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At the Forefront of Healthcare Transformation! 

New Report: Examining the HITECH Era
and the Future of Health IT

Since the passage of the HITECH Act, the health IT landscape has dramatically evolved.  Hospitals and health care providers are using health IT at unprecedented levels. In 2008 only 17 percent of physicians and nine percent of hospitals had at least a basic EHR.

In 2015 adoption exploded--96 percent of hospitals and 78 percent of physician offices were using certified EHR technology. This new report from ONC looks at the journey the nation has made over the past eight years and where it is headed. Read the full report on the ONC website.  
90-Day Reporting Period for
2016 EHR Incentive Programs

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that all new and returning participants in the EHR Incentive Programs can now report on a 90-day EHR period in 2016 and 2017.

On Nov. 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the updated payment rates and policy changes in the Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System for calendar year (CY) 2017.

This final rule with comment period includes a number of proposed changes that would affect the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs. The final rule was expected to be published Nov. 14 and comments will be accepted until Dec. 31.
The attestation system will be updated, so please wait until January, 2017, to attest for a 2016 90-day reporting period.  Read more about the rule on ILHITREC's website.
Webinar Dec. 1, on Final Year for eMIPP Enrollment

Illinois Health Connect (IHC) will host a free Webinar featuring ILHITREC panelists Thursday, Dec. 1, noon-1 p.m. (CT) entitled "2016 is Final Year to Enroll in eMIPP - Modified Stage 2 -  2015-2017:  2016 Reporting Requirements for Eligible Providers." Register now: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/6671500485294116867  
 
ILHITREC Panelists: The panelists will include Brenda Simms, RN, BSN, CHTS-CP, and Kerri Lanum, MS, Clinical Informatics Specialist, both with the Illinois Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (ILHITREC).  
 
Webinar Details : This is the last year (2016) to begin participation in the Illinois Electronic Health Record Medicaid Incentive Payment Program (eMIPP). If you or your practice had at least 30% Medicaid patient volume (or 20% for pediatricians) in 2015, you may be eligible! Don't miss out on incentives: eMIPP provides up to $63,750 in incentive payments to eligible professionals; Prepares practices for the future of data-driven healthcare; Positions practices to address Medicare disincentives. If you think you may qualify, don't delay!

ILHITREC, under contract with the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, can assist you, at no cost, to determine program eligibility and support you in completing the program. To determine your eligibility, please contact ILHITREC at  [email protected] or complete our online eligibility survey. 
MACRA - Quality Payment Program Begins Soon
 
MACRA - the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 - is set to transform the way the federal government delivers and pays for healthcare. MACRA replaces the sustainable growth rate (SGR) Medicare Part B reimbursement model with a value-based payment system designed to lower costs and improve healthcare quality. MACRA will replace PQRS, value-based modifier (VBM) and meaningful use with two payment tracks:   
  • Merit Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS)
  • Alternative Payment Models (APMs)
To assist practices with these changes, Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource Centers will be established as early as November 2016 to answer questions and provide direct technical assistance and support at no cost to practices with 15 or fewer clinicians. If you would like to be notified of the QPP Resource Center serving your practice, CLICK HERE .  For additional information, visit ILHITREC's   MACRA website or Telligen's MACRA website.   
NOVEMBER 2016 































































ABOUT SUPPORT PROVIDED BY ILHITREC:
The Illinois Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center (ILHITREC), under contract with the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services (HFS), is providing education, outreach and support to Medicaid providers for the Electronic Health Record Medical Incentive Payment Program (eMIPP). Northern Illinois University serves as the Illinois Health Information Technology Regional Extension Center providing EHR and meaningful use services to providers in Illinois. For more information, e-mail [email protected]