cians can review their data for accuracy and appeal any errors before the infor- mation becomes public. They also urged CMS to standardize the process for de- veloping the public reports and the type of information they will include, not only across the Medicare system but for private insurance data, as well. The comment letter provides detailed
recommendations to CMS on additional safeguards and ways to standardize the data collection to assist in developing meaningful, actionable reports. “Physicians and patients must be able to trust the quality performance determi- nations presented in these reports, and not have to decipher conflicting reports that present different conclusions due to a lack of applying accurate, transparent, and consistent risk-adjustment and attri- bution methods,” they wrote. “Without standardization of risk-adjustment and attribution methods, there inherently will be multiple and conflicting perfor- mance reports for the same physician. This will undermine the goals of public reports resulting in actionable determi- nations by patients and physicians, as well as improved quality of care.”
Risk analysis tool for meaningful use
One of the required meaningful use cri- teria is to conduct a security risk analysis. To help physicians carry out this objec- tive and comply with the HIPAA Security Rule, the Office of the National Coordi- nator (ONC) has created a security risk analysis tool.
Physicians who meaningfully use a certified electronic health record (EHR) may qualify for EHR incentives up to $44,000 under Medicare or up to $63,750 under Medicaid. Many of the meaningful use measures offer exclu- sions, but conducting a security risk as- sessment is a core requirement and there are no available exclusions. Using ONC’s risk analysis tool will
provide an overall view of the state of security and provide suggestions for po- tential deficiencies. There are various methods of performing a risk analysis to
guarantee compliance with the HIPAA Security Rule and meaningful use; how- ever, several key elements must be incor- porated, regardless of what method you use in your practice. You must:
• Document scope of analysis, • Collect data, • Identify and document potential threats and vulnerabilities,
• Assess current security measures, • Determine the likelihood of threat occurrence,
• Determine the potential impact of threat occurrence,
• Determine the level of risk, • Finalize documentation, and • Periodically review and updates to risk assessment.
Texas regional extension centers (RECs) can help your practice with a security risk analysis through on-site technical consulting. Their services are designed to take your practice from its current state — whether you are starting
Newsmakers
Austin ophthalmologist Dawn Buckingham, MD, a partner in Eye Physicians of Austin, received a Women of Influence Award from the Austin Busi- ness Journal. She was among 25 women cited as a successful business owner, manager, or key con- tributor to the community.
Dawn Buckingham, MD
Philip Huang, MD, medical director of the the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, received the 2011 Texas Academy of Family Physicians Public Health Award. The award recognizes individuals who are making extraordi- nary contributions to the public health of Texans.
Philip Huang, MD
David L. Lakey, MD, commissioner, Texas De- partment of State Health Services, will become president of the Association of State and Ter- ritorial Health Officials. The group is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. ter- ritories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the 120,000 public health professionals they employ.
C. Bruce Malone, MD
TMA President C. Bruce Malone, MD, received the mentor/educator award at the Austin Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes Award ceremony. Dr. Malone was one of 25 individuals, organiza-
tions, and companies recognized for their contributions to improving health care in Central Texas.
October 2011 TEXAS MEDICINE 13
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68