NEWS
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announces major progress in doctors, hospital use of health information technology
HHS Press Office - February 17, 2012
Kansas City, MO - Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the number of hospital using health information technology (IT) has more than doubled in the last two years. She also announced new data showing nearly 2,000 hospitals and more than 41,000 doctors have received $3.1 billion in incentive payments for ensuring meaningful use of health IT, particularly certified Electronic Health Records (EHR).
STAGE 2 MEANINGFUL USE DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED
We Can't Wait: Obama Administration takes new steps to encourage doctors and hospitals to use health information technology to lower costs, improve quality, create jobs
HHS Press Office - November 30, 2011
Cleveland, OH - Today, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius released a report showing that doctors’ adoption of health information technology (IT) doubled in two years. HHS also announced new actions to speed the use of health IT in doctors’ offices and hospitals nationwide, which will improve health care and create jobs nationwide.
HHS Announces New Incentives for Providers to Work Together Through Accountable Care Organizations
October 20, 2011
Long awaited regulations regarding ACOs and the Shared Savings Program are now available.
ABA HEALTH eSOURCE
November 2010 Volume 7 Number 3
Without a Roadmap: What Direction will ACOs Travel?
Written by Sandra E. Quilty, Baudino Law Group | November 4, 2010
Federal officials representing the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of the Inspector General convened a public workshop to discuss how to form an accountable care organization (ACO) without violating fraud and abuse laws. The workshop, attended by more than 300 health industry representatives, was kicked off by opening remarks from the CMS Administrator, the FTC Chairman, and the HHS Inspector General. The federal officials discussed creation and development of ACOs section 3022 waiver authority, and the creation of new safe harbors and exceptions with regard to fraud and abuse laws.
WORKSHOP UPDATE:
ACCOUNTABLE CARE ORGANIZATIONS
Written by Sandra Quilty, Baudino Law Group | October 14, 2010
The October 5 workshop hosted by the CMS, FTC and OIG regarding ACOs was widely attended by industry representatives. The federal officials discussed the implications of the fraud and abuse laws (the Antitrust law, Stark law, and Civil Monetary Penalty Laws) with regard to ACO formation and implementation. Kicking off the workshop, federal officials commented on their respective authority to create safe harbor(s), exceptions and employ waiver authority to the current fraud and abuse laws. The FTC does plan to develop safe harbors and an expedited review process for those that fall outside of any safe harbor. Ideally, this will allow hospitals and physicians to move swiftly.
Over a dozen panelists were in attendance and all provided “real-world experience” from a variety of perspectives. As the industry moves towards forming the ACO model, the panelists stressed the need for flexibility and experimentation. Issues ranging from high-level integration to market share were covered. Panelists provided input about essential components needed to build a strong infrastructure that would support a highly integrated ACO. Many emphasized the need for an ACO to be data-rich driven in its decision-making process. This process would allow the ACO to create internal performance and cost management metrics to achieve optimum operation and coordination. Additionally, panelists were asked to opine on size as it related to market power. Many agreed that the ACO needed to be robust in size to achieve success internally and externally. However, it was evident that striking a balance between size and market share will be quite a challenge.
While federal guidance is expected later this fall, we will have to monitor federal regulators as they begin to assess the current fraud and abuse laws and how they relate to the formation of the new ACO model. In the meantime, whether regulators create safe harbors, exceptions, or employ waiver authority, we need an environment where ACO formation is encouraged to flourish as intended by the Affordable Care Act. Ultimately, the goal is to not hinder or stifle competition while simultaneously improving quality and affordability of health care. Please stay tuned to www.baudino.com for a more in-depth report on the workshop.
ABA HEALTH eSOURCE
August 2010 Volume 6 Number 12
How to Play - Commentary on the HIPAA Security Standards: Guidance on Risk Analysis
Written by Jan D. Gibson, JD, CPCU, ARe, Baudino Law Group | August 4, 2010
The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is responsible for issuing annual guidance to organizations under the HIPPA Security Rule, including, most recently, the administrative, physical and technical safeguarding of electronic health information (e-PHI). On May 7, 2010, the OCR released its draft guidance on risk analysis (Guidance) which will be updated following implementation of the final HITECH regulations.
ABA HEALTH