March 2013
In the first year of participation in the CMS Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, and only in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, eligible professionals (EPs) may receive incentive payments through an option called “adopt, implement, or upgrade,” commonly known as “AIU.”
Nationally, REACH leads many of the indicators for progress including EHR adoption and meaningful use attainment.
Patient engagement is a hot topic where a fair number of processes and tools have already been developed. However, processes and tools to help providers engage their patients, on the other hand, were non-existent. We, at REACH, embarked on a journey to fill this gap.
When eligible professionals work at more than one clinical site
Performing a security review of your electronic health care system and correcting anything that might make the patients’ information vulnerable is a must. Changes in storage methods, staff training, updated software, new policies and procedures or changes in workflow are just some examples of actions that may be needed to eliminate any issues.
Elizabeth Holland, director of the HIT Initiatives Group in CMS' Office of E-Health Standards & Services, confirmed that Medicare meaningful use payments will be subject to mandatory cuts under budget sequestration.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy and Security Rules have focused on health care providers, health plans and other entities that process health insurance claims.
2012 Minnesota e-Health Connectivity Grant Program for HIE - Additional Funds Available
Keep track of national updates.
December 2012
Regina Medical Center (RMC), a rural hospital with 44 inpatient beds, in Hastings, MN, has leveraged the expertise of REACH to support its progress towards meaningful use.
Phil Deering outlines a requirement that has caught many REACH clients off guard.
September 2012
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services announced the Meaningful Use Stage 2 final rule on August 23, 2012.
Nearly 4,800 Minnesota and North Dakota providers are directly benefitting from REACH services.
Christopher Meyer, Datacenter Operations Manager at SISU Medical Solutions outlines their experience with Marcy Hospital in Moose Lake.
A pilot program was developed to perform 115 audits of covered entities to assess privacy and security compliance.
HIPAA Privacy and Security Requirements are embedded in Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.
REACH has developed the checklist Eligible Hospitals: Recommended Documents.
Applications for the North Dakota Planning Loan Program will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. Friday, September 14, 2012.
Learn about training opportunities available through Normandale, Lake Region State College and UP-HI.
HIE updates from Minnesota and North Dakota.
Medicaid updates from Minnesota and North Dakota.
Important national updates including critical dates to be aware of.
June 2012
More than 4,700 Minnesota and North Dakota providers are directly benefitting from REACH services including 613 primary clinic locations and 104 critical access hospitals; 132% and 84% respectively of its client recruitment goals.
The Regional Extension Assistance Center for HIT in Minnesota and North Dakota is hosting a timely and informative pre-Summit on Wednesday, June 13 prior to the Minnesota e-Health Summit
At the personal level, consumer engagement means being involved in your own health and health care which includes decisions about treatment. Patients that are engaged are powerful partners in their own health and health care. This involvement can lead to advocating for higher-value health care that is also more efficient and effective.
REACH submitted comments on both the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Stage 2 Meaningful Use Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs). These comments included feedback received from REACH clients.
The Southeast Minnesota Beacon program received an award of $12 million in May 2010 from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services through the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology.
Confidentiality and trust is crucial in any patient-provider relationship in order for the patient to feel comfortable and openly discuss their health.
REACH recently disseminated a survey to assess client satisfaction and develop the next generation of REACH consulting services.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development program has funding for rural health care providers and organizations to support the purchase of equipment and infrastructure necessary to adopt certified Electronic Health Records technology.
HIE updates from Minnesota and North Dakota
The Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) recently completed two major deliverables necessary to move forward with implementation of the Minnesota Medicaid Electronic Health Record Incentive Program (MEIP).
March 2012
The Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for Stage 2 meaningful use was released by CMS on February 23, 2012.
McKenzie County Healthcare System, Presentation Medical Center and Midgarden Family Clinic Recognized as Leaders in Implementation of EHRs
A university-based academic consortium formed to address the HIT workforce shortage
The University Partnership for Health Informatics (UP-HI) was created to educate new health professionals who can assist in the transition from paper to digital records - in the form of patients' electronic health records, prescriptions, best treatments/therapies and more. UP-HI members include the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, the College of St. Scholastica (CSS) and the University of Minnesota-Crookston.
Due to the economic downturn, Normandale Community College’s HIT program has focused on the dislocated workers as well as those that are looking for a career shift into health care. This focus was a perfect fit for the workforce in Minnesota.
The LRSC program is responsive to the strong economic conditions in North Dakota, and typically is serving students seeking professional advancement in their current jobs and careers.
The North Dakota Health Information Technology (HIT) Loan Program is available to health care entities that wish to put in electronic health care systems or other systems, such as pharmacy systems that can accept e-prescriptions.
HIE Updates from Minnesota and North Dakota
Medicaid updates for Minnesota and North Dakota
December 2011
The federal government released new deadlines that closed the sign-up window for REACH services on December 1, 2011.
Johnson Memorial Hospital in Dawson, MN is a 25-bed critical access hospital (CAH) that recently attested to meaningful use. In order to receive electronic health record (EHR) incentive payments.
Two Minnesota organizations were recently recognized by REACH for their leadership in the nationwide transition toward electronic health records (EHR). REACH welcomed Glacial Ridge Health System and Christopher Wenner, MD into an exclusive group of leaders – the Meaningful Use Vanguard (MUV). Glacial Ridge Health System was recognized Monday, October 31. Dr. Wenner was recognized Monday, December 5.
More eligible hospitals (EH) and eligible providers (EP) are moving towards meeting meaningful use and attesting and they need to understand what attestation entails.
It’s time to get moving on your Stage 1 Meaningful Use HIE Objectives.
Congratulations to Jacobson Memorial Hospital Care Center in Elgin, ND, and Mahnomen Health Center in Mahnomen, MN, as recipients of the Rural Health Information Technology (HIT) Network Development Program Grant.
HIE Updates from Minnesota and North Dakota
Medicaid updates for Minnesota and North Dakota
September 2011
Congratulations to Glacial Ridge Health System and Northfield Hospital and Clinics
Most of the privacy and security requirements for meaningful use are common sense from an IS side
June 2011
Critical access hospital clients use REACH services and expertise to help them along the path to achieving meaningful use.
HealthFinders Collaborative used REACH services and expertise to help select an EHR to enhance care delivery.
The flow of information into the practice on the patient's medication history and formulary, the ease of maintaining an accurate medication list, and the availability of the clinical decision support tools to help the prescriber avoid medication errors are reason enough to embrace e-prescribing.
Barry Bershow, MD, has been working in multiple areas of REACH including private ambulatory practice, large integrated health systems, measurement and reporting, and EHR implementation and organization.
Privacy and security issues are core measures within the meaningful use requirements—REACH resources can help you comply.
Updates regarding HIE in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Updates on Minnesota and North Dakota Medicaid Incentives.
CMS announced that incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program started in late May. Providers who have successfully attested to having met meaningful use, and who have met all the other program requirements, can expect to receive their 2011 incentive payments soon.
March 2011
ONC announced an additional $12 million in new technical support assistance to help critical access hospitals (CAHs) and rural hospitals adopt and become meaningful users of certified health information technology.
REACH announces its new fee structure.
Coal County Community Health Centers utilize REACH’s services and expertise to help them along the path to achieving meaningful use.
As hospitals and eligible providers (EPs) focus efforts on implementing and using EHR systems to streamline workflow, improve patient safety and qualify for Medicare/Medicaid meaningful use incentive payments, there has been a slow but increasing recognition of the challenges that underlie the meaningful use criterion that calls for direct reporting of quality measures data from the EHR system. More data will be available in a structured and standardized digital format with health care providers moving toward EHR utilization.
REACH is excited to offer student practicum experiences beginning March 1, 2011.
Bill has been working with Minnesota health care organizations and information technology for more than 35 years.
Learn about the State-Based Councils.
Updates regarding HIE in Minnesota and North Dakota.
Updates on Minnesota and North Dakota Medicaid Incentives.
Applications are due April 1.
The 2010 ONC Grantee Meeting was held December 14-15.
Updates from CMS and ONC.
December 2010
Time is running out on federal discounts for EHR services.
REACH has collected a great deal of information on the leading EHR vendors and their plans for availability of their Meaningful Use Stage 1 EHR releases.
Health care clinicians who have begun to make the successful transition to an EHR and are using their system as a clinical management tool have an opportunity to participate in a national movement developed by ONC called Meaningful Use Vanguard (MUV).
REACH’s menu of technical assistance services helps clinics and hospitals with EHRs achieve meaningful use. Glacial Ridge Health System is well positioned to attest to meaningful use in 2012.
A carefully constructed foundation and the right tools to help a facility adopt and implement an EHR can mean the difference between systems that achieve value, and those that are not well used or add administrative burden.
Updates on Minnesota and North Dakota HIE.
Minnesota and North Dakota Medicaid Incentive information.
September 2010
Critical Access and rural hospitals in Minnesota and North Dakota can now receive subsidized assistance to work on adoption and meaningful use of health information technology (HIT).
An assessment is available for clinics who already have an EHR to determine how ready they are to meet meaningful use with their current EHR system.
Midgarden Family Clinic—a standalone, independent family practice in Park River, North Dakota—was on the verge of selecting a new electronic health record system when its office manager contacted REACH.
While much of the discussion of meaningful use criteria is around safety, efficiency and effectiveness of health care delivery—the real issue is quality. Describing what quality in health care actually looks like may best be accomplished through the lens of patient experience.
Meaningful use is not just about the technology. A vendor can provide you with meaningful technology, but just having a certified EHR in place does not mean that you'll automatically achieve meaningful use nor does it mean you'll get the most out of your EHR investment.
Information on Minnesota and North Dakota HIE
Minnesota and North Dakota Medicaid Updates
Having a certified EHR and demonstrating its meaningful use are required for health care providers to be eligible for federal incentive payments. To date, 34 EHR products have been certified by two of the the three organizations selected as ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies.
July 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published its final rule July 13, 2010.
Minnesota and North Dakota providers are signing up to take advantage of REACH services.
Readiness Assessment / Project Manager
Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, hospitals and eligible professionals can apply for Medicare and Medicaid incentives.
Critical access and rural hospital news, MN e-Health Summit 2010
