Two recent malpractice cases indicate the distinction between ordinary risk management processes and peer review issues. In Johnson v. Detroit Medical Center, a Michigan state court held that a physician’s credentialing file was protected by the confidentiality provisions of Michigan’s Peer Review Confidentiality Statute, and also protected the physician’s operative logs because the doctor/patient privilege
January 2011
Final Rule Issued for Health IT Permanent Certification Program
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Certification for Electronic Health Record ("EHR") Software
A final rule was issued by the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology ("ONCHIT") to establish the permanent certification program for electronic health records. The permanent certification program requires that organizations must first be accredited to test and certify health information technology; certification bodies authorized by…
Understanding the Patient Care Medical Home (PCMH)
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
The American College of Physicians has published a guide on understanding the Patient Care Medical Home (PCMH) model. Briefly, PCMH is a team-based approach and a personal physician provides care throughout a patient’s lifetime to maximize health outcomes. The PCMH team provides all of a patient’s health care needs or otherwise arranges care with other…
e-Health Tools You Should Know About
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
PA-SIIS
The Pennsylvania Statewide Immunization Information System ("PA-SIIS") is a web-based statewide immunization registry which collects vaccination history information. PA-SIIS compiles immunization information from health care providers and creates a current and comprehensive immunization record. PA-SIIS helps health care providers administer appropriate immunizations to their patients.
For more information: http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/pa_statewide_immunization_information_system_%2528pa-siis%2529/14281.
PA-NEDSS
Pennsylvania’s version…
AMA Publishes Embezzlement Warning
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Legal News
Experts Say Medical Office Embezzlement Common At Medical Practices, Particularly At Start Of Year.
American Medical News (1/17, Elliott) reported that medical office embezzlement "is common at medical practices, and experts say the risk is especially high at the beginning of the year." This is because "patients are paying an ever-larger share of their…
Medicare ASC 2011 Fee Schedule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
Highmark Medicare has posted the 2011 Medicare ASC fee schedule for PA, NJ, MD and Delaware/Metro DC.
https://www.highmarkmedicareservices.com/partb/reimbursement/ascfee11.html
CMS Releases 2011 Medicare Conversion Factor = $33.9764
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
http://www.cms.gov/transmittals/downloads/R828OTN.pdf