Last night during one of my favorite TV shows, Charlie Rose, he interviewed a guy about the economy. One of the discussion points that came out of this interview and that I’ve heard a lot in all the discussions about the economy is having some stability to the economy. Many argue that one of the biggest things holding our economy back is all the unknowns. When there are unknowns companies get paralyzed and hold back doing things they’d do if the economy felt stable.
I wonder if we’re experiencing the same thing in healthcare IT? Could we use some stability in healthcare IT?
Think about all the various unknowns that exist in healthcare IT. Let’s start with ICD-10. The pending ICD-10 implementation date is looming, but that date has been pushed back so many times it’s still unknown if it’s really going to happen this time. That’s the opposite of stability.
I’m sure that many also wonder if the same will be the case with EHR penalties. Will the EHR penalties go into effect? What exceptions will be made for the EHR penalties? I could easily see the EHR penalties being delayed, but then again what if they’re not?
Is it hard for anyone else to keep up with what’s happening with meaningful use? I do this every day and so I have a pretty good idea, but even I’m getting confused as it gets more complex. Imagine being a doctor who rarely looks at meaningful use. So, we’re in meaningful use stage 1, but meaningful use stage 2 is coming, unless you didn’t start meaningful use stage 1 and then meaningful use stage 2 won’t come until later. Oh, and they’re making changes to meaningful use stage 2. That’s right and they’re also coming out with meaningful use stage 3. However, don’t worry too much about meaningful use stage 3 because a lot of people are calling for it to be slowed down. So, does that mean that meaningful use will be delayed? Now how does the meaningful use stages match with the EHR certifications? Which version of my EHR software does which stage of meaningful use?
I think you get the picture.
Of course, I haven’t even mentioned things like ACO’s, HIE’s, 5010, HIPAA, RAC Audits, Medicare/Medicaid cuts, or healthcare reform (ACA) to name a few others.
It’s a messy healthcare IT environment right now. We could definitely use some stability in healthcare.
