Health Information Technology: Computers - Medical Economics | Practice Management
Medical Economics
Health Information Technology: Computers

First telehealth provider launches on the Google Health platform

October 15, 2009

Users of Google Health who have scheduled telehealth consultations with physicians or mental health therapists via MDLiveCare will be able to share medical records with their doctors before the appointments and receive records from the doctors after the appointments, thanks to a new collaboration between the two companies.

Electronic prescribing increasing in popularity

October 15, 2009

More than 140,000 (23 percent) of all office-based physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in the U.S. are now using electronic prescribing, according to Surescripts. At the current pace, the company projects, the total number of health care professionals prescribing medication electronically via its network this year will more than double from the 74,000 active electronic prescribers who used it at the end of last year.

CMS gives guidance on Medicaid incentive payments for EHRs

October 1, 2009

In order to encourage providers to adopt EHR technology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has informed state Medicaid directors that the federal government will reimburse states for 100 percent of incentive payments made to healthcare providers showing "meaningful use" of electronic health records.

MGMA calls for EHR data for PQRI

October 1, 2009

The Medical Group Management Association is asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to hasten the reporting of electronic health record data for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative P4P program, according to a letter from the organization.

ONC clarifies extension center grant program

October 1, 2009

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has published more information on its $598 million grant program to go towards 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers.

Hospital group opposes 'meaningful use' quality improvement targets

October 1, 2009

The Federation of American Hospitals sent a letter to federal health IT officials asking them to drop "meaningful use" proposals that would require healthcare providers to meet quality improvement targets in order to qualify for federal incentive payments.

Study shows medical home model increases quality of care

October 1, 2009

A one-year evaluation study from the Group Health Cooperatives demonstrates that a medical home model in conjunction with health information technology could solve the nation's primary care physician shortage.

Federal government sponsors EHR-support offices

September 18, 2009

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced in late August plans to award $598 million in grants to open as many as 70 regional offices next year to help practices adopt electronic health record systems.

HHS announces HIT Extension Program funding plan

September 10, 2009

Details of a $694-million program that will create a national extension service to help office-based physicians set up their health information technology have been announced by federal officials.

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