Health Information Technology (HIT)

As we move closer to a nationwide health information technology infrastructure, APTA is aggressively pursuing avenues to assist physical therapists select and implement health information technology (HIT). Additionally, APTA is working with federal policymakers to educate them as to the importance of including physical therapists in HIT initiatives moving forward.

While physicians and hospitals are the beneficiary of many of the federal government's initial efforts to encourage HIT adoption, they will expect the other providers they work with, including physical therapists, to use it as well. Patients may also begin to expect their providers to use HIT to manage their care.

Physical therapists should remain aware of and become educated on issues relating to health information technology particularly in this dynamic health care delivery environment. The following resources provide updates on HIT program development and legislation, as well as APTA's related advocacy efforts.

General Information

• Physical Therapists and Health Information Technology (HIT)
• Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology (ONCHIT)
• ONCHIT: HIPAA Privacy Rule and Health IT
• CMS Resources on EHR Incentive Programs

APTA Summaries

• Proposed Rule for Meaningful Use Incentive Program Stage 2 (.pdf) - 3/20/12
• EHR Certification Criteria: Revisions to Permanent Certification Program for HIT (.pdf) - 3/7/12
• Final Rule for Medicare & Medicaid EHR Incentive Program (.pdf) - 7/28/10
• Final Rule for Certification of EHR Technology (.pdf) - 7/26/10
• Final Rule Establishing Temporary Certification Program for HIT (.pdf) - 6/23/10
• Accounting for Disclosures Made via EHRs (.pdf) - 5/12/10
• Final Rule Establishing Temporary Certification Program for HIT (.pdf) - 3/12/10
• Proposed Rule for Meaningful Use Incentive Payments (.pdf) - 1/28/10
• Interim Final Rule for Certification of EHR Technology (.pdf) - 1/21/10
• Consumer Preferences Draft Document for EHR (.pdf) - 10/15/09
• HIT Extension Program: Regional Centers Cooperative Agreement (.pdf) - 9/1/09
• New System of Records; Notice (.pdf) - 10/12/07
• Safe Harbors for Electronic Prescribing & Health Records Arrangements (.pdf) - 8/22/06

APTA Comments

• APTA Comments on Proposed Rule for Meaningful Use Incentive Program Stage 2 (.pdf) - 5/7/12
• APTA Comments on Revisions to the Permanent Certification Program for HIT (.pdf) - 5/7/12
• Accounting for Disclosures Made via EHRs (.pdf) - 5/19/10
• HIT Testing & Certification Permanent Program (.pdf) - 5/6/10
• HIT Testing & Certification Temporary Program (.pdf) - 4/9/10
• Proposed Rule for Meaningful Use Incentive Payments (.pdf) - 3/15/10
• EHR Certification Standards Interim Final Rule (.pdf) - 3/15/10
• Criteria for Meaningful Use (.pdf) - 6/29/09
• HIT Extension Program (.pdf) - 6/8/09
• Medicare Use of EHR (.pdf) - 1/3/08
• Public Statement on Meaningful Use in HIT (.pdf) - 7/16/09
• Public Statement on EHR Certification (.pdf) - 7/15/09

Grants

• Grants Awarded by the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT (.pdf)

• Last Updated: 5/8/2012
• Contact: advocacy@apta.org
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