Meaningful Use rules for stage 2 of CMS' electronic health record incentive program have been released. The proposed guidelines frame the second stage of rules for providers demonstrating "meaningful-use" in their adoption of electronic medical records. The rules delay stage 2 implementation until 2014, allowing additional time for development and implementation. Read more in Kaiser Health News and Health Care Finance News.

The upcoming Supreme Court ruling is alternately viewed as a show down or a largely academic exercise, according to the perspective of the parties involved.  The case and its outcome will, however, have some very real implications in the area of health information technology uptake. As some states are planning for and developing the infrastructure to support exchanges, they are forced to seriously consider and financially commit to the development of suitable IT systems.

Simultaneously, growth in the area of Accountable Care Organizations is driving demand for health IT services. As the demand for these services is growing, AIS Health News' Inside Health Insurance Exchanges considers the implications of these trends, particularly of insurance exchanges, on health information technology. Read more by pasting this link into your browser; http://aishealth.com/archive/nhex0112-02.

This week, HHS released rules governing the administrative aspects of electronic funds transfers in health care. The standards, developed in accordance with the Affordable Care Act will, according to HHS projections, potentially save up to $4.5 billion in administrative costs.

The rule, the Adoption of Standards for Health Care Electronic Funds Transfers and Remittance Advice, is intended to cut costs by streamlining and standardizing data transmissions sent by banks paying claims electronically. Read more in this HHS News Release.

The challenges inherent in minimizing HIPAA risks while increasing utilization of electronic medical records were highlighted in a recent AIS Health News column. Focusing upon the theft of backup tapes for the government's Tricare program, the authors highlight the vulnerability of health data archived in this manner. Experts interviewed for the story indicate that data on tapes may not be encrypted, that about 75% of hospitals as well as other providers and health plans utilize this technology, and suggest disk to disk electronic vaulting as a more secure alternative for data archiving. To read more, follow this link to the full article:  http://aishealth.com/archive/hipaa1111-06.

This week the Institute of Medicine issued a report, based on research conducted at the request of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT. IOM is recommending that a new agency be established and charged with the investigation of safety incidents tied to health information technology tools such as health information exchanges, and electronic or personal health records. Specifically, IOM indicated that the FDA is not the appropriate oversight body for this function and noted the agency lacked the resources and investigative capabilities to oversee this area. The report outlines 10 proposals for enhancing the safety of systems and is available for download.

As the deadline approaches for providers to meet CMS rules regarding the uptake and use of electronic prescribing, letters are being sent to providers. That correspondence indicates those failing to meet CMS' electronic prescribing requirements should be mindful of the November first deadline to apply for a hardship exemption. Those who don't meet the e-prescribing criteria and fail to apply for the hardship exemption could see payments cut by 1% next year. Information on the program and the policy and procedure for obtaining an exemption can be found at the CMS web site.

Several issues came up this week in the area of health information technology. First an article exploring the complexity of establishing a nationwide health information network appeared in Government Health IT. Authors consider the complexities introduced as individual states have developed separate regulations governing the storage and sharing of data.

AIS Health News reports on the costs incurred when Tennessee Blue Cross addressed a data breach. That plan spent $6 million in the past year to purchase encryption technology and to encrypt patient records. Read more by pasting this link into your browser, http://aishealth.com/archive/hipaa0911-06.

Also, the medical records of 4.6 million active and retired military personnel and their families who use TRICARE benefits were stolen from the vehicle of a data contractor in San Antonio, Texas. The tapes held patient information and were being transported by an employee of Science Applications International Corp (SAIC) according to Reuters.

Finally, an AIS article featured the growing use and benefits of mobile phone applications among PBMs and insurers in driving "engagement" of members in addressing prescription drug benefit considerations by making pharmacy information easily accessible. To read more, paste this link into your browser, http://aishealth.com/archive/ndbn092311-04.

Even as organizations nationwide become increasingly reliant upon and capable of utilizing electronic medical records issues with adequately protecting patient privacy continue to surface.

Most recently, a major security breech occurred when a contractor listed detailed patient information from Stanford Hospital on the internet. The data, which included patient names and diagnosis code, was posted on a homework help web site. Records compiled by the Department of Health and Human Services estimate that personal medical data for more than 11 million people may have been improperly exposed within the past two years. 

The New York Times covers the security breech and AIS Health offers insight regarding the complexities inherent in contracting with "cloud vendors" as it recounts challenges confronted by the University of Minnesota. View this story by pasting this link in your browser; http://aishealth.com/archive/hipaa0911-01. Next, Reuters considers the delicate balance between advancing technologies and the ability to adequately protect patient data and, Government Health IT  offers  the first of a twelve part series which examines the benefits, challenges and role of "telehealth" in driving health care services to coordinated communities of care, rather than silo's.

A recent issue of Government Health IT explores HHS' Health data initiative, its intersection with meaningful use of electronic health records and how these innovations might be used in ACO's.

The article also discussed the role of the Health Data Consortium, a public/private alliance comprised of multiple organizations. Efforts are spearheaded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among others, and intend to promote innovation in utilization of health data.

The recent announcement by the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT and HHS of the Investing in Innovations Initiative, or i2 Initiative is highlighted in Beckers Hospital Review.

The program is intended to analyze IT programs and to encourage health IT development. While the benefits of IT initiatives are generally agreed upon on, at a subjective level, Computer World, reports on a PricewaterhouseCoopers report exploring rising health costs and the impact of electronic health record technology costs on up health care spending.  A workgroup ONC's Health Information Policy Committee has suggested delaying stage 2 of the Electronic Health Records Meaningful Use Program according to Health Data Management.