As many in the industry noted, Stage 1 Meaningful Use (MU) was largely geared toward general practices, and has been described as a “one size fits all” approach that did not take into account the varied nature of specialty providers. Although there were exemptions that specialty practices could qualify for in Stage 1, the initial confusion surrounding the guidance created challenges for many providers. CMS has now provided guidance on Core, Menu and Clinical Quality Measures (CQM) exclusions. CMS has been very clear that potential exclusions are not based on a particular specialty, but rather on the specific data that a practice does not collect because it is not relevant to their practice. They note that there are no “blanket” exclusions for any type of provider and that the physician is responsible for “evaluating whether they meet the exclusion criteria for each applicable objective.” After receiving numerous comments from medical societies, industry associations and other stakeholders, it seems that CMS is listening to the concerns that have been raised by specialty providers. With MU2, providers have more clarity regarding the process for reporting Core, Menu and Clinical Quality Measures. For example, CMS has published a Meaningful Use for Specialists Tipsheet.
Nextech has been committed to supporting our clients through the challenges of attesting for Meaningful Use Stage 1, and we’re now prepared and dedicated to assist with Stage 2. We have been hard at work to ensure that our solutions, including Nextech with NexERx version 11.0, Nextech with NewCropRx 11.0, Nextech 11.1, and Nextech 11.2, are compliant with the ONC 2014 Edition criteria, and we’re pleased to announce that they have been certified as Modular EHRs by the Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®). For the past 17 years, Nextech has been the leader in technology for specialty practices and has supported more than 7,000 surgeons and physicians and more than 40,000 staff members. Our clients trust us to provide technology that increases the efficiency of their practices and allows them to stay in regulatory compliance.
Healthcare professionals are bracing for a big change in 2014. Beginning October 1, providers across the nation will make the switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 diagnostic code sets, a move that hasn’t been made since 1979. With no grace period allotted by the federal government, physicians are charged with coming up with a plan of attack for implementing ICD-10 and getting their staff fully functional by the Oct. 1 deadline. Integrating ICD-10 into daily practice operations will need to start with a complete understanding of the major differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10. The most obvious change buzzing throughout the industry is the vast difference between the number of codes provided by ICD-10. Under the new system, codes will increase from 18,000 to more than 140,000. Federal healthcare regulators say the upsurge of codes will allow for more specific documentation during patient visits. For example, physicians documenting a patient who broke their arm will be asked to specify whether the right or left arm was broken, a detail not provided with the basic ICD-9 code sets. Another difference providers will notice immediately: code structure. As opposed to ICD-9 codes, the ICD-10 code sets will include numbers as well as letters. The length of the code will also change. ICD-10 diagnostic codes will range from 3-7 characters while procedure codes will include 7 alpha-numeric characters.
The push for Electronic Medical Records has been a revolving topic in the healthcare industry for several years. As of August, 2013, more than 400,000 office-based physicians were listed as active registrants in the EHR Incentive Program. With the demand for EHRs increasing, physicians are daunted with the task of sifting through the hundreds of EHR vendors available and choosing the best fit for their practice. This is a tough decision that can directly impact to efficiency and operability of any practice. Zoning in on the specific workflow needs of the office will prove to be fruitful for physicians on the hunt for the right system for their specialty practice.
The end of the year is upon us! As 2013 prepares to make its exit, it seems only fitting to look back on some of the topics and events that had the healthcare industry buzzing with excitement … and dread. From the federal government to the everyday patient, 2013 shed light on new demands from healthcare professionals and how the industry plans to adapt to the times. So, what were the biggest healthcare hot topics of the year? From new privacy rules to the countdown to ICD-10, we’ve got the breakdown. 1. New HIPAA Regulations
Choosing an Electronic Healthcare Records is potentially the most important decision a practice can make today. Finding the right EHR to meet your needs can require a great deal of effort and research for the doctor or practice administrator charged with the task. It is important that every practice take pause and consider a few questions before making their initial investment. What will life be like after go-live, how stable is the software vendor, what is ongoing support and training like and how specific does it meet the needs of my practice?
It’s a new day in the medical industry. As of Sept. 23, new changes to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations have been sweeping the healthcare field, forcing physicians to keep a closer eye on the security of protected health information (PHI). The new revisions, also referred to as the “Omnibus Final Rules,” place added pressure on doctors to protect medical records with the threat of stiff fines for violators. Stemming from the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009, the new HIPAA regulations were announced Jan. 17, 2013, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The revamping of HIPAA’s rules comes as the federal government continues its push for early adoption of electronic medical records (EHRs). With billions of dollars in incentive payments going toward early EHR adopters, federal legislatures are working to clamp down on security breaches when it comes to PHI. Operating as the enforcers of new HIPAA sanctions, the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) will work to ensure compliance through investigating complaints and conducting audits of businesses and organizations covered by the rules. Doctors found to be outside of compliance could face hefty fines ranging from $100 to $50,000 per violation with a maximum fine of up to $1.5 million in 12 month period.
It goes without saying; the healthcare industry is experiencing a technological boom. With the push for physicians to take their practice in a digital direction, doctors have been thrust into a new era of patient care. As if the burden to comply with government incentive regulations like Meaningful Use, PQRS, and ICD-10 weren’t enough, physicians are now experiencing increased pressure to jump into the online world of the healthcare social media community.
