News & Updates January 7, 2021

Upcoming Events Evolving the EDI Clearinghouse to Improve Payer-Provider Collaboration: On January 21st we’ll look at what’s driving the need for deeper integration and what payers, providers, and trading partners need to consider as they choose a partner.  Knowledge Center WEDI Comments: CMS Rules to Reduce Administrative Burden and Improve the Prior Authorization Process In the News HHS Announces $22 Billion in Funding to Support Expanded Testing, Vaccination Distribution WEDI, the preeminent national membership association for health IT guidance and collaboration invites healthcare professional to our first educational event of 2021, The Quest for Health Equity, February 23-24 on Zoom. This event will investigate and showcase the opportunity that data interoperability has to eliminate healthcare disparities in the country.  Sign Up Today!

New Resources to Help Health IT Developers Understand ONC Cures Act Final Rule Requirements These resources include a consolidated view of key dates, a criterion-by-criterion resource for the 2015 Edition Cures Update, and a deep dive into forthcoming certified application programming interface (API) requirements. Learn More

CMS Issues Final Rule to Empower States, Manufacturers, and Private Payers to Create New Payment Methods for Innovative New Therapies Based on Patient Outcomes Payers will be able to negotiate prices with manufacturers for genetic-based treatments based upon outcomes and evidence-based measures such as reduced hospitalizations, lab visits, and physician office visits, ensuring that if such measures fail to support the value of a drug, the payer is not held accountable for the full price. Learn More

OCR Issues Guidance on HIPAA, Health Information Exchanges, and Disclosures of Protected Health Information for Public Health Purposes The guidance provides examples relevant to the COVID-19 public health emergency on how HIPAA permits covered entities and their business associates to disclose PHI to an HIE for reporting to a PHA that is engaged in public health activities.  Learn More

The Collective Voice in Health IT, a WEDI Podcast Episode 17: WEDI Past Chair (2019-2020), Jay Eisenstock

How Proposed Implementation Specifications for Application Programming Interfaces Would Help to Further Reduce Burden ONC is working with CMS to ensure that APIs support the interoperable exchange of health data by proposing to adopt a series of cutting-edge implementation specifications developed through the HL7 Da Vinci project. These implementation specifications, which ONC has proposed for adoption by HHS in the new proposed rule, build on the HL7® FHIR® standard which ONC adopted in the 21st Century Cures Act final rule released earlier this year. Learn More

Resources for You A Framework for Implementing Telehealth The Rampant Growth of Cybercrime in Healthcare Free APIs for CMS Interoperability Compliance On Demand OCR Privacy & Security Enforcement Activities Update & 2019 –Year-In-Review: Key Points in Resolution Agreements and OCR CAPS On Demand

Interoperability Proving Ground

Hot Headlines: OCR Settles Thirteenth Investigation in HIPAA Right of Access Initiative 10 emerging trends in health IT for 2021 Optum and Change Healthcare Combine Breaking the glass ceiling in healthcare technology is a slow, steady process Pew Urges Federal Government to Prioritize Better Exchange of Health Data COVID-19 relief bill includes $62.4M for interoperable public health data systems

Join the Prior Authorization Subworkgroup The next Prior Authorization meeting will be from 1:30-2:30ET on Tuesday, January 12th. Request to join the Privacy & Security Workgroup Meetings

WEDI workgroups provide thoughtful leadership and common-sense approaches that enhance the exchange of clinical and administrative healthcare information. They collect input, exchange ideas, and make recommendations that inspire impactful and far-reaching change in our industry. Learn more & join today!

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