09 May Health Data News Roundup: CMS and ACO Data Aggregation; Trends in Medicare Savings Programs; and IMAT Named in Gartner FHIR Report

Welcome to the Health Data Weekly News Roundup from IMAT Solutions. As the power of data continues to grow in the healthcare arena, today’s care organizations need to be on the forefront of all news and trends to help ensure that their data analytics efforts deliver accountable and informed care. Each week, we will provide you with the actionable news you need to meet these goals.

How CMS is Improving ACO Data Aggregation, Quality Care Reporting
CMS is updating quality measure reporting across its Shared Services Program, which offers the opportunity for groups of medical providers and hospitals to form Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs).

IMAT Solutions Named in Gartner® Quick Answer: Use FHIR to Jump-Start Clinical Data Integration for U.S. Healthcare Payers Report
IMAT Solutions was recently named in the Gartner report: “Quick Answer: Use FHIR to Jump-Start Clinical Data Integration for U.S. Healthcare Payers Report.”

Telehealth Waiver Boosted Care Access for Medicare Beneficiaries
The CMS telehealth waiver that expanded coverage for virtual care services during the COVID-19 pandemic helped increase access to virtual care for Medicare beneficiaries in disadvantaged neighborhoods, according to a new study.

Trends in Medicare Savings Programs, Part D Subsidy Enrollment
The number of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in the Medicare Savings Programs and receiving Part D low-income subsidies varied by state, as states have the individual power to expand eligibility and eliminate asset tests, an issue brief from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) found.

CHI Comments on ONC USCDI Proposed Version 3 Data Classes
The App Association’s Connected Health Initiative (CHI) provided comments to the ONC on its Draft (v3) US Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI) and its ongoing USCDI expansion process (draft USCDI).

HL7 Launches ONC FAST Accelerator to Boost FHIR Scalability
Health Level Seven International (HL7) announced that ONC’s FHIR at Scale Taskforce (FAST) will transition into an HL7 FHIR Accelerator.

DirectTrust Celebrates 10 Years of Healthcare Interoperability Initiatives
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, nonprofit healthcare industry alliance DirectTrust recognized a special class of Interoperability Heroes.

ONC Celebrates 18 Years of Advancing Health IT
On the 18th anniversary of the Office of National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC), Deputy National Coordinator Steven Posnack released a statement reflecting on the agency’s past achievements that advanced health IT.