News 9/29/11

From High-Heeled: “Re: Meaning Use deadline. Your posting of the timeline for physicians  to qualify for 2011 EHR Incentive and the 90-day reporting period for Medicare could be confusing some. The 90 days for the reporting period has to all occur in 2011 calendar year, but they can attest up to Feb 29, 2012 to indicate their 90-day reporting period was October 3 – December 31,2011 (but, NOT begin their 90-day reporting period).” Thanks for the clarification from High-Heeled and others who noted I didn’t explain it exactly right in my last post. Bottom line: start your reporting period October 3 if you want to attest for 2011.

Greenway Medical announces that it is acquiring certain technology assets of CySolutions, a provider of clinical management and EHR solutions for FQHCs and community health centers. Greenway did not disclose the purchase price or the exact technologies it’s buying, but does indicate that CySolutions CEO Bill Young and other development staff members will join the company.

HHS launches the Comprehensive Primary Care initiative which will pay primary care practices $20 per beneficiary per-month for providing better coordinated care for Medicare patients. The initiative calls for participation from private and state insurance providers, requires providers to meet certain quality measures, and will eventually include a shared savings component for participants.

Medical billing company Capture Billing & Consulting forms a separate department focused on ophthalmology and optometry billing.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina collaborates with Allscripts to offer its EHR to more than 750 North Carolina physicians, including over 150 providers in 39 free clinics. BCBSNC will cover 85% of the cost for eligible independent physicians and 100% of the cost for eligible free clinics, including training and support.

SRS hosted its annual User Summit in Woodcliff Lake, NJ last week. CEO Evan Steele tells me the three-day event, which included an entertaining trip into New York City, was a “blowout success” with attendance at “full capacity.” Evan also forward several comments from attendees, whose reviews included such accolades as “well-organized,” “very informative,” “beneficial,” “FUN,” “relevant,” and “excellent.”  I am penciling it in as a must-attend event for next year.

Speaking of user group meetings, eClinicalWorks is heading to Phoenix this weekend. I see that if participants purchase eCW-labeled hats, visors, or wrist bands, the company will donate all proceeds to several Arizona-based charities. If you are attending, buy yourself some eCW swag and send me some pics and updates.

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Greenway Medical reseller iPractice Group completes its acquisition of Nashville-based Doctors Access, a provider of RCM and medical billing services.

HIT outsourcer and integrator Wavelength Information Services partners with Welch Allyn to offer Wavelength clients access to Welch Allyn’s EHR Pre-Select Tool.

E-mail Inga.