Health Technology Services NEWSLETTER

Issue 34 - July 2015 

 

WY Department of Health Offers FREE HELP Getting Ready for ICD-10


 

The healthcare industry is transitioning from the current ICD-9 medical classification code set to the ICD-10 standards on October 1, 2015. This is a significant change and could impact clinical and business operations if providers are not prepared. The WY Department of Health's Division of Healthcare Financing (the Division) has been working through the challenges of ICD-10 and making appropriate updates to its systems, policies and operations, and is offering free help to providers to help minimize the impact of this transition on current Medicaid operations and reimbursements.

 

FREE Opportunities to Help You Get Ready

 

A free ICD-10 webinar will be offered on Wednesday, July 15, 2-3 pm. Dr. Joe Nichols, a leading ICD-10 specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon, will be sharing his ICD-10 knowledge.  Please use this opportunity to learn about ICD-10 and ask questions of the Division. Register Now!

 

To help ensure that your Medicaid revenue is not affected by the transition to ICD-10, the Division is providing three testing options for testing ICD-10 coding with its providers.  Testing is available now through August 21, 2015.  Please see The WY Dept. of Health website to learn more or sign up.

 

In addition to the above opportunities, a free, one-hour online training is offered, designed to help assist clinicians understand the importance of ICD-10 and how to prepare for the significant transition.  At this time, physicians (MDs, DOs) are eligible to receive 1.0 credit hours of Continuing Medical Education (CME) when they complete the training.  The training and CME credit will be offered until July 31, 2015.  Please see the WY Dept. of Health website for more information.

 

There are many helpful, free resources available to assist you and your organization in the transition to ICD-10. We've narrowed down some of the key resources and included them on the WY Dept. of Health website. For example, you'll see the CMS Provider Toolkit and information on other ICD-10 trainings and training materials.

 

For additional information, please see the WY Dept. of Health website.  You can also email us.

 

Provider/Clinic Corner

 

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

 

Are you ready for Meaningful Use Stage 2?

 

Get the latest information on these important topics at our Provider/Clinic Corner.

Hospital Corner

  

Will the ICD-10 implementation really happen this October?

 

Is getting data from your EHR frustrating or even impossible?

 

Get the latest information on these important topics at our Hospital Corner.

QIO Corner

  

Million Hearts Initiative

  

One of the tasks Mountain Pacific is addressing is Improving Cardiovascular Health. This task is closely aligned with the Million Hearts program.

 

Million Hearts� is a national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017. Million Hearts� brings together communities, health systems, nonprofit organizations, federal agencies, and private-sector partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.

 

Become a Partner

To strengthen support for the initiative, Million Hearts� is seeking commitments and participation from many more organizations to target improvements in both clinical preventive practice and community prevention. We all have a role to play in achieving the Million Hearts� goal. Toolkits have been designed to help partners incorporate Million Hearts� into everyday work and to enhance their heart disease and stroke prevention efforts.

 

Join the Effort

Preventing 1 million heart attacks and strokes by 2017 requires work and a commitment to change from all of us. There are steps each of us-and our organizations-can take to reach this shared goal. Find out how you can be one in a Million Hearts� and make a positive difference in your family, community, and nation.

 

Visit the Million Hearts website for toolkits, action guides, treatment protocols, videos, publications & articles, and a patient resource center, or contact Sharon Phelps at Mountain-Pacific Quality Health.

Join Our List

 

Come See Us!
  
July 8-9, 2015
Visit with Mary Erickson, HTS Consultant, who will be facilitating a roundtable on REC involvement with the Office of Rural Health at the Region E SORH Regional Partnership Meeting in Big Sky, MT
  
August 19-20, 2015
Visit with Sharon Phelps, Practice Transformation Lead & HTS Consultant, who will be speaking at the Wyoming Quality Conference in Casper WY
 

Planning An Upcoming Event?

 

HTS has HIT/CMS Program subject matter experts who can present current and relevant information on many HIT/Quality Reporting topics.  

 

Contact Patty Kosednar for details

Quick Links

HTS Services

 

Let Heath Technology Services assist you with all your Health Information Technology needs.

 

2015 Meaningful Use - Tiered Service Offerings 

 

2015 Security Risk Analysis - Tiered Service Offerings

 

PQRS Reporting Assistance - Tiered Service Offerings

 
MU/PQRS/ICD-
10 Combined Services
- Tiered Service Offerings


HIT Consulting & Project Management Service Offerings 

 

Contact Patty Kosednar for more info.

 

See details for all services on our website 

YOUR TRUSTED ADVISOR FOR KEEPING CURRENT WITH HEALTH TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION 
HTS Top 5-What You Need to Know

Right Now!  

 Click on the links for more information...

 

Could your practice or hospital department benefit from a Rural HIT workshop?

 

How can I learn more about data management and EHR tools available to me? Have you considered a certificate in Healthcare Informatics?
 

Did CMS approve the 2015 Meaningful Use changes yet? 

 

Did OCR come knocking to do an audit? Here's some helpful advice.

 

What can I expect from the July 13, 2015 transition from IACS to EIDM? 

 

Don't Wait - Register for our FREE

Webinars!

Register NOW for our next webinars! 

 

 

 

Coming Soon

2015 CMS Meaningful Use Changes 

A webinar will be scheduled once CMS finalizes and approves the Meaningful Use changes that will take effect in 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

July 8, 2015

1-2 pm

Protecting and Securing Health Information - We Are All In This Together 

Everyone has a role in protecting and securing health information.  Please join us for this important webinar that will leave you with a better understanding of how to integrate privacy and security requirements into your facilities. 

 
We will review the new Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) guide that provides resources to help you succeed in your privacy and security responsibilities. 
 

 

Topics include

* Reviewing updated information about compliance with the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs' privacy and security requirements
* Reviewing the HIPAA Privacy, Security, and Breach Notification Rule

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

register 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

July 15, 2015

2-3 pm 

ICD-10 -What Clinicians Need to Know Now! 

Join Dr. Joe Nichols, a leading ICD-10 specialist and board-certified orthopedic surgeon, as he shares his ICD-10 knowledge and how to prepare for this significant transition. 

 

You will have an opportunity to ask questions of the Wyoming Department of Health's Division of Healthcare Financing (the Division) following Dr. Nichol's presentation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

register 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday

August 5, 2015

2-3 pm 

QRUR - An Important Part of PQRS 

Why should I pay attention to my QRUR?  The Quality Resource Use Reports (QRURs) are part of CMS's Physician Feedback Program which provides physicians with comparative information about the quality and cost of the care delivered to their Medicare fee-for-service patients. CMS will use QRURs to preview the performance scores that will be used in calculating the value-based payment modifier (VBM), a program for physician reimbursement that rewards value rather than volume.  

 

This webinar will be an overview of the different QRUR reports, their content and how they can be a beneficial resource in quality reporting for 2015.

  

Topics include

 * Review of the QRURs available and where to access

* Explanation of key areas of the QRUR as it relates to PQRS

* Identify resources for reference and further education


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

register 

 

Subscriber Webinars Soon to be Scheduled

 

Meaningful Use Stage 1 Open Forum
Meaningful Use Stage 2 Open Forum
HIPAA Security Education - For Your Staff
Quality Reporting Open Forum

 

Learn how to become an HTS Subscriber and enjoy the benefits! 

 

Did You Miss our Latest Webinars on Filling the Gaps of Quality Reporting With Your EHR and 2015 MU Reporting for EPs?

 

Have trouble pulling data from your EHR system?  On June 3, Mary Erickson, HTS Consultant, gave us great tips on how to effectively get data from an EHR.  Don't miss Mary's Filling the Gaps of Quality Reporting With Your EHR presentation.
 
Do you find PQRS confusing?  On May 20, Sarah Leake, HTS Consultant, helped us understand the 2015 PQRS program and reporting options.  Don't miss Sarah's 2015 PQRS and Value Modifier-The 5 W's and How presentation.

Do you have a webinar topic you would like us to present?  Email your hot topic to Patty KosednarSee our upcoming webinars.

HTS Top 5-What You Need to Know

Right Now!    

TopOneCould your practice or hospital department benefit from a Rural HIT workshop?

 

May 12, 2015 marked the day for our very first Rural HIT workshop! Health Technology Services hosted, and the Rural HIT Network funded, a full day of education, targeting all the EHR related items we see rural organizations struggle with daily. The workshop included lectures, discussion and live demonstrations in different EHR systems.

 

The agenda included

  • understanding CEHRT standards

  • patient portals

  • data collection

  • health information exchange

  • clinical decision support tools

  • QI & payment reform program alignment, and

  • offered a chance to network with other users in similar size facilities

 

The workshop participants ranged from IT staff to nurse super users and even a provider. It was a great cross-section of EHR users which lead to great active discussion throughout the day. Some of the feedback we received was that "the content was pertinent, timely and useful" and "exceeded my expectations".

 

Does this workshop sound like something you would like to see offered in your region? Then HTS and the Rural HIT Network would love to hear from you! Please contact HTS and let us know when and where you would like to see our next workshop held! 

 

TopTwoHow can I learn more about data management and EHR tools available to me?  Have you considered a certificate in Healthcare Informatics?


Currently, the MT Rural Health IT Network has grant funding available for reimbursement of tuition and fees associated with certificates in Healthcare Informatics, specifically for those people working or intending to work in rural healthcare!  So, if you are wondering how to learn more about EHRs and using them in data management, this program could be for you!

 

Dispelling myths about healthcare informatics:

  • Myth - I need a degree in IT to go take informatics classes.

  • Fact - NO! You can have a degree in nursing, med technology, or even be a provider - or not even healthcare - and get a certificate in informatics.

  • Myth - The classes will be too "techie" for me to understand.

  • Fact - NO! The instructors and your classmates are GREAT at helping to "translate" the language and make it easy to understand.

  • Myth - I don't have time to take a class.

  • Fact - YES, YOU DO! All the classes are offered online from four different colleges and move at a pace that can be worked into your schedule. The tuition reimbursement program covers classes offered at MSU - Great Falls College, MT Tech, UM-Missoula College and Flathead Valley Community College. There is still time to register for classes starting this fall!

 

How do you get more information? Click RHIT to read an overview of the tuition reimbursement program. If you are seriously interested and would like curriculum and tuition program information, please contact Cindra Stahl at (406) 994-6499 or [email protected].


Mary Erickson of HTS is currently a student in the Informatics Certificate program and would love to answer any questions you may have about life as a student! She can be reached at (406) 521 - 0488 or [email protected].
 

TopThreeDid CMS approve the 2015 Meaningful Use changes yet?


NO.  The proposed changes were in a public commenting period until June 15, 2015.  CMS should announce the final changes within the next 60 days.

 

Health Technology Services will schedule a webinar to review the changes once they are finalized. 


Below is a summary of the proposed changes.

  • 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 
 
For more information on the NPRM for 2015, please see all the details in the Federal Register.
  

For information on how to proceed with MU 2015 until the NPRM is finalized, please see the presentation from our recent webinar.

  
TopFourDid OCR come knocking to do an audit? Here's some helpful advice
 

In March of 2014, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) announced that HIPAA audits would start in the fall of 2014. To date, no audits have taken place, and as of this writing, the audit program is still on hold.

 

That said, the OCR is gearing up for the pre-selection process and has announced that audits will commence when the audit portals and project management software are completed. Even if an entity has been reasonably attentive to compliance, it is still prudent for them to do some upfront research on what to expect should they be selected.  Read more...


 

Need help with your clinic or hospital's privacy and security needs?  See our HIPAA Security Assistance, or contact Susan Clarke, HCISPP, at HTS  for more information.
 

TopFiveWhat can I expect from the July 13, 2015 transition from IACS to EIDM

  

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced in May that the Individuals Authorized Access to CMS Computer Services (IACS) system will be retired on July 13, 2015. Current IACS user accounts will transition to an existing CMS system called Enterprise Identity Management (EIDM). The EIDM system provides a way for business partners to apply for, obtain approval, and receive a single user ID for accessing multiple CMS applications.

 

  • Existing PQRS IACS users, their data, and roles will be moved to EIDM and will be accessible from the 'PQRS Portal' portion of the CMS Enterprise Portal at http://portal.cms.gov

  • Users will then access the PQRS Portal to submit data, retrieve submission reports, view feedback reports, or conduct various administrative and maintenance activities.

 

Please see the announcement link and keep a watch for more information from CMS Check out the FAQ page.


Need help with PQRS - take a look at our Quality Program Reporting Assistance, or contact us directly.

 

       HTS Contact Information      
Health Technology Services is a division of Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation, QIN-QIO for Alaska, Hawaii, Montana and Wyoming.  Together we can help you use technology to deliver the quality care your patients deserve!
 
Contact HTS at (406) 457-5897
Thank-You!                   

 

Patty Kosednar

Executive Director

Health Technology Services, MT/WY Regional Extension Center

...a division of Mountain-Pacific Quality Health

(406) 461-4410