News 2/14/13

From Orpheu: “Re: HIMSS picks. Have you picked out any HIMSS sessions that be might better-suited for someone working in the ambulatory world?”  I’ve have just started wading through the HIMSS schedule and with over 300 session options it is a bit overwhelming. My must-see list so far is not ambulatory-focused: Bill Clinton, Farzad Mostashari, and James Carville and Karl Rove. HIMSS has dozens of options to appeal to physicians and practice administrators, including sessions on patient engagement, ACO participation, mobility, telehealth, and of course Meaningful Use. I am actually curious what sessions intrigue readers so drop me a note if you have suggestions.

CMS offers guidelines for individual eligible providers and group practices to avoid the 1.5 percent PQRS payment adjustment in 2015.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces that the use of eClincialWorks EHR by 3,200 NYC primary care physicians has led to better outcomes in terms of high blood pressure management, diabetes, and tobacco control. EMR use also spurred a 290 percent increase in preventive care services between 2008 and 2011.

Southeastern Health (NC), which uses eClinicalWorks EHR across 30 locations, adds ecW’s Care Coordination Medical Record to advance its ACO-related objectives, coordinate care, and evaluate population health.

Greenway CEO T. Green reports that the company added 750 providers in its second quarter, up 30 percent from a year ago. Green also noted that over 300 customers are now using Greenway’s new RCM platform. Greenway’s Q2 results: revenues up 12 percent, EPS $0.00.

CVS leads Wal-Mart in the retail medical clinic race. CVS operates about 630 Minute Clinics and is opening an average of  three new facilities every week. Wal-Mart has less than 130 clinics and 26 fewer than a year ago. Both Walgreens and Target, which operate a combined 400 clinics, plan to open additional facilities this year.

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