HRSA Webinar: Overview of Meaningful Use Stage 2 NPRM for Safety Net Providers

Friday March 30, 2012, 12:00 pm (MDT)

In February 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed criteria for Stage 2 of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program.

This exclusive webinar will feature lead staff from CMS who will provide an overview of the Meaningful Use Stage II Proposed Rule, released in February with comments due in April.  Staff will also be available to address specific questions from safety net providers. HRSA encourages all safety net providers to participate in this call to learn more about this proposed rule.

To register: http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=71352785

The webinars are sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration, Office of Health Information Technology and Quality. 

National Provider Call: Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Basics for Eligible Professionals

Registration Now Open

Thu Mar 29; 3-4:30pm ET

As of Tue Jan 31, more than $3.2 billion in Medicare and Medicaid electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments have been made; more than 191,000 eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals are actively registered.  Learn if you are eligible and, if so, what you need to do to earn an incentive.  This session will inform individual practitioners about the basics of the Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.  Remember: This is the last year that eligible professionals can participate in Medicare and get the maximum incentive payment.

Target Audience:  Eligible Professionals (EPs), which include Doctors of Medicine or Osteopathy, Doctors of Dental Surgery or Dental Medicine, Doctors of Podiatric Medicine, Doctors of Optometry, Chiropractors, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Midwives, and Physician Assistants (PA) who practice at an FQHC/RHC led by a PA.  (Note that hospital-based EP’s may not participate; an EP is considered hospital-based if 90% or more of the EP’s services are performed in a hospital inpatient or emergency room setting.)  Medicaid eligible professionals must meet patient-volume criteria, providing services to those attributable to Medicaid or, in some cases, needy individuals.)

Agenda:

• Are you eligible?
• How much are the incentives and how are they calculated?
• How do you get started?
• What are major milestones regarding participation and payment?
• How do you report on meaningful use?
• Where can you find helpful resources?
• Question and Answer Session

Registration Information:  In order to receive call-in information, you must register for the call at http://www.eventsvc.com/blhtechnologies.  Registration will close at 12pm on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early.

Presentation:  The presentation for this call will be posted at least one day beforehand at http://www.CMS.gov/NPC/Calls.  In addition, the presentation will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the call.

THE Consortium March Webinar: Medicaid Update, Medicare Fraud & Abuse Plan Updates

Please join us for THE Consortium webinar on Thursday, March 22, 2012 from 12:00pm - 1:15pm. Subject: Medicaid Update, Medicare Fraud and Abuse Plan Updates post-EHR and a brief Meaningful Use Stage 2 Update


This webinar will include:


How to update your plan, what to look for and how this relates to RAC audits
Update on the Colorado Medicaid incentive program Registration & Attestation system
Overview of the Meaningful Use Stage 2 NPRM


To register for this webinar, click here

Have you registered for the 2012 Forum?

Our annual event brought to you by the Colorado Rural Health Center and ClinicNET is just around the corner. Join us April 11th - 13th at the Sheraton Denver West in Lakewood, Colorado and participate in the numerous education, training and networking opportunities available to you.

The agenda is now posted for this years exciting event - check it out and register today!! To register please visit our website or contact Courtnay Ryan at cr@coruralhealth.org. See you there!

CMS Announces Extension of Enforcement Discretion Period for Updated HIPAA Transaction Standards Through June 30, 2012

In an announcement, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) said it will not initiate enforcement action against any non-compliant entities for an additional three (3) months, through June 30, 2012, for updated HIPAA transaction standards (ASC X12 Version 5010, NCPDP Versions D.0 and 3.0). Details on the announcement can be found below.

Extension of Enforcement Discretion Period for Updated HIPAA transaction standards through June 30, 2012

March 15, 2012. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Office of E-Health Standards and Services (OESS) is announcing that it will not initiate enforcement action for an additional three (3) months, through June 30, 2012, against any covered entity that is required to comply with the updated transactions standards adopted under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA): ASC X12 Version 5010 and NCPDP Versions D.0 and 3.0.

On November 17, 2011, OESS announced that, for a 90-day period, it would not initiate enforcement action against any covered entity that was not compliant with the updated versions of the standards by the January 1, 2012 compliance date. This was referred to as enforcement discretion, and during this period, covered entities were encouraged to complete outstanding implementation activities including software installation, testing and training.

Health plans, clearinghouses, providers and software vendors have been making steady progress: the Medicare Fee-for-Service (FFS) program is currently reporting successful receipt and processing of over 70 percent of all Part A claims and over 90 percent of all Part B claims in the Version 5010 format. Commercial plans are reporting similar numbers. State Medicaid agencies are showing progress as well, and some have made a full transition to Version 5010.

Covered entities are making similar progress with Version D.0. At the same time, OESS is aware that there are still a number of outstanding issues and challenges impeding full implementation. OESS believes that these remaining issues warrant an extension of enforcement discretion to ensure that all entities can complete the transition. OESS expects that transition statistics will reach 98 percent industry wide by the end of the enforcement discretion period.

Given that OESS will not initiate enforcement actions through June 30, 2012, industry is urged to collaborate more closely on appropriate strategies to resolve remaining problems. OESS is stepping up its existing outreach to include more technical assistance for covered entities. OESS is also partnering with several industry groups as well as Medicare FFS and Medicaid to expand technical assistance opportunities and eliminate remaining barriers. Details will be provided in a separate communication.

The Medicare FFS program will continue to host separate provider calls to address outstanding issues related to Medicare programs and systems. The Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) will continue to work closely with clearinghouses, billing vendors or health care providers requiring assistance in submitting and receiving Version 5010 compliant transactions. If any entity is experiencing difficulty reaching a MAC, please contact Karen Jackson at Karen.Jackson1@cms.hhs.gov.

The Medicaid program staff at CMS will continue to work with individual States regarding their program readiness. Issues related to implementation problems with the States may be sent to Medicaid5010@cms.hhs.gov.

OESS strongly encourages industry to come together in a collaborative, unified way to identify and resolve all outstanding issues that are impacting full compliance, and looks forward to seeing extensive engagement in the technical assistance initiative to be launched over the next few weeks.

Ensure a Smooth Version 5010 Upgrade: Use CMS’ Online Resources

The Version 5010 upgrade deadline was January 1, 2012. However, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) initiated an enforcement discretion period to give everyone covered by HIPAA additional time to complete testing and meet compliance. You should be finalizing your upgrade to Version 5010 if you have not yet done so.

CMS is committed to helping you successfully upgrade to Version 5010 by providing resources on the CMS ICD-10 website to understand and manage your upgrade. Take a look at the Version 5010 section of the CMS ICD-10 website to find out more about the upgrade and see the available resources.

CMS has also created several helpful fact sheets on Version 5010, which include:

• Version 5010, D.0 and 3.0 Basics, a fact sheet providing an overview of Version 5010, D.0, and 3.0.
• FAQS: Versions 5010 and D.0 Basics, which lists many frequently asked questions about the Version 5010 upgrade.
• Version 5010 Testing Readiness Fact Sheet, explaining the Version 5010 upgrade and necessary Phase I Internal and Phase II External testing.
• Version 5010: Ensuring a Smooth Transition Fact Sheet, which provides steps to assist your upgrade to Version 5010.

Keep Up to Date on Version 5010 and ICD-10.

Please visit the ICD-10 website for the latest news and resources to help you prepare, and to download and share the implementation widget today!

Upcoming HRSA March Health IT & Quality Webinars

1)       “Using Health IT for Patient Safety,” Friday March 23, 2012, 2:00 pm (ET)

This webinar will highlight how health information technology (IT) can be used in safety net provider settings to increase patient safety.  Each year it is estimated that 100,000 patients die from medical errors.  The presenters will showcase their use of health IT to decrease drug errors through medication reconciliation, prevent adverse drug events, and increase patient safety through care coordination across settings.

To register: http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=24836367 

2)      “Overview of Meaningful Use Stage 2 NPRM for Safety Net Providers,” Friday March 30, 2012, 2:00 pm (ET) 

In February 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed criteria for Stage 2 of the CMS Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program.

This exclusive webinar will feature lead staff from CMS who will provide an overview of the Meaningful Use Stage II Proposed Rule, released in February with comments due in April.  Staff will also be available to address specific questions from safety net providers. HRSA encourages all safety net providers to participate in this call to learn more about this proposed rule.

To register: http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=71352785

FREE LOINC Education and Training Session!!

For Colorado hospital leader, IT staff & Lab staff --

In partnership with the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA), the Colorado Rural Health Center (CRHC), Quality Health Network (QHN) and the Colorado Regional Health Information Organization (CORHIO), the Laboratory Interoperability Cooperative (LIC) is pleased to invite you to a free LOINC education and training session for Colorado hospitals.
At this workshop you will:

• Learn to map LOINC codes to your local data dictionary.
• Gain important skills to meet the Meaningful Use criteria for Electronic Lab Reporting (ELR) to public health agencies.
• Access online tools, resources and support through LIC participant portal.

For more information and to register, please click here

Keeping your Regional Extension Center Engaged in the Meaningful Use Process

As a Critical Access Hospital (CAH), keeping your Regional Extension Center (REC) engaged as you attest to Meaningful Use will not only save you time but it may help increase your likelihood of receiving your full Incentive Payment.

As one of the RECs in Colorado, CRHC has been working with the CAHs statewide and is in a unique position to help you review your submission letter from CMS and follow up correspondence from Trailblazers and address each required submission, ensuring the chances of receiving your full Incentive Payment.

Join CMS for a National Provider Call on the Proposed Rule for Stage 2

CMS is holding a National Provider Call on Monday, March 12, from 10:30 – 12:00 pm MDT for eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) to provide an overview of the proposed rule for Stage 2 for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.

More than $3.2 billion in Medicare and Medicaid incentive payments have been made since the program began last year, and more than 191,000 EPs, eligible hospitals, and CAHs are actively registered for the incentive programs.  On Thursday, February 23, CMS announced a proposed rule for Stage 2 meaningful use requirements and other changes to the EHR Incentive Programs, which was officially published on Wednesday, March 7.

The call on the new NPRM will cover:

• The extension of Stage 1 meaningful use
• Changes to Stage 1 criteria for meaningful use
• Proposed Medicaid policies
• A Stage 2 meaningful Use overview
• Stage 2 clinical quality measures
• Medicare payment adjustments and exceptions
• Question and answers about the incentive programs (note that we cannot answer questions on the rule beyond what is proposed)

Registration Information:
In order to receive the call-in information, you must register for the call. Registration will close at 12pm on the day of the call or when available space has been filled; no exceptions will be made, so please register early. 

The presentation for this call will be posted at least one day beforehand. In addition, the presentation will be emailed to all registrants on the day of the call.

Important Reminder-Medicaid EHR incentives and Medicaid ID

This week we announced that eligible professionals and hopsitals can now register and attest for Medicaid incentives, if they qualify. The first year’s incentive is merely based on “AIU” or acquire, implement or upgrade to a Certified EHR system and not demonstrating the need for 90 days of meaningful use reporting. This incentive option is available to as long as you qualify and have not already attested for Medicare (in which case you will need to demonstrate to Medicaid a 90 day meaningful use.

Every provider who wants to register and attest for Medicaid EHR incentives must have an Active Medicaid participating provider ID. This could affect some of our rural health clinics or practices who employ a nurse practitioner and have not billed for that individual separately (and thus do not have an Active Medicaid ID). It can take 4-6 weeks for HCPF to issue an ID which could delay registration and attestation.

We want to remind our blog readers that their Colorado Rural Health Center/ClinicNet Regional Extension Center (REC) team member can help you with the Medicaid attestation.

The Medicare eRX Program and Rural Health Clinics

Recently, there has been some confusion about the Medicare eRX program and the incentives / penalties. For RHC physicians, they are exempt from this since Medicare does not take into account the place of service code 72 on the Claim that indicates an RHC.

Thus RHC providers are exempt from both the incentive and the penalty.

To the degree they are ePrescribers via their EHR along with the other Meaningful Use criteria, RHC physicians will of course get the Meaningful Use incentive.

For any non-certified RHCs, physicians will need to continue to report G-codes to Medicare for the scripts that are sent electronically.

To view CMS' information on the eRX program, click here.

New HRSA HIT and Quality Webinars

Registration is now open for two health information technology (IT) and quality webinars in March sponsored by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA):

·         “Using Health IT for Patient Safety”

Friday, March 23, 2:00 PM (ET)  Click here to register:

http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=24836367

·         “Overview of Meaningful Use Stage 2 NPRM for Safety Net Providers”

Friday, March 30, 2:00 PM (ET)  Click here to register:

http://webcast.streamlogics.com/audience/index.asp?eventid=71352785

Colorado's Medicaid Incentive Program Registration & Attestation Site Now Open!

HCPF has formally released their Registration and Attestation system and website. This will allow any eligible professional or hospital who qualifies for the Medicaid EHR Incentive to register and then attest for the first payment year.

As you know, the first payment year is based on “AIU” or if you have acquired, implemented, or upgraded to a Certified EHR.

For REC participants working with CRHC, we have most likely been discussing the timing of your registration and attestation and is prepared to assist you in the process. We are in the process of learning how the registration and attestation system works-we should be ready to assist qualified clinics/hospitals by the end of this week.

To view the R&A site, click here. It has some very valuable tools that will help you determine eligibility and a checklist of the items you'll need to prepare before Registration.

If you qualify for Medicaid and have previously registered for incentives on the CMS site, please be sure that you register for the Medicaid incentive (many of you registered last year when the CMS site only offered one option-Medicare). It takes 24 hours for the change (or if you are a hospital, adding Medicaid along with Medicare) on the CMS registration site to pass through to the HCPF site.

CMS Has New FAQS for You on Meaningful Use and Attestation

CMS wants to help keep you updated with information on the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. CMS has recently added five new FAQs on meaningful use and attestation. Take a minute and review them below:

1. For meaningful use objectives of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs that require a provider to test the transfer of data, such as "capability to exchange key clinical information" and testing submission of data to public health agencies, can the eligible professional (EP), eligible hospital or critical access hospital (CAH) conduct the test from a test environment or test domain of its certified EHR technology in order to satisfy the measures of these objectives? Read the answer.

2. For meaningful use objectives of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs that require a provider to test the transfer of data, such as "capability to exchange key clinical information" and testing submission of data to public health agencies, if multiple eligible professionals (EPs) are using the same certified EHR technology across several physical locations, can a single test serve to meet the measures of these objectives? Read the answer.

3. For the meaningful use objective of "provide summary care record for each transition of care or referral " for the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, should transitions of care between eligible professionals (EPs) within the same practice who share certified EHR technology be included in the numerator or denominator of the measure? Read the answer.

4. For the “Incorporate clinical lab-test results” menu objective of the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, how should a provider attest if the numerator displayed by their certified EHR technology is larger than the denominator? Read the answer.

5. How can I change my attestation information after I have attested and/or received an incentive payment under the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program? Read the answer.