By Jonathan Krasner – On April 27, CMS came out with a proposed rule on how physicians will get paid under MACRA. The new system is premised on tying physician payments to quality and value, and is directly related to the Triple Aim of providing better care, lower costs, and improved health.
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By Robert Rowley MD – A recent article by The Commonwealth Fund raises the question of being able to use smartphone apps to get real-time, accurate and personalized guidance for health concerns. While one can envision the convenience, affordability and peace of mind that would result from their use, such services face a number of hurdles before they become reality.
The HITECH Act awarded grants for HIT Regional Extension Centers and a national HIT Research Center. A total of 62 awards were granted. As the goals and the programs have been achieved, many of the centers are changing directions or closing all together. Here is news on centers that are closing.
By Matt Fisher – Mobile apps are a topic of frequent discussion in the healthcare field these days. Questions include what regulatory requirements apply, are the apps trustworthy, is information kept safe and secure, and others. The question of what regulations apply in particular leaves many confused and uncertain as to what needs to be done.
One of the ways that HITECH Answers is different from other media sites is the sense of community. The thought leaders in our community are good about sharing their thoughts on the issues of today. Here are the top read and shared guest posts of April.
By Bob Grant – Understanding the regulatory requirements that govern the use and disclosure of protected health information (PHI) is essential for health care professionals operating across the country. However, federal HIPAA regulation only accounts for a portion of those requirements.
HIE is happening every minute of every day. Your personal health information is moving and being viewed to improve the quality of your healthcare and lower the costs. Here’s what’s happening to make that reality – ONC interoperability pledge, new members join CommonWell, imaging centers connected to CORHIO.
By Susannah Fox – How many times have we heard people say, “If we could put a man on the moon, we can fix XYZ health care problem”? Or: “Hey, it’s not rocket science, right?” So, when I met Dava Newman, the Deputy Administrator at NASA, and began a conversation with her about innovation at our agencies, I was eager to learn how to apply their famous “horizon mission” spirit to health and human services.
By Terry Hayes – It’s easy for patients to feel lost in our healthcare system. Between multiple doctors, nurses in and out of exam rooms, tests, re-tests, a handful of prescriptions—not to mention the complex web of how to actually pay for care—patients can feel like they’re caught in a convoluted situation, with rules they don’t understand.