QIO for Florida, is your
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including nursing homes,
home health agencies,
hospitals, physicians
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organizations.
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Greetings!
Welcome to the July 2010 edition of Health eNotes: |
To learn more about Fireworks Safety Month, click here...
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Ethnicity Affects Influence of Breast
CA Risk Factors
(breastcancer.org)
A new study suggests that links between known breast cancer risk factors and breast cancer diagnosis isn't as strong in Hispanic women compared to non-Hispanic white women. read more...
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CRC
NEWS
Single Sigmoidoscopy Could Prevent One
Third of Colorectal Cancers
(Medscape)
New results from the United Kingdom show that a single examination with flexible sigmoidoscopy in healthy individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 years, and removal of any polyps that are found, reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer by one third and deaths from the disease by 43% over a median follow-up of 11 years. read more... |
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IMMUNIZATION
Low-Dose Flu Vaccine Promising
in Seniors
(Medscape)
In elderly patients, a 60% dose of influenza vaccine produces antibody responses comparable to a full dose, researchers report in the May 15th issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases.
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HIT/EHR
NEWS
ONC to Start Accepting Bids for
Entities to Certify EHR Products
On July 1, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will begin accepting applications from not-for-profit organizations seeking to test and certify electronic health records under the 2009 federal stimulus package. Thursday's Federal Register is expected to include a final version of the rule on ONC's temporary EHR certification program. Government Health IT et al.
The Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive
Program Website is Now Available on
CMS.gov!
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has launched the official website for the Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs. This website provides the most up-to-date, detailed information about the EHR incentive programs.
The Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs will provide incentive payments to eligible professionals and hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade, or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
Bookmark this site and visit:
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CMS
NEWS
Congress Passes Bill that Would Delay Cuts to
Medicare Physician Fees
Congress on Thursday, June 24, 2010, passed a bill that would delay for six months the planned 21% reduction in Medicare physician fees. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calf., said the bill was passed in light of the Senate's failure to pass a more comprehensive bill. The Wall Street Journal (6/24) read more...
 Version 5010 and ICD-10 are Coming. Will You Be Ready? - The updated Version 5010 standards for HIPAA electronic transactions on January 1, 2012?
- The ICD-10 medical code set transition on October 1, 2013?
CMS has new resources to help you prepare. Visit:
- Provider Resources - to find out about basic steps medical practices can take to prepare for ICD-10 and for a fact sheet on talking with your vendors about the Version 5010 and ICD-10 transitions.
- Vendor Resources - for tips for software vendors about talking with customers about the transitions
Software vendors, third-party billers, and clearinghouses can view materials from our recent conference at:
Keep Up to Date on Version 5010 and ICD-10.
Please visit http://www.cms.gov/icd10 for the latest news and coming soon: sign up for Version 5010 and ICD-10 e-mail updates!
Reminder - Maximum Period for Submission
of Medicare Claims Reduced to Not More
Than 12 Months
Reminder: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released MLN Matters Article #MM6960 - Systems Changes Necessary to Implement the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) Section 6404 - Maximum Period for Submission of Medicare Claims Reduced to Not More Than 12 Months to advise providers who submit claims to Medicare contractors that, as a result of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), claims with dates of service on or after January 1, 2010, received later than one calendar year beyond the date of service will be denied by Medicare. For more details, please read the article at:
on the CMS website.
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Pay for Performance
NEWS
Be Prepared for Meaningful Use...
START NOW! by Wendy Martinez The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), also known as "the Stimulus Bill," was signed into law in February 2009. A portion of this bill is called the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH Act. The HITECH Act is intended to increase the use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) by physicians and hospitals. Reimbursement incentives will be provided for eligible professionals and hospitals that are successful in becoming "meaningful users" of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology.
The interim final rule defining Meaningful Use became effective on February 12, 2010. The open comment period ended on March 15, 2010. Although the final rule has yet to be released, it's never too early to start preparing!
Have an EHR and not sure if you are ready for meaningful use?
The best thing to do is contact your EHR vendor. Most vendors have an area on their website dedicated to meaningful use. Below is a sampling of vendors' websites for information on meaningful use:
Don't Have an EHR?
Start looking now! The HITECH Act has lead to the creation of Regional Extension Centers (RECs). The RECs will assist physicians with achieving EHR meaningful use by providing technical assistance, guidance and information on best practices.
Four RECs have been awarded a contract in the state of Florida:
- The Center for the Advancement of Health IT - Community Health Centers Alliance
- PaperFree Florida - University of South Florida
- South Florida Regional Extension Center - South Florida Health Information Exchange (SFHIE) and Health Choice Network (HCN)
- University of Central Florida Regional Extension Center - University of Central Florida
See which REC services are in your area, Florida REC Map
Additional Information
Several websites provide additional information on ARRA, the HITECH Act and Meaningful Use.
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