News 11/10/11

Over 52% of office-based doctors (291,000) are currently e-prescribing, compared to less than 10% three years earlier. An analysis of 2010 data showed that Massachusetts had the highest rate (41% of all prescriptions), followed by Delaware and Michigan. Other key statistics compiled by Surescripts:

• Electronic responses to requests for prescription benefit information grew 125% from 188 million in 2009 to 423 million in 2010.
• Prescription histories delivered to prescribers grew 184% from 81 million in 2009 to 230 million in 2010.
• Prescriptions routed electron­ically grew 72% from 191 million in 2009 to 326 mil­lion in 2010.
• About 79 percent of prescribers used EMRs versus standalone e-prescribing options in 2010, up from 70% in 2009.

Kareo launches an electronic patient statements and payment portal using InstaMed’s healthcare payments network.

The 12-physician Kleinert Kutz Hand Care Center (KY) selects ChartLogic EHR Suite. I see in the same press release that ChartLogic serves more than 1,000 physicians and that 25 “customers” have qualified for Meaningful Use payments. I sure hope that each customer has lots of physicians because 25 customers doesn’t sound like a big number. Regardless, I am glad to see ChartLogic include the stats.

Ophthalmology EMR/PM provider NexTech Systems partners with patient education software vendor Eyemaginations to integrate NextTech Practice 2011 and Eyemaginations LUMA software.

Associated Purchasing selects Greenway Medical’s PrimeSUITE 2011 as one of nine preferred solutions for physicians seeking EHR implementation through the Kansas and Missouri REC programs. PrimeSUITE is also a preferred EHR for at least 10 other RECs.

I am all about free stuff, so this little contest caught my eye. Apple reseller MacMall launches a contest strictly for medical offices and features an office “makeover.” Some of the winning prizes include Nuance medical dictation, Ergotron carts, HP workstations, and Fujitsu scanners. OK, so it’s not like a day at the spa, but it still would be fun to win. The contest runs through January 16, 2012 and includes over $23,000 in prizes.

A new report finds Allscripts to have the largest share of the ambulatory EMR market out of the more than 750 companies offering EMR products. The combined ambulatory and inpatient EMR market is expected to grow to over $8.3 billion by 2016.

HHS’s Office for Civil Rights will begin HIPAA compliance audits this month for office-based physicians, hospitals, and health plans. Twenty audits will be performed in the initial round and selected entities will be notified in writing within 10 days. Officials will visit the audited sites within 30 to 90 days of notification.

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