August 30, 2010 – Reported in Modern Healthcare: HHS today named CCHIT and The Drummond Group as the first two bodies qualified to test and certify EHR systems as capable of meeting the ARRA meaningful-use criteria. Many EHR vendors and clinicians alike will breathe a sign of relief knowing that this final important piece is…

In my blog post of August 8th, I asked whether aligning maintenance of certification (MOC) with meaningful use (MU) was a good thing. Well – it looks as if the Office of the National Coordinator thinks so.  This announcement on the FedBizOpps site (8/21/10) states the following: “The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC)…intends to…

The Commonwealth Fund published a study earlier this year based on a survey of more than 1,000 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) around the U.S. While this study covers a considerable number of topics, there is a section very pertinent to health information technology worthy of comment. The researchers noted that 40% of the approximately…

Participants in the August 4 Webinar submitted a wide range of questions, answers for which will be published soon on the AmericanEHR website. Selected preliminary questions and answers are published below: Q: Does the program start 2010 or 2011? If I install and correctly use EHR now do I get first reimbursement payment any earlier…

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is hosting a series of informational calls the purpose of which is to provide an overview of, and answer questions related to, the temporary certification program for electronic health record (EHR) technology. Participants will hear…

You’re thinking about it, but are you ready to adopt an EHR? Use the Free EHR Readiness Assessment to measure whether you and your practice are prepared for an EHR.  By answering just 20 questions you can evaluate your Goals and Vision, Computer skills, Practice capacity for change and ability to Financially cope with the transition…

Last week, during a National Press Club event, the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) announced that it would align the maintenance of certification (MOC) process with meaningful use objectives to, “enhance the knowledge, skill and use of health IT by physicians to improve performance and patient outcomes.”  In a Health Affairs blog post, Dr….

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will be holding two free events:   Date: August 10, 2010 Conference Title: Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Specifics for Eligible Professionals Conference Call Time: 2:00 -3:30 p.m. ET Target Audience: Individual Practitioners To register for the call participants need to go to: http://www.eventsvc.com/palmettogba/081010  Date: August…