Health Information Technology

Telemedicine is rapidly evolving, and the number of physicians who use it continues to grow.

Whether you use telemedicine every day in your practice or you’re just starting to consider how it might benefit your patients, you probably have plenty of questions and concerns about using it effectively and within compliance.

That’s why the Texas Medical Association formed a task force that will help TMA serve physicians who want to integrate telemedicine into their practice.

It’s no fun, but you have to do it: a HIPAA security risk assessment.

And if you participate in the Medicare Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), conducting or updating a risk assessment is a requirement in the Promoting Interoperability category. In order to meet the 2019 performance year requirements, you must complete your security risk assessment by Dec. 31. This is not an optional measure. 

The recently updated TMA EHR Vendor Comparison Tool provides TMA member physicians access to an assessment of EHR products that have a solid Texas market base. It gives physicians a view of company information, product functionality, pricing, and interoperability capabilities when comparing EHR systems.

Advocates for artificial intelligence see it as a valuable tool on many levels. Not only will it not replace physicians, they say, it will help doctors extend their reach and ease the nationwide physician shortage. However, there is still a lack of trust about AI.

Ideally, all members of a health care team –physicians, hospitals, labs – should be able to use HIT and EHRs to share patient information through a secure network, a process called interoperability.

Health Information Exchange (HIE) can be accomplished in different ways, and the needs and requirements vary by practice.

Many Texas physicians are now unable to write prescriptions for certain pain medications because of ongoing problems when ordering the state’s new prescription forms.

If you are still waiting on forms, check with your electronic health record (EHR) vendor to see if it can set you up to e-prescribe controlled substances, or EPCS.

If you don't have an EHR vendor, search for standalone e-prescribing software, which can assist you with EPCS setup.

Because EHR systems are not standardized, moving data from one EHR to another is not precise and usually is difficult. Be sure to consult the contract with your existing vendor to understand how it must provide your data. Also, as a TMA member, you have access to no-cost technology contract reviews from TMA-approved vendor Coker Group.

With the DocbookMD mobile app, a regional network of physician colleagues is at your fingertips for consultation, referrals, and HIPAA-compliant information exchange - all in the blink of an eye. Download for iPhone, iPad, or Android now.

It probably goes without saying that technology is an integral part of modern health care.

But how can you be sure you’re getting the best deal from your technology vendor?

You can’t be absolutely sure of course, but a few modifications to your vendor contract can help you avoid much of the risk associated with buying technology.

TMA works diligently to give you the tools you need to tackle the challenges of technology. Whether you need help selecting an electronic health record (EHR) or understanding MACRA or the EHR incentive program, TMA has the resources.