Federal healthcare regulations and compliance
Federal healthcare regulations can have a tremendous impact on an organization's health IT strategy and budget. Find out how new healthcare laws about electronic health record (EHR) use, quality reporting and ICD-10 codes -- and the deadlines associated with them -- affect how hospitals do business. In addition, learn how providers are addressing federal healthcare regulations meant to improve care quality and cut costs.
Top Stories
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Tip
30 Sep 2022
Why a HIPAA disaster recovery plan is critical
Disaster recovery is a complex and high-stakes operation. When healthcare data is in the mix, a good DR plan is even more crucial. Do you have a HIPAA disaster plan in place? Continue Reading
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News
29 Oct 2020
ONC delays compliance for information blocking provisions
Due to COVID-19, healthcare systems will now have until April 5, 2021 to comply with information blocking provisions in ONC's final interoperability and information blocking rule. Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2020
Election results won't affect federal health IT initiatives
Federal health IT initiatives such as interoperability and patient access to data tend to transcend politics. Experts say they will again no matter who wins in November. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Aug 2020
EHR vendors eye safe data access for third-party health apps
EHR vendors are designing data authorization scopes for third-party health apps. It's a process that hinges on patient trust and requires transparency. Continue Reading
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News
07 Aug 2020
CIOs challenged to make healthcare delivery faster, cheaper
In this Q&A, former Intermountain Healthcare CIO Marc Probst talks about how the pandemic has affected the healthcare CIO's agenda. Hint: It's all about efficiency. Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2020
For ONC final rule, compliance clock is ticking
Having passed the June 30 effective date, healthcare CIOs will be playing a significant role in ensuring compliance with the federal regulator's final rule. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Jul 2020
Pandemic helps to change telehealth policy -- slowly
Telehealth policy is changing, thanks to COVID-19, but providers worry some changes won't last. Continue Reading
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Feature
24 Jun 2020
Ground telehealth applications in security -- now
A recent software error at telehealth services provider Babylon Health is a stark reminder for healthcare CIOs to keep telehealth security and privacy top of mind. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Jun 2020
COVID-19 could be a watershed moment for telehealth policy
Stakeholders are calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make telehealth policy changes permanent. Continue Reading
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News
22 Apr 2020
COVID-19 delays enforcement of federal interoperability rules
ONC and CMS will give health systems additional time to comply with portions of the interoperability rules finalized last month. Plus, OIG released a proposed rule on information blocking enforcement. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Apr 2020
Commercial video conferencing tools are risky for healthcare
Healthcare providers are allowed to use some commercial video conferencing tools during the pandemic, but analysts say they should choose their tools carefully. Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Apr 2020
Interoperability rules won't succeed without the CIO
COVID-19 is the crisis at hand, but healthcare CIOs also have to work on complying with new interoperability rules finalized last month. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Apr 2020
Invest in digital health tools strategically -- especially now
Healthcare CIOs should invest in and deploy new digital health tools cautiously and strategically, despite the FDA's decision to relax regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Mar 2020
In a pandemic, demand for telehealth services soars
Telehealth services are in high demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, but can providers keep pace? Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Mar 2020
Stakeholders sound off on ONC, CMS interoperability rules
New healthcare regulations from ONC and CMS strive to make it easier to share health data. Industry players have something to say about that. Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2020
Stakeholders focus on information blocking in ONC final rule
Healthcare stakeholders say the information blocking provision in the long-awaited ONC final rule is a good step toward greater data sharing. Continue Reading
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Conference Coverage
09 Mar 2020
HIMSS 2020 Orlando news, trends, analysis and awards
More than 40,000 healthcare professionals attend the HIMSS20 conference to learn about the latest developments in digital health transformation and regulations. Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2020
ONC, CMS information blocking, interoperability rules finalized
After months of delay, ONC and CMS announced the release of their long-awaited information blocking and interoperability rules. Continue Reading
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News
05 Mar 2020
HIMSS 2020 canceled due to coronavirus
On Monday, President Trump was slated to speak at HIMSS 2020. On Thursday, the health IT event was canceled for the first time in 58 years due to the coronavirus outbreak. Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Interoperability rule will be in HIMSS spotlight -- again
At HIMSS 2020, federal regulators' proposed interoperability rule will be the talk of the conference, whether it's been finalized or not. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
13 Feb 2020
Health data sharing rules ignite debate between Epic, HHS
Contentions over proposed health data sharing rules, which would require health systems to implement standardized APIs, continue to heighten. EHR vendor Epic recently sent a letter signed by about ... Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Jan 2020
Patient privacy not the only reason Epic pulls away from Google
The latest development in the Google-Epic relationship may have less to do with customer interest and more to do with growing competition and reputation. Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
Patient privacy at heart of new debate for data sharing rules
EHR vendor Epic is stirring the privacy and data access debate once again as proposed rules from ONC and CMS are under review at the Office of Management and Budget. Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jan 2020
ONC's federal health IT strategic plan shows growth -- to a degree
ONC's five-year strategic health IT draft plan lays out comprehensive goals, but, in some instances, how to achieve those goals is still murky. Continue Reading
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Tip
14 Jan 2020
HIPAA compliance checklist: The key to staying compliant in 2020
Putting together a HIPAA compliance program can be fraught with difficulty. Review best practices and a HIPAA compliance checklist to avoid common pitfalls and pass an audit. Continue Reading
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Feature
19 Dec 2019
Healthcare 2020 trends emphasize virtual, holistic patient care
Forrester Research and Frost & Sullivan say telehealth and social determinants of health data analytics platforms will gain ground in 2020. Continue Reading
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News
21 Nov 2019
Security is at the heart of healthcare data sharing concerns
As proposed interoperability and information blocking rules from ONC and CMS are reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget, the healthcare community expresses more concern about patient data security. Continue Reading
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News
05 Nov 2019
CynergisTek-Backbone Consultants deal centers on IT auditing services
CynergisTek looks to expand its services by acquiring Backbone Consultants, a small advisory firm that specializes in IT auditing and regulatory compliance. Continue Reading
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Feature
25 Oct 2019
Value-based care models hung up on lack of resources
The adoption of value-based care models in healthcare is hindered by a lack of resources, according to more than 1,000 respondents of a Definitive Healthcare value-based care trends survey. Continue Reading
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News
18 Oct 2019
Healthcare cybersecurity shouldn't impede interoperability
The healthcare community uses security as a crutch to deny the sharing of patient data. That has to stop, according to Athenahealth CISO Taylor Lehmann. Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2019
TEFCA inches forward by tapping The Sequoia Project
TEFCA is aimed mostly at health information exchanges, but AMIA's Jeffery Smith said healthcare CIOs can't ignore its progress. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Sep 2019
CIOs express hope, concern for proposed interoperability rule
Proposed interoperability rules from ONC and CMS are on track to be finalized in November. Here, healthcare CIOs share their thoughts on how proposals will turn into practice. Continue Reading
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News
04 Sep 2019
Transition to value-based care requires planning, communication
Establishing a value-based care environment requires institutional readiness and oftentimes changing an organization's mindset on how it delivers care. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2019
In light of MGH healthcare data breach, experts call for transparency
Experts say Massachusetts General Hospital should have included more details about the data breach it suffered in June. Doing so can be valuable to other institutions. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2019
Experts say there's still a long road ahead for the FHIR standard
Panelists at ONC's 3rd Interoperability Forum in Washington, D.C., talked about the FHIR standard lacking maturity, as well as facing implementation challenges. Continue Reading
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News
23 Aug 2019
Success of healthcare APIs hinges on data safety, patient awareness
Healthcare APIs took a front seat during ONC's recent forum in Washington D.C. Panelists and healthcare experts outlined issues such as lack of patient awareness that could affect usage. Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2019
CHIME, AHIMA push Senate on national patient identifier
The U.S. House of Representatives voted to lift a ban on using federal funds to create a national patient identifier. Healthcare leaders now want the U.S. Senate to do the same. Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2019
How the CIO role in healthcare has evolved at Northwell Health
What issues keep Northwell Health CIO John Bosco up at night? Cybersecurity and finding skilled healthcare IT staff who can keep up with innovation. Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Jul 2019
Cybersecurity recommendations for healthcare that won't break the bank
The key to implementing healthcare cybersecurity best practices is to start small, according to Erik Decker, chief security and privacy officer for University of Chicago Medicine. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
09 Jul 2019
ONC deputy national coordinator for health IT departs
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT will have a new deputy leader starting next month. ONC announced Monday that Jon White, M.D., deputy national coordinator for health IT, will ... Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Jun 2019
Data sharing in healthcare is a double-edged sword for patients
Former healthcare CIO John Halamka gets candid about the proposed rules on interoperability and information blocking and explains why innovation may come at a cost. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Jun 2019
Health experts on proposed information blocking, interoperability rules
ONC and CMS will begin considering feedback on the interoperability and information blocking rules the federal agencies proposed in February. Continue Reading
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Feature
05 Jun 2019
Proposed interoperability in healthcare rules called 'essential first step'
Proposed rules are a good first step toward interoperability in healthcare, but don't go far enough, according to healthcare leaders. Continue Reading
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News
04 Jun 2019
Quest Diagnostics data breach is a clarion call to healthcare CIOs
In an SEC filing, Quest Diagnostics disclosed a massive data breach at a medical collections agency it uses. Healthcare CIOs should see the news as a call to action. Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2019
Datadog Log Management is now HIPAA-compliant
Datadog has achieved HIPAA compliance for its SaaS platform Log Management, so it can now better reach more customers in healthcare industries. Continue Reading
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News
13 May 2019
Lower HIPAA violation fines shouldn't translate into lax security
Healthcare organizations will pay less for HIPAA violation fines annually under Health and Human Services' new fines structure, but security should still be top of mind for CIOs. Continue Reading
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News
08 May 2019
Senator to ONC, CMS: Take interoperability in healthcare slow
In a hearing, chairman of the Senate HELP Committee cautioned ONC and CMS officials to go slow if they want to get interoperability in healthcare done right. Continue Reading
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News
03 May 2019
Regulation for AI-based medical devices could drive adoption
AI algorithms in healthcare currently regulated by the FDA are static and require manual updates. The FDA is now looking into what it would take to regulate AI algorithms that are dynamic. Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2019
Amazon introduces Alexa in healthcare with HIPAA-compliant skills
Amazon launching HIPAA-compliant skills for Alexa in healthcare expands the realm of service that hospitals and other healthcare organizations can provide their customers at home. Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2019
CMS focuses on post-acute care settings in interoperability quest
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services turns to healthcare players for input on promoting EHR adoption in post-acute care settings. But greater adoption may not mean greater interoperability, according to one expert. Continue Reading
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Opinion
14 Mar 2019
Information blocking rule aims to facilitate health data exchange
The recent information blocking rule from ONC penalizes healthcare organizations and EHR vendors that prevent patients from accessing their health data. Continue Reading
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Tip
05 Mar 2019
5 HIPAA requirements healthcare cloud providers should meet
Cloud service providers that have healthcare clients must be aware of and comply with HIPAA to ensure the privacy and security of health data. Continue Reading
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News
10 Jan 2019
CMS interoperability and patient access rule delayed by shutdown
The healthcare sector is anxiously awaiting the release of federal health agencies' rules on interoperability, but the government shutdown will further delay their release. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
24 Dec 2018
HHS seeks input to modify HIPAA rules, expert says proceed carefully
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is seeking the public's input on how Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules should be modified to promote better patient ... Continue Reading
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News
14 Dec 2018
2 takeaways from Pagosa Springs Medical Center HIPAA settlement
A Colorado hospital has agreed to pay the OCR $111,400 after a former employee allegedly continued to have access to a web-based scheduling calendar and patient protected health information. Continue Reading
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News
28 Nov 2018
New ONC health IT draft report aims to improve EHR usability
A new draft report from the ONC acknowledges the challenges with EHRs and provides suggested solutions, including decreased regulation and more stakeholder cooperation. Continue Reading
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Infographic
01 Nov 2018
Payer-provider partnerships may fuel future affordable care
Taking an untraditional route to value-based care, payer-and-provider partnerships highlight the collaborations between benefit planners and healthcare systems. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Nov 2018
March to value-based healthcare results in 'payviders'
Our columnist's research indicates that value-based care is prompting the creation of 'payviders,' but the pace is slow. Technological considerations also come into play. Continue Reading
- 01 Nov 2018
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Feature
01 Nov 2018
Learn about the leading EHR software products and their features
Read in-depth about leading EHR tools on the market and how their capabilities, pricing and implementation offerings and mobile features can match up with organization needs. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Nov 2018
Payer-provider partnerships spurred by data, value-based care
Once they were two groups with conflicting interests, but now the convergence of healthcare payers and providers is more common as the industry struggles to control costs. Continue Reading
- 01 Nov 2018
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News
31 Oct 2018
New effort seeks to standardize business associates agreements
To get new technology into hospitals faster, the Digital Health Collaborative wants to standardize security risk assessments and business associates agreements. Continue Reading
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Opinion
09 Oct 2018
Compare EHR systems with these key features in mind
Compare EHR software options and look at the features they offer healthcare organizations for mobile access, certifications, reporting, workflow automation and document management. Continue Reading
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Feature
01 Oct 2018
Considering a cloud-based EHR system? Here's what to know
Implementing an EHR platform in the cloud can offer healthcare organizations lower costs and more accessibility, but they must be aware of connectivity and infrastructure drawbacks. Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Sep 2018
The importance of EHR tools in today's healthcare industry
A strong EHR system can effectively acquire and centralize vital patient information like lab orders, medications, medical history and referrals, if buyers know what they need. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Sep 2018
Opioid crisis solutions include analytics, EHR integration
Health IT stands ready to help battle opioid deaths through greater use of data analytics and improved integration of EHRs and prescription drug databases. Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Sep 2018
Why the healthcare BAA makes the cloud journey much tougher
Applying public cloud to healthcare can create a brave new world for hospitals. The CTO of Providence Health & Services strongly advises reading the healthcare BAA very carefully. Continue Reading
- 28 Aug 2018
- 28 Aug 2018
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Feature
01 May 2018
Don't overlook HIPAA issues when developing AI healthcare tools
So you have an idea for using AI in healthcare software? Be sure you adhere to HIPAA rules, suggests a healthcare regulatory expert, to avoid noncompliance problems. Continue Reading
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News
25 Apr 2018
CMS elevates electronic health records interoperability
CMS is replacing meaningful use with 'Promoting Interoperability' and proposing new Medicare payment programs with looser physician reporting rules and more price transparency. Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2018
Facebook's medical data sharing plan raises privacy concerns
Facebook's proposal to match anonymized patient data with user profiles has some experts worried about the possible privacy implications of such a project. Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Mar 2018
HIPAA compliance not guaranteed with ePHI security
Medical facilities sometimes believe security is equivalent to compliance with HIPAA -- but not so fast. Organizations must consider other aspects when guarding patient data. Continue Reading
- 07 Mar 2018
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Blog Post
28 Feb 2018
AAFP recommends steps to reduce health IT regulations
The American Academy of Family Physicians has recommended steps to relieve the burden of health IT regulations on physicians. In a letter to CMS administrator Seema Verma and ONC national ... Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Jan 2018
FDA adds digital health technology to 2018 policy roadmap
In an effort to help consumers make informed health decisions, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) renewed its commitment to digital health technology in its 2018 strategic policy roadmap. The ... Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2018
Health information sharing framework unveiled
Federal health IT officials under the 21st Century Cures Act have proposed regulations for health data information sharing, the Trusted Exchange Framework 'network of networks.' Continue Reading
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Feature
16 Dec 2016
PatientPing helps with coordinating care among healthcare providers
In this Innovation Spotlight, SearchHealthIT features PatientPing, a startup in Boston that provides technology to improve coordinating care. Continue Reading
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Guide
24 Sep 2015
A last-minute guide to the ICD-9 to ICD-10 transition
The ICD-9 to ICD-10 transition has been a long time coming in the U.S. This guide examines the increase in codes and what providers did to prepare. Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2015
The ICD-10 release date: Here are important facts to know
The ICD-10 implementation date is fast approaching, and providers should know what to expect. Here are some important facts from CMS' ICD-10 resources. Continue Reading
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Guide
20 May 2015
Guide to healthcare compliance resources and agencies
There are a handful of groups that function as healthcare compliance resources and regulate rules and programs such as HIPAA and meaningful use. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
15 Oct 2010
FAQ: How will the transition to ICD-10 codes affect health IT?
As of Oct. 1, 2015, U.S. health care providers must use ICD-10 codes when they submit medical claims. This FAQ addresses what the transition means and how providers can prepare. Continue Reading
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Tutorial
14 May 2010
FAQ: Which federal agencies administer the HITECH Act?
The HITECH Act sets many goals for the adoption of EHR technology. This FAQ explains which federal agencies and committees oversee meaningful use, standards and other health IT policies. Continue Reading
