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Archive for November, 2010

Electronic Medical Records becomes productized for consumers

Friday, November 12th, 2010

With the establishment of the HITECH Act and the push from paper to computerized rmedical records (EMR) for most all doctors by 2014 (and $44,000 to entice them to do it), consumers can begin to understand the benefit of EMR systems and Personal Health Records (populated by a doctors EMR) for their well being. For decades, the healthcare industry has lagged behind othe markets in their use of information technology. This will change.

Soon, patients will want their personal health records instantaneously, on their smartphone, computer or home television. It is right around the corner, and early adopters are lining up.

More at www.myEMRchoice.com

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(system maintenance)

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Electronic Medical Records. EMR. EMR systems. Electronic Health Records. EHR. EHR systems. HITECH. Personal Health Record. EMR. EMR selction. EMR advice. EHR selection . EHR advice. Allscripts. athenahealth. Aprima. imedica. GE. Centricity. eClinicalWorks. Nextgen. Ingenix. McKesson. Greenway. Med3000. Pulse. SRSsoft. Workflow. Eclipsys. Sage. Misys. e-MDs.

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Is Healthcare Reform Still Sexy?

Sunday, November 7th, 2010

The push for healthcare reform, computerization of medical records and the entire HITECH Act may be in for some rough sailing.

Earlier this week, US election results indicated a fundamental backlash to sweeping government mandates, with healthcare reform being cited as flash point for voter frustration. The House Republican whip described it this way: “If all of Obamacare cannot be immediately repealed, then it is my intention to begin repealing it piece by piece, blocking funding for its implementation and blocking the issuance of the regulations necessary to implement it.”

What this means for the private sector is an opportunity to be the architects in achieving better patient medical care, healthcare cost containment and gains in productivity through the adoption of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and patient Personal Health Records (PHR).

The Healthcare Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) and its $20 billion in funding has been met with polite applause from doctors, but holds great appeal for its potential for job creation. But the sales pitch to doctors to move away from their current methods of patient record keeping and adopting Electronic Medical Records is moving slowly, even with timelines and incentives in place. Doctors stand to receive $44,000 in incentives from HITECH for using a EMR system by 2014, but four years does not exactly create a feeling of urgency.

Already we have seen development of scores of Regional Health Information Exchanges (HIE) that will act as pilot sites for EMR adoption and information sharing. Can the widespread application for consumer Personal Health Records and access to medical information be far behind?
Not according to giants like Microsoft, Google and Verizon, all of whom are aggressively developing consumer products and services catering to, you guessed it, Personal Health Records. With 309 million US patients and consumers, the potential for business is too great to be left exclusively to the government.

Doug Wallace, co-founder and Executive VP of My EMR Choice, sees consumer demand as the next phase of successful Electronic Medical Record adoption and widespread sharing of information. “Consumers have the ability and tech savy to insist on access to their medical information, options and choices. The desire to participate with their own healthcare needs will be the catalyst to delivering the benefits that HITECH is trying to achieve. Empowerment and interest by patients will make HITECH come to life in a meaningful way.” Adds Wallace, “What is more important than the health of you and your family? With the new technologies, collaboration and successful outcomes will be reality”.

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Experts: EMR Incentive Payments Can Be Taxed by IRS?

Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010

In the US, 360,000 CPA’s may be smiling over new opportunities and job security…the HITECH Act.

Incentive payments for the “meaningful use” of Electronic Medical Record systems (EMR) are taxable by the Internal Revenue Service, according the Center for Health IT.

Under the 2009 economic stimulus package/HITECH Act, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified EMRs are eligible to earn incentive payments from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Physicians may want to seek the advice of their tax advisors on how to manage taxes related to the incentive payments.