The healthcare IT field is rapidly developing and changing. Emerging technology and updated regulations put pressure on healthcare providers and health plans to stay ahead of the curve. Perficient creates a monthly list that explores some of the current topics and issues in health IT. This list examines the most talked about issues and technologies that are currently affecting the industry.
EHR/Meaningful Use Stage 2
Meaningful Use is a set of standards that ensures Electronic Health Record systems are being used meaningfully, in order to improve the quality of care. Stage 2 of meaningful use has a primary theme of interoperability between EHR systems and engaging patients in their own care.
- Meaningful Use Part 2, To Portal or Not to Portal And Alternatives
- EHR spotlight on interoperability, Meaningful Use, security
- Hospitals, Health Systems Don’t Feel Prepared For Meaningful Use Stage 2
- Portals a Key to Meaningful Use and ACO Success
Population Health Management
PHM is a concept that includes the healthiest and the sickest individuals by improving the overall health of high- and low risk patients by addressing personal health behaviors that may contribute to health through care, communication and education. PHM places an emphasis on primary care to provide preventative, acute and chronic illness care, which is coupled with efforts to educate patients and encourage behavior and lifestyle changes.
- Population Health Management is a Two-Way Street: Encouraging Patient Engagement
- Tips to Help Employers Manage Health and Productivity Data
- Dashboard-Driven Population Health Management in Northwest Ohio
Accountable Care Organizations
An ACO is a group of healthcare providers that partner under a payment and delivery reform model. These partners become collectively accountable for the full continuum of care for a population of patients. This reform model ultimately ties reimbursement to quality metrics and reductions in the total cost of care for the patient population.
- Managing Physician Relationships in an Accountable Care Model
- Want Your ACO To Succeed? Focus On Improving How Your Doctors & Patients Communicate
- Why ACOs Are not HMOs and Other Important Questions
- January sees 106 new Medicare ACOs
Health Information Exchange
Healthcare systems and state and local government agencies must exchange health information to those who can impact the delivery of care while empowering those who receive that care in order to meet regulatory standards and maintain business viability in the future. Interoperability plays a key role in ensuring systems can communicate with each other to share information.
- Leveraging HIEs to Enhance Care-Coordination & Manage Shared-Risk for ACOs
- Health information exchange is the foundation of care coordination
- Midwest HIEs Transmitting Among States
- CMS releases proposed rules for HIE
Health Insurance Exchanges
Exchanges are organizations that will encourage a more organized and competitive market for buying health insurance. They offer different health plan options; certifying plans that participate and providing information to help consumers better understand their options. These exchanges will be required by 2014, and will assist individuals and small businesses in comparing and purchasing health insurance coverage.
