My company has been planning to link its dental practice management software to an ONC certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) and we are about to kick off that project. Minnesota is often on the leading edge of this type of lawmaking. They mandated that all prescribers use electronic prescribing by January, 2011. Again, dental practices were expected to comply.
These legislative efforts have as their goal, the electronic linking of the diverse players involved with a patient’s health. By being more informed of a patient’s overall health, the provider will contribute to the “triple aim” strategy of healthcare reform:
- Better Care
- Better Health
- Lower Costs
Can you ignore this development if you don’t live in Minnesota? Only at your own peril.
We have many clients in Oregon where the state has chosen to deliver its Medicaid benefits through groups called CCO’s (Coordinated Care Organizations). These newly formed networks of all types of healthcare providers are responsible for the coordination and delivery of care to this population. This coordination will require collecting and communicating health information electronically. Sounds like a job for an interoperable EHR. CCO’s must include oral health providers by 7/1/2014 in Oregon.
Can you ignore Oregon’s efforts if you don’t see Oregon Medicaid patients? Also, at your own peril. Governor Kitzhaber recently claimed that the commercial sector will be next. He has the ability to influence this for two of the largest employee groups in the state; state employees and public school employees. He also will receive $1.9 billion from the federal government over the next five years to develop this model.
There are efforts all over the U.S. to accomplish the triple aim strategy and most involve electronic health records and the secure sharing of this information between providers.
Ignoring this movement or thinking it will not include dentistry is a definite wrong click.
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