March 26, 2010 - Advocacy Corner

Health Reform Law Includes Health IT Provisions.. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act approved by the House on Sunday night by a vote of 219 to 212 was indeed historic, both in health insurance coverage of most Americans as well as for its inclusion of certain heath IT related measures. Earlier attempts at healthcare overhaul would certainly not have included health IT as a reform tool.

On administrative simplification, the law requires HHS to develop a unique health plan identifier and electronic funds transfer and claims attachments standards. HHS must also seek public comment on standardizing the application form for insurance enrollment, as well as worker's compensation transactions, and automobile insurance-related health care transactions. Regarding ICD-9 and ICD-10, HHS is required to seek input on whether revisions should be made to the crosswalk between ICD-9 and ICD-10 currently on the CMS Web site. (See Sec. 1104 and Sec. 10109 regarding simplification measures of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.)

The quality area was also targeted for certain expansions and new initiatives. These include the development of a set of quality measures for Medicaid eligible adults; improvements in the physician quality reporting initiative; quality reporting for long-term care hospitals, inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, inpatient psychiatric hospitals and hospice programs; national strategy to improve health care quality; quality improvement technical assistance in the delivery of healthcare services; and patient-centered outcomes research. The latter, initially known as “effectiveness research,” was the target of negative publicity during last summer’s healthcare town hall meetings. Watch for more detail on health IT provisions in future Advocacy Corners.

Rule on E-Prescribing for Controlled Drugs. Long a missing piece in using IT tools to improve the safety and quality of care delivery, e-prescribing for controlled substances had been held up by DEA concerns over illegal diversion. Current rules require providers to maintain separate paper systems for controlled drugs. Relief has finally arrived in the interim final rule released on Wednesday. The Rule, to be published in the Federal Register on March 31, becomes effective 60 days later. DEA is accepting public comment during that time.

This change will help hospitals and pharmacies integrate prescription records with EHRs, consistent with goals toward meaningful use. A reduction in prescription drug errors is also a plus.

State Advocacy – California HIT Advocacy Day. Once again, CHIME is pleased to serve as co-sponsor of the Northern and Southern California HIMSS Chapters State HIT Day in Sacramento. To be held on April 29 at the historic Citizen Hotel, this event features nationally recognized health IT and thought leaders and provides the opportunity to meet with legislators, network with peers and gain insight into the impact of 'Meaningful Use' on California and individual districts. CHIME urges its members to attend and let your voice be heard at this timely event. For Registration, click here.