Top Story

• AHA: CMS should address claims error in EHR incentive initiatives
  The American Hospital Association has asked CMS to correct an error that would bar certain physicians from participating in the EHR incentive programs for Medicare and Medicaid. Because CMS does not include claims billed under the Method 2 approach in the incentive programs, doctors at critical access hospitals who bill for outpatient department services using this method are being inappropriately excluded, AHA said in its letter, adding that these physicians could end up becoming eligible only a year before penalties start if the problem is not addressed quickly. BeckersHospitalReview.com (1/10)     

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EHRs and MU

• CMS helps specialists in EHR incentive programs through MU tipsheet
  The Meaningful Use for Specialists Tipsheet was issued by CMS to help specialists understand the incentive initiatives and satisfy the requirements for MU. Several issues are covered in the tipsheet, including hardship exemptions and use of data from other providers. BeckersHospitalReview.com (1/11)     

• Study: EHR cost, care benefits fail to meet expectations
  Data from a new RAND analysis showed EHR adoption has not generated the health care savings that were expected. Meanwhile, success has been mixed, at best, in boosting care and efficiency, even though such benefits are "unquestionably there for the taking," said researcher Dr. Arthur L. Kellermann. Planning and standardization would address some of the issues, an industry expert said, and researchers said slow EHR adoption has limited savings. The study was published in Health Affairs. The New York Times (tiered subscription model) (1/10)     

Advancing Care With IT

• Polaris Health, Empathic Clinical Suite partner to help cancer patients
  A screening service to evaluate whether patients with cancer also have mental health conditions such as depression has been created through a partnership between Polaris Health Directions and Empathic Clinical Suite. The service scans patient and clinical notes, leverages a behavioral assessment platform developed by Polaris to identify psychosocial distress and risky behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use, and searches a diagnostic manual for treatment suggestions, which are added to the patient's EHR. MedCityNews.com (1/11)     

• HealthSpot collaborates with Teladoc in telehealth program
  Teladoc has partnered with HealthSpot to add a kiosk called HealthSpot Station to the Teladoc telemedicine package. "This offering will accelerate our vision of transforming health care by providing patients with access to affordable, high-quality care when, where and how they want," said Teladoc CEO Jason Gorevic. Healthcare IT News (1/10)     

Technology Trends

• CMS, vendors to change providers' health IT practices
  CMS' Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation is piloting a "medical neighborhood" program that will involve up to 15 provider groups and health systems in 15 states, helping them transform their practices using health IT to improve outcomes, lower costs and coordinate care with other providers in the community. The initiative aims to lessen the cost of health care by $49.5 million and boost the experience of patients by 25% within three years among the participating organizations. Government Health IT online (1/10)     

• Report: Global mHealth market to expand in the coming 5 years
  A report released by Transparency Market Research predicts the global market for mobile health will reach $10.2 billion by 2018 and expand over the next five years at a compound yearly rate of 41.5%. "The introduction of newer and improved mobile health applications in the market is helping the health care providers to cater (to a higher) number of patients in less time with significant cost saving," said Pawan Kumar of Transparency Market Research. Healthcare IT News (1/11)     

• FDA OKs telepresence robot from InTouch Health
  InTouch Health has been cleared by the FDA to market the RP-VITA robot, which the company developed in collaboration with iRobot. The technology, which combines iRobot's mobility and autonomous navigation tools with InTouch Health's telemedicine system, is designed to provide doctors with remote access to acute care patients. MassDevice.com (Boston) (1/10)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by Health IT SmartBrief readers in the past week.

• CMS postpones HIPAA operating rules deadline (BeckersHospitalReview.com)

• Mostashari discusses ONC priorities, gives a glimpse of stage 4 MU (Healthcare Informatics online)

• ONC to hold online meetings on HIE programs (Health Data Management)

• CMS releases record $1.2B in EHR incentives (Modern Healthcare (free registration))

• New ACOs joining Medicare Shared Savings initiative (Health Data Management)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

Career Track

• NIH seeks executive to lead its data science efforts
  The NIH will hire an associate director for data science to lead its efforts to foster partnerships with private groups involved in scientific data analysis, as well as government agencies and leaders in the research community. The NIH has named Dr. Eric Green, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute, to temporarily fill the new data science post. Government Health IT online (1/11)     

• Information services firm taps new director
  Anacomp has appointed Ed Micaletti to be its director of business process management solutions, health care and commercial. Micaletti will be responsible for adapting Anacomp's document management and business process products for health care groups, hospitals and medical offices, according to the company. Modern Healthcare (subscription required) (1/11)     

WEDI News

• WEDI employment opportunity: Administration & Member Services Coordinator
  WEDI is seeking a knowledgeable, determined and organized Administration and Member Services Coordinator who will be responsible for helping to administer the membership and sponsorship activities of WEDI. This position works closely with the VP of Development & External Affairs, as well as the Director of Marketing, in identifying prospective WEDI members, providing dues invoices and payment follow-up. Other duties include office administration and serving as the administrative liaison to the WEDI Board of Directors. The full job description and application are located on the WEDI website.     

SmartQuote

You will do foolish things, but do them with enthusiasm." --Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, French novelist and performer