Health Information Technology Updates

from Hawai‘i Health Information Exchange
 

Start of Stage 2 Meaningful Use Delayed

--Benefits Early Adopters

HHS has announced its plan to postpone the start of Stage 2 Meaningful Use for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs and intends to publish the delay in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in February 2012. This change is occurring due to input from the EHR vendor and health care provider communities who have voiced concern over the challenge of complying with Stage 2 in 2013.

The Benefits:

• The added time should give vendors the opportunity to develop certified EHR systems that meet Stage 2 requirements.
• Health care providers will have more time to implement new software and meet the new Stage 2 requirements.
• Maintaining the current expectation for those first attesting to Meaningful Use in 2012 means all providers attesting in 2011 and 2012 will begin Stage 2 in 2014.
• There is added incentive for providers to attest as soon as possible and receive the rewards of being an early participant. Those providers attesting in 2012 will have two payment years under Stage 1 criteria.

The Latest News from Hawai‘i HIE

Updates on the Hawai‘i HIE Vendor Selection Process 
 

In late November, Hawai‘i Health Information Exchange (Hawai‘i HIE) staff members traveled to the national ONC Grantee Meeting in Washington, D.C. where they were updated on the federal programs that will effect the future of electronic health information exchange. When Hawai‘i HIE staff returned, they continued working on the final negotiations to select the HIE vendor for the state of Hawai‘i. This time next month, the vendor should be contracted and the foundational components of the exchange will begin. The Hawai‘i HIE State Plan and vendor selection process has been well supported by the board members, and the program is on track to "go live" with Phase 1 in spring of 2012. 

Hawai‘i HIE has also begun creating operational and user policies for the exchange. There is a lot of work that still needs to be done for this process and preparations will continue through the holidays. It is important that the policies be in place for Direct Messaging to begin in the spring of 2012. Hawai‘i HIE will be reaching out to physicians to enroll in this program to help develop the technical requirements for Direct Messaging.

The HPREC Program Supports Hundreds of Health Care Providers Across the State

The Hawai‘i Pacific Regional Extension Center (HPREC) program now has over 400 signed contracts thanks to the dedicated, skilled staff and the health information technology (HIT) consultants who are working hard to support physicians as they implement electronic health record systems and work toward Meaningful Use.

Managing the HIT consultants is Jeff Gregg, who will be fielding questions related to the HPREC's services as the interim Project Director for the HPREC program. Alan Ito will take on the new role of CIO of Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation (HHSC) in January 2012. Hawai‘i HIE looks forward to working with Mr. Ito in his new position as HHSC's critical access hospitals implement an EHR system with the support of the HPREC's HIT consultants. Hawai‘i HIE is in the process of locating a new Project Director for the HPREC, but in the meantime questions can be directed to Jeff Gregg at jgregg@hawaiihie.org or 808-441-1344.

"I feel confident in the direction in which the HPREC program is moving and know that I am leaving the program in very capable hands," says Mr. Ito.

"I'm excited to see the change that is taking place in Hawai‘i and across the country as health care providers bring technology into their practices," says Hawai‘i HIE Executive Director, Christine Sakuda. "I believe the work that the HPREC program is carrying out is integral to the successful adoption of EHRs throughout the state. The progress we have made so far is very encouraging and I am certain the HPREC program will continue to gain momentum into the new year."

For information on the HPREC Program, visit www.hawaiihie.org/rec or call 808-441-1319.

Happy Holidays from Everyone at

Hawai‘i Health Information Exchange!
 

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