Information technology
New York proposes payment parity for telehealth services | The National Law ReviewNew York lawmakers introduced a bill that would require insurance plans to pay for telehealth services at the same rate for in-person services. The proposed law would bring payment parity language to New York's telehealth coverage law, which was implemented in January.
Hospital exec claims she was ousted for raising EHR concerns | The Press Democrat
The former chief nursing officer at Sonoma West Medical Center in Sebastopol, Calif., is suing her former employer and an EHR developer, claiming she was “forced out” of her position after she raised concerns over the hospital's electronic medical system, Harmoni. Autumn AndRa alleges that the hospital was pressured to adopt a millionaire software developer's EHR system after he donated millions to the facility. AndRa claims the EHR system was defective and a danger to patients.
Mass. Center for Health Information and Analysis appoints new chief | Boston Business Journal
Gov. Charlie Baker has named Ray Campbell executive director of the Center for Health Information and Analysis, signaling that Baker is trying to maintain the state agency that analyzes health spending trends. The governor had recently announced that $45 million of the agency's budget would go to community hospitals, leading many to think he wanted to rid of the group.
Physicians
Boston University rescinds award to concussion researcher | The Boston GlobeBoston University dropped its plans to award Dr. Bennet Omalu its esteemed Beyond Health Award days after the researcher was quoted questioning the direction of concussion research at Concussion Legacy Foundation, an affiliate of the university. The university said it rescinded the award because it wanted to highlight people with closer connections to its school of public health.
Safety, quality and clinical practice
Healthcare web search tools suffer from complications | New York TimesInsurers and providers want to use big data to help consumers choose doctors and treatments wisely and, ultimately, control costs. But price transparency tools and reviews aren't as cut-and-dried in healthcare as they are in many other sectors.
Affordability, stigma may prevent patients from using insurance for STDs | Reuters
A study found that half of patients at a Massachusetts STD clinic chose to self-pay for their visit rather than use their insurance. The researchers found patient chose to self-pay because of confidentiality and cost concerns.
