EHR Future is NOW!

Here is what QSII - Nextgen said in its 'Analyst Day' recently;


"Management plans to keep moving software functionality into the cloud. QSII hopes to be
able to offer its clients a fully web-based alternative within the next year."

So, is this the future?

To me, Nextgen is just in a catch-up mode. They're lagging behind industry leaders like Waiting Room Solutions with respect to web-based, SaaS, Cloud based, or whatever fancy name you want to give it.

So why is EHR in Cloud computing the future?

1. Reduced cost - Cloud computing is paid incrementally. The benefit accrues to providers. Typical cost of implementing EHR in a clinic based client-server environment can range from $30,000-$50,000 per provider.
2. Safe-Increased storage - Clinics can store more data safely. Now with EHR and interoperability becoming a way of life, more and more data will be stored. Just as with paper charts, data keeps on growing. It is true that cost of hard drives continues to go down but cost of secure quality data storage is not cheap; not to mention secure backup.
3. Highly Automated - No one needs to worry about keeping computers and software up to date. This can be a big relief for small to mid size practices as they tend not to have IT personnel on staff. 
4. More Mobility - This is a huge benefit to providers when they have to go across multiple locations or even have the ability to work from home or hospital.
5. Flexibility - Allows providers to be extremely flexible compared to past computing methods - hardware and software.

If you're concerned about security, all I can say is, wake up, times have changed. Majority of the top Fortune 50 companies have their most vital data - "Sales" data - on a cloud, entrusted with one company - salesforce.com

That should tell you something. Technology and process have matured and gotten extremely strong. Read my blog about healthcare data theft. There's perhaps a better chance of losing data from your laptop than cloud.

Laptop thefts top cause of health data breaches

Physicians using Waiting Room Solutions EHR can rest peacefully knowing that even if their computer (desktop or laptop) is stolen, their office broken into, their patient data is safe.


Read on...


Laptop theft is the most prevalent cause of the breach of health information affecting more than 500 people, according to the Health & Human Services Department, which last year began tracking data breaches by public and private healthcare organizations.

The fact that laptops are so easily stolen underscores the importance of physical security in the protection of health information, according to Adam Greene, senior health IT and privacy specialist in HHS’ Office for Civil Rights, which enforces the privacy and security rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Of the 189 records of data breaches affecting more than 500 individuals in the first year, 52 percent were from theft. About 20 percent were from unauthorized access and disclosure of protected information, while 16 percent were from loss, he said Nov. 10 at the mHealth Summit conference.

Laptops were involved in 24 percent of data breaches affecting more than 500 people and paper records were close behind at 22 percent. Desktop computers accounted for 16 percent of the breaches and portable devices such as smart phones accounted for 14 percent.

Waiting Room Solutions EHR keeps data at a secure location that is accessed by healthcare professionals using a simple browser. There is no local data storage. All transactions happen via a very highly secure transmission.

Time period for Medicare Allowable charges

Time period for Medicare Allowable charges


This is a great post related to Medicare allowable charges.


http://www.emrandhipaa.com/emr-and-hipaa/2010/11/09/emr-stimulus-question-and-answer-time-period-for-medicare-allowable-charges/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+EmrAndHipaa+(EMR+and+HIPAA)&utm_content=My+Yahoo


Let me summarize this...


Question: To qualify for EMR stimulus money we need $24,000 in allowable medicare charges per physician. I am not sure whether we have to show the $24,000 over a period of 1 year or 90 days. Can you please clarify?


Answer: The short answer is you have the entire year to accrue the $24,000 in allowable Medicare charges that’s required to get the full EMR stimulus money in year 1 (you get paid 75% of your Medicare allowable charges up to the cap for that year)


Two more questions emerge from this conversation.
1. How do you show meaningful use for 90 days of stage 1 of the year? Is there an automatic report generated from a qualified/certified EMR system? Do you have control over the reporting period?
Answer: Report is generated from the EMR system. EPs have to physically generate the report for a specific reporting period of minimum 90 consecutive days. After the first year however, it does not matter because you have to show meaningful use for the entire year - 365 days.


2. Do you have to show meaningful use for 90 consecutive calendar days?
Answer: Yes. It seems the words 'consecutive days' means calendar days, not working days. So, what if you are on vacation for 30 days within those 90 days? i.e. you start reporting October 1, go on vacation from Nov 15 - Dec 15, return and continue working Dec 16 - Dec 31? 


3. What if you show proper meaningful use in the first two years and and unable to meet the criteria of 365 days reporting in year 3? Do you have to return the money you got for the first two years? What if you restart proper usage in Year 4? Would you be qualified to receive money in year 4? How much?

Tax incentives for buying EMR and EHR Software

Dear Doctor,

I know you’ve been bombarded with details of Stimulus Incentives from various corners. You’ve probably decided that sooner or later, you’ve going to go electronic and get EHR technology.

But, here’s another great reason to buy in calendar year 2010. Combined with Stimulus, it makes a compelling case to get EHR now!

· September 27, 2010, President Obama signed into law a bill (H.R. 5297), that includes a retroactive extension of the 50% bonus depreciation provision that expired last December.

· This will allow customers to write off an additional 50% of the cost of qualifying assets (including software) acquired and placed in service in 2010.

Importantly, this legislation sunsets 12/31/2010, and presents a compelling reason to buy in calendar 2010 (to spend year end budget, pull forward future spend, or a reason to place orders in December rather than January).

I learned long time ago that people fail not programs, the programs mentioned above will work for the good of all if followed as outlined. I think the program is a GOD send for those who have vision. I see great visions here and to put it short and brief this lemon is ready to be turned into lemonade.

By allowing a 100% deduction of capital investments, businesses of all sizes will be allowed to keep more money now and would give you an incentive to spend and invest.

Fine print - I'm not a tax consultant and this is not tax advise.