Early EHR Birds, ARRA Incentive Worms!

On your mark, if you are ready and set... on January 3rd, you can go!

January 3, 2011 marks the beginning of registration for those early bird EHR implementers that want to work to receive their ARRA stimulus incentives the first year of availability.

Live From the “ONC HIT 2010 Update”

How serious is the government about you instituting high tech solutions (read this as EHR) into your office?  Well let’s just say that this first phase of Obamacare is heading straight for you and your office like a runaway train with a nuke on its heels.

If the billions of dollars they have spent and are planning to spend through the ARRA stimulus package aren’t enough.  Then you may want to listen to their logic.  If money and logic aren’t enough, then you’d better be ready for the sticks and stripes to come.

Everything you every wanted to know about HIPAA & Privacy, but were afraid to ask

Ok, during the ONC HIT conference this week, they gave an invaluable link for everything you might want or need to know about HIPAA and privacy concerns and here it is:
http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/

You may be able to Pack up your “Red Flags” Come January

It looks like the FTC may have just gotten a flag on their Red Flags play.  The FTC Red Flags rulings that have been pushed forward a couple of times over the last year may finally be at a rest for physicians. 

Cheer Up!

The holidays are here, no matter which ones you celebrate hopefully you have plenty of holiday cheer.  If you don’t or you aren’t quite sure, here are some ways to boost your cheer and the cheer of those around you.  (P.S. These work any time of the year!)

Genius Solutions News Flash- Holiday 2010 Edition

We've just been sending out our Holiday News Flash... So, Happy Holidays from us here at Genius Solutions, Inc. to all of you and yours.  We wish you a great end of the year and holiday season!  Click on the title above, if you would like to see the e-mail.  It's got end of the year Tips & Tricks, news links for stuff you may have missed and some nifty holiday pictures! 

Give us a call or e-mail us if you are not receiving our monthly e-mails, but would like too.  (It also helps if you let us know your office number or phone number so we can log it properly.) 

Medicare Pay Cuts Get Expected 1-Month Reprieve

Remember the other day when I said that the projected pay cut for today would be 23% if nothing was done to extend your Medicare payment benefits? Well, I forgot about the additional 2% lollypop they threw in on the last pass. The actual pay cut would have been 25%! It's a good thing then that Congress acted quickly upon returning to session Monday (Nov 29th).

So, here's the breakdown:

Year-End Procedures for THOMAS (Suggestions)

At Genius Solutions we understand that the end of the year can be a very stressful time for your office.  In hopes of streamlining your process we have come up with these recommends to close out last year properly.  We do not recommend posting any of next year’s charges until these steps have been completed.  During this process everyone should be out of THOMAS, and this checklist should be followed in the order given.  The length of time required to complete these functions will vary depending on the size of your practice and the amount of data that you have in your system.

ICD-10 & 5010

If you came to one of our Focus Group meetings this summer, you've seen this slide show.  Just in case you missed it, but want to know more, here you go. Click on the title above to view the .pdf of the slides.

Back in the News- Medicare 23% Pay Cuts- Again!

As most of you are well aware, it took about six months to get a longer than 1 month extension to stave off the Medicare pay cuts earlier this year. Well, that extension is about to expire next Tuesday, November 30th, 2010, at the end of the day.

So, what can you expect?

iPatientCare v10.8 is now ONC Certified!

Just this week Genius' EHR Solution, iPatientCare received its official "Complete EHR" certification from CCHIT and now has its offcial ONC Certification #.

iPatientCare version 10.8 is certified and approved as ONC certified EHR #CC-1112-607019-1

For more information on what this designation entails you can visit the ONC web site listing for iPatientCare at http://onc-chpl.force.com/ehrcert/CHPLCriteriaDetail?prodid=a0O3000000288LzEAI

RAC made easy, by CMS

RAC is recovery audit contractors...

I found this great video that had been posted by an CMS with everything you might want to know about RACs in a 27 minute presentation; straight from the CMS horse's mouth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHFXsfP99Bc

Don't forget to bookmark http://www.cms.gov to stay in touch with all of your needs for RAC, ICD-10 implementation, ARRA stimulus, etc... It's always good to go to the source!

September News Flash: ARRA Stimulus: Going Paperless & Getting Paid September 2010

Note from the editor, Penny:

Chaco Canyon,NM: Pueblo Bonito

First off, let me apologize for getting the News Flash out a bit late for September, but I was out of town.  It was fantastic!   I will include a couple of pictures to prove it.

Barrier Canyon style petroglyph on the Rochester "rainbow" panel in UT

Penny at Monument Valley, UT

Now onto the news... click on the title above, or here, to be taken to the e-mail if you missed it.  If you did miss it, make sure that you give us your most current e-mail address and we'll get it on the list for the next News Flash.

Fall Gratefully and with much Thanks-Giving

By Penny Henriksen, Genius Solutions' News writer and editor

If you haven't noticed yet, the holiday madness is nearly upon us. Not long after you read through this newsletter there will be some over-eager disc jockey that decides to start rotating Christmas/winter holiday music even sooner than last year. The reason I mention the madness is that before it really hits, we get one, really awesome, nearly relaxing holiday to kick off the true season: Thanksgiving.

Coding, Get a Clue!

By Penny Henriksen, Genius News Writer/Editor

Have you ever played the board game "Clue" by Parker Brothers? You have to figure out who did what to whom, where, and with what. Oh, and be right of course! Well, proper coding is like a game of Clue. Coders and billers need to find out what the physicians did with whom, where, with what, and how they reasoned out their solution that way. Moreover, if someone else comes knocking at your door wanting to know the reasoning, you need to have everything properly documented and accessible, so that anyone might be able to solve the same game from all of the clues, in the same way. It can be the difference between game success and game over.

In all of the history of mankind, doers do and recorders record. If a woman (or man) conquered the world, but no one was there to write it down for anyone else to know about it, did they actually do anything? By definition, "history" begins with written records. The doer and the recorder are each others’ right-hand. How legitimate is one without the other? This principle applies to your office as well.

Q. Battery Backups, what are they and why should I care?

Q. Battery Backups, what are they and why should I care?

A. A battery backup is just as the box says- it is an extra, limited time, power supply backup that can save your computer, your data, and your business!

Normally your equipment will plug into the battery backup and then the battery backup will plug into the wall. Most of the time you can get battery backups that will also feature built-in surge protectors or power regulators. This is a double save-your-business bonus! A battery backup allows you time to save your work or backup and gracefully (properly) shut down and unplug your computer equipment, in case of a power outage (blackout or brownout), or power spikes (lightning hits the transformer next to your building, etc.).

Netiquette- Online Etiquette

By Penny Henriksen, Genius Solutions' News writer and editor

Do you have Netiquette? No, I’m not talking about those hairnets your grandmother uses to keep her curls in order. I’m talking about proper etiquette on the “net” (over the Internet)—Netiquette.

With the advent of cell phones and text messaging the written word has taken a real nosedive, this is your chance to bone up on a form of art that many consider to be the true sign of civilization- written words. Our mass migration to the World Wide Web (WWW) seems quite inevitable and is not a bad thing, but it is a very good time to review manners and courtesies in communicating with each other online. This is especially true as we begin to seriously reach out and communicate with each other via e-mail. To this end we list a few of the e-manners that will make you an e-superstar!

Avoiding The Interview Trap

By Patrice Barry, Operations Manager - Genius Solutions, Inc.

There are several federal laws involving all 50 states that limit what employers can ask on employment applications and in interviews. A wrong question can land an employer in court for discrimination.

It seems that every year the process of interviewing and hiring becomes scarier.  The federal laws are to protect applicants from discrimination based on numerous protected classes such as race, national origin and age.

Q. Why didn’t my claim Autopost?

Q. Why didn’t my claim Autopost?

A. The top reasons why your claim may not have AutoPosted are as follows:

• You may get an 835 reports for claims sent on paper as well as for claims sent electronically, but in order for a payment to Autopost in THOMAS, the claim must have been sent electronically. You can tell by looking at your 835 if a claim was sent on paper, because there will be NO account or claim number listed for that claim.
• The 835 data itself could have a discrepancy in the dollar amount. If the amounts in the file contradict one another, THOMAS does not know what to do and will not post either amount. This is generally shown on the exception report as “Patient Liability Discrepancy”.
• Your claim may already be paid! THOMAS will not post an insurance payment twice.
• If your 835 is old, it may not load into THOMAS. To avoid this problem, make sure that you post your check as soon as possible, after you receive payment.
• THOMAS will not Autopost a claim that has a payment amount of zero.

Eyestrain: When it’s Cruel to be Cool

By Penny Henriksen, Genius Solutions’ news writer and editor

Have you ever been caught sitting in front of your computer wearing your sunglasses?  Everyone thinks you’re too cool to talk to, but all you want to do is scoop your eyes out with a rusty spoon? Yeah, I’ve been there. You probably wouldn’t know it just from reading the newsletter, but I spend a lot of time in front of my computer at work and at home. It is my lifeline, for research, writing, graphics, even my very thoughts often go directly to my computer screen before they have a chance to cross my mind.

Because so many of us spend so much time in front of our computers it is important to think of our eyes, before we want to gouge them out. There is even a syndrome for us computer user types called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Basically it is extreme eye strain. There are current claims, stating that evidence is beginning to show a link between heavy computer use and an increase in glaucoma.

Energize Your Team Members and Make Them More Productive

By Vipa Thanyakarn, Genius Solutions’ Vice President of Operations

“The best way to inspire people to superior performance is to convince them by everything you do and by your everyday attitude that you are wholeheartedly supporting them.”

Harold Geneen Former CEO of ITT (International Telephone & Telegraph Corp.)

As an employer, good employees are hard to find. When we do find the right person, we want to keep them. As employers, we offer the jobs, set the wages, and give employees their job responsibilities and duties; however, there are other things we need to consider when we want to create a long-term employer and employee relationships.

Q. How do I know if my back up is good?

Q. How do I know if my back up is good?

A. That is a GREAT question and you should ALWAYS be asking that question!

The simple answer is to check your data disc or the data on your thumbdrive. If you can open the data on your disc and see the files and data like you can in your THOMAS, without error, then you probably have a good data back up.

We also recommend that once a year, you can send in a back up to us, here at Genius Solutions, and we can check the data for viable data and give you some added peace of mind. Please call us first, we can then send you a Service Authorization granting us permission to check your data, and we will be looking for its arrival. When we are through with the data disc we can either shred the disc, or send it back to you for the cost of shipping.  If you send a thumbdrive, we would want to send it back to you.

An EHR Video Moment From PA

I found this great video that had been posted by an PA practice about their EHR implementation.  I thought you might enjoy it also, as you consider moving into the EHR world.  It's called "Teachable Moment-EHR Implementation"

http://www.prhi.org/TeachableMoments/2010/EHR.html

Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative EHR implementation experience of one local practice in Pittsburgh, PA.

Meaningful Use Definition to Include Mental Health Providers?

US Healthcare

Bill S.3709 was introduced to the Senate, and HR 5040 (it’s match) was introduced to the House on August 5th, both by representatives from Rhode Island.  If these bills pass through both houses and become law, it would expand the definition for those that can meaningfully use EHR technology under the HITECH act to include mental health, behavioral health, psychiatric hospitals, and substance abuse professionals and facilities.  If this happens, then mental health professionals would be able to qualify for EHR implementation stimulus funds.

EHR Incentives and Meaningful Use for Eligible Professionals

August 2010 edition, based on the CMS conference calls from 8/10/10 and 8/12/10, written by Penny Henriksen, Genius’ News Writer/Editor

General Disclaimer:
The views reflected here are not necessarily those of Genius Solutions, it is an article based on the most current information available and the best interpretation of that data available to give you a starting point for your research and understanding of these government programs.  You will see me continually give you links back to the CMS and other government web sites and resources with the direction to go back to the source for information.  Currently the information is coming fast, it’s changing often, and it’s not always easy to understand or interpret.  My intention is not to give you the definitive answer to anything, honestly they may not be down to an ultimate definitive answer to some questions themselves , yet.  The point is to do our best to keep you informed and direct you to sources you can use for complete information and for answers to questions for you and your offices.  This is a rough cut resource so you know what you need to look in to.   We can help guide you to the source, but we are not the source, that would be the Federal Government, as it is their program.

General Information:
There is a lot of information, even this month’s CMS calls didn’t answer all of my questions, but it did give me both a better understanding and a bit more confidence in the program and the proposed payouts.  I am still having a hard time identifying some of the “hows” and “how muchs”.  Hopefully these questions will continue to be asked and cleared up further with each of their teleconferences.  The following information comes straight from their teleconferences and the slides presented, obviously with my  best understanding of them.

**8/19/10 - I received a special request to see charts of the incentive payments, here is a .pdf that will show you the Medicare, Medicaid, and special incentive for Medicare providers in Health Shortage areas.

RAC FAQs: The Q&A session

Why is CMS using recovery audit contractors?

Section 306 of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA) required CMS to complete a demonstration project to demonstrate the use of recovery audit contractors in identifying underpayments and overpayments and recouping overpayments under the Medicare program for services for which payment is made under part A or B of title XVIII of the Social Security Act. The demonstration operated from March 2005 through March 27, 2008. Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006 (TRHCA) required the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to make the RAC program permanent and nationwide by no later than January 1, 2010. CMS is planning a gradual expansion to all 50 states. The expansion schedule can be viewed at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/RAC.

eTHOMAS Hardware Recommendations and Specifications

We've just posted an update to our eTHOMAS hardware recommendations and specifications.  In view of the questions received regarding Windows 7, 64-bit computer systems etc.  We wanted to let you know that the most current recommendations are now available.

You can click here to download the document and you can access it any time from the web site on the main eTHOMAS product page, right under the eTHOMAS brochure link.

CMS Offering Eligible Professional Training for Incentive Programs

A couple of weeks ago, at the Focus Group sessions, we mentioned how much information CMS is offering to you (and in how many ways) about the changes coming down from the Federal Government.  This is valuable information that affects your office and your ability to get reimbursement; especially if you are after the elusive ARRA stimulus funds being offered (you know that $44,000 they are waving before you beginning next year).

The changes have been coming fast and flooding over the nation as they finally define the terms, conditions, and options that are going to be placed before you.  CMS just announced a free conference, next week 8/10, for you:

"The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) invites you to join us for a national provider call addressing the specifics of the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive programs for Eligible Professionals. If you are an individual practitioner, this FREE session will help you learn the details of the programs that specifically pertain to you – eligibility, payment, what you need to register, time-line, and meaningful use reporting."  

Here is a link to a PDF of the complete e-mail I received from them.  Fortunately it looks like the links still work in the pdf.  So, definitely sign up... Then I would love to get some comments back from you on the good, bad, and what you think of things after the training session.

Penny

New Affordable Care Act measure gives patients more rights and help with their health insurance and health choices, but what does this newly expanded provision mean to healthcare providers?

The Affordable Health Care Act was signed into law in March of this year. It seems to be as rough a draft as the ARRA stimulus provisions in that they are continuing to be expanded and defined as they go. The new features expanded/added last week (see the official July 22 News Release) involve a desire to put patients more in charge of their healthcare and to give them better protection by giving them rights of appeal in claim and procedure denials. Per the news release: “Consumers in NEW health plans in every State will have the right to appeal decisions, including claims denials and rescissions, made by their health plans.” The plan is that there will be a set of standards and “defined and impartial” appeals method for your patients allowing them access and help with knowledge and protocols to be able to ask and work options for both internal and external appeals processes. This new, expanded provision also grants, by application, $30 million for Consumer Assistance Programs to create or strengthen existing offices to help your patients appeal decisions made by their insurance companies as well as to help them decide on appropriate health plans and insurance options for them. The appeals standard looks to have come from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) and per the Fact Sheet (listed below) States are “encouraged” to adopt the NAIC external appeals laws as their State appeals laws before July 1, 2011. The combined effect of these enhanced patient protections and the NAIC appeals laws are roughly listed next.

Office Financial Policies: Do you have one?

Management Corner
By Kathleen Wrolbel-Erlich CMOM, CPC

Office Financial Policies:  Do you have one?  How about some pointers to get you started?

Create a financial policy.  Have the doctor agree that this is his/her expectation of the patient.  Then have all of your patients sign a copy as they come in for visits.  You can also post copies by the front desk to remind patients if they forget. It is extremely important that the doctor, staff, and patients all have an understanding of your office’s financial policy.  Adjusting off money, because of a misunderstanding with a patient, is frustrating for both you and the patient.

Genius Focus Group- Warren (with goodies)

By Penny H, Genius blogster, news editor, & Focus Group participant

Wow, it was a whirlwind week last week.  It took me the entire weekend for my head to come back to earth and settle down.  Warren was a lot of fun!  The dynamic was a bit different in Warren because we had so many more people.  We also tried a different room setup, instead of rows of chairs and tables we were able to try a giant horseshoe of chairs and tables so that everyone could see each other and we could see them.  I think I can safely say that all of those who presented really liked it, and the comments coming back from you were that the layout was equally well-liked by you.  It seemed odd at first, having a giant space in the middle, but it really was much easier for all of us, to well, see all of us.   I just wanted to give a quick review with some tips for those that were there (or were not able to be there).  I'll also be giving you a link to download the printed materials we gave out (.pdf) so you can have it on your computer, or be able to print out more copies if needed.

Genius Fall Training Schedule Posted

The Fall Training Schedule has been posted, please choose your classes, then download and return the form to us.  If you have questions on any of the classes, please e-mail training2009@geniussolutions.com or contact Training at 586-751-9080 / 800-645-0955

Genius Focus Group- Mt. Pleasant

Yeah, we had our first Focus Group meeting yesterday.  Sherri and I (aka me, Penny, Genius blogster) were out in Mt. Pleasant yesterday.  We would like to give a shout out to everyone who came out the Mt.Pleasant Focus Group yesterday.  It was a great group, with a very relaxed atmosphere at the golf resort; they made us feel very welcome and very comfortable.  We hope we did the same for them. 

Medicare Pay Cuts Extension Through December 1st 2010

HR 4213 finally bombed out of the Senate late Thursday (6/24) after a couple of attempts to dump chunks of the overstuffed bill failed to get the significant passing votes to pass (57-41 yea, but they needed 60 Senate votes to pass).  There will be many jobless Americans wondering what will happen to them now (although a stripped down version with just the jobless extensions has been relabeled for just itself and it back on the docket.  No significant action seems to be expected on it until the House and the Senate both return from the 4th of July holiday.)  It failed to pass the additional Medicaid aide for states, dumped Cobra help extensions, etc.  Not only was the cost of this jumbo bill very high, but it was promoting a significant tax increase.  So, it being busted is not necessarily a bad thing, now maybe they will weigh each portion separately for cost and merit as should have been done from the beginning.

What does this mean for Doctors and your Medicare cut? 

Important: Your Medicare Payments

Beginning today, you may start to see Medicare checks in your mailbox.  These will be payments that Medicare had been holding off on processing, hoping that Washington D.C. would pass the next reprieve for the Medicare pay cut.  The month-to-month wait was finally going into a 19 month reprieve, but the resolution to do it, H.R.4213, is currently stalled in debate on the Senate floor.  Again, the problem isn't giving you doctors a break on the pay cut, the problem is that your pay cut is tied in with an extension on jobless benefits, Medicaid, and a bunch of other stuff.  Stuff that would best be served on individual bills, rather than as one mega-conglomerate bill.

June News Flash!: The Summer of E-Statement Love

As we boldly move forward into the future with you, we are in the process of combining our production facilities into one.  Click here for more of the June 2010 e-mail News Flash.

Update your THOMAS, d and e

If you aren’t up-to-date, don’t wait, update! If you are an active, current Genius client office, the update is FREE; there is no charge for updates to the program if you are a current SoftCare subscriber.  Here is more on the "whys" and "how to-s".

On the Dockets/Chopping Block Again:Medicare Pay Cut

The Medicare physician pay cut exists as part of the of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, which says that the Medicare payment dollars paid out to doctors will be cut automatically when the cost out paces inflation. These automatic cuts have been delayed repeatedly by Congress since 2003, which is why there is such a large pay cut currently being faced by doctors.  For physicians, if passed, H.R.4213 would extend the currently scheduled 21.2% cut in Medicare reimbursement until January 2012.  This would eliminate the current month-to-month wonder of what, if any, payment they are going to receive from Medicare for 19 months.

EHR: Plan the Implement, Implement the Plan.

Promoting Use of Health IT: Why Be a Meaningful User? I read a great article, succinct, to the point, and extremely thought worthy. I can't really say it any better, so I'm recommending that you take a minute to look it over, go ahead, it's from Dr. David Blumenthal, the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, and his article is posted over at the government's HHS-HIT web site: Click here for the Blumenthal article. After that, come back here for some suggestions on how you can begin your journey into the wild lands of Meaningful Use.  Click here for suggestions on what you can do to prepare for EHR in your office.

Michigan BCBSM edits: NewsFlash

Attention Michigan Clients:

Per BCBSM please be aware of the following claim edits:

"Date: 05/12/10     End date: 05/26/10
To: Professional and Institutional electronic submitters
Subject: UPDATE Blue Care Network claims - edit codes P407 and F224

Earlier today we communicated an issue with BCN front-end edits P407 and F224.  We have determined that claims sent between 6:00 AM on 5/11/10 and 10:00 AM on 5/12/10 were erroneously edited.  Please do not resubmit, as these edited claims are being re-cycled back into the processing system.  All claims should be reprocessed by Friday, 5/16/10. "

eT v9.1 You've been Asking; We Deliver!

We know that many of you have been waiting for v9.1, now it is here.  New bells, whistles, and even niftier, make your life easier tools.

We strongly recommend that you update eTHOMAS now to enjoy not only the new features that have been added, but to make sure that you have the most current healthcare reform changes as well.

dTHOMAS clients: AutoUpdate now!

We strongly recommend that you update your dTHOMAS systems now, so that you will be on the most current version of the program.  This will keep you in step with the current changes in the healthcare and billing arenas that may affect your office and your billing.

Also know that we will be personally contacting you to invite you to update THOMAS as well as to discuss your current plans and hopes for EHR in your office.  We look forward to speaking with you soon.

Happy Earth Day, How Paperless are you?

We're not saying we have the answers to everything, although we do have quite a few, especially if you want to go paperless.  Going paperless isn't just for the environment (although I am a tree lover-tree hugging leaves scratches), it really is for the efficiency of your office. 

Let's list some of the ways going more paperless can help you:

Medicare Physician Pay Cuts Get Another One Month Reprieve

Medicare Physician pay cuts get another one month reprieve (well plus a little, since April was almost over anyways).  The pay cuts have been delayed until May 31st and your current pay scale is still in place until then. 

Are Your Ears Still Ringing From Reminder Phone Calls?

ADAMS, which stands for Automatic Dialing Appointment Reminder System, is an exceptionally easy-to-use calling solution. Click Here to learn more.

Do you know if your pay cut is going through?

Well, it's April 14th, Medicare was trying to hold off claims until today to see if there would be a mid-month, midnight pass to keep the 21+% pay cut from going through.  Congress did their bit (barely getting the votes to pass the temporary stay) and the senate has still not stepped up yet.

The senate wants to pass a long-term thing to hold off the pay cuts until October.  That is still not very permanent, it just means that when the reduction (probably even bigger than this year's) goes through for next year, that things will still look as gloomy and unresolved.

Medicare Fee Cuts in Action Limbo Again!

As previously encountered and projected, the government managed to leave Washington D.C. without fixing, extending, or repealing the 21.5% Medicare pay cut to physicians.  amednews.com is saying that Medicare is again delaying claims processing, hoping for an intercession until April 14.  They also mention that President Obama is trying to fill a CMS administrator position that has been vacant since 2006, in an effort to keep better tabs on things like this in the future.

Happy Doctors' Day! We at Genius Solutions Salute You.

We hope that someone has sent a red carnation to you, as it is the symbolic flower for National Doctor's Day. 

National Doctors' Day is March 30th.  According to the web site, http://www.doctorsday.org/, it was first observed in Winder, Georgia, in 1933.  Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, set aside a day to honor physicians; greeting cards were sent and flowers were placed on the graves of deceased doctors.

Doctors' Day was adopted by the United States House of Representatives, on March 30, 1958, and legislation was introduced and passed in the House and Senate in 1990 to officially establish a national Doctor's Day. On October 30, 1990, President George Bush signed S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473) officially and lawfully designating March 30th as "National Doctor's Day."

Keep up the good work!  Most of us wouldn’t be happy or healthy without you.

E-Prescribing of Controlled Substances

Electronic Prescribing of Controlled Substances Interim Final Rule was posted yesterday (3/24/10) by the Office of the Federal Register, with a request for comments listed from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Department of Justice. The Interim Final Rule for the e-prescribing of controlled substances is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Wednesday, March 31 and will include a 60 day comment period.  To view the Interim Final Rules go to:  http://www.federalregister.gov/inspection.aspx#spec_D

Go Green with Genius and GreenFlag!

 

Click Here for more information on how to work your AR better.

HIT Hard, Across the Web

Well, the comment period is over, the interim EHR rules and regs for use go into effect today.  I wanted to just take a walk across the web to see what the general thoughts were across the web on HIT, ARRA, EHR incentives and adoption, current and foreseeable problems, etc.  Here is a hit list of topics and quotes across the board (with attached links to the articles if you want to peruse any of the topics in a more in depth manner).

There's Still Time to Comment, Until March 15th

There is still time to add your voice and make any comments you would like, regarding the proposed Medicare & Medicare rules going into effect for the HITECH/ARRA incentives.  This would include the definition of meaningful use for EHRs, as well as the  other requirements for qualifying for the ARRA incentive payments.  The comment period for the proposed "interim" rules closes on March 15, 2010.  CMS says that they welcome your comments.

Comments may be submitted through http://www.regulations.gov. For additional information on the proposed rule,  as well as fact sheets summarizing the material, visit http://www.cms.hhs.gov/Recovery/11_HealthIT.asp on the Web.