Health IT Issues that Deserve a Second Read – July 2024

One of the ways that Answers Media 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. We publish at least eight guest posts a week now, so in case you missed some, here are the top ten read and shared guest posts in the month of July. You can also read previous month’s Top Ten Lists. Thank you for contributing and reading.

Most Played Radio Episode in July

From PayerTalkCE – Step into the realm of groundbreaking strides in the battle against retinopathy of prematurity on this PayerTalkCE episode. Hosted by Dr. Jeff Dunn (Cooperative Benefits Group), this episode features an enlightening conversation with Dr. Edward Wood (Austin Retina Associates), an expert in pediatric retinal diseases. As they delve into the complexities of ROP—a condition that poses a significant threat to the vision of premature infants—the duo sheds light on the critical importance of timely and accurate screening, diagnosis, and intervention. With insightful discussions on the nuances of treatment options, including the pivotal role of anti-VEGF therapy and laser treatments, this episode is a must-listen for healthcare professionals striving to safeguard the vision of our youngest and most vulnerable patients.

Most Read Thought Leader Posts in July

Charting the Unknown: Reflections on the “Frontier of Health” from HFMA 2024
By Erica Olenski, Associate Vice President, FINN Partners
LinkedIn: Erica Olenski
LinkedIn: FINN Partners

The term “frontier” is potent. For some, it inspires optimism. Envision an explorer on a mountain, looking at a brilliant sunrise, surrounded by crisp air, and feeling content. For others, it evokes fear—a dark, disorienting abyss. But regardless of the emotion it stirs, “frontier” compels movement, pushing us toward future adventures. At the HFMA Annual Conference 2024 in sunny Las Vegas, “frontier” was this year’s passionate theme. Continue reading…

The “Three-Body” Problem in Healthcare: Finding Balance Among Patients, Providers, and Payers
By Christie Scanlon, a CMA and owner, Scanlon Enterprises
LinkedIn: Christie M. Scanlon, CMA

Within healthcare’s intricate landscape, a complex interplay exists among three principal entities: patients, providers, and payers. This dynamic can be likened to the “Three-Body Problem” in physics—a concept from Liu Cixin’s science fiction novel, where three celestial bodies influence each other’s gravitational pulls, creating an inherently unpredictable system. Continue reading…

Is Your RCM Ready for AI? Key Insights for Healthcare Leaders
By Spencer Allee, Chief AI Officer, Aspirion
LinkedIn: Spencer Allee-Yeh
LinkedIn: Aspirion

The next frontier in revenue cycle management (RCM) is here—denials prevention, resolution, and recovery powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning. The best chance hospitals and health systems have to combat growing numbers of denials is to implement AI in their denials management workflows. Here are five considerations any health system should bear in mind when exploring AI solutions: Continue reading…

Older Women Are Different Than Older Men. Their Health Is Woefully Understudied.
By Judith Graham, KFF Health News
LinkedIn: Judith Graham
LinkedIn: @KFFHealthNews

Medical research has shortchanged women for decades. This is particularly true of older women, leaving physicians without critically important information about how to best manage their health. Late last year, the Biden administration promised to address this problem with a new effort called the White House Initiative on Women’s Health Research. That inspires a compelling question: What priorities should be on the initiative’s list when it comes to older women? Continue reading…

Raising the Bar on Interoperability: A Decade of Data Show that “Sometimes” Isn’t Good Enough
By Jordan Everson, Wes Barker and Meghan Gabriel, ONC
LinkedIn: Jordan Everson
LinkedIn: Wes Barker
LinkedIn: ONC

A decade ago, as EHRs were rapidly implemented across the country, ONC sought to make sure these newly implemented technologies were interoperable. Since 2014, ONC has tracked progress toward widespread interoperability among hospitals and physicians by measuring their engagement in four domains of health information exchange: electronically finding, sending, receiving, and integrating patient health information. Continue reading…

Cybersecurity Compliance Check-Up
By Art Gross, President and CEO, HIPAA Secure Now!
LinkedIn: Art Gross
LinkedIn: HIPAA Secure Now!

As a healthcare leader, you know that protecting patient data and ensuring cybersecurity compliance is a never-ending battle. Cyber threats are constantly evolving, and regulations are frequently updated to address new risks. Staying on top of compliance requirements is crucial for avoiding costly penalties, maintaining patient trust, and safeguarding your organization’s reputation. Continue reading…

5 Ways Artificial Intelligence Can Heal Healthcare
By Dr. Amy Bucher, Chief Behavioral Officer, Lirio
LinkedIn: Amy Bucher
LinkedIn: Lirio

Depending on who you ask, artificial intelligence is either the savior of healthcare or its assassin. Both perspectives are exaggerated. In reality, AI is a set of tools that, like any other, require careful implementation and oversight to successfully support the objectives of patients, providers, systems and other entities in the healthcare ecosystem. Moreover, AI is a broad and deep category of applications suited to multiple purposes. Continue reading…

Unraveling the Financial Ramifications of MSSP ACO Reporting
By James Pelletier, National Director of Provider Quality, MRO
LinkedIn: James Pelletier
LinkedIn: MRO

In the dynamic landscape of healthcare, where quality care and cost-effectiveness are paramount, initiatives like the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) play a pivotal role. As healthcare providers strive to deliver better outcomes while managing costs, understanding the financial implications of MSSP Accountable Care Organization reporting becomes essential. Continue reading…

Clark on Connecting: When an Acquaintance Becomes a Bestie
By Susan Clark, Senior Director of Program Development, DirectTrust
LinkedIn: Susan Clark
Clark on Connecting

I met a man in a bar. No, it wasn’t that kind of meeting. Rather, it was a networking event at a piano bar during a healthcare conference about five years ago. I was an attendee, and his cybersecurity company was one of the sponsors of the event. Although the prospect of an immediate business connection seemed remote, we exchanged details on LinkedIn and kept in casual contact over the years. Continue reading…

AHRQ and CDS: Building the Bridge to Evidence-based Medicine
By Edwin Lomotan, M.D., James Swiger, M.B.E., and Dean F. Sittig, Ph.D., AHRQ
LinkedIn: Edwin Lomotan
LinkedIn: James L. Swiger
LinkedIn: Dean Sittig
LinkedIn: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Clinical decision support has emerged as an important tool to improve the quality and safety of patient care. Not coincidentally, CDS has been a consistent focal point for AHRQ’s Digital Healthcare Research Program. CDS harnesses the use of technology in healthcare decision-making to provide the right information to the right people at the right times in the right format, and it’s built on the understanding that the capacity to collect, transmit, and interpret enormous amounts of data can get the most current science into the hands of those who need it. Continue reading…