What's Happening in Health IT

In This Issue

Tired of shoveling snow (yeah, we're talkin' to you @MassEHealth)? Relive the splendor that was #ONC2015! The webcast for the #InteropRoadmap, #FedHealthITPlan, and many other sessions from the 2015 ONC Annual Meeting is now live. So kick off those Bean boots, snuggle up by the wood stove and enjoy!

HITPC Nominations Period Ends Today

Nominations are being accepting for the Health IT Policy Committee (HITPC) until close of business today! Knowledgeable about quality measures? Do you advocate for health care consumers or providers? Are you an expert in third-party payers? You may be just who we are looking for. Or, if standards are more your line, throw your hat in the ring for the Health IT Standards Committee (HITSC). We will accept #HITSC nominations through March 6.

Federal Health IT Strategic Plan Public Comments Are Here!

The public comment period for the Federal Health IT Strategic Plan 2015-2020 ended February, 6, 2015. Comments submitted via HealthIT.gov are now available for viewing. More than 400 comments were submitted, including those from almost 125 organizations that provided recommendations for the use of health IT to improve health for individuals and communities. ONC is currently in the process of reviewing those comments and revising the Plan. A summary of the comments and recommendations will be shared with federal partners. BTW, comments are still being accepted on the draft Nationwide Interoperability Roadmap until April 3 and on the Standards Advisory until May 1.

Federal Advisory Committee Schedule Week of March 2 (all times EST)

Tuesday
Starting at 3:30pm, the Health IT Standards Committee's (HITSC) Content Standards Workgroup meets. The workgroup will post its agenda and meeting materials next week so stay tuned.

Wednesday
At noon, the Health IT Policy Committee's (HITPC) HIT Strategy & Innovation Workgroup will meet. Watch for more details about the meeting to be posted early next week.

Thursday
The HITSC's S&I Taskforce convenes a meeting at noon. Dial in information has been posted and more details will follow.

The HITPC's Interoperability and HIE Workgroup meets at 3:30pm. Watch for more details to be posted next week.

Trio of Webinars on Grants

This week we hosted three webinars about three grant funding opportunities (FOA). The new grants all are designed to help advance interoperability and strengthen the health IT workforce. You can get more information at HealthIt.gov. The webinar recordings, slides, and transcripts are being posted as available and will be found here:

Letters of intent (recommended but not required) for the new grants are due TUESDAY March 2. The application deadline is April 6.

HIMSS Interoperability Showcase Nominations Extended!

The deadline to submit nominations for the ONC/FHA area of the HIMSS Interoperability Showcase has been extended to 12:00 noon (EST) Tuesday, March 3. We are looking for a wide range of demonstrations – from query-based exchange and directed exchange to innovative applications and interfaces that enable the seamless use and sharing of health information among clinicians, consumers, payers, the public health community and the scientific community to advance better individual, community and population health.Submit your nomination today!

Public Health Measure Deadline for EPs is March 1

If you are an eligible professional participating in the Medicare or Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs and are planning to meet one of the Meaningful Use Stage 2 public health measures, the deadline to register your intent to initiate ongoing submission with your public health agency (PHA), program, or other body to whom the information will be submitted is within 60 days of the start of your EHR reporting period. For 2015, this deadline for eligible professionals is March 1. Eligible professionals that need to register their intent for a public health objective, but fail to register their intent by this deadline will not meet the measure. Please refer to the CMS Stage 2 Eligible Professional Specification Sheets for more information on the public health objectives.

2014 Attestation Deadline for Eligible Professionals Extended

CMS announced earlier this week that the attestation deadline for eligible professionals has been bumped back to March 20. Eligible professionals now have until 11:59 pm (EST) on March 20, 2015, to attest to meaningful use for the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program 2014 reporting year.

To learn more, see the Educational Resources on the CMS EHR Incentive Programs website.