News 11/30/10

From Telepathic: “Re: Your post. Your readers are thankful for you! Your post made this dry overcooked piece of turkey feel better knowing she isn’t the only one ‘done’ after burning out in sales in this exhausting and unrelenting (and oddly unfulfilling) world of HIT. Funny how the universe works!” Thanks to Telepathic and others who took the time to send equally affirming notes. Heck, I’m just thankful to anyone who took the time to read HIStalk Practice over the extended weekend.

University Radiology Group (NJ) says its MedInfomatix RIS, along with ZirMed’s RCM solutions, have allowed the practice to reduce its A/R staff from five employees to three. The practice can perform insurance eligibility searches in 15 seconds using ZirMed’s online tools.

Hartford Healthcare (CT) is negotiating a $28 million purchase of the 30-physician Constitution Eye Center. Practice co-founder Kris Mineau says the deal will give Constitution Eye access to a deeper resource pool for new technology, including electronic medical records.

The Burlington, VT newspaper highlights the charity works of John Canning, the president of Physicians Computer Company. Canning and the practice management software company donate $30,000 to $50,000 a year to charitable causes, most of which support musicians and the arts in Vermont. I’d bet he’s not your typical HIT leader. The reporter notes that he was wearing sandals during the interview despite sleet outside. I also noticed an older posting on the company’s web site where Canning mentioned he just completed a class in conversational Japanese. I’m thinking this industry could use a few more non-traditional leaders.

The House approves a one month delay for the planned 23% Medicare pay cut. The Senate approved the postponement a couple of weeks ago, so the legislation goes to the President for signature. It’s anyone’s guess as to how long it will take Congress figure out a permanent fix.

Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center selects SRS Unifed Desktop for its 35 providers.

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Policies that require insurance pre-authorization before treatment can negatively impact patient care, according to a new AMA survey. Physicians complain that pre-authorizations take too long to obtain and that approval is often difficult for many of the required tests, procedures, or drugs. The AMA says such oversight programs are costly and can delay patient access to medically necessary care.

Black Book releases the results of its Top EMR Vendor survey, which includes the top 20 EMR vendors in 10 different categories. The results are based on responses from over 4,000 users and each ranked vendor had to have at least 10 unique clients in order to be ranked. Black Box allows you to see the top 20 vendors in each category for no charge, but if you want details (including rankings), you must purchase the report (for about $3,000). That seems a bit pricey, especially since KLAS will give providers similar data at no charge.

eClinicalWorks takes silver honors in the Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards, given to businesses for their outstanding contributions to the state’s economy.

ProHealth Physicians (CT) selects CoActiv EXAM-PACS for the management of medical images across its 250-provider, 75-location practice.

The National Labor Relations Board files suit against an ambulance company that fired an employee for criticizing her supervisor on Facebook. The action prompts labor attorneys to remind physician practices of the need for social media policies that are not too broad. Practices have the right to establish social media policies, but guidelines should include specifics, including the requirement that employees not post anything that would harm the practice’s reputation, violate HIPAA regulations , or disclose patient information.

E-mail Inga.