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Michael Cassidy
Meaningful Use Stage 2 final rule released
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.
412.594.3915
The final rule for meaningful use stage 2 for the electronic health record (EHR) incentive programs has been released by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). It may be accessed here: http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2012-21050_PI.pdf. Eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals must meet new criteria in…
HIMSS blog post on healthcare cloud computing
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.
412.594.3915
To see a recent post to the HIMSS blog on healthcare cloud computing, please click on this link http://blog.himss.org/2012/08/21/healthcare-cloud-computing/ to access the article. It discusses some considerations you may want to think about when selecting a cloud computing provider.
Colorado State Court Rules CRNAs May Practice Without Physician Supervision
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
In Colorado Medical Society v. Hickenlooper, a Colorado appeals court ruled the state of Colorado may op-out of the CMS rules requiring physician supervision of CRNAs in hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and critical access hospitals.
The case is actually about the Medicare regulations for hospital participation, but it is based upon the concept of…
Medical Records Program in Rural Clinics of India
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.
412.594.3915
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has a pilot program called the Humanitarian Technology Challenge. It has implemented a central database in two clinics fed by information from RFID tracking cards for identifying patients and handheld mobile devices. Clinic assistants and community caseworkers assist doctors and enter patients’…
FCC Telecommunications Service Priority (TSP)
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.
412.594.3915
The FCC has a program that directs telecommunications service providers to given preferential treatment to users enrolled in the TSP program for adding or restoring service, regardless of the cause. This may include communication circuits used for voice and data communications in emergency departments, with first responders (ambulance) as well as…
Cybersecurity
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in HIPAA, HIT, and EHR
Contributed by Lee Kim, Esq.
412.594.3915
IT security is oftentimes overlooked until it is too late. An organization may be faced with a data breach situation and, at that time, must deal with containing the risk, reporting the breach, and then determining how to prevent such problems in the future. An organization would be better…
Significant Issues in the 2013Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Medicare & Reimbursement
The 2013 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule was posted by CMS today.
27% SGR Reduction
The most significant issue, of course, will be the proposed 27% Medicare physician fee schedule reduction which will be statutorily imposed because of the sustainable growth rate formula. I am sure everybody is familiar with the annual debacle over the last…
LeadingAge PA Conference Time Well Spent With Long Term Care Colleagues
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Long Term Care
I recently enjoyed the opportunity to connect with non-profit aging services providers from across Pennsylvania at the LeadingAge PA Annual Conference & Exposition in Hershey, PA. As a licensed nursing home administrator for over ten years, I am all too familiar with the challenges faced by those whose mission is to provide care and services …
Geisinger Clinic and Penn State Geisinger Health System Lose HCQIA Immunity Claim
By Michael Cassidy on
Posted in Credentialing and Peer Review
In Babb v. Centre Community Hospital Geisinger Clinic, and Penn State Geisinger Health System, the Superior Court of Pennsylvania refused to grant the Defendant’s immunity pursuant to the Health Care Quality Improvement Act (HCQIA).
The standard HCQIA analysis was applied by the Court. Dr. Babb alleged the defendants were biased and motivated by something other than…