HHS Releases Final Rule on “Meaningful Use” of Electronic Health Records

July 14, 2010January 10, 2011 Kathie McDonald-McClure EHR Certification Standards, Electronic Health Records, Health care reform, Health Information Technology, HITECH Law, Hospital EHR Stimulus, Meaningful Use, Physician EMR Stimulus, Privacy & Security 75 Fed Reg 44314 July 28 2010, 75 Fed Reg 44590 July 28 2010, EHR Certification Standards, Electronic Health Records, eligible professional incentives for electronic medical records, Health Information Technology, HITECH Act, hospital incentives for EHRs, linkedin, meaningful use of certified EHR, privacy and security of health information exchange

Update: On December 29, 2010, HHS published in the Federal Register a “Correcting Amendment” to its Final Rule on Meaningful Use, which can be viewed here.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius wasted no time in putting the brand new CMS Director to work on July 13, 2010, in announcing the release of two rules under the Health Information Technology for Clinical and Economic Health Act (HITECH), including the Final Rule on Meaningful Use and the Final Rule on Initial Set of EHR Standards and Certification Criteria. Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP, FRCP, was sworn in as Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services on Monday afternoon, July 12, 2010, and by the next morning was primed to discuss the important role of health information technology (HIT) in America. In addition to Dr. Berwick’s participation at the press briefing, other participants included David Blumenthal, MD, the Chief Coordinator for the HHS Office of National Coordinator of HIT (ONC), Regina Benjamin, MD, U.S. Surgeon General, and Regina Holiday, an individual who shared a personal experience involving access to health information and how such access impacts the care of patients.

Quick Reference: The CMS Fact Sheet on both Final Rules is available here.

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HHS and ONC Announce Briefing on Meaningful Use Rule

July 12, 2010July 14, 2010 Kathie McDonald-McClure Electronic Health Records, Health Information Technology, HITECH Law, Meaningful Use Electronic Health Records, HITECH Act, linkedin, Meaningful Use

UPDATE: Watch the LIVE webcast here.

According to HealthcareIT News, federal officials have announced that, on Tuesday morning, July 13, 2010, at 10:00 am EST, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) and the Office of National Coordinator (ONC) will release the final rule on making a “meaningful use” of electronic health records under the HITECH Act.

HHS announces proposed rulemaking to “significantly” modify HIPAA

July 8, 2010October 31, 2011 Kathie McDonald-McClure Electronic Health Records, Federal Law Resources, Health care reform, Health Information Technology, HITECH Law, Meaningful Use, Privacy & Security Electronic Health Records, Federal Law Resources, Health care reform, Health Information Technology, HITECH Act, HITECH implementation, linkedin, privacy and security of health information exchange

On Thursday, July 8, 2010, the United States Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) held a press briefing to announce “significant modifications” through proposed rulemaking to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) pursuant to the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH). The proposed modifications also seek to strengthen the privacy of health information and help Americans understand their rights and resources available to safeguard their personal health information. As part of the latter effort, Sebelius announced the launch of another new website “where Americans can read about all HHS’ efforts to protect privacy in the exchange of electronic health information and that will give Americans the tools needed to embrace technology to take control over their health information.” The website will be available at www.hhs.gov/healthprivacy.

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Learn about regulatory requirements to qualify for HITECH incentives

June 28, 2010August 4, 2010 Kathie McDonald-McClure EHR Certification Standards, Electronic Health Records, Eligible Professional Incentives, Health Information Technology, HITECH Law, Meaningful Use, Physician EMR Stimulus Electronic Health Records, eligible professional incentives for electronic medical records, Health Information Technology, HITECH Act, linkedin, meaningful use of certified EHR

On Thursday, July 29, 2010, physicians, physician practice managers, and others interested in learning more about the regulations governing incentives under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009 (HITECH Act) are invited to a free education session (by Kathie McDonald-McClure) and networking event hosted by MedX12.

Date: July 29, 2010. Time: 6:00 pm (EST).

Place: Suburban Plaza 3, 4121 Dutchman’s Lane, Louisville, KY.

Call for a reservation due to limited seating: 502-339-7175 ext 225

For more information, click here: MedX12 EHR Brochure.

THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT

ONC Releases Final Rule on EHR Temporary Certification Program

June 18, 2010August 4, 2010 Kathie McDonald-McClure EHR Certification Standards, Electronic Health Records, Health Information Technology, HITECH Law EHR Certification Standards, Electronic Health Records, Health Information Technology, HITECH Act, HITECH implementation, linked, meaningful use of certified EHR, ONC

From the Office of National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONC HIT):

“On June 18, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued its temporary certification program final rule, which establishes a way for organizations to become authorized by the National Coordinator to test and certify electronic health record technology.”

To read more information and to read the rule, click here.