UnitedHealthcare breach leads to UC Irvine identity thefts
After months of investigation, it looks like a data breach at health plan UnitedHealthcare Services may be behind a large-scale rash of identity theft taking place at the University of California,
Federal HIT coordination office releases five-year plan
HHS's Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONCHIT) has released its five-year strategic plan, designed to help federal agencies synch up their health IT efforts. While the plan is broad,
Former House Rep. pushes for health IT bill
A former Congresswoman who once championed health IT legislation unsuccessfully two years ago has come back, this time as the head of a health IT coalition pushing new measures. Former Rep. Nancy
NAHIT name game gives some vendors a headache
In theory, it doesn't make sense to move ahead with major IT initiatives until the industry has at least some clue as to how to define key terms. However, a recent effort by the National Alliance for
University of CA-Merced launches six telemedicine centers
Last week the University of California-Merced announced that it would be opening six telemedicine centers in underserved cities in the state's San Joaquin Valley. Right now, these sites are among the
SPOTLIGHT: Common retail clinic locations
From the grocery store to the airport, the explosion of retail clinics across the country no longer appears to be a novelty. The following is a list of five of the more likely places you'll find a
Does the cable industry offer a cautionary tale?
When most of us think about EMR adoption, we assume that it's just a matter of time before we find the right incentives to bring all physicians on board--be they subsidies, pay for EMR-related
Claims rejections go through the roof with NPI requirement
As predicted, processing federal and state insurance claims has become something of a nightmare in the week since providers have been required to use their National Provider Identifier (NPI) number.
Texas EMR resistance shows extent of adoption problem
If Texas is any indication, the EMR adoption movement has more problems in store than many people think. According to a new survey on the subject by the Texas Medical Association, one-third of
Congress considers another HIT subsidy bill
Proposals to help doctors pay for EMRs and other cool patient care technology have bounced around the Hill for years now--but maybe this one will be the ticket. Members of the House's Committee on
AL employers offer remote monitoring for diabetes
An Alabama-based employer coalition has set plans to offer remote monitoring capabilities to allow member companies to track their employees and dependents with diabetes. The coalition, Employers
Case study: Hospital dumps Exchange for Linux-based clone
Taking their inspiration from the facility's doctors, the IT staffers at Moses Taylor Hospital chose a fairly significant change in direction when it came time to upgrade their messaging system.
SPOTLIGHT: Nursing group urges better IT education for nurses
Despite the increasing need to use IT in day-to-day nursing jobs, nursing schools aren't doing enough to prepare nurses for this eventuality, according to the National League for Nursing. The group
Want EMRs to succeed? Pay doctors to use them
You know, sometimes an answer is right in front of us. The American College of Physicians is handing you the cheat
Health IT unlikely to generate big cost savings, CBO says
For years, researchers have argued over whether EMRs actually save money, with studies reaching different results depending on whether they looked at inpatient or outpatient care, small, mid-sized or
Primary care group wants pay for online work
The American College of Physicians has taken a position that shouldn't be much of a surprise. It's suggesting that payers should reimburse physicians for added work needed to take part in new digital
MN lawmakers approve e-prescribing measure
The Minnesota state legislature has approved a broad healthcare bill that would, among other things, require physicians, pharmacists and others who prescribe or dispense medication in the state to
