Alex Baker
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ONC Publishes USCDI+ Quality Data Element List to Support CMS Digital Quality Measurement Modernization Initiative and Overall Quality Reporting
Alex Baker | June 2, 2023
ONC recently released the draft USCDI+ Quality data element list for public comment on the eCQI Resource Center website. This release provides an initial, high-level picture of the USCDI+ initiative in action. It is a harmonized set of data elements for quality measurement that could be used to support measurement and reporting across a wide number of quality programs. ONC requests feedback on this draft list by 11:59pm ET on June 30,
Read Full Post.New CMS Rules Advancing Interoperability
Alex Baker | February 27, 2023
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) proposed two important new rules in December 2022 which, if finalized, would advance electronic health information exchange and streamline cumbersome health care processes by establishing standardized requirements across the industry. These rules reflect the deep collaboration between CMS and ONC to ensure that providers and payers adopt common, open-industry standards to advance interoperability and industry innovation.
Read Full Post.Interoperability in Action: ONC Informs CMS Ruling on Hospital Measures for Public Health and Health Equity Reporting
Alex Baker | October 25, 2022
This is the second blog post in a two-part series that examines how policies finalized by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule are advancing the use of interoperable health IT. Previously, we looked at a new measure under CMS’s Promoting Interoperability Program that rewards hospitals for exchanging information under the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, or TEFCA.
Read Full Post.Interoperability in Action: CMS Rule Builds on ONC Initiatives to Simplify Health Information Exchange
Alex Baker | October 13, 2022
On August 1, 2022, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced final changes to its payment program for acute care hospitals in 2023. The FY 2023 Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) final rule also included policies for the 2023 Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, which rewards eligible hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) for the meaningful use of certified electronic health record (EHR) technology, and for the Inpatient Quality Reporting Program, which requires hospitals to report data in key areas.
Read Full Post.13 Areas to Improve Electronic Prior Authorization
Alex Baker | May 31, 2022
In January 2022, ONC issued a Request for Information (RFI) that sought public input on the ONC Health IT Certification Program and how it could incorporate standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria related to electronic prior authorization. Shortly thereafter, ONC charged the Health Information Technology Advisory Committee (HITAC) with providing input and recommendations in response to this RFI. The Electronic Prior Authorization (ePA) RFI Task Force of the HITAC led consideration of the charge and developed a report and recommendations that were recently approved by the full HITAC.
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