Healthcare IT News For VARs 2-6-15: Draft Interoperability Road Map

By Megan Williams, contributing writer

In this week’s news, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) releases a draft road map to interoperability in 2017, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) concede to modify EHR program requirements.

ONC Releases New Draft Interoperability Road Map

The ONC released their most recent interoperability plan titled, “Connecting Health And Care For The Nation: A Shared nationwide Interoperability Roadmap.” The draft includes an announcement of the goal to achieve interoperability by 2017, along with an outline of “principle-based interoperability,” a concept that the agency plans to use to reach longer-term interoperability goals. It also includes breakdowns of privacy and security protections, as well as certification and testing designed to support adoptions and optimization of health IT. The 166-page document additionally includes recommendations on tracking progress toward interoperability, and a proposed framework for measurement and evaluation.

CMS To Modify EHR Program Requirements

CMS announced on January 29 that it plans to revise requirements for the Medicare And Medicaid EHR Incentive program. The changes are being made to decrease the burden on providers. The agency is considering modifying the reporting period by changing hospital reporting periods to match calendar years, and shorting the 2015 reporting period to 90 days, giving providers and entities additional time to implement EHR systems in their practices and facilities. Additional changes are being considered to help the program meet long-term goals and reduce complexity.

Important ICD-10 KPIs

This article from ICD-10 Watch covers major KPIs to track before, during, and after the transition to ICD-10. It stresses the fact that many administrators are not currently tracking them, and that they will be put at a disadvantage out of the gate. The indicators stressed are:

• denials
• rejections
• release to payment
• days not final billed

Bill Would Push e-Prescribe Law Out One Year

Bill (S.2486) introduced by Sen. Kemp Hannon, chair of the Senate Health Committee, would grant a one-year delay on the requirement that doctors issue prescriptions electronically. The e-Prescribe law is part of the I-STOP bill package, and was initially introduced to curb fraud. According to The Legislative Gazette, supporters claim an entire year’s extension is required to properly prepare for a full e-prescribe system.

Advanced Sensors Opening The Door To Personalized Care

Fitness trackers are moving off the wrists to less conspicuous parts of the body, and in the process, are getting more advanced. This article from the Arizona Daily Sun covers sensors in everything from sports bras to sub-dermal implants that are expected to pave the way to “micro-personalization” of eating habits, workouts, home environments, and medical treatments. This shift is expected to give the patient more control over their personal health decisions, and “eliminate the gap between the haves and the have-nots” in terms of basic care, through the ubiquity of smart phones.

Healthcare IT Talking Points

This article on Business Spectator discusses the concept of the Internet of Things and how it applies to the healthcare industry. It is, of course, heavily based on the growing market of wearable technology, and its potential to revolutionize the diagnosis and monitoring processes. It also covers technology including home scanners, dietary trackers, and health care apps, and the benefits the enormous amounts of data they could generate would bring the medical industry in terms of research and analysis.