With new changes ahead with health information technology in the Medicare and Medicare programs, the Health and Human Services' Office of the Inspector General (OIG) announced its intention in its 2011 Work Plan, released last month, to closely monitor this area. The OIG also will be reviewing the government stimulus program that will distribute billions of dollars to providers nationwide under the meaningful use provisions.

Among the areas of oversight, according to Government Health IT News, are reviews of HIT technology system enhancements to CMS systems to make sure that they include standards adopted by HHS and that adequate information technology security controls are in place to protect personal information. The OIG also will be looking for breaches and medical identity theft involving Medicare identification numbers.

Medicare incentive payments for electronic health records also will be reviewed by the OIG. Payments to eligible healthcare professionals and hospitals for adopting electronic health records will be reviewed, along with CMS safeguards to prevent erroneous incentive payments. Such incentives are scheduled to begin this year and continue through 2016.

For community health centers receiving HIT technology funding, the OIG will review general IT security controls in place for those systems funded by Health Resources and Services Administration IT grants to ensure personal information is protected.

For more details:
- here's the Government Health IT News article
- read the OIG's work plan

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