Fraud rules blocking doctors from digital data? No longer By Reuters
http://news.com.com/Fraud+rules+blocking+doctors+from+digital+data+No+longer/2100-1014_3-6101313.html Story last modified Wed Aug 02 09:11:20 PDT 2006 In an effort to encourage wider adoption of digital health records, U.S. officials on Tuesday finalized rules to allow hospitals and others to give doctors computers, software and related services without running afoul of federal fraud and abuse laws. The new policies exempt high-tech gifts from laws limiting products doctors can receive from health care providers without charge, protecting them from prosecution. Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said the move was a step toward meeting President George W. Bush's goal for all Americans to have electronic medical records by 2014. "This means that hospitals, health plans and others will be able to take on an active role in putting electronic health records in the hands of physicians," Leavitt said. Many experts agree that computerized records can help prevent costly medical mistakes, but price and other factors have kept most practitioners from abandoning paper forms. Some say doctors should not have to pay for the technology while insurers reap the savings, calling for greater government support. The Bush administration so far is relying on the private sector to make the push. Mark McClellan, administrator for the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said many patients now are referred for hospital services with complicated paper records. "The result is higher costs of care at the hospital as nurses and other staff have to track down the information they need to provide quality care for patients," he said. Under the new policies, doctors can receive unlimited components for electronic systems that meet certification standards but must cover 15 percent of the costs. The rules, which take effect in 60 days, are set to expire by Bush's 2014 deadline. Congress has also gotten involved. The House of Representatives last week passed a measure also aimed at removing legal barriers and provided $40 million in funding, below the more than $150 million in the Senate's bill. Leavitt criticized the House measure for failing to ensure that products are compatible and can share records with different offices, urging congressional negotiators to make changes as they work out final legislation. Steven Waldren, assistant director for the American Academy of Family Physicians' Center for Health Information Technology, said it was too soon to tell if groups have the resources or willingness to provide support. "If this fails, that will be the reason that it fails--because there was not capital there," he said. Industry groups were generally supportive. But the American Hospital Association's senior associate director for policy, Chantal Worzala, said the group had some concerns. "Not all hospitals are in a position to help physicians with their IT needs," she added. Scores of companies have developed health record software, with Microsoft joining the effort last month when it bought software developed by two doctors and formed a new division to manage the product. Other players include Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Cerner, General Electric's GE Healthcare and McKesson. Companies that make computer hardware, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard, also have a stake. ================================ George Antunes, Political Science Dept University of Houston; Houston, TX 77204 Voice: 713-743-3923 Fax: 713-743-3927 antunes at uh dot edu Reply with a "Thank you" if you liked this post. _____________________________ MEDIANEWS mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
