The 430th Session of the Maryland General Assembly concluded at midnight on Monday, April 9th. In its 430th Session, the General Assembly considered 2,605 legislative bills and resolutions. For the end of year wrapup, click...
HIT & Meaningful Use Video Series
Video Series: Health Information Technology and Meaningful Use for Providers
This course, comprised of four short videos, is an introduction to Health Information Technology (HIT) in Maryland. It discusses the components of the federal HITECH Act that impact physicians, applies the objectives and measures for Meaningful Use requirements to practices, and analyzes the benefits of the adoption of HIT. In addition, the video shows the differences in incentives for electronic health record adoption between Maryland regulated payers and the federal programs. Finally, the Health Information Exchange (HIE) and Regional Extension Center (REC) and their functions are explained.
Video 1
The first video outlines the incentives available through Medicare and Medicaid, and the differences between the two programs. Kathleen Francis, Chief, Health Information Exchange for the Maryland Health Care Commission, discusses which physicians may be eligible to participate, the maximum payments available, and the associated timelines. She also describes meaningful use requirements.
Video 2
The second part continues the description of meaningful use requirements. There is an in-depth look at the core objectives and the clinical quality measures. Ms. Francis then shows what physicians must do in order to participate in these programs.
Video 3
Part three begins with a breakdown of current HIT funding throughout the state. That is followed by an introduction to the HIE and the connectivity goals. Deborah Kephart, from the Chesapeake Regional Information System for our Patients (CRISP), presents the history of CRISP and the REC. She describes the REC program, the creation of Management Service Organizations (MSOs), and their objectives.
Video 4
The last video focuses on the REC program. It outlines the priority primary care providers that are being assisted by MSOs to achieve meaningful use, and the services that MSOs offer. The seminar ends with Cheryl Jones, Director of Outreach for CRISP, describing the HIE and the privacy and security aspects of patient health record exchange.