HHS Technology Group

Six months after implementing new AI transparency and interoperability requirements, the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) has proposed another major policy update with significant implications for public health and payer health IT. The HTI-2 proposed rule implements provisions of the 21st Century Cures Act and introduces new standards and updates to enhance healthcare interoperability and data sharing. It also supports the technical requirements of the CMS' Interoperability and Prior Authorization final rule, which aims to transition payers to electronic prior authorization. Learn more in Fierce Healthcare: https://lnkd.in/ghZ8GeW5 I #Interoperability #PriorAuthorization #CMS #DataSharing #HealthcareInnovation 

Health policy officials are enhancing U.S. Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) standards to improve communication and data sharing in cancer care and treatment. National Coordinator for Health IT Micky Tripathi, acting chief AI officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, discussed how these new data elements will help federal agencies build on existing healthcare delivery systems. This initiative supports Cancer Moonshot and the National Cancer Plan goals, such as reducing cancer mortality by 50% by 2047. https://lnkd.in/g7-ah8Yk I #Interoperability #DataSharing #USCDI #EHR GovCIO Media & Research

A new brief from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC)) examines advancements in electronic health record (EHR) interoperability among U.S. hospitals and physicians, noting significant progress while identifying areas for further improvement. Since 2014, hospitals' ability to find, send, receive, and integrate patient health information has substantially increased. The ONC now aims to focus on "routine interoperability." The data reveals a clear link between routine interoperability and improved patient care. Hospitals achieving routine interoperability are 92% more likely to have necessary clinical information from external providers at the point of care. This translates to better continuity of care, fewer information gaps, and improved patient outcomes. https://lnkd.in/gzUvV255 I #Interoperability #EHR #HealthData #HealthDataExchange #ONC #HealthcareInnovation HIT Consultant Media

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) and Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSAgov), HHS) launched HL7 FHIR API standards to streamline Uniform Data System (UDS) reporting for health centers. HRSA funds nearly 1,400 health centers that provide high-quality, cost-effective primary care to underserved communities. These centers use UDS to report on measures evaluating program performance, which involves complex and time-consuming processes. Modernizing HRSA's reporting technology with these standards provides a more complete picture of health center patients' needs to better target initiatives to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities. https://lnkd.in/gtGzS7kq I #FHIR #HL7 #HealthData #EHR #Interoperability TechTarget

A Congressional Budget Office analysis estimates that Medicaid redetermination will increase the percentage of uninsured Americans from a record low of 7.2% last year to 8.9% by 2034. Enrollment in commercial coverage will range from 164 million to 170 million in 2034, accounting for the largest source of health insurance, while enrollment in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) are expected to drop from 92 million to 79 million between 2023 and 2034. https://lnkd.in/g646dkmZ I #Medicaid #HealthInsurance #CMS #AffordableCareAct Becker's Healthcare

After several years of planning and stakeholder feedback, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has finalized disincentives to discourage healthcare organizations from unreasonably blocking electronic health information exchange. HHS has established the following disincentives for healthcare providers found by the HHS Office of Inspector General (OIG) to have committed information blocking and referred by OIG to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: ▶ Hospitals and critical access hospitals (CAHs) found guilty of information blocking will lose their status as meaningful EHR users under the Medicare Promoting Interoperability Program, leading to financial penalties. ▶ Clinicians under the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) who commit information blocking will also lose their meaningful EHR user status, resulting in a zero score in the MIPS Promoting Interoperability category. ▶ Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and related providers guilty of information blocking may be barred from the Medicare Shared Savings Program for at least a year. The rule considers various factors before applying disincentives. https://lnkd.in/giJ4qhZx I #EHR #InformationBlocking #ElectronicHealthInformation #HealthData #Interoperability Healthcare Innovation

The opportunity for payers to improve affordability, quality, and patient experience is substantial.     To better understand the economic opportunity, McKinsey & Company analyzed each function or process in health insurance. They found substantial potential administrative and medical cost savings and increased revenue for payers adopting the latest technology, including AI.      By using currently available technology, the consulting firm estimates payers could see net savings of:    ▶ 3 - 25% in administrative costs   ▶ 5 - 11% in medical costs   ▶ 3 - 12% higher revenue    https://lnkd.in/gsDeEjVG I #ArtificialIntelligence #HealthcareData #HealthData #HealthInsurance #PatientData #DigitalTransformation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Mandy Cohen said the US healthcare system made progress in breaking down public health silos during the pandemic, and she urged all industry players to build on that momentum by investing in interoperability and data modernization.   Speaking at this year's AHIP conference, Cohen said insurers can help reinforce the country's public health infrastructure by:    ▶ Advancing and promoting interoperable data systems ▶ Engaging in more conversations with public health departments to avoid duplicate healthcare investments ▶ Collaborating with the public health sector and health systems to clearly define their roles and share accountability    https://lnkd.in/gRgNmsqd I #Interoperability #HealthData #EHR #DataModernization #DigitalTransformation #PublicHealth Becker's Healthcare

According to government actuaries, national health spending in the U.S. is estimated to have grown by 7.5% in 2023, reaching $4.8 trillion, outpacing the overall economy. The surge in health insurance coverage, reaching a historical high of 93.1% of the population, is primarily attributed to the impact of pandemic policies. These policies have notably bolstered Medicaid and marketplace plan enrollments. Medicaid spending was estimated to have slowed, from 9.6% growth in 2022 to 5.7% in 2023. Enrollment in the program is also expected to dip from its 91.2 million-person peak after this year when a pandemic policy requiring continuous enrollment runs its course. https://lnkd.in/gWy23TcK I #CMS #Medicaid #MedicaidEnrollment #HealthcareSpending Fierce Healthcare

Following the end of temporary pandemic-era rules that expanded Medicaid access, approximately 10 million Americans have lost their coverage, primarily due to paperwork issues. A new report reveals that people of color, mainly Black and Hispanic individuals, are twice as likely to lose Medicaid for administrative reasons that could be resolved with system improvements. Dr. Jane Zhu, the senior study author from Oregon Health & Science University, emphasized the need for better administrative processes to prevent such disparities. https://lnkd.in/g9psGjcv I #Medicaid #HealthEquity #CMS #PayerIssues HealthDay News