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Future ACA requirements will involve social media
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LAS VEGAS – Eye care practitioners will need an integrated Internet and social media approach moving forward as a result of the Affordable Care Act, according to a speaker here at Vision Expo West.
Peter Cass, OD, of Beaumont Family Eye Care, Beaumont, Texas, told attendees that requirements will address not only electronic health records, but a practice website and patient engagement systems.
“You will need a computer nerd in your practice,” he said. “In my practice, it’s my youngest staff member.”
Cass is a member of the Texas Optometric Association (TOA) board and is involved in committees on Health Information Exchanges for the TOA and American Optometric Association.
“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will expect you to have maps and directions available on your practice website,” he said, as well as a provider locator, online appointment scheduling, medication refills, care instructions, reminders and recalls.
“Not only should patients be able to schedule an appointment, but it would be great for them to be able to fill out the forms online,” Cass continued. “It can be downloaded straight into the office software.
“Patients will also want to be able to get their health records,” he added.
Doctors must be able to provide electronic copies of health records to patients as part of stage 1 of meaningful use. Stage 2 requires online access to patient records and assurance that at least 5% of patients look at them.
“This is the government side of social media,” Cass said. “In the future, CMS will require health lifestyle topics. They will expect you to have a symptom checker.”
Clinicians will be expected to send patient records and referrals to other providers electronically.
“Privacy and patient permissions will be important to electronic health records,” he noted.