asking for documentation supporting the meaningful use attestation. Figliozzi seeks four types of data:
• Documentation from the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology showing use of a certified electronic health record (EHR) system for meaningful use attestation;
• Information about the method used to report emergency department ad- missions (for hospitals);
• Documentation that the attestation for the core set of meaningful use cri- teria was completed; and
• Documentation that the required number of menu set meaningful use objectives were completed.
Physicians and others selected for the
audits have two weeks to submit their documentation. CMS says it doesn’t ex- pect the audits to involve site visits. The Texas regional extension centers,
www.texmed.org/rec, help physicians with EHR adoption and the meaning- ful use incentive program. For questions about the incentive program and other health information technology needs, contact TMA’s Health Information Tech- nology Department at (800) 880-5720, or email
hit@texmed.org.
Eighteen percent of respondents re- ported they were currently participat- ing in a new Medicare payment delivery model or demonstration. Practices not participating cited the lack of predict- ability in current Medicare payments as the main barrier impeding their ability to experiment beyond traditional fee for service. Respondents also cited as a barrier the applicability of existing new payment models and demonstration pro- grams to all physician practices, which vary considerably by size, specialty, and location. Despite the challenges, 82 percent of
respondents said they would likely ex- plore new payment and delivery models if a degree of stability were restored to Medicare’s physician payment system. “Our research shows that physician practices are willing to engage in new Medicare payment and delivery models that reward high-quality, cost-effective patient care outside of fee for service. Now Congress must do its part, repeal the SGR, and provide stability in Medi- care payments so physicians can explore and test new patient-centered approach- es,” said Susan Turney, MD, MGMA- ACMPE president and chief executive officer.
The research also indicates that if
Survey: Physicians open to new Medicare payment models
Research released by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) and its standard-setting body, the American College of Medical Practice Executives (ACMPE), highlights the impact the financial instability of reprieves from Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) payment cuts has had on physi- cian practices and their ability to par- ticipate in new Medicare payment and delivery models. More than 1,000 physi- cian group practices participated in the study.
payments were stable for five years, a significant majority of practices would be willing to explore alternatives to fee- for-service plans such as Medicare ac- countable care organizations, bundled payments, and comprehensive primary care initiatives. Respondents also shared that the
constant uncertainly posed by the SGR has forced physician practices to reduce clinical staff, delay purchase of clinical equipment or facilities, and cut back on charity care. “Practices are working diligently to be
more patient-centered. These efforts are severely inhibited by the fact that they cannot make sound business decisions and move forward with so much uncer- tainty,” Dr. Turney said. n
Crystal Conde is associate editor of Texas Medicine. You can reach her by telephone at (800) 880-1300, ext. 1385, or (512) 370-1385; by fax at (512) 370-1629; or by email at
crystal.conde@
texmed.org.
Physician Practice Opportunities
We have exciting opportunities for board certified/board eligible physicians to join Covenant Medical Group. The ideal candidate should have experience and a Texas license.
Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgeon - Lubbock, TX Emergency Medicine - Lubbock, TX Endocrinologist - Lubbock, TX EP Cardiologist - Lubbock, TX Family Medicine With OB - Littlefield, TX Family Medicine With OB - Snyder, TX Family Medicine - Denver City, TX Family Practice Urgent Care - Lubbock, TX Hematology Oncology - Lubbock, TX Hospitalist - Lubbock, TX Maternal Fetal Medicine - Lubbock, TX Neurologist - Lubbock, TX OB/GYN - Plainview, TX Oncology - Lubbock, TX Orthopedic Trauma Surgeon - Lubbock, TX Pediatric Emergency Medicine - Lubbock, TX Pediatric Hematology/Oncology - Lubbock, TX Pediatric Intensivist - Lubbock, TX Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon - Lubbock, TX Pediatric Surgeon - Lubbock, TX Pediatrician - Plainview, TX
Covenant Medical Group (CMG) is affiliated with Covenant Health System in Lubbock, Texas. CMG is a multi-specialty group with more than 150 physicians across West Texas and Eastern New Mexico. We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefit package. CV should include salary requirements and can be forwarded to Covenant Medical Group, Attn: Kelly Fortney, 3420 22nd Place, Lubbock, TX 79410 or faxed to (806) 723- 7476. For telephone inquiries, call (806) 725-7875. E-mail:
kfortney@covhs.org
February 2013 TEXAS MEDICINE 25
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