Douglas Foreman, D.O., a family physician in Warwick, R.I., will be among the first physicians in the U.S. to attest to meeting Phase 1 requirements for Medicare Meaningful Use of health information technology as defined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). April 18th was the first day physicians can attest to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in order to receive Medicare incentive payments provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

To achieve this, Dr. Foreman used the Ingenix CareTracker electronic health record (EHR) system, which features a graphical Meaningful Use Dashboard created by Ingenix to help physicians monitor progress toward meeting Meaningful Use objectives and take corrective action to improve quality of care as they work to qualify for federal health IT incentives.

“The Ingenix CareTracker EHR system supports my ability to provide better patient care and has made it much easier for me to demonstrate Meaningful Use,” said Foreman. “The Meaningful Use Dashboard shows me exactly where I’m meeting or exceeding requirements and in which areas I need to focus more attention. Using Ingenix CareTracker technology gives me more confidence in managing my practice knowing that we do the best job possible for our patients and have the tools to continually improve the quality of our care. Ingenix has provided us with experts in Meaningful Use who have provided feedback, support and education to make this possible.”

Click to read the full news release on the Ingenix Website.

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and Ingenix CareTracker EHR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

Although a 1% Medicare penalty for failing to use e-prescribing doesn’t officially kick in until 2012, physicians must implement and use eRX (ePrescribing) at least 10 times between Jan. 1 and June 30, 2011, to avoid the pay cut in 2012, and at least 25 times by the end of 2011 to avoid a penalty in 2013.

The e-prescribing program began paying out bonuses in 2009 and will continue through 2013, at which point it sunsets. Bonus payments for meaningful use of EHR began this year and will be available through 2015 or 2016, depending on the first year in which a practice adopts a system. Penalties for nonparticipation in the e-prescribing program will be levied between 2012 and 2014. Penalties for failing to adopt a certified EHR begin in 2015.

eRx Incentives
There are a number of changes with regards to eRx that were recently announced. Hence, much of this is new to everyone. You do not get both – eRx incentive and ARRA Stimulus/EHR Incentive. However, you CAN be penalized for both.

The following are some important points that come to mind as it relates to the recent announcements:

• eRx - I knew there were going to be payment reductions for those providers who do not utilize electronic prescribing, beginning in 2012. The aspect that was ‘News’ to me - the 2012 eRx Payment Adjustment penalty will be assessed on whether or not an individual provider/Group Practice has sent the requisite number of eRx’s between January 1 and June 30th of 2011, not 2012. [http://www.cms.gov/ERxIncentive/]
• EHR Incentive Program – For more information regarding the ARRA/EHR Incentive Program, including Eligibility, Registration & Attestation, “Meaningful Use”, etc. you may want to consult the following website and particularly the web page for “Registration and Attestation” [http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/20_RegistrationandAttestation.asp#TopOfPage] if your intent is to register as an “Eligible Professional”.

HST selected our Ingenix CareTracker PM/EHR solution for a number of reasons. One of those reasons was the phased approach that could be taken to adopt the various modules of the system (PM, eRx, Lab Results, Charting, and Patient Portal).

The bottom line is, if you are not sending electronic prescriptions by June 30, 2010 – you will see a 1% Medicare Fee Schedule reduction in 2012. We can help to avoid these penalties. eRx is the first step in moving to EHR. It isn’t a difficult one. For those already using our Ingenix CareTracker PM system (Scheduling, Patient Demographics, Reporting, etc) – this transition is very seamless. It’s already there – you will just need to begin using it. For those not yet using our Scheduling system – we’ll need to discuss your options in more detail.

If you have concerns, questions, or feel that you would like to get up and going on eRx - call me today, 800-372-7790 #23 (toll free). I will provide you with the step-by-step plan to get you started and put you in touch with Rickie Probert who will help you with training.

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EHR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

We’re thrilled to have received this prestigious honor, and have worked hard over the years to implement this simply awesome technology in all of our independent physician practices.

Click here to read the full press release

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EHR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

Today, registration in the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program will be available in Alaska, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. In February, registration will open in California, Missouri, and North Dakota. Additional states will most likely launch their Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs during the spring and summer of 2011.  To learn more about the two EHR Incentive Programs, please visit a special CMS web site dedicated to these programs at http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/01_Overview.asp#TopOfPage. 
 
All eligible health care professionals must register at a site maintained by CMS in order to participate in either the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.  Please visit the Registration and Attestation web site at http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/20_RegistrationandAttestation.asp#TopOfPage to learn more about what is needed to register.  This registration page is open as of today, January 3, 2011.

HST is currently accepting new clients who are interested in adopting our integrated Medical Billing and EHR solution. We can help you to get registered and start to qualifying for these Meaningful Use dollars today!

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EHR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

The legislation approved Monday will be paid for using savings from a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services policy that reduces payments for multiple therapy services provided to patients in one day.

Monday’s measure, however, is only a temporary fix. The association wants the rate cut blocked for 13 months because it is scheduled to widen to 25% next year. Some senators have said they are working on a bill that would extend the current payment rates through 2011

Read the full CNNMoney.com article

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EMR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

The CareTracker EHR development team has been very focused on meeting and exceeding the requirements placed on them to become a “certified EHR” solution.

As we announced last month, The Certification Commission for Health Information Technology (CCHIT®) has designated Ingenix CareTracker™ version 7 a CCHIT Certified® 2011 Ambulatory EHR.

Not only is our development team working on meeting the requirements, they are exceeding them.

We are excited to announce that in the next release of CareTracker, a Meaningful Use dashboard will be added that shows where each provider stands regarding the Meaningful Use measurements. This document serves as a framework for the functionality that will be available to you to track your meaningful use progress. This release is currently scheduled and will be deployed by year end in support of the 2011 Meaningful Use requirement.

Download the Meaningful Use Dashboard Whitepaper

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EMR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

We had a wonderful turnout on October 14th at the Marriott in Cranberry, Twp. Those in attendance had an opportunity to talk with Congressman Jason Altmire for over 45 minutes, who spoke on healthcare reform and other issues that are impacting independent physicians every day.

Attendees also had an opportunity to hear from Ingenix, our partner, who presented on how connected health systems will benefit all of us. The seminar also focused on how you can make a smooth transition to EHR with increased productivity, low cost, and a high ROI.

During the event, we gave away an iPad and a Castle Escape Package at Buhl Mansion! Congrats to our winners!

To download the Presentation Slides, click the link below:
Download the Presentation Slides (.pdf format)

This event was sponsored and Hosted by our software partners, Ingenix. Special thanks to Eisner Law; InterGen Advisors, Securities offered through First Allied
Securities, Inc. and Habenicht, Novak & Birckbichler, Certified Public Accountants.

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EMR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

Thursday, October 14, 2010
5:45pm - 8:00pm

Pittsburgh Marriott North Hotel
100 Cranberry Woods Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066

Agenda:
Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres: 5:45 - 6:15pm
Introductory remarks from Congressman Jason Altmire: 6:15 - 6:40pm
Presentation and Q&A: 6:40 - 8:00pm

Health Reform is changing. EHR is here. What is ahead for HIT?
Attend this exclusive event to learn more.

Collect your stimulus $44K. Practice management is the first step.
EHR is here - Join us as we discuss the latest changes in healthcare and how they can benefit you and your independent physician practice. Learn about the importance of connected systems, financial incentives, and how you can make a smooth transition to EHR with increased productivity, low cost, and a high ROI. Discover simple steps to increase practice productivity, streamline RCM processes, and free up more time for patient care.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Bring your business card for a chance to win our door prizes - an iPad and a Castle Escape Package at Buhl Mansion ($350 value).

RSVP for this event by calling Geoff Lusty at: 800.372.7790 #23
Download the invitation (.pdf format)

Hosted by Ingenix and Starting Gate, with a special thanks to Healthcare Support Technologies; Eisner Law; InterGen Advisors, Securities offered through First Allied
Securities, Inc. and Habenicht, Novak & Birckbichler, Certified Public Accountants

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EMR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST

We’d like to invite you to attend this year!

If you decide to attend, I will be sure to personally make the trip with you. Ingenix is a top-notch organization and these events can be extremely informative and productive for physicians, office managers or any office staff member who is interested in learning how to effectively use the CareTracker solution.

Below are the details (date, agenda and registration link) for the event, I hope you can attend!

This year’s conference will be held October 27th – 29th in Newport, Rhode Island and is loaded with practical information to help you make the most of your technology investment. Hear top experts present the hottest industry topics including regulatory changes, compliance concerns, medical code updates, and practice optimization tools. Highlights include:

• Expert tips/techniques and one-on-one, personalized training on optimal use of CareTracker
• CareTracker’s cutting edge technology: information on current and future application updates
• Training on successful revenue cycle management techniques, coding, fraud management, collections, and clinical documentation
• Information on how meeting meaningful use requirements can improve your practice workflows and boost your bottom line

In addition, get a sneak peek at all the new products we’ve added to the CareTracker suite including, HealthTracker, an online patient portal, and Referral Network, a provider network

For a look at the full invitation + Conference Agenda and Registration Link, click the link below:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/CareTracker-Client-Conference-2010—Register-Today-.html?soid=1101489623022&aid=y2CxvoS5aDQ

Visit our site for more information on our Medical Billing Services and Ingenix CareTracker PM and CareTracker EMR solutions.

Geoff Lusty
Vice President - HST