MASS. DIGITAL HEALTH INITIATIVE UPDATE

Mass. Digital Health Profile: TechSpring Taps Wealth of Healthcare Innovation in Western Massachusetts

TechSpring, the Springfield-based digital health innovation center launched by Baystate Health in 2015, hosts 'Tap into TechSpring' each month, bringing together healthcare and technology innovators to discuss specific issues, talk about ongoing projects, and highlight potential partnerships for healthcare professionals and technologists.

TechSpring and the Baystate system are making Springfield and the rest of Western Massachusetts go-to locations for digital healthcare innovation, overcoming adoption barriers and tapping into the region's community of entrepreneurs.

Read more about TechSpring at massdigitalhealth.org.

PROGRAM YEAR 2015 DEADLINES
Medicaid EHR Incentive Program Dates


WEBINARS
Mass HIway Provider Directory Overview

Date:
Thurs. May 5th
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Register   
Mass HIway LAND: Selection, Setup and Use

Date:
Thurs. May 19th
Time:
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Register   
CAREERS
Current job openings include MeHI Deputy Director, Customer Support Specialist and Data Analytics Intern.
CONTACT US
Massachusetts
eHealth Institute

1-855-MassEHR
ehealth@masstech.org 

eHealth Services Center
1-855-MassEHR

EHR INCENTIVE PROGRAM UPDATES
Now Available: 2015 Program Year Supporting Documentation Requirements Guide
MeHI has developed program materials to assist Eligible Professionals (EPs) in attesting for a 2015 Medicaid EHR Incentive payment. The Supporting Documentation Requirements Guide, updated April 21, 2016, is now available on our website along with other tip sheets and templates within the MU Toolkit for EPs to help you gather your supporting documentation and prepare to attest.  

Deadlines to Submit Program Documents:
  • Special Enrollment and Data Collection Forms to register or access MAPIR - May 31, 2016
  • Hospital Ambulatory Group Proxy Information - June 15, 2016
  • Resident Proposals - June 15, 2016
Documents received after the deadlines above will be processed for the 2016 Program Year.

Questions?

Call 1-855-MassEHR or email MassEHR@masstech.org for assistance.
 
eHEALTH INDUSTRY NEWS
Opioid Stats
New ONC Resource Webpage: Attacking the Opioid Crisis Head On with Health IT
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has developed a new website which serves as a central point for the public to find out how health IT solutions are being used to address the opioid crisis. ONC's website provides links to a variety of health IT solutions that address prescription drug misuse, abuse, and diversion. View Webpage

Using Health IT for Clinical Decision Support to combat the Opioid Crisis can provide:
  • The right information;
  • To the right people;
  • Through the right channels;
  • In the right formats; and
  • At the right time.
Questions? 
Contact onc.opioids@hhs.gov 
Help Inform the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Measurement of Interoperability
ONC is seeking input on ways to measure interoperability to better support health systems that provide better care, spend smarter, and improve the overall health of their patients.

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) declares it a national objective of achieving the widespread exchange of health information through the use of interoperable certified electronic health records and directs HHS to establish metrics, in consultation with the health IT community, to measure success. Learn more on the ONC Blog 

Specifically, ONC is asking for input on:
  • Suggested populations and elements of information flow;
  • Current data sources and associated metrics to address the MACRA requirements; and
  • Other data sources and metrics to measure interoperability more broadly
View and download the request for information.

Note that the public comment period closes on June 3, 2016.

Related story from Healthcare IT News:  MACRA proposed rule published by HHS, streamlining federal programs including meaningful use

INDUSTRY EVENTS
NEW iHT2 event image (June 23-24 dates).
iHT2 2016 Health IT Summit in Boston - June 23-24 (NEW DATE)   
At iHT2  Health IT Summits, renowned leaders in North American healthcare gather to present important information and share insights. Discussions and interactive sessions lead to shared learnings and exceptional networking opportunities. Healthcare leaders participate in transformative discussions and benefit from a unique environment for learning and professional growth. MeHI Director Laurance Stuntz is a panelist for the discussion "Interoperability in the Post-EHR era" from 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM on Thursday, June 23rd.
 
The iHT2 summit in Boston will tackle topics including:
  • Interoperability in the Post-EHR Era;
  • Precision Medicine, Predictive Analytics & Personalized Medicine;
  • Security & Data Protection: High Tech & High Touch;
  • Big Data Mining for Value-based Healthcare; and
  • HIEs: A New Era?
 
Keynote Speaker:
  • Paul H. Keckley, PhD, Managing Director, Navigant Healthcare
Featured Speakers:
  • Ari Lightman, Distinguished Service Professor of Digital Media and Marketing, Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University
  • Cameron Camp, Security Researcher, ESET
  • Mark Haglund, Editor-in-Chief, Healthcare Informatics

When (NEW DATE):

Tuesday, June 23rd, 8 AM - Wednesday, June 24th, 1:30 PM

Where:
Aloft Seaport Boston
401-403D Street
Boston, MA 02210

Rates:
 
MeHI affiliates can receive discounted admission to the Summit! Details included below.
 
Use the discount code MeHI15 for 15% off. 
 
New England HIMSS Annual Spring Conference
HIMSS New England Chapter Join the New England HIMSS chapter for its annual day-long Spring Conference, "Innovation: The Key to a Transformed Health System."
Learn from industry experts and peers about the latest trends and technology innovations that are taking place in and around New England.


The day-long event will feature morning and lunchtime keynotes, a vendor showcase, as well as a Mini-Data-Palooza. Topics for the day will include:
  • The Power of Empowering Patients Through Mobile Technology;
  • Big Data Interoperability: Connecting Administrative, Clinical, and Patient-Generated Data; and
  • Innovations in Care Delivery;
When:
Thursday, May 12th, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM

Where:
Gillette Stadium
1 Patriot Place
Foxborough, MA 02035
 
ACHE Early Careerist Network Professional Development Panel Discussion
With the implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, there is a need to take stock of where the medical community stands on change and innovation, specifically regarding the use of technology. This panel, eligible for ACHE Face-to-Face Education Credits, will discuss how health systems are using innovation in technology to improve the value of the healthcare they deliver.

Moderator: 
  • Laurance Stuntz, Director, Massachusetts eHealth Institute
Panelists:  
  • Tonya Hongsermeier, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Information Officer, Lahey Health
  • Chris Coburn, Vice President, Innovation, Partners Healthcare
  • Taylor Lehmann, MBA, Chief Information Officer, HealthEdge
Topic:
"Technology Innovation: Changing the Face of Healthcare Delivery"

When:
Thursday, May 19th, 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Where:
Shriners Hospital
51 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114