Transition Continues for Electronic Records

Conversion of Tri-County’s health records to a new electronic system continues.

The agency formally went “live” in October 2010, but continues to enhance applications from both a clinical and billing perspective.

Tri-County is also moving toward improved electronic applications for its treatment planning, imaging and prescriptions. Electronic billing applications are focusing upon Medicaid eligibility and electronic billing to Medicaid and the Missouri Department of Mental Health.

Among the challenges is a requirement of the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act. This requirement outlines “meaningful use” of electronic records, not just mere implementation. In simple terms, providers are required to achieve significant improvements in the care they provide, a goal Tri-County shares. The legislation ties payments specifically to the achievement of advances in health care processes and outcomes.

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