The Office of the Inspector General is readying itself for its monitoring responsibilities over the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services, which will begin upgrading its computer and data systems, according to a Healthcare IT News report.
CMS is mandated by the healthcare reform law to upgrade its computer and data systems, which will be used to distribute incentive payments to eligible healthcare providers demonstrating meaningful use of electronic health records. The OIG is responsible for monitoring those computer and data systems upgrades as well as the federal stimulus program.
The OIG's 2011 work plan includes oversight in the following areas:
• Health information technology system enhancements – OIG will ensure that technology enhancements to CMS systems include standards established by the Department of Health & Human Services and that proper security controls are installed to protect EHRs and other personal information.
• Breaches and medical identity theft – Data breaches and identity theft involving Medicare ID numbers will be closely monitored by the OIG. It will review CMS policies and procedures on breaches and identity theft.
• Medicare/Medicaid health information privacy – The OIG will review federal healthcare program providers' adoption of Privacy Rule requirements of the HIPAA law.
• Use of smart card technology – Smart card technology would be used to reduce TANF error payments. The OIG will be reviewing states to see if they have adopted or are looking to adopt smart card technology, which could significantly reduce fraud and abuse in the TANF system.
• State Medicaid programs' progress in establishing incentives for EHRs – The OIG will monitor state Medicaid programs' progress in establishing a Medicaid incentive program for EHRs, which will provide incentive payments to physicians and hospitals for adopting EHRs.
• Medicare incentive payments – Similarly, the OIG will oversee the Medicare incentive payments made to eligible physicians and hospitals for adopting EHRs and implement safeguards to prevent wrongful payments.
• Grant system for health IT funding – The OIG will ensure the HRSA's grant system has the proper health IT security controls in place to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive personal health information are kept secure.
• Community health centers obtaining health IT funding – The OIG will review the security controls put in place at community health centers to ensure EHR and personal health information remain protected.
Read the news report about the OIG's monitoring 2011 work plan.
Read other coverage about federal health IT initiatives:
- CMS Releases Details of Computer System Upgrades
- ONC Extends Deadline for Public Comments on Stage 2, 3 Meaningful Use Requirements
- Eligible Providers and Hospitals Can Start Signing Up for Medicare EHR Incentive Program on Jan. 3
CMS is mandated by the healthcare reform law to upgrade its computer and data systems, which will be used to distribute incentive payments to eligible healthcare providers demonstrating meaningful use of electronic health records. The OIG is responsible for monitoring those computer and data systems upgrades as well as the federal stimulus program.
The OIG's 2011 work plan includes oversight in the following areas:
• Health information technology system enhancements – OIG will ensure that technology enhancements to CMS systems include standards established by the Department of Health & Human Services and that proper security controls are installed to protect EHRs and other personal information.
• Breaches and medical identity theft – Data breaches and identity theft involving Medicare ID numbers will be closely monitored by the OIG. It will review CMS policies and procedures on breaches and identity theft.
• Medicare/Medicaid health information privacy – The OIG will review federal healthcare program providers' adoption of Privacy Rule requirements of the HIPAA law.
• Use of smart card technology – Smart card technology would be used to reduce TANF error payments. The OIG will be reviewing states to see if they have adopted or are looking to adopt smart card technology, which could significantly reduce fraud and abuse in the TANF system.
• State Medicaid programs' progress in establishing incentives for EHRs – The OIG will monitor state Medicaid programs' progress in establishing a Medicaid incentive program for EHRs, which will provide incentive payments to physicians and hospitals for adopting EHRs.
• Medicare incentive payments – Similarly, the OIG will oversee the Medicare incentive payments made to eligible physicians and hospitals for adopting EHRs and implement safeguards to prevent wrongful payments.
• Grant system for health IT funding – The OIG will ensure the HRSA's grant system has the proper health IT security controls in place to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability of sensitive personal health information are kept secure.
• Community health centers obtaining health IT funding – The OIG will review the security controls put in place at community health centers to ensure EHR and personal health information remain protected.
Read the news report about the OIG's monitoring 2011 work plan.
Read other coverage about federal health IT initiatives:
- CMS Releases Details of Computer System Upgrades
- ONC Extends Deadline for Public Comments on Stage 2, 3 Meaningful Use Requirements
- Eligible Providers and Hospitals Can Start Signing Up for Medicare EHR Incentive Program on Jan. 3