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COHIE - Central Ohio Health Information Exchange Monthly EHR & Meaningful Use Incentive Update


January 2012

MATT ESKER IIWith the festivities of the holiday season behind us and many exciting opportunities ahead, the staff and Board Members of COHIE are looking forward to 2012!

 

We will continue to serve physician practices as they adopt, implement and reach Meaningful Use of EHR technology.  We will also have our eye on the Health Information Exchange (HIE) that is being considered in our state.  Clearly, 2012 will be another busy, but productive year!

As always, I encourage you to contact me with any questions you have about EHR or if you have experiences you would like to share.

Sincerely,

 

Matt Esker, Director
COHIE - Central Ohio Health Information Exchange

(614) 384-9174   matte@cohie.org

IN THIS ISSUE
COHIE Named Semi-Finalist
Central Ohio Adopters Receive Incentive Checks
The Future of HIE in Ohio

COHIE Named Semi-Finalist at Innovation Awards 

TechColumbus

On Thursday, February 2, 2012 the annual TechColumbus Innovation Awards will showcase Central Ohio's many achievements by honoring its top innovators.

We are proud to announce that COHIE is a Semi-Finalist in the Outstanding Startup Business Category! "It is an honor to be a Semi-Finalist for this award and to be recognized for our innovations. We look forward to the event to learn if we will be named Outstanding Startup Business," commented COHIE Director Matt Esker.

We'll let you know next month if COHIE takes home naming rights to Outstanding Startup Business!

Central Ohio EHR Adopters Continue to

Receive Incentive Payments

CheckThe investment of time, money and energy is paying off for a lot of physicians and health care professionals in central Ohio.  Incentive payments received from both the Medicare and Medicaid programs have topped $2.25 million as of the end of December 2011.
 
The volume of stimulus payments mirrors the fact that Ohio is leading the country in EHR adoption and reaching "meaningful use" standards.  It also reflects the potential that providers have in our state to improve patient care and lower costs through the use of EHR technology.
  
If you would like to learn more, contact COHIE at (614) 384-9174. 

The Future of HIE in Ohio

HIE imageMuch of COHIE's focus over the last year and a half has been targeted at helping physicians adopt, implement and reach Meaningful Use of certified EHR systems. 

However, we have not lost sight of the ultimate goal of achieving a statewide Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Ohio.  Providers and hospital systems gaining the ability to easily exchange patient health information will truly be an asset to all.

Exactly how this will be achieved, and through which HIE system, is currently being discussed by many stakeholders.  Right now there are two systems that potentially provide a viable HIE option to Ohio healthcare providers.  One system is offered through HealthBridge and the other through CliniSync. Regardless of the system selected, there is clearly inherent value for central Ohio providers to agree on one system.

Clinisync and Healthbridge recently demonstrated their products to COHIE board members (representing central Ohio hospital systems, providers and business).  Members are currently assessing the benefits and features of both systems. 

Have more specific questions regarding HIE?  COHIE can provide the answers.  Contact COHIE Director Matt Esker at (614) 384-9174.

Ohio Health Information Partnership is funded through the Office of the National Coordinator, U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, grant numbers 90RC0012 and 90HT0024