From the Desk of the Executive Director
Health Care Reform Begins!
T
his year, 2011 will be a landmark year for changes in the
his experiences with
delivery of healthcare. AOMA hosted an excellent forum
implementing an EHR
on Health Care Reform at the Fall Seminar. Presentations
system. Please see his article on page 8.
were given by American Osteopathic Association (AOA) President Karen Nichols, D.O.; Arizona Health Care and Cost Containment System’s (AHCCCS) Medical Director
Is Health Information Exchange (HIE) in Arizona possible?
Marc Leib, M.D., J.D.; and Mutual Insurance Company of Arizona (MICA) Chief Executive Officer James Carland, M.D. AOMA President Kelli Ward, D.O. has an excellent article
There are several
addressing health care reform on page 4.
laws in Arizona that will need to be changed so
The role of Health Information Technology The effective delivery of health care requires Health Information Technology (HIT). Patient safety and quality
that Health Information
Amanda L . Weaver, M. B.A.
Exchange (HIE) can
AOMA Executive Director
occur. All healthcare
of care will be improved. Approximately 35% of medical
provider groups will be working with the legislature so that
practices in Arizona have implemented Electronic Medical
health information can be exchanged. A bill has been in the
Records (EMR). There will be incentives from Medicare
2011 legislature. HIE includes the physicians EMRs sharing
($ 44,000) and Medicaid ($ 63,750) for physicians who have
i nformation with hospitals, labs, other physicians offices and
achieved “Meaningful Use.” Please refer to articles on
other healthcare providers and vice versa. All of the systems
pages 8 and 10.
need to be able to “talk” to each other. The end result is true continuity of care for patients and increased patient safety. Please refer to article on page 16 about Sonora Quest Labs
The importance of “Meaningful Use” AOMA has a standing seat on the board for Arizona Health-e Connection (AzHEC) which consists of a variety
efforts in this area.
in Arizona. AzHEC, via its Regional Extension Center
AOMA’s Of fice Managers Institute to provide HIT education
(REC), has been charged with working with physicians to
The practice administrators and office managers are key
achieve Meaningful Use. They will provide resources to assist
players in physicians’ offices having smooth transitions
physicians. Please refer to the article on page 10.
implementing and/or understanding how EMRs can
of stakeholders who are helping to promote HIT and HIE
dramatically impact the practices, in a good way. The initial meetings will be held on March 8th in Phoenix and March
AOMA Ambassador Adam Nally, D.O. has been nominated by AOMA and selected by Arizona Health-e Connection as a EHR ambassador. He is giving presentations to physicians on
AOMA Digest Winter 2011
6
10th in Mesa. Please contact Flannery at 602-266-6699 or flannery@az-osteo.org for more information. Happy New Year!