Dear Reader:
This issue of the Connections Newsletter gives us a great opportunity to update our members on some of the ground breaking new partnerships, announcements and improvements we have been hard at work to bring you. Much has been done to expand our GCI ConnectMD service reach in Alaska and in improve our existing core to boost services to our Washington members. Here is a quick recap of just a few of the many MedWAN improvements we've completed:
- We established a high bandwidth connectivity between ConnectMD MedWAN, Seattle and Spokane to expand the set of peer facilities we can now connect to
- We completed configuration and integration of the ConnectMD MedWAN into GCI’s 24 x 7 Network Operations and Monitoring Center (NOCC)
- We increased ConnectMD’s MedWAN connection between Chelan and Okanogan PUD’s, Seattle and the internet to 20mbps
- We completed the implementation of improved VPN access and security enforcement on the ConnectMD MedWAN network
- We completed the implementation of a powerful internet filter that can be used by our MedWAN customers to flexibly control the web access of their users.
As always, we're excited to pioneer new services while improving upon our trusted products and network core- these are the backbone for delivering our powerful and reliable financial, clinical and telehealth solutions to our current and new members. Take a peek below and see what we've been working on.
Thanks for Reading!
- The GCI ConnectMD team
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ARTN personnel meet with Steve Constantine, Director GCI Medical Services, and Mandi Constantine, ANTHC Director of Telehealth Training and Support, via the GCI ConnectMD's VTC network |
ARTN and GCI ConnectMD Collaborate: We’re peering medical Networks
The ARTN and GCI have been talking…and the topics are HOT! While the ARTN has been pushing the video services envelope in Alaska with turn-up of cutting edge VTC equipment and development of a wholly independent clinical services network, GCI has been continuing to build out the GCI ConnectMD clinical services network.
Read the full ARTN newsletter article.
GCI ConnectMD Supports Maniilaq with HD Videoconferencing
We're providing Maniilaq Health Services in Northwest Alaska with new broadband connections capable of supporting high definition (HD) videoconferencing. HD videoconferencing benefits clinics with faster response times, greater reach, more accurate training and diagnoses, and a higher level of overall care.
Read the full Maniilaq media advisory here.
GCI To Build $30 Million Southeast Alaska Fiber Optic Cable Network
The new fiber network will meet the ever growing capacity requirements of the residents in Southeast Alaska and has the capacity to keep up with the growth of both current and potential Internet, phone and video services. In addition, the network will allow Southeast residents access to more medical and educational opportunities from within their own communities through GCI's ConnectMD and SchoolAccess networks.
Read the full SE Fiber press release here.
Quick Tips you need to know to purchase and implement an EMR!
It’s one of the most important decisions your practice will make- implementing an EMR- but if made incorrectly, it is sure to be one of the most costly your practice will ever make. Here are 5 Quick tips you need you to implement before you go paperless:
- Know your practice goals
- Evaluate the costs and benefits
- Complete a workflow analysis
- Plan for change
- Select a partner, not a vendor
ConnectMD’s Clinical and Financial experts are happy to assist you in this process!
Contact us today.
*Breaking News!* Tamper resistant prescription pad rule delayed
An intense lobbying campaign by MGMA, pharmacy organizations, state officials and provider groups has caused a six-month delay of the October 1 requirement to use tamper-resistant prescription pads for Medicaid prescriptions.
On September 26th, the House of Representatives approved H.R. 3668, a bill that includes the sixth-month delay. Late on Sept. 27, the Senate passed a companion measure. The President signed the bill into law on Sept 29.
The October 1 start date caused back-logged orders for complaint pads and little time for education and compliance for pharmacies, physicians and the 55 million Medicaid beneficiaries. This rule does not apply to prescriptions that are emergency refills, in some institutionalized settings, for Medicaid managed care plans and that are phoned, faxed or electronically transmitted to the pharmacy.
***See the original story below***
Medicaid Tamper Resistant Prescription Information for State Policymakers
Starting on October 1, 2007, in order for Medicaid outpatient drugs to be reimbursable by the federal government, all written, non-electronic prescriptions must be executed on tamper-resistant pads. This requirement was included in section 7002(b) of the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act of 2007. On August 17, 2007, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), issued a letter to State Medicaid Directors with guidance on implementing the new requirement.
CMS has outlined three baseline characteristics of tamper-resistant prescription pads, but each State will define which features it will require to meet those characteristics in order to be considered tamper-resistant. The baseline characteristics must: (1) prevent unauthorized copying of a completed or blank prescription form; (2) prevent the erasure or modification of information written on the prescription by the prescriber; or (3) prevent the use of counterfeit prescription forms. By October 1, 2007, States must require at least one of these baseline requirements. By October 1, 2008, States must require all three characteristics on prescription pads in order to be considered tamper-resistant.
The letter to State Medicaid Directors outlines situations where the new requirement does and does not apply. The requirement does not apply: when the prescription is communicated by the prescriber to the pharmacy electronically, verbally, or by fax; a managed care entity pays for the prescription; or in most situations when drugs are provided in certain institutional and clinical facilities. The letter also allows emergency fills as long as a prescriber provides a verbal, faxed, electronic, or compliant written prescription within 72 hours.
For more information:
In Washington
In Alaska
To submit your stories, tips and news…
If you would like to submit, please respond by email to info@connectmd.com. Please give us your full contact information, a brief description of your submission and attach your Word, PDF and appropriate files or you may contact us by phone at: (866) 221-4841. When we add your submission we will also include an outside link to your organization’s website.
