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You don't have to be a technology expert to make the transition to EHRs. Resources are available to make EHR implementation easier for providers throughout the entire process, or at any point along the way.
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- Blue Button - Introduction for General Audiences“Blue Button” is shorthand for a movement toward an improved healthcare system in which patients and providers use information technology to collaborate and improve health. The Blue Button logo...
- Blue Button - Using and Understanding the Blue ButtonThe Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets rules and limits over who can look at and receive your health information. The rules still apply with Blue Button so your doctor...Even if you don’t have access to Blue Button through your health plan, doctor or other health care provider such as pharmacies, nursing homes and labs, you still have a legal right to see and get a...The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) helps keep entities covered under HIPAA accountable for the privacy and security of patients’ health information. Although electronic...It depends. The data that you are able to get from your health plan and your health care provider (doctor, hospital, etc.) may be different. Health plans may have both claims and personal...Remember that unless you are a veteran, Medicare beneficiary or service member or your health plan, health care provider (doctor or hospital) or other entities where you seek care use Blue Button, it...You should already be taking care of yourself—or managing your care—by watching what you eat, exercising and taking advantage of preventive health benefits your health plan might offer. And many...To ensure that your personal health information is kept private and secure, typically only you can access the Blue Button after you have logged into your health care provider or health plan’s patient...Many people in the United States still don’t have easy, electronic access to their health information, and many don’t know that the Federal government has taken a large step towards solving that...The Blue Button allows you to download your personal health information, including information like your emergency contact information, health history, important test results, medications, allergies...There should not be a cost. Ask your health care provider or health plan if they offer a way for you to view, download, and share your health information online.“Blue Button” is a term that connotes easy, secure electronic access to your health data. Having access to this information can help you manage your care by having information you need to coordinate...Although your doctor may not want to offer you with a way to securely access your health record online, they are required by law to provide you with a way to view and get a copy of your medical...You don’t need Blue Button to get your health information but it’s one way that you can get access to it. When you get your health information, you can use it to: Better understand your health and...Blue Button for America is a collaborative effort by the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House, and the Department of Veterans Affairs to expand consumer access to personal health...Your doctor is not required to offer Blue Button. However, there are financial incentives available from the federal government to encourage health care providers to adopt electronic health record...You are not required by law to use Blue Button. However, being able to “blue button” your health data and share that information with others you trust could be helpful in the event of an emergency...It depends if your health care provider, health plan (insurer), or other entity that manages your health data (e.g. pharmacy, lab, etc.) offers a way for you to get secure access to your health...The Blue Button enables you to securely access your personal health data online by clicking on a “Blue Button” logo or icon. You may have access to your claims and personal health information that...
- Blue Button - Information for DevelopersMaybe. Stage 2 of Meaningful Use requires that patients be given the capability to view, download and transmit their health data electronically. These requirements are fully aligned with the Blue...The Veterans Health Administration launched the Blue Button in August 2010 by adding it to VA’s MyHealtheVet patient portal. Veterans could use the Blue Button to download their health information in...We need experts to develop standards and pilot the technology, innovators to push the envelope, and patients and providers to test that it works. To join this initiative or to learn more, visit the...Yes. Stage 2 of Meaningful Use requires that patients be given the capability to view, download and transmit their health data electronically. These requirements are fully aligned with the Blue...The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) Pledge Program was launched in September 2011 to catalyze and support organizations at the vanguard of empowering...The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and the Department of Veterans Affairs have teamed up to launch a new Standards & Interoperability Initiative to...No, but it used to be. Blue Button started as a simple-as-it-gets American Standard Code for Information Interchange text (ASCII) file. But that was only the start. As more organizations adopted the...We need experts to develop standards and pilot the technology, innovators to push the envelope, and patients and providers to test that it works. To join this initiative or to learn more, visit the...
- EHR System Certification Certification of health IT assures purchasers and other users that an electronic health record (EHR) system, or other relevant technology, offers the technological capability, functionality, and...Authorized by the National Coordinator, ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Bodies (ONC-ATCBs) test and certify that certain types of electronic health record (EHR) technology (Complete EHRs...The Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) provides the authoritative, comprehensive listing of Complete EHRs (electronic health records) and EHR Modules that have been tested and certified under the...
- Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) There are two committees, under the auspices of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that are charged with making recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health IT. Membership...Yes. You can access the audio files and transcripts online. Audio files (.mp3) of the Federal Advisory Committee (FACA) meetings will be available on the Office of the National Coordinator for...
- Financial Incentive Programs and Meaningful Use There are two places to find grants for implementing electronic health records. Here’s where you’ll find Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)...The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) offers incentive payments to eligible providers who demonstrate the meaningful use of electronic health records (EHRs). For assistance with...For more information about the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program, please visit http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms.To qualify for incentive payments through the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs, eligible providers and hospitals must demonstrate...Registration for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program began on January 3, 2011 and is available online at https://ehrincentives.cms.gov. Please note that although the...Visit Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs for more information. For other possible payments, see Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs in specific states.For eligible professionals (EPs), incentive payments for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program are generally made approximately four to eight weeks after EPs attest to having demonstrated meaningful use...There are several important differences between the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Programs. The Medicare program is administered by the federal government...According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), eligible professionals (EPs) under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program include: Doctors of medicine or osteopathy...According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) EHR Incentive Program website, eligible professionals (EPs) under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program include: Physicians...
- General Questions About Health Information Technology If you know exactly who you want to reach, refer to the HHS Directory for a personnel list.You will find a list of ONC job opportunities on the “Contact Us” page of our website. Other positions within the federal government can be found at www.USAJobs.gov.We regret that we cannot respond individual requests for interviews with ONC staff to help with school projects and papers. Please review the ONC website for more information on ONC initiatives...To receive updates from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) on health IT activities: Sign up for Email Updates from ONC Follow us on Twitter...Please email your request to ONC.request@hhs.gov for consideration.
- Health Information Exchange As of May 26, 2011, all state strategic and operational plans were approved. Read state plans.Health information exchanges (HIEs) or organizations (HIOs) permit the secure exchange of health information within and across states, primarily for treatment purposes between and among several...
- Health Information Privacy and Security To ensure that your patient’s health and medical information and records are private and protected, a federal law, called the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (...No. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) permits the disclosure of health information to the patient without requiring the patient's express consent. Additionally,...There are many online resources where providers can find information on HIPAA. The Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (OCR) is tasked with administering HIPAA, and their...Changing the privacy and security culture of a practice is often one of the most difficult aspects of reducing risk and becoming Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)...
- Health IT and Electronic Health Records (EHRs) A personal health record (PHR) is one tool that can be used to increase patient participation and improve families’ engagement with their care. PHRs are collections of information pertinent...Yes, there are two kinds of personal health records (PHRs): There are standalone PHRs where patients fill in the information from their own records and memories and the data is stored on...Using electronic health records (EHRs) will help health care providers build a sustainable medical practice. The next generation of health care professionals will expect and demand that their own...There are many advantages of electronic health records (EHRs). EHRs help health care providers better manage care for patients by: Getting accurate and complete information about their patient...By adopting electronic health records in a meaningful way, providers and hospitals can: Get a more complete picture of the patient. Providers will be better able to store and retrieve a patient...An electronic medical record (EMR) is a digital version of the paper charts in a doctor’s office. They contain primarily the notes and information collected by and for the clinicians in that...An electronic health record (EHR) contains patient health information, such as: Medical history Diagnoses Medications Immunization dates Allergies Radiology images Lab and test...A patient portal is an internet application that allows patients to access their electronic health records and communicate with their healthcare providers. In some contexts, these may be referred to...Health IT is shorthand for "health information technology." Health IT is the use of computer hardware and software to store, retrieve, and share patient health and medical information.The term "personal health record," or PHR, refers to an electronic record of health information on an individual that can be drawn from multiple sources and that is managed, shared, and...An electronic health record (EHR) is more than just a computerized version of your paper chart. It’s a digital record that can provide your health care team with comprehensive health information...With electronic prescribing, or e-prescribing, your doctor enters information about drugs you may need into a computer. Your provider electronically sends this prescription directly to the pharmacy...Several organizations offer training resources and courses in health information technology (IT) such as those listed below. The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS)...
- Health IT Workforce and Training To address the growing demand for health information technology (IT) training, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) funds the Health IT Workforce Development...For information on health information technology (IT) careers, see the following top five resources. The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society (HIMSS) developed a health (IT jobs board...Contact one of the 82 member community colleges across the country about distance learning opportunities for health IT training programs. For more information, visit the Community College...Several organizations offer training resources and courses in health information technology (IT) such as those listed below. The Healthcare Information Management Systems Society’s (HIMSS)...
- Implementing EHRs – IntroductionIf Medicare eligible professionals, or EPs, do not adopt and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) technology by 2015, the EP’s Medicare...The Recovery Act allows for adjustments to the Medicare physician fee schedule for Medicare providers who do not adopt and successfully demonstrate meaningful use of a certified electronic health...Health IT and electronic health records (EHRs) can help doctors provide patients with access to their health information, improve care coordination, and provide higher quality and safer care for...Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are located in every region of the country to help health care providers select, implement, and become adept and meaningful users of electronic health records (EHR...Adopting an electronic health record (EHR) will change the flow of patients in your office. Because of this, it is important to conduct EHR workflow analysis to find the most efficient method for...The Basics There are many forms of telehealth – such as live-interactive videoconferencing, remote monitoring, store-and-forward imaging, and provider education. Many different types of care...NOW is the time to begin electronic health record adoption – there is an unprecedented amount of help available. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is making available up...The Health Resources Services Administration defines telehealth as the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support long-distance clinical health care, patient and...
- Implementing EHRs – Assessing Your Practice ReadinessThe assessment phase is foundational to all other implementation activities, and involves determining if the practice is ready to make the change from paper records to electronic health records (EHRs...We recommend that you set goals in areas that are important and meaningful to your practice. These may be clinical goals, revenue goals or goals around work environment. Goals in all three areas will...The National Broadband Map The National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Communications Commission maintain the National Broadband Map, a tool to search,...It's not unusual for some physicians to resist using an electronic health record (EHR), and there can be many reasons for this reluctance. Is he/she uncomfortable using a computer? Does he/she fear...The Basics Before implementing an electronic health record, you should plan for how your practice/hospital/health center will access broadband. You can access broadband in several different ways...Yes, several tools have been developed to assist physicians, nurses, and office staff in assessing practice readiness. Checklists and methodologies facilitate critical thinking about the kinds of...If you find your community does not have access to any of the broadband technology platforms, Broadband.Gov recommends contacting local government officials. You can contact your mayor, county...One of the five pillars of meaningful use instructs providers to "engage patients and their families in their health," and it is vital to begin engaging patients in the readiness assessment phase....The Basics The term broadband refers to high-speed internet access. Broadband is different from dial-up internet service for several reasons, including the following: Broadband service provides a...If possible, the assessment team should include stakeholders with diverse roles in your practice/hospital/health clinic to leverage each role's expertise in their area of work and to encourage buy-in...Although precise cost estimates are not available, you are not on your own. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) established 62 Regional Extension Centers (...The amount of time required to perform readiness assessments will vary depending on several factors including the size of your practice/hospital/health center, whether your practice/hospital/health...The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recommends the following minimum bandwidth speeds [PDF - 700 KB]: Single Physician Practice – 4 megabits per second (Mbps) Supports practice...
- Implementing EHRs – Planning Your ApproachSeveral studies estimate the cost of purchasing and installing an electronic health record (EHR) ranges from $15,000 to $70,000 per provider.1-5 Costs vary depending on whether you select in-...Planning is an important component of any electronic health record (EHR) implementation. Below you will find some of tactical steps that typically occur during the EHR implementation planning phase...Creation and management of an effective electronic health record (EHR) implementation team is a crucial process. Once you have identified potential members of the implementation team, follow these...The introduction of an electronic health record (EHR) into a practice presents great operational challenges as well as opportunities for the improvement of patient care. Adopting an EHR will...Successfully creating and managing an internal planning team is crucial to planning success. Team members should bring differing perspectives on how the electronic health record (EHR) will be used...You should start electronic health record (EHR) implementation planning as soon as you complete the practice readiness assessment and decide to adopt an electronic health record. Planning draws on...For a successful electronic health record (EHR) implementation, you may need to assess the need for additional EHR infrastructure investments. The first step to making a sound hardware decision is...Even if your practice has an existing IT system, your practice may still need support in achieving meaningful use to receive incentive payments, and vendor resources may be stretched as providers...Implementation teams interested in maximizing the benefits of electronic health records (EHRs) should pay close attention to these important EHR workflow redesign areas. Workflow analysis should...Using electronic health records (EHRs) will help health care providers build a sustainable medical practice. The next generation of health care professionals will expect and demand that their own...Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are not vendors selling electronic health record (EHR) systems or products. Your REC is a trusted advisor with the same aims as you – to help ensure quality...Tip 1: Identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies in your current workflow. Decide which aspects of your workflow need improvement and prioritize them. Then do the work in stages, creating wins along...Redesigning your workflow helps you get the most value from implementing an electronic health record (EHR). To get started, analyze your existing workflow. Create a visual map of how work is...To address the growing demand for highly skilled health IT experts, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) funds the Health IT Workforce Development Program....Toolkits and Technical Assistance The Rural Assistance Center Rural Health Information Technology Toolkit is a rural-specific evaluation tool funded by the Office of Rural Health Policy. The...There are several grant programs and funding opportunities intended to help rural providers and rural communities implement health information technology (IT). Review the following websites for more...Overcoming limited number of staff and resources is challenging in rural communities. No model fits all organizations thus each provider office must determine the best ways to recruit and retain...
- Implementing EHRs – Selecting or Upgrading to a Certified EHRTiming of the Vendor Selection Process There are several different options for how you might select a vendor. Some practices go through the planning electronic health record (EHR)...When selecting an electronic health record (EHR) system, pay special attention to the type of provider and market that each vendor typically serves, as well as the amount of support a vendor provides...Timing & Basics After you assess your electronic health record (EHR) needs, set EHR goals, make key decision about must-have EHR capabilities, and narrow the vendor field, you should draft a...Key Factors to Consider The following are several considerations for electronic health record (EHR) vendor comparison that Regional Extension Centers (RECs) have found useful. Consider these...The Certified HIT Product List The Certified HIT Product List (CHPL) provides the authoritative, comprehensive listing of complete electronic health records (EHRs) and EHR modules that have been...Certified electronic health records (EHRs) are EHRs that have been tested and certified under the Temporary Certification Program maintained by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health...The good news is that there are plenty of options. In fact, there are over 440 complete Certified EHR products for the ambulatory market. Consequently, the selection process can take time. The...Factors to Consider in Contract Negotiations To avoid costly mistakes, make sure to consider the following factors when negotiating your vendor contract.1,2 Contract negotiation is a critical...The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) authorized six organizations to perform complete electronic health record (EHR) and/or EHR module testing and certification. These six...The Basics A complex health care system requires diverse electronic health record (EHR) products. Interoperability refers to the architecture or standards that make it possible for diverse...
- Implementing EHRs – Conducting Training and Implementing an EHRWhile training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger costs of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, training is crucial to realizing the full potential of your EHR. You can also...There are many barriers unique to electronic health record (EHR) implementation in rural health care settings,1-2 including: Prohibitive cost of many EHR systems/limited access to capital...Power failures and internet crashes can prevent you from accessing your patients' records and it can be a struggle to know how to handle your patients. Write a plan for mitigating system failures...When planning for system go-live, the Health Resources and Services Administration recommends covering all aspects of the implementation cycle and allocating enough time to become familiar with new...Your local Regional Extension Center (REC) can provide support and advice during your electronic health record (EHR) go-live. RECs are equipped with the personnel and resources to support and advise...Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are located in every region of the country to help health care providers select, implement, and become adept and meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs...Electronic Health Record Implementation: Preparation is Key Whether you're just starting to think about adopting an electronic health record (EHR) system or are ready to make the transition...Electronic Health Record Implementation Training: A Crucial Step While training office staff and clinicians is one of the larger investments of electronic health record (EHR) implementation, EHR...The Basics Chart migration is the process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR). Chart migration before your EHR go-live date is a critical EHR...Case Studies The following case studies and provider testimonials are on-the-ground examples of how providers in the field are training their staff. Doctor Profiles: Dr. Jennifer Brull...The Basics By making it easier to use and share information, electronic health records (ITs) can be used to help patients obtain timely care and access personal health information while also helping...The Basics An Issues Log is a tool for identifying emergent unintended consequences of electronic health record (EHR) implementation. You should record any problems that arise during EHR...The Basics The process of moving data from your existing paper records to your electronic health record (EHR) is called chart migration. Chart migration is a critical EHR implementation step...
- Implementing EHRs – Continuing Quality ImprovementTelehealth – the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support a broad variety clinical and non-clinic services – is not limited to specific care settings...Licensing can be a problem for telehealth programs. Most states require physicians to be licensed to practice in the originating site's state, and some states require providers using telehealth...There are several clinical telehealth services you can offer, including: Live, interactive video consultation: uses videoconferencing technology to facilitate a patient visit with both physician...The Telehealth Resource Centers (TRCs) are funded by the federal Office for the Advancement of Telehealth to “serve as a focal point for advancing the effective use of telehealth and support...The Basics Clinical decision support (CDS) provides clinicians, staff, patients or other individuals with knowledge and person-specific information, intelligently filtered or presented at...The Basics Rapid-cycle improvement is a "quality improvement method that identifies, implements and measures changes made to improve a process or a system."1 Rapid-cycle improvement implies...The Basics Clinical Quality Measures, also known as CQMs, are a mechanism for assessing observations, treatment, processes, experience, and/or outcomes of patient care. In other words, CQMs...Benefits of Electronic Health Records Medicine is an information-rich enterprise. By making it easier for providers and patients to use and share information, electronic health records (EHRs...The Basics The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality defines a disease/immunization registry as "a tool for tracking the clinical care and outcomes of a defined patient population."1...The Basics Evaluating your electronic health record (EHR) implementation is a critical EHR implementation step. Conducting a post-implementation evaluation will enable your practice to continue...Why Your Vendor Relationship Matters Your electronic health record (EHR) vendor can be an important partner in quality improvement. Quality improvement requires you understand the full...The Basics The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) funds the Beacon Community Cooperative Agreement Program. The Beacon Communities are seventeen...
- Implementing EHRs – Regional Extension Centers (RECs)The Regional Extension Center (REC) program’s focus is to provide on-the-ground assistance for priority primary care providers (PPCPs). A “primary care provider” is any doctor of medicine (...Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are equipped with the personnel and resources to support and advise eligible providers in all phases of the electronic health record (EHR) adoption and...62 Regional Extension Centers (RECs) were awarded grants by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology to provide unbiased support to clinicians throughout the entire...Depending on your Regional Extension Center’s (REC’s) business model, your REC may provide free or reduced-price support to eligible providers and hospitals. With grant funding from the Office of the...Yes, Regional Extension Centers (RECs) are committed to assisting and supporting providers during all phases of electronic health record (EHR) adoption and implementation. RECs provide support...
- Implementing EHRs – Rural HealthThe recommended bandwidth is at least 10 megabits per second (Mbps) for a small clinic that wants to support all of the following: practice management functions such as billing and scheduling, e-mail...
- ONC RegulationsRead the most frequently asked questions [PDF - 501 KB] regarding ONC regulations.
Most Popular Questions
If Medicare eligible professionals, or EPs, do not adopt and successfully
demonstrate meaningful use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) technology by 2015, the
EP’s Medicare...
A personal health record (PHR) is one tool that can be used to increase
patient participation and improve families’ engagement with their care.
PHRs are collections of information pertinent...
There are two committees, under the auspices of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), that are charged with making recommendations to the National Coordinator for Health IT.
Membership...
Yes, there are two kinds of personal health records (PHRs):
There are standalone PHRs where patients fill in the information from
their own records and memories and the data is stored on...
Using electronic health records (EHRs) will help health care providers
build a sustainable medical practice. The next generation of health care
professionals will expect and demand that their own...
