Lawmakers are introducing new bills that may affect the schedule. U.S. Rep. Diane Black, R-Tennessee introduced bill, H.R. 2247 which asks for a transition period of 18 months, where no claims will be denied due to coding errors. Ted Poe, R-Texas proposed H.R. 2126 on April 30, but the 3 page bill was not posted until a week later. The bill seeks to prohibit HHS from forcing the ICD-10 implementation and requests further study of the disruption facing providers and organizations while replacing ICD-9.

There is very little confidence that either of these bills will make it through committees.

HTS recommends that you continue with your ICD-10 implementation and testing. 

If you have questions about how the proposed ruling changes may affect you, please contact Health Technology Services!  We are here to assist you!

What is the scoop on the proposed MU changes for 2015?

The NPRM (new proposed rule making) for Meaningful Use changes for 2015 is still in the public commenting period, which ends 6/15/2015.   HTS will schedule a public webinar once the NPRM is approved and present all the final details and the steps you will need to meet MU according to the final rules.  

In the meantime we encourage you to continue working on your 2015 MU process, as it is currently identified. Following is a high level overview of what changes are being proposed for 2015.

• 2015 will be a 90 day MU Reporting period (not tied to a calendar quarter). EHs have the option to do fiscal year or calendar year.
• Reduce the number of meaningful use objectives to improve advanced use of EHRs (removal of core/menu approach).
• Remove redundant measures and those that have become widely adopted (demographics, smoking, patient reminders, etc.).
• Lessen the following for Stage 2 -
• Patient Portal - Measure 2 (patients who VDT) from 5% to greater than 1
• EP - Secure - from 5% to a yes/no measure
• Move criteria from menu to core for Stage 1 -
• EH - eRX from menu to core
• EH - Patient Education from menu to core
• EH - Medication Reconciliation from menu to core
• No changes to CQM reporting - must do 2014 regulations
• Delay of Stage 3 to 2017 (optional) 2018 required for all
• No 2015 attestations until January 2016 

  

Did you know there is an updated Privacy and Security Guide of Electronic Health Information available? 

 

The HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released Version 2.0 of their Guide to Privacy and Security of Electronic Health Information.  

 

In the updated Guide, you will find practical scenarios that explain when a business associate (BA) relationship forms along with suggested questions health care providers may want to ask their health IT product developers and a seven-step approach for implementing a security management process.

 

What is the deadline for registering for PQRS if reporting as a group?