Permanent program certifying health IT to take effect January 1, 2012 The HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released a final rule January 3 establishing a permanent health information technology (health IT) certification program. The rule describes the permanent certification program for electronic health...

Several components of federal health reform go into effect on January 1, 2011, including prescription drug discounts for Medicare Part D beneficiaries and a temporary increase in Medicare payments for primary care services and to general surgeons in health professional shortage areas. Read about the 2011 provisions.

Colorado will receive a $13.7 million performance bonus from the Department of Health and Human Services for increasing children’s enrollment in Medicaid. To qualify for the bonus, Colorado had to show it implemented at least five of eight recommended enrollment simplification policies and that it met a target for...

January 3, 2011, marks the first day for hospitals to register their intent to achieve meaningful use and qualify for incentive payments under the HITECH EHR Incentive Program. To highlight this achievement, hospitals across the country are being encouraged to hold press events, on Thursday, January 13, 2011, and...

One component of federal health reform is the development of health insurance exchanges, organizations that individuals and small businesses can use to shop for insurance plans and to access federal subsidies. A recent Denver Post article provides an overview of Colorado’s efforts to develop an exchange and the steps...

Registration for the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Program opens on January 3, 2011. CMS is encouraging Eligible Providers/Clinics and Hospitals to register as soon as possible even if an EHR has not yet been implemented. CMS’ Registration and Attestation page also lists other requirements for incentive payments for...

There is up to $50,000 in grant money available in 2011 for RURAL outpatient primary care providers that can be used to support adoption of EHR. The 2011 Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Council recently released a Request for Application for the Colorado Rural Health Care Grant Program. This...

The Affordable Care Act calls for the development of a National Health Care Quality Strategy and Plan that will affect millions of healthcare consumers and providers in rural areas and across the country. A new report by the Rural Policy Research Institute, Securing High Quality Health Care in Rural...