In the news: medical ID theft on the rise; CHIME comments on meaningful; and more
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Javelin Strategy & Research survey found over 275,000 cases of medical identity theft in 2009, with an average price tag greater than $12,000 per incident. This is twice as many cases as in 2008. Keeping health information safe is going to be of paramount importance in the next decade, especially considering the steep rise in use of electronic health records. According to Computerworld.com (citing a study by IDC, a research firm), "about a quarter of all Americans -- 77 million people -- already have an EHR, up from 14% from in 2009." By 2015, experts believe the number will reach up to 60%, partially due to the transformation of the health IT industry by the HITECH Act.
- In its comments to CMS regarding the meaningful use NPRM, College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME) insisted that the present "all or nothing" approach to achieving meaningful use is going to prevent significant numbers of eligible providers from receiving any incentive payments under the HITECH Act. According to American Medical News:
Among CHIME's suggestions: a gradual implementation process that would allow physicians to qualify for incentives by achieving 25% of meaningful use objectives by 2011, 50% by 2013, 75% by 2015, and 100% by 2017.
'Without an approach that rewards progress or provides sufficient time, organizations with limited resources will likely have little chance of qualifying for payments, thus widening the 'digital divide' in the country,' CHIME wrote.
- U.S. Senate passed a bill which, if approved by the House and signed by the President, would limit the definition of "hospital-based" eligible professionals to just those practicing in an inpatient or emergency room hospital setting. If passed, this change would make the Medicare and Medicaid EHR incentive payments available to a far wider range of eligible professionals.
- CCHIT may be getting some competition from the Drummond Group, which announced plans to become an ONC-authorized certifying body of EHR technology (ONC-ATCB).
"U.S. Senate backs expanded physician eligibility for MU," HealthImaging.com (March 11, 2010).
"Drummond Group in EHR testing for the 'long term'," Healthcare IT News (March 12, 2010).
"Patient Billed for Liposuction as Medical Theft Rises," Bloomberg.com (March 23, 2010).
"As health data goes digital, security risks grow," Computerworld.com (March 22, 2010).
"EMR meaningful use rules warrant gradual approach," American Medical News (March 17, 2010).
