Recipe for chaos: introduce an undefined catch phrase—say, “meaningful use” or “certified EHR”—tie it to important funding initiatives like the so-called stimulus package, then sit back and wait. When the lid blows off the pot, your work is done. The problem with excessive legislation is that it creates as many problems as it solves; instead of anticipating the market’s need for definitions of key terms upon introduction, we’re told only how these forthcoming definitions will inform everything we do that is related to health IT. You’ve heard of analysis paralysis? Now, you’re living it. Read »

The $19 billion earmarked for health IT under the recently passed "stimulus" package—$17 billion of which is meant to incentivize physicians and hospitals to adopt EHRs and demonstrate "meaningful use" between 2011 and 2015—may prove insufficient, according to a new study released by Avalere Health. The study states the funds might not provide enough incentive for some physicians to make the initial installation investment. Read »

The debate concerning the leap from ICD-9 to ICD-10 is over. After a months long tug-of-war pitting physicians’ groups, such as The Medical Group Management Association, against the Advance Medical Technology Association, American Hospital Association and American Health Information Management Association, the Department of Health and Human Services has released the long-awaited ICD-10 code set and has established a new compliance date of Oct. 1, 2013. Read »