
• Helpful resources; and
• A Q&A Session
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Join Tenet Healthcare, Center for Democracy & Technology, UCLA Health Sciences, and More!
The Institute for Health Technology Transformation (iHT2) is extending a special invitation to Colorado Rural Health Center members to attend a high-level health IT summit.
The iHT2 Health IT Summit in Denver, taking place July 26-27, 2011 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown will bring together national thought leaders and decision makers addressing the most pressing issues surrounding health care and information technology. Click Here to View the Summits Website.
To see if you qualify for the promotion that includes a complimentary pass as a CRHC member, click here and use PROMO CODE: CRHC11. Please note this offer is not valid for vendors or consultants.
This offer is not available anywhere else online, and is not available to current registrants. Limited supply is available. Registration is subject to approval. Contact Matthew Raynor, matt@ihealthtran.com, 561-748-6281 to learn more.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network with over 200 health IT professionals and discuss the latest trends and challenges in Meaningful Use, ACO’s, Health Information Exchange, mHealth, Privacy & Security, and more.
The iHT2 Health IT Summit in Denver, taking place July 26-27, 2011 at the Sheraton Denver Downtown will bring together national thought leaders and decision makers addressing the most pressing issues surrounding health care and information technology. Click Here to View the Summits Website.
To see if you qualify for the promotion that includes a complimentary pass as a CRHC member, click here and use PROMO CODE: CRHC11. Please note this offer is not valid for vendors or consultants.
This offer is not available anywhere else online, and is not available to current registrants. Limited supply is available. Registration is subject to approval. Contact Matthew Raynor, matt@ihealthtran.com, 561-748-6281 to learn more.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to network with over 200 health IT professionals and discuss the latest trends and challenges in Meaningful Use, ACO’s, Health Information Exchange, mHealth, Privacy & Security, and more.
THE Consortium June Webinar: ICD-10 and 5010 and your EHR Implementation
Join us for the June Consortium webinar on Wednesday, June 15th from 12:00-1:15 pm MT where we will discuss ICD-10 and 5010 and your EHR implementation.
In January the federal government will require all providers and health plans to begin to use the new HIPAA Standard Transaction formats for electronic transactions such as claims, remittance advices and eligibility verification. There will also be new code sets including the Health Plan Identification number. Shortly after this ICD-10 becomes mandatory.
This webinar will provide the basics on these changes as well as KEY questions to ask your EHR vendors, practice management vendors, clearinghouses and other organizations to be sure they are ready. Readiness is essential to ensure you do not have cash flow problems when these changes take effect.
To register for this webinar, click here.
In January the federal government will require all providers and health plans to begin to use the new HIPAA Standard Transaction formats for electronic transactions such as claims, remittance advices and eligibility verification. There will also be new code sets including the Health Plan Identification number. Shortly after this ICD-10 becomes mandatory.
This webinar will provide the basics on these changes as well as KEY questions to ask your EHR vendors, practice management vendors, clearinghouses and other organizations to be sure they are ready. Readiness is essential to ensure you do not have cash flow problems when these changes take effect.
To register for this webinar, click here.
Monday, June 13, 2011
July 3rd marks an important deadline for eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs).
The last day that eligible hospitals and CAHs can begin their 90-day reporting period in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is July 3, 2011. For hospitals, this means that they must begin their consecutive 90-day reporting period by July 3rd if they still want to successfully demonstrate meaningful use and receive an incentive payment for FY 2011.
Resources to Help
CMS has developed some tools to help providers attest. Eligible hospitals and CAHs who have completed their reporting period can use the CMS Eligible Hospital and CAH Attestation Worksheet to log their meaningful use measures to use as a reference when attesting for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in the CMS system.
Additionally, the Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator allows eligible hospitals and CAHs to test whether or not they will successfully demonstrate meaningful use for the EHR Incentive Programs and the Attestation User Guide for Eligible Hospitals will walk eligible hospitals and CAHs through the attestation system, helping them to successfully attest to meeting meaningful use.
Looking Ahead
September 30, 2011 is the last day of the federal fiscal year, marking the end of the reporting year for eligible hospitals and CAHs. See what other important dates are coming in 2011 by reviewing CMS' Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Milestone Timeline.
If you have further questions regarding participating in the EHR Incentive Program, your eligibility or calculating your incentive payment, please contact CRHC's HIT Program Coordinator for Hospitals.
Resources to Help
CMS has developed some tools to help providers attest. Eligible hospitals and CAHs who have completed their reporting period can use the CMS Eligible Hospital and CAH Attestation Worksheet to log their meaningful use measures to use as a reference when attesting for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program in the CMS system.
Additionally, the Meaningful Use Attestation Calculator allows eligible hospitals and CAHs to test whether or not they will successfully demonstrate meaningful use for the EHR Incentive Programs and the Attestation User Guide for Eligible Hospitals will walk eligible hospitals and CAHs through the attestation system, helping them to successfully attest to meeting meaningful use.
Looking Ahead
September 30, 2011 is the last day of the federal fiscal year, marking the end of the reporting year for eligible hospitals and CAHs. See what other important dates are coming in 2011 by reviewing CMS' Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Milestone Timeline.
If you have further questions regarding participating in the EHR Incentive Program, your eligibility or calculating your incentive payment, please contact CRHC's HIT Program Coordinator for Hospitals.
Friday, June 10, 2011
5 Scholarships Now Available for the Colorado AHEC Workshop June 23 - 24
UPDATE: 5 Scholarships are being made available to CRHC members to attend this class. They are on a first come, first served basis, so please contact us if you'd like to attend!
Proactive Transitions: Thriving with EMR by Managing Change and Process Redesign
With fundamental changes taking place in healthcare, few workers or managers understand how to manage or implement change in a way that does not sacrifice efficiency, effectiveness or patient safety. Building on 30 years of application in healthcare and HIT contexts and a vast body of academic research into change effectiveness, this course teaches participants an eminently practical set of Lean Six Sigma Healthcare tools and the keys to implementing effective and long-lasting change within healthcare organizations.
In this course, participants will learn:
The Role of EMRs in Chronic Disease Management and Quality Improvement
How to Lead Healthcare Quality Improvement and Practice Redesign Efforts
Application of Core Lean Six Sigma Principles to Reducing Costs and Increasing Quality
Using Lean Six Sigma to Guide a Healthcare Facility in Attesting to Meaningful Use
Course Format: 4 hours online pre-work, 2 Days Classroom Instruction
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Education 2 North, Room P28-2303, Aurora, COWith fundamental changes taking place in healthcare, few workers or managers understand how to manage or implement change in a way that does not sacrifice efficiency, effectiveness or patient safety. Building on 30 years of application in healthcare and HIT contexts and a vast body of academic research into change effectiveness, this course teaches participants an eminently practical set of Lean Six Sigma Healthcare tools and the keys to implementing effective and long-lasting change within healthcare organizations.
In this course, participants will learn:
The Role of EMRs in Chronic Disease Management and Quality Improvement
How to Lead Healthcare Quality Improvement and Practice Redesign Efforts
Application of Core Lean Six Sigma Principles to Reducing Costs and Increasing Quality
Using Lean Six Sigma to Guide a Healthcare Facility in Attesting to Meaningful Use
Course Format: 4 hours online pre-work, 2 Days Classroom Instruction
Tuition: $185 (Includes Instruction, Materials, Breakfast & Lunch, and a Networking Dinner)
Registration: http://ahec.ucdenver.edu/hrsahit
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Colorado's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
06/13/11 - It has been confirmed that Colorado's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will NOT launch in August as previously stated on the CMS EHR Incentive Program site.
We apologize for any confusion and will let you know as soon as we have an update.
CMS announced that Colorado's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will launch in August 2011. Eligible Providers and Eligible Hospitals will be able to attest for Medicaid incentive funds by acquiring, implementing or upgrading to an ONC-certified EHR in the first year of the program.
To see the CMS list of states and their launch dates, click here. Check back for future announcements and any other important information as it becomes available.
We apologize for any confusion and will let you know as soon as we have an update.
CMS announced that Colorado's Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will launch in August 2011. Eligible Providers and Eligible Hospitals will be able to attest for Medicaid incentive funds by acquiring, implementing or upgrading to an ONC-certified EHR in the first year of the program.
To see the CMS list of states and their launch dates, click here. Check back for future announcements and any other important information as it becomes available.
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