Comments on: ONC Releases “Meaningful Use” Draft Definition

By: Cathy Pearson

Cathy Pearson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 21:47:33 +0000

Are outpatient behavioral healthcare clinics eligible?

By: Michelle Dougherty

Michelle Dougherty — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:30:59 +0000

I think all of your comments reflect a common thread – what is the plan for healthcare organizations that fit outside of hospitals and physician offices? In talking with ONC staff they are focusing on only hospitals and physician practices because the law limits incentive payments to just those two areas. One course of action is to submit comments to your Congressman regarding the narrow scope. Ultimately, hospitals and physicians will have difficulty achieving meaningful use of EHRs if the rest of healthcare isn’t equally as connected.

Since a number of comments were directed at LTC I wanted to speak directly to our activities. AHIMA is a participant on a collaborative of LTC and Post Acute associations (AHCA, AAHSA, NAHC, AMDA, NASL, etc.) to advocate for HIT. The collaborative has been pushing the LTC agenda and has been meeting/commenting on the issues you raised. Unfortunately, the focus of the law on physicians and hospitals has made it difficult, but we are pointing out the huge number of patients and the high costs (third most costly for the US government) and the criticality of interoperability to include LTC and post acute settings.

Your comments and feedback to your Congressman, ONC and others will help to keep LTC and the other settings mentioned in the posts above on the radar screen. Keep advocating!!

By: Susan Arrowood,RHIT

Susan Arrowood,RHIT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 21:24:56 +0000

I also work in LTC and am interested in a response to Lori’s question. We have paper records at the present and as stated funds for an EHR would be difficult to obtain.
Thank you.

By: Becky Mulis

Becky Mulis — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 16:26:38 +0000

I don’t believe that Behavioral Health centers are eligible for incentives, either. Do you know if there is any discussion to change this decision.

By: Dee-Dee Ritter, RHIT

Dee-Dee Ritter, RHIT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:43:57 +0000

As the HIM consultant in the long term care sections of continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), I am also interested in a response to Lori Gjertsen’s question and concerns. Would appreciate AHIMA’S thoughts on this. I also wonder how many others in the LTC sector have similar concerns. Thank you.
Dee-Dee Ritter, RHIT

By: Lori Gjertsen, RHIT

Lori Gjertsen, RHIT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 14:57:11 +0000

It appears that incentives will not be made available to long term care provers and nursing facilities that are utilizing EHRs according to the definitions. Is AHIMA advocating for these providers? Is there any recognition of the need for these providers to also be able to obtain these financial incentives? LTC providers, especially county owned facilities struggle with adequate reimbursement from Medicaid and often do not have the extra funds available to invest in EHR. Thank you

By: Debra Mosher, RHIT

Debra Mosher, RHIT — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:35:18 +0000

We are an ambulatory care facility on a college campus, that serves the student population and the community. We accept all insurance except for Medicaid and Medicare. Will we be eligible to receive incentive payments under the American Recovery and Investment Act? We are currently a paper medical record and moving towards electronic medical record.