The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a proposed rule that would update FY 2014 Medicare payment policies and rates for inpatient stays at general acute care and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs). Released on April 26, the proposed rule is designed to reduce the growth in healthcare costs while improving the quality of patient care, according to the agency.

Instead of layering on additional regulations for exchanges, the American Hospital Association (AHA) urged the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Commissioner for Health IT (ONC) to focus on facilitating the implementation of payment and delivery programs already underway in Stage 1 and Stage 2 of Meaningful Use EHR incentive programs.

Another study indicates a disturbing lack of preparation for the transition to ICD-10, Marilyn Tavenner’s bid to be confirmed as head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services hits a roadblock and telemedicine is making great strides across the country. Those are a few things to know about health IT this week.

Yet another survey indicates that healthcare providers are not progressing toward ICD-10 implementation at the recommended rate. One in five small- and mid-sized hospitals have not begun any education or training for the transition to ICD-10.

The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved Marilyn Tavenner to head the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on April 23, but a vote by the full Senate has been blocked.

The South Carolina Senate is one step closer to requiring state employee insurance plans to reimburse physicians for telemedicine diagnoses and treatments.The Senate Medical Affairs Committee approved on April 18 a bill, the South Carolina Telemedicine Act (S. 290), which requires such coverage of telemedicine services by the state public employee benefit program, and the establishment of a Telemedicine Advisory Council.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is adding a new routine for use of health information to eight “systems of records” or databases, to ease in identifying vulnerable individuals who may need health assistance during an emergency.

Effective use of data analytics with the new codes will lead to better patient care and outcomes, according to Sam Ho, MD, executive vice president and chief clinical officer at UnitedHealthcare, who delivered a keynote address at the American Health Information Management Association's summit on the topic in Baltimore.