News 6/14/11

The ONC names the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) the sole authorized accreditor for EHRs under the permanent certification program.  The temporary program will be sunset at the end of 2011.

The American College of Clinical Information Managers launches itself as a non-profit accreditation organization for medical scribes. The certification process includes testing, proof of employment as a scribe, and a $250 fee, which will be waived through the end of this year. I am not sure if certification will make much difference for scribes working in physician offices, but at least the fee seems reasonable.

The 20-physician River Falls Medical Clinic (WI) attests for Medicare incentive funds for its meaningful use of Cerner’s EHR. The clinic’s medical director says that 70% of the physicians in his area are also on EHRs.

Vermont IT Leaders, the REC for Vermont, announces that 750 primary care providers have signed up to receive EMR adoption assistance. That’s about 75% of all of Vermont’s primary care providers.

The Louisiana HIT Resource Center names SuccessEHS a supported vendor for its REC.

Less than one-third of physicians are expected to remain independent by 2013 as they continue to sell their private practices to healthcare systems. The attraction of larger health systems include greater access to leading edge HIT, facilities, and equipment; a more manageable work schedule; and increased financial stability.

Steven T. Plochocki, CEO of NextGen’s parent company Quality Systems, is named Outstanding Technology CEO in TechAmerica’s 18th Annual High-Tech Innovation Awards.

MedeAnalytics releases a report that summarizes the public comments on the ACO proposed rule. The bottom line from seven national healthcare constituencies, including the AMA, AMGA, and MGMA:

• The ACO program, as proposed, needs revision, not repeal.
• The 65 quality measures in the proposed rule need to be reduced, perhaps to 32, and should include a phase-in period.
• Financial terms need to be more attractive with a standard, minimum savings rate and the elimination of the withhold.
• CMS needs to create a separate model without downside risk.

E-mail Inga.