- choosing an EHR system;
- implementation of EHR;
- ways to get providers on board;
- how to extract data from your records;
- increasing patient access to health records;
- data sets;
- tech experience;
- quality standards
HealthIT.gov
The Office of the National Coordinator for Heatlh Information Technology (ONC) is pleased to announce the launch of its website, HealthIT.gov. This website is designed to become the leading national resource on health information technology (health IT) for both consumers and health care professionals.
HealthIT.gov has a wealth of resources, including how to register for Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs which provide incentive payments to eligible professionals, eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals as they adopt, implement, upgrade or demonstrate meaningful use of certified EHR technology.
Did you know that:
- On May 19, 2011, the Medicare EHR Incentive Program issued the first round of payments totaling $75 million to providers who signed up in the first two weeks of the program.
- Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs are being implemented on a state-by-state basis. Since January 2011, 15 states have initiated their programs and as of May 2011 over $83 million in payments has been made to qualified medicaid providers.
Webinars and Conferences
- Converting to Electronic Health Records - Federal Funding for Midwives
In an effort to assist midwives in securing federal funding for their practices, The Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health IT joined ACNM staff to host a FREE webinar in December. Special guests included Medical Director David R. Hunt, MD, FACS'a top official at ONC--along with ACNM HIT Taskforce Chair Karen King, CNM, MSM, MSN. View the webinar.
- Read "Baffled to Bold: The Path to Digital Immigration and Meaningful Use," the HIT taskforce's article in the Spring 2011 issue of Quickening, which ischock full of information on meaningful use and how to adopt an EHR system.
- Read the New York Times article, "Seeing Promise and Peril in Digital Records." (July 16, 2011)
- ACNM Electronic Health Record e-Midwife Discussion Group
This discussion group is a members only forum for those who have an interest in Health Information Technology and the Electronic Health Record. Members are encouraged to ask questions, exhange information and share experiences. HIT Task Force members will be on hand to respond to questions and provide guidance. Join the discussion group. - Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) is at the forefront of the administration's HIT efforts and is a resource to the entire health system to support the adoption of HIT and the promotin of nationwide health information exchange to improve health care. ONC is organizationally located within the Office of the Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). - Electronic Health Records and Meaningful Use
- ONC HIT Blog
- ACNM comments on a recent proposed regulation describing available resources for adoption and uses of electronic health records (EHR). CNMs are eligible for up to $70,000 in payments to implement EHR and other technologies.
- Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health
The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act seeks to improve American health care delivery and patient care through an unprecedented investment in HIT. HITECH programs build the foundation for every American to benefit from an electronic health record. - Regional Extension Centers
Regional Extension Centers (RECs) have been established to serve and support health care providers to help them quickly become adept and meaningful users of electronic health records (EHRs). RECs are designed to make sure that primary care clinicians get the help they need to use EHRs. - State Liaisons
We encourage members to serve as State Liaisons to the Regional Extension Centers (RECs). State Liaisons provide RECs with a primary ACNM member contact who can help educate other midwives on the benefits and responsibilities involved with the funds available for adoption of electronic health records in their practice. The liaisons can also provide information and questions to the REC on behalf of midwives in their state. We currently have liaison representation in eight states:
California - Barbara Boehler Michigan - Nancy Ren-Bugai New Jersey - Lonnie Morris New Mexico - Connie Trujillo North Carolina - Tanya Bailey Ohio - Donna Locher Virginia - Karen King West Virginia - Gail Rock
Find the REC in your state. If you are interested in becoming a state liaison, please contact HIT Task Force Chair Karen King.
REC Facts-at-a-Glance
- HIT Certification
The ONC HIT Certification page has a wealth of information, including standards and certification criteria, and a list of Certified HIT products. - E-Prescribing Resource from CMS
Midwives are eligible under the Medicare program for incentive payments when participating in Medicare's E-Prescribing Incentive Program. Learn more.
Additional Resources
- 2010 eRx Incentive Program Made Simple Fact Sheet
2010 eRx Incentive Program Fact Sheet: What's New for 2010 eRx Incentive Program
If Eligible Professionals have questions on how to get started with eRx, they should contact the QualityNet Help Desk at 866-288-8912 from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. CST or via e-mail at [email protected].
- Web 2.0: Easy Tools for Busy Clinicians
This article in the September 2010 issue of the Journal of Midwifery and Women's Health discusses recent technological developments and Web 2.0 programs that can be beneficial to clinicians. - Frequently Asked Questions
