News 2/21/13

Kareo launches a free application, cloud-based EHR that can be used as a standalone application or integrated with the company’s PM and billing services. It was developed using technology acquired from Epocrates, which exited the EHR business a year ago. Kareo notes that the EHR is “advertisement free” and says it will provide support and updates at no charge. The company hopes that the free EHR offering will attract more clients for its PM and billing service products.

Kareo also announces the appointment of Tom Giannulli, MD (Epocrates) as CMIO.

The Rhode Island REC introduces an EHR adoption program for specialists that allows specialty practices to receive the same assistance and benefits previously only available to certain primary care providers.

Over time more patients will rely on doctor rating Websites to find physicians, predict researchers from the University of Michigan. A poll of parents reveal that insurance, location, referrals, and provider experience are the most important factors when selecting a pediatrician. Parents under the age of 30, however, were twice as likely as older parents to also consider online ratings.

“Data suggest that younger families are more likely to rely on online ratings, which means over time we’d expect the use of these Websites will keep increasing.”

Up to 17 percent of physicians are planning to change EHR vendors by the end of the year, according to a Black Book Rankings poll. Key findings include:

• Vendors are blamed for being too busy selling and implementing systems while development issues are left on the back burner.
• Users complain of unmet needs and MU is blamed for creating an artificial market for dozens of immature EHR products.
• The majority of practices considering a switch say their current solution does not meet the individual needs of the practice; that their practice did not adequately assess its needs before selecting an EHR; and that the design of their EHR is not suited for their practice specialty.
• Specialties least satisfied with their EHRs are nephrology, urology and ophthalmology
• Specialties most satisfied with their EHRs are internal medicine, family practice, and general practice.

Greenway will integrate the Physicians Interactive eCoupon voucher and coupon distribution system into its PrimeSUITE solution.

CareCloud reports it concluded 2012 with its 12th quarter of consecutive revenue growth, expansion into 45 states, management of more than $1.5 billion in annualized A/R, and inclusion of more than 4.5 million patients on its platform.

Healthpac will embed PatientPay’s online bill management services into its practice management system.

Surescripts awards e-MDs the 2012 White Coat of Quality for upholding high quality e-prescribing standards.

MGMA-ACMPE releases DataDive: 2012 Procedural Profile Module, a Web-based tool that allows users to develop an organizational profile which can then be benchmarked against peers using national MGMA data. The goal is to help practices better understand patient demand and and future workload.

E-mail Inga.