News 2/20/14

CMS announces it will offer end-to-end ICD-10 testing in summer 2014 to a small group of providers. The testing will include providers sending test claims using ICD-10 codes and CMS returning remittance advice to outline any claims adjudication.

Meanwhile, more confirmation that most providers are not ready for ICD-10: Aloft Group finds that 50 percent of providers are a quarter of the way or less complete with the ICD-10 implementation process with physician buy-in the top conversion obstacle.

University of Michigan Medical School researchers report that most people find physician-rating sites at least “somewhat important” when choosing a doctor and that usage of such sites is “substantially higher” than just a few years ago. I happen to be in that majority, having recently searched various sites before selecting a new primary care provider. I also admit that the only times I have ever left a online review on any site for any product or service has been when the experiences were negative (I bet I am in the majority for this behavior as well.)

The US Patent and Trade Office awards Greenway three patents related to the automation of medical research designed to improve population by coordinating the collection, analysis, and reporting of relevant patient data contained in EHRs.

More work must be done to mitigate inappropriate access of patient data by employees, according to a HIMSS Security Security survey conducting with funding from MGMA and Experian Data Breach Resolution. Despite federal initiatives,19 percent of health systems and physician practices surveyed report having a security breach within the last 12 months and 12 percent have had at least one known case of medical identity theft reported by a patient.

Nordic Consulting moves into expanded space in Madison, WI. The four-year-old company reported $81 million in revenue in 2013 and has 400 employees, 350 of them Epic consultants and two-thirds of those being former Epic employees. Most of them live in areas other than Madison. It also took in $38 million of investment funds.

Aprima makes available its EHR/PM platform to run on the three pound, touchscreen Toshiba KIRAbook Ultrabook computer.

CureMD announces the death of its president, CEO, and co-founder Kamal Hashmat, MD following a “tragic accident.” Co-founder and CIO Bilal Hashmat will take over as president and CEO. Condolences to his family and co-workers.

The Northwest Area Health Education Center REC (NC) helps 399 providers from 102 practices meet the first stage requirements for MU, which surpasses the agency’s goal of 393 providers.

If you have any suggestions for ambulatory HIT technology or sessions during HIMSS next week, please let me know. In between fun parties and trinket hunting, I do plan to check out as much as possible so please send me your recommendations.

Email Inga.