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AOAMI Archived News
AHRQ Releases New Workflow Toolkit for Small and Medium Sized Practices
A new toolkit is available from AHRQ to help small and medium sized practices analyze workflow and redesign before, during, and after implementing health IT. "Workflow Assessment for Health IT" includes examples of workflow analysis and redesign and the experiences of other practices in implementing health IT. A copy of the toolkit is available at http://healthit.ahrq.gov/workflow.
The Expanding Use of Medical E-Records
Representatives from the Ohio Health Information Partnership and Mat Kindall from the ONC all were featured on," All Sides With Ann Fisher," on WOSU Radio. OHIP representatives included Interim CEO Dan Paoletti and Gregg Alexander, DO, a member of the OHIP Board who was the first physician in Ohio to get Medicaid incentive dollars for EHR. Click here to listen.
Patients social media use raises practical issues for doctors
Ethical concerns come into play when physicians become part of health conversations on Facebook and other sites. Full story >>
EHR Incentive Program Registration: What You Need to Know
The American Osteopathic Association has created a PowerPoint presentation that lists the steps required to enroll in the EHR Incentive Program. Please click here to download your copy.
MO HIT Assistance Center's First "EHR Road Show" Gets Ready to Roll
Be on the lookout in your community for the Missouri Health Information Technology (MO HIT) Assistance Center's "EHR Road Show." March 14-16, we're bringing our free, two-hour educational seminars on the adoption and meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs) to Rolla, Poplar Bluff, West Plains, and Lebanon, Missouri. These seminars will highlight the special support and incentive programs that are making the transition to electronic health records easier for health care professionals. Other Missouri health care professionals have jumped on this unique opportunity to enhance, or even introduce an EHR to their health care operation; this could be the break you needed. Click here for more info.
eRx 101: Gearing Up For the 2011 Medicare Incentives -
learn how to succeed and avoid the penalty
This free webinar was broadcast live on Wed, Jan. 19, 2011. You can earn 1 hour of AOA CME Category 1-B credit for listening to the webinar and taking the post-test. Click here to view.
CMS and ONC have established an interactive map for the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program. This information will be updated on a monthly basis.
PODCAST -
What do Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine Need from an EHR?
Guest: Dr. Thomas Zimmerman - Director, Osteopathic Medical Education, Program Director, Osteopathic Family Medicine Residency, South Nassau Communities Hospital.
Total time: 6:58
HIT Webinar Slides Available
David Blumenthal, MD, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (HIT), discussed the recently released "meaningful use" rule and how physicians can qualify for up to $44,000 under the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Records (EHR) Incentive Programs. This webinar also featured presentations by Elizabeth Holland from CMS on details of the incentive programs under Medicare and Medicaid, and Carol Bean from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information (ONC) on the certification process and criteria for HIT systems. View the presentations.
ONC Issues Final Rule for EHR Technology Temporary Certification Program
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued a final rule to establish a temporary certification program for electronic health record (EHR) technology. The program establishes processes that organizations will need to follow in order to be authorized by the National Coordinator to test and certify EHR technology. Use of "certified EHR technology" is a core requirement for providers who seek to qualify to receive incentive payments under the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs provisions authorized in the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act. Visit the HHS site for certification info.
PHR Guides Available to Consumers and Physicians
The AOAMI has collaborated with 3 other health industry associations to introduce reference guides for personal health records (PHR) for consumers and clinicians. Both versions of the Personal Health Record Quick Reference Guide cover the purpose, benefits and privacy/access issues of PHRs, along with frequently asked questions. Visit the AOAMI's PHR Center to download the guides and more information.
eHealth Initiative HIT Briefing (PDF)
ARRA Provides Electronic Health Record Initiative
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which was signed into law on February 17, 2009, provides over $19 billion in HIT investment and creates financial incentives for HIT adoption by health care professionals participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs. Under ARRA, two key concepts determine whether eligible professionals qualify for HIT incentive payments - they must make "meaningful use" of HIT and in addition use a qualified or certified electronic health record. Get complete details.
OMED 2009 Presentations Available
Download and review the PowerPoint presentations and handouts from the 3-day AOAMI CME series that took place during OMED 2009 in New Orleans.
National Committee on Vital and Health Statistics Meeting
Be sure to list the AOAMI on your registration form for OMED 2009. Your AOAMI ribbon will allow you to be in the front of the line for our two luncheon meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday. Look for information on our fantastic Sunday afternoon programs. NCVHS meeting minutes
Health Data Management's IT Stimulus Summit Town Hall
This event offers practical, real-life tips from those physician group practice leaders who have weathered the EHR implementation storm and are eager to share their advice with colleagues. You will hear first-hand how leading group practices have overcome the obstacles of vendor selection,workflow redesign, and ROI analysis. Read about the event
Keeping the Patient in the Equation
In an article on the New England Journal of Medicine's Web site, Pamela Hartzband, M.D., and Jerome Groopman, M.D. discuss two major movements occurring in the health care debate. The first is the drive to improve patient care through understanding. Called humanism, this movement's purpose is to focus on "individual values, goals, and preferences with respect to clinical decisions". The second aims to put "medicine on a firm scientific footing". Read the whole article
New England Journal of Medicine Launches Health Care Policy Website
The New England Journal of Medicine has launched a new online resource for health care policy news, opinion, and commentary. Topics discussed on the site include Easing the Shortage in Adult Primary Care - Is It All about Money?; Finding Money for Health Care Reform - Rooting Out Waste, Fraud, and Abuse; Achieving Health Care Reform - How Physicians Can Help; and Use of Electronic Health Records in U.S. Hospitals. Visit the web site | or view the feed below
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) Program Reminder
It is not too late to start participating in the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) and potentially qualify to receive incentive payments. A new half-year reporting period begins on July 1. If you have not yet started, you can still begin reporting. Read more
AOA Hosted First Ever Virtual Town Hall Meeting
For those who missed it, the American Osteopathic Association held its first ever virtual town hall meeting on June 22. The meeting, which attracted over 500 participants, addressed Congress's plan for health system reform. AOA Executive Director, John B. Crosby, J.D. who served as host of the hour long interactive broadcast, entertained questions from participants from all over the country. Shawn Martin, Director of Government Relations from the AOA's DC office, provided an overview of the plan. Listen to the meeting
Time is Running Out to View 2007 PQRI Feedback Reports
Information for Eligible Professionals Who Participated in the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that the 2007 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) feedback reports, posted since July 2008, will be archived effective June 30, 2009 and will no longer be available to eligible professionals (EPs) who participated in the 2007 PQRI. Read more | View reports
2009 AOA Convention Opening Session Keynote
Carville and Matalin keynote AOA's Opening Session. The politically dynamic duo James Carville and Mary Matalin will be keynote speakers at the Opening Session of the 114th AOA Convention, 8 am to 10 am, Monday, November 2, in the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. One of the most recognizable figures in politics, Carville is an insider who analyzes the political landscape with his signature energy and humor. Read details and register
Job Opening at eHealth Initiative and eHealth Initiative Foundation
Chief Executive Officer position available. The eHealth Initiative and its Foundation (eHI) are Washington D.C.- based, independent, non-profit affiliated organizations whose missions are the same: to drive improvements in the quality, safety, and efficiency of healthcare through information and information technology. Read position details (PDF 46K) | Go to Web site
John B. Crosby Comments on Senate Finance Committee Reform Policy
On Tuesday, April 28, the Senate Finance Committee released a document titled "Transforming the Health Care Delivery System: Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Health Care Costs." The 52-page document presents a series of policy options aimed at reforming the nation's health care delivery system. It addressed key AOA policy issues such as Medicare physician payment, care coordination, the Physician Quality Improvement Program, and the physician workforce. Read complete letter (DOC format) | Read Senate proposal (PDF 203K)
Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI): Frequently Asked Questions
Not sure how to get started in the PQRI program or curious about eligibility? Well The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has created answers to many of the frequently asked questions (FAQS) on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI). A number of FAQs have been revised, while many new FAQS have been added to the system [since January]. The purpose of the FAQs is to provide detailed answers to common questions regarding the PQRI program. Among the various FAQs included in this update are several related to the 2007 PQRI data re-run. The FAQs may be found on the PQRI section of the CMS website.
New CME Offering on Diabetes
Slowing the Progression of Type 2 Diabetes: The Role of Early Intervention on Disease Modification - This activity is intended for osteopathic physicians and other health care professionals interested in learning more about the management of patients with type 2 diabetes. Read more
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Program Updates
2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Measure Specifications Now Available. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce the release of the detailed specifications for the 2009 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) measures and the 2009 PQRI measures groups. All information has been posted to the PQRI webpage on the CMS website
E-prescribing Audiotapes and Slides are Now Available
In 2009 the The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will provide incentives for health care providers who use e-prescribing. In October 2008 CMS and 34 partner organizations hosted a meeting about the mechanics of implementing an e-prescribing program in a practice. Simply go to the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) hosted Online Continuing Education Web site to view the presentations and hear the audiotapes of the program. All course materials and exams are offered free of charge.
Medicare's Practical Guide to the E-Prescribing Program Now Available
The guide explains the e-prescribing incentive program, how eligible professionals can participate, and how to choose a qualified e-prescribing system. By adopting e-prescribing through Medicare’s program, eligible professionals can save time, enhance office and pharmacy productivity, and improve patient safety and quality of care while earning incentives from Medicare. Read the guide (PDF 507K) or get additional information.
New Electronic Medical Directory Available Free to AOA Members
Are you tired of flipping through the worn pages of your office paper directory to find a physician or pharmacy in your area? Now you can have accurate information on all of your local clinicians (DOs, MDs, NPs, PAs, RNs including NPI numbers), pharmacies, hospitals and managed care organizations at your fingertips with DODirectory™ - the first free electronic medical directory now available exclusively to AOA members. Log into DO-Online.org to access this new feature