HHS considers rolling back interoperability timeline amid COVID-19

But some health IT experts are calling for more urgency, not less, to fix the outdated EHR infrastructure and allow the free flow of clinical data to combat the mounting public health emergency.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 18, 2020

Medicare will now cover telehealth to fight coronavirus

It's a move telemedicine companies like Teladoc and American Well have been requesting since well before the outbreak, but the change is scheduled to be in place only for as long as the national emergency is designated.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 17, 2020

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Interoperability

Interoperability is a long term-challenge for the healthcare industry, but the Trump administration has big ambitions to improve data sharing and patient access — even though its plans so far have few details.

By Healthcare Dive staff

Disease management firms set to capitalize on Trump admin interoperability push

A key detail of a rule finalized last week could make it simpler for players like Omada Health, Propeller Health and Livongo to interface with large health system clients.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 17, 2020

HHS hit with cyberattack as US deals with coronavirus response

The intent of the attack was to slow systems, but HHS remained "fully operational," a spokesperson told Healthcare Dive.

By Samantha Schwartz • March 17, 2020

COVID-19 puts unprecedented strain on US health system

Some Providence hospitals are converting operating rooms to intensive care units to prepare for a surge in coronavirus patients as federal officials pleaded with the American public to avoid gathering in groups.

March 17, 2020

Q&A: ONC chief Don Rucker's thoughts on the final information blocking rule

HHS has been working on a set of rules meant to expand patients' access to their medical information for half a decade. Here's what the U.S. health IT leader thinks of the accomplishment and the roadblocks to getting there.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 13, 2020

Controversial EHR mandate in interoperability rule could threaten hospital Medicare reimbursement

The new requirement that hospitals must send electronic notice of key changes in a patient's status is worrying some facilities, especially those in rural areas and treating a high proportion of low-income patients.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 12, 2020

CVS adds 5 digital health programs for PBM clients

Livongo Health, Hinge Health, Hello Heart, Torchlight and Whil are now available for clients to use, in addition to Sleepio, a personalized digital sleep program and the first participating program when the service launched in 2019.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 12, 2020

ECRI: Poor sterilization, failure to learn from device problems threaten patient safety

The 2020 list put together by the nonprofit ECRI Institute also highlights diagnostic errors as a top patient safety concern for a third consecutive year.

By Maria Rachal • March 11, 2020

CMS eases more Medicare restrictions to boost coronavirus treatment access

The actions won't necessarily remove cost barriers for patients. Most payers have not extended the coverage promises to employers' self-insured plans that cover the majority of Americans, and high deductibles persist.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 11, 2020

Payers, providers say interoperability rules threaten patient privacy

HHS officials disagree, however. "When you're in the electronic world, there's always risk," ONC head Don Rucker said. "I think we've put in some powerful protections here."

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 10, 2020

Cerner calls interoperability timeline doable. Others aren't so sure

CMS officials said the timing is a matter of life and death given the outbreak of a novel coronavirus, but an Allscripts executive said "the development lift is going to be substantive in what is still a fairly short period of time."

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 10, 2020

Hospitals dipping into emergency stocks to combat coronavirus

While more community spread of COVID-19 is reported daily, hospitals are bracing for a rush of patients and payers are waiving fees for telemedicine consults and extra prescription drug supplies.

By Shannon Muchmore • March 10, 2020

Long-awaited interoperability rules finalized by Trump admin, prompt industry ire

Providers and entrenched health IT interests are unlikely to be happy with the final iterations, which largely mirror the proposed versions. One win: The timeline to come into compliance has been pushed back.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated March 9, 2020

Despite more EHR use, hospitals rely on fax, mail to share patient records

About 70% of health systems said they used mail or fax for sending and receiving summary of care records in 2018, according to a recent ONC report.

By Hailey Mensik • March 9, 2020

Interoperability standards: FHIR, direct, and cloud fax

FHIR, direct and cloud fax…how can these data exchange standards lead you to healthcare interoperability?

March 6, 2020

$8.3B in coronavirus funding set in motion as federal agencies ramp up response

A bill that has now been passed by the House and Senate gives HHS authority to temporarily waive certain Medicare requirements for telehealth services but does not address treatment reimbursement for the uninsured​.

By Shannon Muchmore • Updated March 5, 2020

HIMSS20 canceled over coronavirus concerns

"Cancellation is unavoidable in order to meet HIMSS' obligation to protect the health and safety of the global HIMSS community," conference organizers told vendors Thursday.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • Updated March 5, 2020

HIMSS20 has been canceled. Here are 5 panels we're sad to miss

As major players pull out, the conference is still on. "This is a fluid situation. We go hour by hour right now," a conference spokeswoman said Wednesday afternoon. Insiders say HHS could issue final interoperability rules at the event.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn , Samantha Liss • Updated March 5, 2020

Some pacemakers, EKGs, diabetes devices may face newly flagged Bluetooth cyber risk

FDA and the Department of Homeland Security said microchips from seven manufacturers and a range of consumer wearables and connected medical devices may be affected.

By Susan Kelly • March 5, 2020

Uber Health targets provider pain points with revamped platform

The ride-hailing giant is attempting to address gripes with its non-emergency medical transportation service through a handful of new features that began rolling out late last year.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 4, 2020

Amazon's Alexa can now answer simple queries about drugs

The smart speaker became HIPAA-compliant in April, giving it an edge in healthcare over rivals Google Home and Apple's Siri.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 3, 2020

Allscripts eyes margin improvement following $182M loss in 2019

The Chicago-based EHR vendor plans to hire a financial advisory firm to create an improvement plan following what the CFO called "disappointing" margins and "pathetic" free cash flow.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 3, 2020

Trump to attend HIMSS20 as organizers prep for coronavirus

It would have been the first time a sitting U.S. president attended the annual HIMSS conference, now canceled over coronavirus concerns.

By Rebecca Pifer Parduhn • March 2, 2020

HIMSS: DXC Technology drives personalized care with smart health technology

See the latest technology that facilitates positive change for providers and helps patients engage with their caregivers.

March 2, 2020