By mandating the use of health information technology (HIT), policy makers hope to reduce health care cost, improve quality and increase care coordination. The Society’s HIT Background Information page provides a broad overview of the current federal mandates related to HIT.
2011
Medicare eRx Payment Adjustment Alert: November 1 Deadline Approaching (10/18/2011) — The Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program final rule mandates that eligible professionals must submit electronic prescriptions in 2011 to avoid penalties in subsequent years. To avoid these payment adjustments, eligible physicians must submit a significant hardship exemption request by November 1, 2011. Learn more »
2011 E-Rx Incentive Program Final Rule Published (09/31/2011) — On August 31, the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced a final rule that changes the Medicare Electronic Prescribing (eRx) Incentive Program for calendar year 2011, including eligibility requirements and exemptions. Learn more »
Comments on Stage 2 Meaningful Use Criteria (3/1/2011) — The Heart Rhythm Society, as a member of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, has provided feedback on the Health Information Technology Policy Committee’s proposed set of requirements for Stages 2 and 3 of the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, expressing concerns that specialty medicine is at a disadvantage in implementation. Learn more »
Permanent HIT Certification Process Announced — Application to Certify New Health Information Technology Due March 8, 2011 (2/28/2011) — The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has announced a new permanent certification program for health information technology, which provides new features that will enhance the certification of health information technology. These features include increasing the comprehensiveness, transparency, reliability, and efficiency of the current processes used for the certification of electronic health record (EHR) technology. Meaningful use of “Certified EHR Technology” is a core requirement for eligible health care providers who seek to qualify to receive incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Programs as authorized by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Learn more »
Registration Open for Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program (1/12/2011) — Registration for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program is now available online. Eligible professionals must register to participate in the program, which makes incentive payments available to those who adopt certified EHR technology and successfully demonstrate "meaningful use" in ways that improve quality, safety and effectiveness of patient-centered care. The reporting period for the first year of participation is any 90 continuous days during the calendar year, beginning with 2011. Learn more »
2010
The Society Attends HHS Meaningful Use Workgroup (12/15/2010) — The Meaningful Use Workgroup met to discuss the most recent round of guidelines on electronic health records, which are to be proposed to the Health Information Technology (HIT) Policy Committee at the Department of Health and Human Services. Discussion defined "meaningful use" — objectives that providers must meet and the technical capabilities required for certified electronic health records (EHR) technology to qualify for bonus and incentive payments in the short and long-term. The Workgroup also focused on the ways in which EHRs can support meaningful use and how providers can demonstrate it. The Society attended this hearing to follow the evolving recommendations and learn how these changing definitions and standards may affect our members. Learn more »
CMS Announces Final Rules to Support Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records (07/16/2010) — CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology have released "meaningful use" regulations. These regulations implement the provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals participating in the Medicare and Medicaid programs that adopt and meaningfully use certified electronic health record (EHR) technology. Learn more »
EMRs and Interoperable EP Systems (04/02/2010) — This article, written by Fred Kusomoto, MD, FHRS and posted on the Society’s blog EP Insights provides an overview of the Society’s initiatives related to Health Information Technology. Learn more »
Society Comments on CMS’ Proposed Plan for HIT Adoption (03/19/2010) — In response to CMS’ proposed rule defining plans for Health Information Technology (HIT) system adoption, the Society sent a letter commenting that despite CMS’ three-stage implementation plan, the timeframe is overly ambitious and does not accurately reflect the health care industry’s readiness. Learn more »
2009
Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act (07/01/2009) — In order to help small practices comply with the health IT adoption requirement, Rep. Kathleen Dahlkemper (D-PA), Chair of the Regulations, Healthcare and Trade Subcommittee of the House Small Business Committee, has introduced the “Small Business Health Information Technology Financing Act” (H.R. 3014). This legislation would create a new loan program for the purchase of Health IT by eligible health care professional in solo or small group practices. Learn more »
Health Information Technology Funding Included in the Stimulus Package (02/18/2009) — President Obama signed the stimulas package into law. One of the provisions allocated $20 billion to a new program to encourage physicians to adopt certified health information technology. Learn more »
