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


April 2013

Tim BangertAs we enter mid-April, I am cautiously optimistic that Spring has finally arrived in central Ohio!  I am also pleased to share with you the great progress central Ohio has made on the path to EHR Implementation and Meaningful Use.

In each newsletter we place a chart that reflects the progression of medical practices through the stages of implementation, adoption and Meaningful Use (MU). It is exciting to see how many have had success.

 

For those still on the path, COHIE is looking forward to helping you either directly or by simply answering the occasional question.

 

 

Sincerely,
Tim

Tim Bangert
(614) 384-9174
[email protected]

IN THIS ISSUE
Important Dates & Deadlines
Many Benefits of HIE
The Life Cycle of the COHIE REC Program
CliniSync Endorsed by COHIE
Many Benefits of HIE

Important Dates & Deadlines

Date Book (new) The message for medical practices that have not yet begun, but plan to take advantage of the Medicare EHR Incentive Program is this...the clock is ticking. 

October 3, 2013 is the last day for eligible providers to begin the 90-reporting period for Medicare Incentives. As the deadline fast approaches, it is clear that waiting until the last minute could have negative consequences. COHIE is here to help practices prepare and avoid unexpected challenges.  "We are hoping that practices will reach out for help before the eleventh hour so that we can make sure they are set before October 3rd.", explained COHIE's Interim Director Tim Bangert.

Click here for an HIT timeline produced by the CMS.

For questions and additional assistance, please contact Tim Bangert at (614) 384-9174 or [email protected]

 

CliniSync HIE Will Offer Many Benefits to Providers

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In early 2013, COHIE Board Members voted to endorse CliniSync as the preferred HIE provider for central Ohio providers.  This endorsement followed a deliberate vetting process to ensure that the vendor selected would be the best fit for the community.

A key component to the success of HIE in a community is the participation of the hospital systems.  This will probably not happen all at once in the central Ohio area.  The pace at which the various hospital systems come onto the CliniSync system will be determined by their internal needs and readiness.  Nontheless, the eventual benefits of having a community-wide HIE system are clear.  Physicians, hospital systems and other care providers sharing pertinent information in real-time will certainly have a positive impact on patient outcomes, not to mention the cost of care delivery. 

Providers have many questions about how tapping into an HIE will impact their work lives.  Here are some commonly asked inquiries about a central Ohio HIE:

What will the cost be for providers?  There is no charge to use the "CliniSync HIE Services for Physicians" because federal grants subsidize these basic services. Future direct integration through your certified EHR may require vendor fees. 

Are there patient privacy concerns when accessing the HIE? The technology used to create the HIE will be HIPAA compliant, secure and only accessible by authorized staff.  Patients provide a one-time consent to their physicians and hospitals to share the information.

What type of information can be exchanged via the HIE?  The information that can be exchanged includes patient care summaries; medication histories, referrals, general lab results, pathology results, blood bank results, transcribed reports and radiology reports.

COHIE will keep you informed as more specific information about the HIE in central Ohio develops. In the meantime, please contact us with specific questions.
 

The Life-Cycle of the COHIE REC Program

COHIE is continuing to see a steady progression of practices going live or reaching Meaningful Use with their EHR systems. As the October 3rd deadline draws closer, a rapid increase in those hitting Milestone 3 is expected.

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COHIE Honored as Semi-Finalist at
TechColumbus Innovation Awards Ceremony

 The TechColumbus Annual Innovation Awards event took place on February 7th and COHIE was recognized as a Semi-Finalist in the "Outstanding Start Up" category.  

TechColumbus has been honoring individuals and companies for their contributions to innovation in our community for several years now. The evening illuminated the rich culture of innovation in the central Ohio area and the potential for great things in the future. Perhaps most impressive were the achievements of high school aged students who are already on the cutting edge of innovation. 

COHIE congratulates the 2012 TechColumbus Innovation winners and fellow Runners-up.  

 

Incentive Payment Totals in Ohio Becoming Substantial

Check The reward for the investment of time, money and hard work is beginning to pay off for many physicians and medical professionals in Ohio. As of April 1st, a total of $213 million reached healthcare professionals in Ohio following implementation and reaching Meaningful Use of their certified EHR systems. 

In addition to the monetary incentive payments, many medical practices received technical services from COHIE that equates to thousands of dollars of professional consultation.  COHIE Interim Director Tim Bangert explained, "through the end of March 2013, $3.7 million in services have been provided to eligible providers enrolled in the Regional Extension Center program through COHIE."

 

 

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