What is the Security Risk Assessment Tool (SRA Tool)? 

Posted on HealthIT, September 12, 2016 

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) recognizes that conducting a risk assessment can be a challenging task. That's why ONC, in collaboration with the HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the HHS Office of the General Counsel (OGC), developed a downloadable SRA Tool [.exe - 91.3 MB] to help guide you through the process. This tool is not required by the HIPAA Security Rule, but is meant to assist providers and professionals as they perform a risk assessment. 

The SRA Tool takes you through each HIPAA requirement by presenting a question about your organization's activities. Your "yes" or "no" answer will show you if you need to take corrective action for that particular item. There are a total of 156 questions. Learn more here.

Track ICD-10 Progress and Manage Your Revenue Cycle

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, September 9, 2016

Now is a good time to review how you use ICD-10. Key performance indicators (KPIs) can help you manage your revenue cycle and track your ICD-10 progress. By tracking and comparing KPIs, you can:

• Assess progress to identify any productivity or cash flow issues
• Address opportunities to improve revenue cycle management
• Maintain progress and keep up-to-date on ICD-10 

To find out more about tracking and improving how you use ICD-10, check out the Next Steps Toolkit.

Plans for the Quality Payment Program in 2017: Pick Your Pace

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, September 8, 2016

As the baby boom generation ages, 10,000 people enter the Medicare program each day. Facing that demand, it is essential that Medicare continues to support physicians in delivering high-quality patient care. This includes increasing its focus on patient outcomes and reducing the obstacles that make it harder for physicians to practice good care. 

But, with the Quality Payment Program set to begin on January 1, 2017, we wanted to share our plans for the timing of reporting for the first year of the program. In recognition of the wide diversity of physician practices, we intend for the Quality Payment Program to allow physicians to pick their pace of participation for the first performance period that begins January 1, 2017. During 2017, eligible physicians and other clinicians will have multiple options for participation. Choosing one of these options would ensure you do not receive a negative payment adjustment in 2019. These options and other supporting details will be described fully in the final rule. Learn more about these options.