Document Type
Research Project
Publication Date
Spring 4-18-2018
Abstract
Now that EHRs are purportedly fully implemented in the healthcare industry, it is important to evaluate the electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE) between primary care facilities, laboratories, hospitals, specialists, regional coops, and public health authorities.
Meaningful Use Stage 3 implementation is to begin this year, 2018. Complementing this implementation, the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act, MACRA, was signed into law on April 16, 2015. MACRA removes eligible clinicians from EHR Incentive Programs that were previously established by the HITECH Act. MACRA also creates the Quality Payment Program that the CMS will use for Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement to primary care providers. This payment program rewards clinicians for value over volume. The amount of reimbursement the CMS pays out is dependent on performance markers deemed as quality patient care. Electronic HIE directly affects a clinicians ability to achieve these performance markers.
This research study assesses the progress that primary care practices have had in reaching full spectrum industry electronic health information exchange. It will answer the question; does primary care practices electronically connect with their local laboratories, hospitals and regional data collecting entities. Additionally, the barriers that prevent electronic health information exchanged and interoperability between primary care practices and other medical professionals outside their organization will be analyzed. This study focus is limited to primary care providers.
Recommended Citation
Heyde, Susan M., "Primary Care Practices’ Progress of Using Electronic Health Information Exchange (HIE)" (2018). Applied Research Projects. 56. . https://doi.org/10.21007/chp.hiim.0054
https://dc.uthsc.edu/hiimappliedresearch/56