Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Updated Information on CQM: NQF # 0084: Heart Failure: Warfarin Therapy Patients with Atrial Fibrillation

CMS suggests eligible professionals participating in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs not select NQF 0084: Heart Failure: Warfarin Therapy Patients with Atrial Fibrillation as one of their additional clinical quality measures (CQMs) for meaningful use. As there are other FDA-approved medications available for use as an anticoagulant, CMS suggests this measure not be selected as one of the measures reported for the CQM objective.

CMS does not expect eligible professionals to change their certified EHR systems or purchase another system to replace this measure. Eligible professionals may continue to report NQF 0084 for the 2011-2012 program years if their certified EHR system uses a module that is only certified for nine CQMs with this measure included as one of the nine.

To view all 44 clinical quality measure specifications, please download the EP Measure Specifications Zip file.

Additionally, the Guide to Clinical Quality Measures provides an overview of CQMs, how to choose the appropriate CQMs for meaningful use, and how CQMs are reported during attestation.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

5010 HIPAA: 90 day Enforcement Discretion Period

Last week, CMS announced a “90 day Enforcement Discretion Period” related to the 5010 HIPAA standard transactions.

It is important to note that this is not delaying the federally mandated start date of January 1, 2012! However, it does give CMS the ability to enforce compliance in the first 90 days of 2011. You are required to continue “working …to become compliant with the new HIPAA standards..”

With this announcement we also strongly encourage all covered entities to determine how they must set up their software to allow generation of 5010 transactions for those payers who are ready on January 1st, and still allow 4010a transactions for non ready payers.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services Announces 90-Day Period of Enforcement Discretion for Compliance with New HIPAA Transaction Standards

Today the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS)announced that it would not initiate enforcement action until March 31, 2012, with respect to any HIPAA covered entity that is not in compliance with the ASC X12 Version 5010 (Version 5010), NCPDP Telecom D.0 (NCPDP D.0) and NCPDP Medicaid Subrogation 3.0 (NCPDP 3.0) standards. Notwithstanding OESS’ discretionary application of its enforcement authority, the compliance date for use of these new standards remains January 1, 2012 (small health plans have until January 1, 2013 to comply with NCPDP 3.0).

CMS’ Office of E-Health Standards and Services is the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ component that enforces compliance with HIPAA transaction and code set standards.

OESS encourages all covered entities to continue working with their trading partners to become compliant with the new HIPAA standards, and to determine their readiness to accept the new standards as of January 1, 2012. While enforcement action will not be taken, OESS will continue to accept complaints associated with compliance with Version 5010, NCPDP D.0 and NCPDP 3.0 transaction standards during the 90-day period beginning January 1, 2012. If requested by OESS, covered entities that are the subject of complaints (known as “filed-against entities”) must produce evidence of either compliance or a good faith effort to become compliant with the new HIPAA standards during the 90-day period. OESS made the decision for a discretionary enforcement period based on industry feedback revealing that, with only about 45 days remaining before the January 1, 2012 compliance date, testing between some covered entities and their trading partners has not yet reached a threshold whereby a majority of covered entities would be able to be in compliance by January 1. Feedback indicates that the number of submitters, the volume of transactions, and other testing data used as indicators of the industry’s readiness to comply with the new standards have been low across some industry sectors. OESS has also received reports that many covered entities are still awaiting software upgrades.

Version 5010, NCPDP Telecom D.0 and NCPDP Medicaid Subrogation 3.0 standards represent significant improvement over the current standard versions. NCPDP Telecom D.0 addresses certain pharmacy industry needs. NCPDP Medicaid Subrogation 3.0 allows state Medicaid programs to recoup payments for pharmacy services in cases where a third party payer has primary financial responsibility. Version 5010 in particular provides more functionality for transactions such as eligibility requests and health care claims status Implementation of Version 5010 also is a prerequisite for using the updated ICD-10 CM diagnosis and ICD-10-PCS inpatient procedure code set in electronic health care transactions effective October 1, 2013.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Training Opportunity: ICD-10: The Key to a Successful Transition

Presented by:
The Association of Rural Health Professional Coders

One-day training workshops for Colorado CAHs & Rural Hospitals
- FY2011 SHIP grant participants: FREE (unlimited number of attendees)
- Non-SHIP hospitals/CRHC Members: $49 per attendee
- Non-SHIP hospitals/Non- CRHC Members: $99 per attendee

February 21 - location tbd
February 22 - CRHC Office – Aurora, CO
February 23, 2012 - location tbd

Workshop Objectives:
· Demonstrate the conversion from ICD-9-CM to ICD-10 for the three most common inpatient diagnostic cases for all short term and acute care and critical access hospitals
· Gain an understanding of the productivity and documentation issues in the conversion
· Gain an understanding of the budget dollars needed to be incorporated into the hospital’s strategic plan
· Planning for your transition: budget, training, staffing, etc.

Workshop includes:
- Printed course materials
- CEUs available for each participant
- 1 year membership to the Association of Rural Health Professional Coders (ARHPC) for each participant – i.e. access to consultants/specialists to answer your questions

Who should attend:
- Everyone throughout the hospital who needs to know about the changes from ICD-9 to ICD-10 and the impacts it can have on your organization

For more information contact Danette Swanson; 303-577-0357; ds@coruralhealth.org
To register – contact Courtnay Ryan; 303-309-6807; cr@coruralhealth.org

CRHC is the recipient of the Federal HRSA Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) Grant: CFDA 93.301; Award 6 H3HRH00038-10-01

Thursday, November 17, 2011

HRSA Webinar: Tips for Using Your Health IT System for Population Health Management

Friday, November 18, 12pm MST

Health IT systems are proving to be a valuable tool in managing population health. This webinar provides tips and examples from experts on how to use your health information technology (IT) system to achieve this.

By focusing on the health of a community or population, providers can determine what risks or variables are affecting the public health of the community as a whole. Health IT systems can collect patient health data, allowing safety net providers to view health information across their entire patient population to achieve greater health outcomes. Presenters will provide examples of how health IT systems are used for managing population health within their communities to improve health outcomes.

Presenters:
• Richard Elmore, Office of National Coordinator for Health IT
• Staff from Maine Primary Care Association
• Staff from Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
• Staff from Finger Lakes Community Health

To register: http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=77303712

Email questions or comments to HRSA’s Health IT mailbox at: healthit@hrsa.gov

Previous HRSA Health and Quality Webinars are available at: http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

THE Consortium November Webinar: 5010 Readiness & Medicaid Incentive Program Update

Join us for the November Consortium webinar, 5010 Readiness & Medicaid Incentive Program Update on Thursday, November 17th from 12:00pm-1:15pm MT where we will update you on the Medicaid Incentive Program for Colorado and where we will help you get ready for 5010.

5010 transactions will be upon us in less than six weeks and for some providers could result in significant cash flow problems. This webinar (a repeat of one we did earlier) will give you tools and information to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

To register, click here.

EHR System Helps Improve the Quality of Care for Patients

An Interview with Dr. Karen Smith

A physician since 1989, Dr. Karen Smith runs a one-physician family medicine practice in Raeford, NC. She credits her electronic health record (EHR) with allowing her to deliver quality care in a rural setting – and to do it so efficiently that she still has time to be a wife and mother. ONC talked to Dr. Smith about how she uses her EHR system to care for her patients—whether she’s working in the office, supervising laundry detail at home, or traveling out of state. She is also one of the providers featured in ONC’s series of print ads highlighting key MUVers – Meaningful Use Vanguards – who have adopted certified EHR technology.

To read the entire interview, click here.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

HRSA Webinar: Tips for Using Your Health IT System for Population Health Management

Health IT systems are proving to be a valuable tool in managing population health. This webinar provides tips and examples from experts on how to use your health information technology (IT) system to achieve this.

By focusing on the health of a community or population, providers can determine what risks or variables are affecting the public health of the community as a whole. Health IT systems can collect patient health data, allowing safety net providers to view health information across their entire patient population to achieve greater health outcomes. Presenters will provide examples of how health IT systems are used for managing population health within their communities to improve health outcomes.

Presenters:
• Richard Elmore, Office of National Coordinator for Health IT
• Staff from Maine Primary Care Association
• Staff from Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations (AAPCHO)
• Staff from Finger Lakes Community Health

To register: http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=77303712
Email questions or comments to HRSA’s Health IT mailbox at: healthit@hrsa.gov

Previous HRSA Health and Quality Webinars are available at: http://www.hrsa.gov/healthit

Version 5010 and ICD-10: Closer than you think

Please join the Rural Assistance Center for a free webinar.

Webinar Title: Version 5010 and ICD-10: Closer than you think
Date: Tuesday, November, 15, 2011
Time: 1:00pm Mountain

Featured Speakers:
• Christi Dant, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Bill Finerfrock, National Association of Rural Health Clinics

Major changes are coming to electronic health care transactions and diagnosis and procedure codes. Version 5010 is the new standard covered entities must use for HIPAA electronic transactions beginning January 1, 2012, and a transition to ICD-10 codes will happen on October 1, 2013. These changes go far beyond IT systems and will substantially affect clinical, administrative and business operations.

In this webinar, Christi Dant of the CMS Office of E-Health Standards & Services, along with Bill Finerfrock of the National Association of Rural Health Clinics, will explain what you need to know in making the transition to these new requirements, from the provider and the facility perspectives. They will also discuss advantages these new requirements offer over previous transaction versions and ICD codes.

Slides for this presentation will be available on the RAC website prior to the start of the webinar.

Registration: Visit www.raconline.org/contact/register.php to register. Please note, there are a limited number of seats available; however, we hope to make a recording available on our website after the live event. This webinar is free. A phone connection and high-speed internet are required to participate. Connection details will be e-mailed to you prior to the event.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Save Money on IT Implementation and Ongoing Support Through DASH! Take Our Survey Today!

DASH, Data Services for Healthcare, was voted on last week at the CAH Workshop as the name of the organization being developed through HRSA funding to support IT in rural hospitals and clinics. Spanish Peaks Regional Medical Center and CRHC, in partnership with four other hospitals, are currently spearheading the development of DASH which will function in a cooperative manner to reduce the high cost of implementing and maintaining IT systems in each facility. DASH services are currently being developed and we need input from each facility to gauge interest and help us prioritize service development.

Please take this brief survey by November 11th to inform us of your interest in participating.

Monday, November 7, 2011

November 30 is the Last Day for Eligible Hospitals and Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) to Register and Attest for an Incentive Payment for FY 2011

Eligible hospitals and CAHs have 60 days after the end of the fiscal year to submit their attestation for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. The last day that eligible hospitals and CAHs can register and attest for fiscal year (FY) 2011 is November 30, 2011.

For eligible hospitals and CAHs, this means that they must successfully register and then attest to demonstrating meaningful use by this date in order to receive an incentive payment for FY 2011.

Note, in order to attest, you must have begun your 90-day reporting period on or before July 3, 2011. Registration will be open after November 30th for eligible hospitals and CAHs who wish to register for a 2012 payment.

CMS encourages eligible hospitals and CAHs not to miss the deadline to attest for an incentive payment for FY 2011.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact CRHC .

Registration Resources

To help eligible hospitals and CAHs with registration, CMS has created a Registration User Guide for Eligible Hospitals and CAHs. Additionally, eligible hospitals and CAHs can view the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Webinar for Eligible Hospitals and CAHs, which walks hospitals through the registration process.

Webinar: Business of Telemedicine & Sustainability

The practice and deliver of healthcare is changing, with an emphasis on improving quality, safety, efficiency, and access to care. Telemedicine can help you achieve these goals.

The University of Arizone Rural Health Office and the Southwest Telehealth Resource Center invite you to a free webinar on the implementation and practice of telemedicine.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MST

For more information, click here.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

UPDATE: CMS Webinar Series on the EHR Incentive Program

The date of the November webinar has been moved to November 29th.

The CMS Kansas City Regional Office, in collaboration with the CMS Denver Regional office, is pleased to announce a series of three Webinars / Teleconferences pertaining to the Electronic Health Records Incentive Program:

• 10/25/2011: Overview of the Medicare & Medicaid Incentive Program
• 10/26/2011: Understanding Registration & Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program
• 11/29/2011: Understanding the Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records

Target Audience: Eligible Professionals, Eligible Hospitals and CAHs in the following states: CO, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, SD, UT & WY

You may participate in as many sessions as you choose. Each session will begin with a brief presentation followed by ample time for participants to ask questions. Registration is not required. Each session will accommodate 100 webinar participants and 200 teleconference participants on a first come, first served basis.

Overview of the Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Program
Tuesday - October 25, 2011 – 4:00-5:00 PM (MT) / 5:00-6:00 PM (CT)
Webinar: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/ehr-general/
Audio Conference Line: 800-603-1774
Meeting ID: 17251278

Understanding Registration and Attestation for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program
Wednesday - October 26, 2011 – 7:00-8:00 AM (MT) / 8:00-9:00 AM (CT)
Webinar: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/ehr-regattest/
Audio Conference Line: 800-602-1774
Meeting ID: 17254385

Understanding the Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records
Friday - November 29, 2011 – 12:00-1:00 PM (MT) / 1:00-2:00 PM (CT)
Webinar: https://webinar.cms.hhs.gov/ehr-mu/
Audio Conference Line: 800-603-1774
Meeting ID: 17255798