MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Health Care Law Blog' source. Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:45:45 +0100 http://www.citl.org/research/pdf/CITL_PHR_Press_Release.pdf HealthcareIT News reports on the announcement of a Medicare personal health record (PHR) pilot project that will be made available to Medicare beneficiaries in Arizona and Utah. The four PHR companies selected out of almost 40 who applied to participate in the pilot are: Google Health, HealthTrio, NoMoreClipboard.com and PassportMD. The Arizona Republic has more on the pilot project. More background information on CMS's PHR projects. Tip to iHeathBeat on the article. UPDATE: Today's iHealthBeat indicates that interoperable PHRs could result in$21B savings per study conducted by Center for Information Technology Leadership. Read the press release and full Value of Personal Health Records report. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960559 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:20:18 +0100 1960559 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/451826533/implications-for-live-tweeting-surgery.html Yesterday Robert Hendrick, health care disruptor (I mean that in a positive way) and co-founder of change:healthcare, live tweeted his laser ablation surgery at the Surgical Clinic in Nashville. He also tweeted the first installment of his surgery to remove his varicose veins -- Live from the Operating Room.Robert and his counterpart, Christopher Parks, are all about transparency in health care, especially as it relates to payment issues. This serves as just one more example of their efforts to engage health consumers and create transparency in health care.Robert's live tweeting during surgery struck me as an interesting application of Twitter and other mobile social networking application. Here are just a few thoughts:A way to keep friends and family updated on your condition, surgery, et... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1960560 Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:10:56 +0100 1960560 http://www.youtube.com/v/1ptfizT7jVc&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&fs=1 A simplified view of Why is Healthcare So Expensive? from Stay Smart Stay Healthy. Stay Smart Stay Healthy is a Humana new-media venture designed to deliver guidance, and to support awareness and understanding of the healthcare industry.Our goal is simple: to educate consumers on the healthcare system by removing the usual complexities and replacing them with an informative and engaging series of videos.Check out their other videos on health care.Tip from KevinMD. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1955174 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 14:35:08 +0100 1955174 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/450018744/predicting-flu-season-with-google-flu.html Google Flu Trends uses search terms as an indicator of flu activity by state.According to the Google.org Flu Trends the aggregated search data can estimate flu activity in a state up to two weeks faster than traditional systems. The chart comparison with CDC data is impressive at showing the consistency between tracking search terms vs. using influenza surveillance data. Read about how it works and the FAQs. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951780 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 21:42:16 +0100 1951780 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/449907829/health-cloud.html Tim Sturgill, MD JD at symtym provides an explanation and insight into the potential shift from silo'ed EHRs controlled by multiple providers to a Health Cloud centralized around a single PHR.The result of such a shift lessens the need for complex health information exchanges to process and communicate information among a variety of health information silos, matching patient records and trying to match multiple sources of health information that may or may not be identical.This approach is similar to the discussion and perspective I outlined in a recent article on PHRs for Health Lawyer News.Graphic image courtesy of Tim's post. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951781 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 19:59:49 +0100 1951781 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/449817575/purkinje-another-saas-ehr.html Justen Deal in his post, Purkinje: stealth fighter, introduced me to another SasS focused Electronic Health Record (EHR) and practice management service provider called Purkinje. Interesting read on the company and its history.The principle owner of Purkinje is John Doerr, a partner in Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers, who provides venture capital funding for some of the largest technology companies in the world.Like Athena Health, who I do know about, Purkinje appears headed in the same direction. I think this business model has a bright future in helping quickly ramp up the adoption of electronic health information systems in medium to small physicians practices. Justen's post provides his prospective on the cost/benefit analysis as compared to traditional EMR software vendors. Also,... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951782 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 18:42:08 +0100 1951782 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/449587112/world-war-ii-honoree-lemoyne-coffield.html On this Veterans Day I give thanks to all military veterans who have served their county. Please take time today at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month to thank a family member, friend or colleague who served their county.Thanks to my sister Becky who submitted information to the National WWII Memorial to honor my dad, LeMoyne Coffield, and his brother and my uncle, Terrell Coffield. They are my heroes in so many ways. The photo to the right is my dad and his honoree entry reads:ACTIVITY DURING WWII INDUCTED INTO THE U.S. ARMY ON DECEMBER 18, 1942, PROCESSED AT FORT HAYES, COLUMBUS, OHIO AND REPORTED FOR DUTY AT WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY ON DECEMBER 21, 1943. HE WAS LATER TRANSFERRED TO THE MEDICAL COLLEGE OF VIRGINIA TO COMPLETE HIS MEDICAL TRAINING. HE WAS IN THE ARMY SPEC... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951783 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 14:45:18 +0100 1951783 http://www.wvbar.org/barinfo/barblast/leos.pdf The Lawyer Disciplinary Board of the West Virginia State Bar is seeking public comment by February 27,2009, on two draft Legal Ethics Opinions (LEO). The two LEO's were reviewed by the Board at the October 24, 2008 meeting. Draft L.E.O. 2009-01 What Is Metadata and Why Should Lawyers Be Cautious? The definition of metadata used in the draft LEO is broad to include all "data behind the data" including the "author's identity, the number of revisions made and comments and redlining." Citing Rule 1.1 and 1.6, N.Y. State Bar Association Committee Op. 782 and D.C. Bar Op. 341, the proposed LEO places a duty on a lawyer to take reasonable steps to protect metadata in transmitted documents. Citing Rule 8.4(C) and N.Y. State Bar Association Committee Op. 749, the proposed LEO also places a duty on ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947065 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:47:22 +0100 1947065 http://indianapolis.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel08/extortion100108.pdf The WSJ Health Blogs reports about a potential data breach at Express Scripts, one of the largest pharmacy benefit management companies in North America. More from Express Scripts on the Facts, FAQs and Other Resources.The potential data breach came to Express Scripts attention after having received an anonymous letter attempting to extort money from the company by threatening the expose millions of patient records. The threat letter included personal information on 75 members, including names, dates of birth, social security numbers and prescription information.The article also mentions a similar extortion related data breach which occurred in March 2006 and involved Medical Excess LLC, a subsidiary of AIG. In that case the FBI investigated and arrested an individual who stole a computer ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1943315 Fri, 07 Nov 2008 21:06:06 +0100 1943315 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/443576390/november-5-2008-today-is-new-day.html Today is a new day. Andre Blackman shared the image below (courtesy of Patrick Moberg) with me this via Twitter. The image speaks volumes about the significance of yesterday. Congratulations to President Elect Barack Obama.Although West Virginia stayed in the red yesterday there was great support by West Virginians although not always reported that way by the national media. This morning I shared with friends some links to history about a West Virginia lawyer, J.R. Clifford, as a way to reflect on the significance of Obama's win.Mr. Clifford (wikipedia entry) paved the way in 1898 as a result of his legal work on his most famous case, Williams v. Board of Education Tucker County. The case was the first in U.S. history to hold that discrimination in school terms and teacher pay is against t... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1938943 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 21:40:35 +0100 1938943 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/HealthCareBlogLaw/~3/441131360/wvu-college-of-law-entrepreneurship-law.html Today the West Virginia State Bar announced a new project at the West Virginia University College of Law to provide legal assistance to technology start-ups, existing small business and nonprofits.The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic will be directed by Professor Michael V. Risch and staffed by current law students. The Clinic will provide supervised legal counsel to small businesses and start-ups in a clinical setting by offering no cost or low cost assistance.The Clinic will provide services to clients who are unable to find or afford legal representation. Initial services will include: preformation counseling; choosing and forming a business entity; financing and investing; drafting Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, LLC Articles and Operating Agreements, etc.; filing for tax-exempt recog... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1938944 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:47:45 +0100 1938944 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/11/wvu-college-of-law-entrepreneurship-law.html Today the West Virginia State Bar announced a new project at the West Virginia University College of Law to provide legal assistance to technology start-ups, existing small business and nonprofits.The Entrepreneurship Law Clinic will be directed by Professor Michael V. Risch and staffed by current law students. The Clinic will provide supervised legal counsel to small businesses and start-ups in a clinical setting by offering no cost or low cost assistance.The Clinic will provide services to clients who are unable to find or afford legal representation. Initial services will include: preformation counseling; choosing and forming a business entity; financing and investing; drafting Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws, LLC Articles and Operating Agreements, etc.; filing for tax-exempt recog... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1930177 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 16:29:00 +0100 1930177 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/what-do-wv-patients-see-as-their-1.html Today I asked a health care policy related question to my West Virginia tweeters and received great responses. I appreciate the responses from my twitter followers.The responses were so valuable that I thought I would share them with my readers. If others who are reading have additional responses please add them to the comments. The question I posed via twitter: WV Twitters: What is the #1 health care problem/issue that you see as a patient? about 2 hours ago from web rebeccaburch @bobcoffield Insurance coverage -- whether you have ins. or not, affordability is often a deal-breaker for needed procedures/meds/etc... about 2 hours ago from ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1917884 Wed, 29 Oct 2008 19:47:00 +0100 1917884 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/blawg-review-182-test-your-blawg-exam.html Take the Blawg Bar Exam practice test over at Blawg Review #182 creatively written by David Gulbransen at preaching to the preverted. Brilliantly creative edition. Don't miss testing your knowledge of Blawg Review. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1891922 Tue, 21 Oct 2008 02:20:00 +0100 1891922 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/rise-of-personal-health-record.html ConclusionPHRs bring a new dimension to the debate over how to create an interoperable health information network. The shift of power into the hands of patients could bring about a sustainable model. Before proceeding with the expansion of PHRs, the legal implications that go along with such an adoption should be addressed.Bob Coffield is a member of Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Bob is also a Co-Chair of the Privacy and Security Compliance and Enforcement Affinity Group, a part of AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group.Jud DeLoss is a principal with the law firm of Gray Plant Mooty in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jud is also a Vice Chair of the AHLA’s Health Information and Technology Practice Group.[1] Mr. DeLoss thanks Bryan M. Se... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888079 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:40:00 +0100 1888079 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/health-20-conference.html Next week I'm headed to San Fransisco to attend the Health 2.0: User Generated Healthcare Conference.Looking forward to attending, seeing old and meeting new colleagues interested in the world of health 2.0. I will be involved in the Health 2.0 Accelerator meet and greet on Tuesday (Oct. 21) and will be at the conference and in San Francisco through Friday (Oct 24). If you are attending or just in the area and want to meet up in person shoot me a tweet, wall post, email or call.The buzz and discussion has started among those attending via the online social networking tools - twitter feed, Facebook page, blogs, etc. Matthew and Indu have also created a separate social network for the attendees - great idea. I plan to live blog and twitter from the conference next week -- so check in next we... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886318 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 12:26:00 +0100 1886318 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/grand-rounds-notes-of-anesthesioboist.html The October 13, 2008 edition of Grand Rounds is now up at Notes of an Anesthesioboist. Great reading for anyone interested in the latest from the health and medical blogospere.Next week's Grand Rounds will be hosted by Christian Sinclair, M.D. at Pallimed. The theme --"Changing Goals of Care." (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879780 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:13:00 +0100 1879780 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/health-cost-rising-in-2009.html Sandra Block of USA Today Money reports that the average amount employees will pay for health care is expected to increase 8.9% in 2009. Her column also provides good advice on how to try to control your health care expenses.According to the Hewitt Associates report the average amount employees will pay for health care is expected to increase 8.9% in 2009. The breakdown:Premiums2008 2009$1,806 $1,946Out-of- pocket costs 2008 2009$1,707 $1,880Total 2008 2009$3,513 $3,826Her article advises health consumers to take a close look at their health care options during the open enrollment period. As her article states - the difficulty I find is trying to compare plans/options/covered services/drug benefits/co-pays/deductibles, etc. This process is even tough for a health care lawyer a... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1875965 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 13:19:00 +0100 1875965 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/protex-cardiac-innovation-from-west.html Today's Charleston Gazette features an article on a Charleston based medical technology company, Nexeon MedSystems.Mark Bates, M.D., CEO and interventional cardiologist at CAMC has developed a "pro-healing" stent that is lined with protein. The device called PROTEX system may also eliminate the need for heart patients to take blood thinning medications for a year or more after the procedure. Clinical trials on the device are currently underway in Germany. More information can be found on Nexeon MedSystems' website.Quote from the article:"It's a protein-lined metal stent that the body thinks is normal artery," Bates said. "Instead of the body thinking it's a foreign body, it lines it with normal cells real quickly. It allows the body and arteries to function normally."We're not stopping nat... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1873002 Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:29:00 +0100 1873002 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/dr-val-launches-getting-better-with-dr.html Val Jones, M.D. has a new home at Getting Better with Dr. Val. Congratulations to Dr. Val on the launch of her hew health care blog.Check out her welcome message and the official press release. If you already follow Dr. Val don't forget to update your blogroll. Dr. Val is also one of the new co coordinators (along with Colin Son who blogs at Medskool) of Grand Rounds. Be sure to check out Grand Rounds every week if you are involved in the health care industry. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870565 Sun, 12 Oct 2008 16:09:00 +0100 1870565 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/health-20-stay-focused-on-goals.html Ben Heywood, co-founder of PatientsLikeMe, outlines simple (but difficult) goals that those in the health 2.0 space must accomplish. Based on his post I take it that he highlighted these during his keynote address at the second Health 2.0 Northeast conference.His simple but eloquent message to the health 2.0 community:I believe we, as the eHealth community, need to focus on two major goals: 1) solve patients’ problems, and 2) create business models that allow us to do #1. Successful companies must show real and tangible benefits directly to the patient consumer. As one who regularly participates in the health information discussion and debate as West Virginia moves forward with its health information network infrastructure -- I often try to step back and ask, like Mr. Heywood, the simple... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1870566 Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:09:00 +0100 1870566 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/hr-6898-health-e-information-technoloyg.html Jen McCabe Gorman at Health Management RX brought attention to a new House of Representative Bill (HR 6898) focused on electronic health information introduced in the 110th Congress by Congressman Pete Stark. The bill was introduced on September 15, 2008, and is currently referred out to committee.Jen provides some great analysis and brainstorming on the impact of the draft bill in her post, "Breaking News: Congress Wants to Create National eHealthNetwork, Legislate Who Owns Health Data." Well worth a read for anyone interested in health information technology, electronic health information, personal health records, health 2.0 or the future of our health care system.Jen highlights those sections dealing with who owns the electronic health information. Should it be the government? the provi... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862674 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:58:00 +0100 1862674 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/california-health-data-privacy-and.html Last week two new California data privacy and security bills were signed into law. Senate Bill 541 and Assembly Bill 211 set new breach disclosure standards and require security controls for preventing unauthorized access to patient data.I previously posted about the bills before they were finalized. Computer World, "New health care privacy laws heighten need for HIPAA compliance in California," provides background and a good overview on the scope of the laws with great links to additional information.Those who do health care business in California should take a close look at these new laws. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862675 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:30:00 +0100 1862675 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/medical-blogger-dr-wes-subpoened-over.html The New York Personal Injury Law Blog relays a incident involving a subpoena issued to a medical blogger related to anonymous comments made on his blog.The incident involved medical blogger, Westby Fisher, MD (Dr. Wes), who was subpoenaed for a discovery deposition to determine whether he knew the anonymous commenter who left a comment on a post.Interesting reading for medical and health care bloggers. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862676 Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:08:00 +0100 1862676 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/fsb-best-lawyers-in-america-2009.html This past week I learned that I was again selected by my peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009 in the field of "Health Care Law". In all, seven lawyers from Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso, PLLC were selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2009. Congratulations to my partner, Ted Martin, who was selected for the first time this year in the category of "Medical Malpractice".Congratulations go out to all the 2009 honorees: Bob Coffield - Health Care LawMike Bonasso - Commercial LitigationTom Flaherty - Personal Injury Litigation Don Sensabaugh - Medical Malpractice Law Jeff Wakefield - Commercial LitigationStephen Brooks - Medical Malpractice Law and Personal Injury LitigationTed Martin - Medical Malpractice Law Below is background information about Be... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1855980 Tue, 07 Oct 2008 04:34:00 +0100 1855980 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/10/dr-val-guest-post-straight-jackets.html Below is a guest post from fellow health care blogger, Val Jones, M.D, on the topic of the new Medicare "never events." For other recent posts by Dr. Val - check out the recent Dr. Val sightings at Suture for a Living.Straight Jackets Issued To All Hospital Patients Over Age 65?By Val Jones, MDBob is a good friend and blog buddy of mine, and I respect his legal opinions on medical matters. He has kindly invited me to guest post on his blog, and so I’d like to take this opportunity to ask you (Bob’s audience) to help me with a medicolegal issue. Let me explain.Today I viewed a TV ad sponsored by the AARP. It was promoting a remote alarm device that elderly people could use to notify EMS if they fall and need help. The ad featured a surprising statistic:“One in three people over the ag... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1855981 Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:10:00 +0100 1855981 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/phr-certification-criteria-public.html Josh Seidman, president of Center for Information Therapy, of provides an update of the status of Certification Commission for Healthcare Information Technology's (CCHIT) process for certification of personal health records (PHRs) over at The Health Care Blog.CCHIT has published the first draft of the 2009 certification criteria for Personal Health Records (PHR) 09 Introduction and Personal Health Record (PHR) 09 Criteria (Draft 01).CCHIT is currently taking public comments on the drafts through October 28, 2008. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840910 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:56:00 +0100 1840910 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/ny-times-health-articles-on-changing.html The New York Times Health section in the article, "Logging On for a Second (or Third) Opinion," examines the changing world of online health information search.As the article points out we are moving from a "search and read" web to a "search, share and interact" web. As Dr. Ted Eytan indicates, we are seeing the "democratization of health care." Patients as consumers are becoming more engaged and knowledgeable through the use of online search and collaboration before and after they visit with a health care professional. Likewise, physicians and other providers are utilizing technology and the evolving social networked web in the same fashion. I agree with the comments of Clay Shirky who indicates patients (aka health consumers) are becoming empowered actors in the health system. The articl... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1840911 Tue, 30 Sep 2008 13:01:00 +0100 1840911 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/pov-critical-condition-pbs.html Critical Condition, a look at the American health care system and crisis, begins airing tomorrow on PBS. Locally it will air on WVPBS beginning Tuesday, September 30 at 9pm with follow up broadcasts on October 1, October 6, October 8, October 13.View the film trailer and learn more. Below is a synopsis of the film: Roger Weisberg's Critical Condition is a powerful, eye-opening look at the health care crisis in America. In an election season when health care reform has become one of the nation's most hotly debated issues, Critical Condition lays out the human consequences of an increasingly expensive and inaccessible system. Using the same cinema verite style he employed with Waging a Living (P.O.V., 2006), Weisberg allows ordinary hard-working Americans to tell their harrowing stories of b... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1837089 Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:11:00 +0100 1837089 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/wv-creative-communities-project-new.html West Virginia's Creative Communities Under Construction project is underway to promote the Create West Virginia Conference set for October 20-22 at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The viral campaign is being spread by West Virginia bloggers. If you are creatively curious attend the conference and check out the Create WV Blog.I'm promoting the conference because the future of West Virginia lies in creating a "new" intellectually-based economy using the creative skills of our people. Focusing our efforts on this type of economy creates a "wonderful" environment to live in where "wild" ideas can thrive. I want to attract similarly minded people to West Virginia who believe intelligence, creativity, technology, innovation, arts and culture are the foundation for our future.The viral campaign asked t... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1833117 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:15:00 +0100 1833117 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/wv-creative-communities-project-new.html West Virginia's Creative Communities Under Construction project is underway to promote the Create West Virginia Conference set for October 20-22 at Snowshoe Mountain Resort. The viral campaign is being spread by West Virginia bloggers. If you are creatively curious attend the conference and check out the Create WV Blog.I'm promoting the conference because the future of West Virginia lies in creating a "new" intellectually-based economy using the creative skills of our people. Focusing our efforts on this type of economy creates a "wonderful" environment to live in where "wild" ideas can thrive. I want to attract similarly minded people to West Virginia who believe intelligence, creativity, technology, innovation, arts and culture are the foundation for our future.The viral campaign asked t... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829082 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:15:00 +0100 1829082 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/work-in-progress-west-virginia.html Check back tomorrow for more on the Creative Communities Under Construction Project. I'll be posting tomorrow on elements of the new economy in my hometown of New Martinsville.Signs around Charleston have started to appear . . . (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1829083 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 02:49:00 +0100 1829083 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/wvhca-examining-current-con-standards.html The West Virginia Health Care Authority has scheduled various public meetings over the coming months to discuss and examine the current certificate of need standards for a variety of service areas. As states on the Authority's website these meetings are being held as a part of the legislature's review of West Virginia's certificate of need statute. The dates of the meetings scheduled to be held at the Authority's Charleston office are as follows. Most of the meetings are set for 1pm. Those interested can also participate by phone. Call-in information: 1.800.244.2500, Code #9271804. September 25 - Renal DialysisOctober 7 - Hospice & Home HealthOctober 14 – Medical RehabilitationOctober 15 – Lithotripsy (2nd meeting)October 22 – Long Term CareOctober 23 – Ambulatory Surgical C... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825471 Thu, 25 Sep 2008 12:34:00 +0100 1825471 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/grand-rounds-5th-anniversary-edition.html The 5th Anniversary edition of Grand Rounds hosted by Dr. Val is up at two locations -- KevinMD and Emergiblog. If you want to know what is happening around the health care blogosphere Grand Rounds is required weekly reading.Great to see Dr. Val carrying on the tradition of Grand Rounds started by Dr. Nick Genes by becoming the co-leader. Check out the upcoming Grand Rounds host schedule at Medskool link. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1825472 Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:10:00 +0100 1825472 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/michael-gerrard-national-environmental.html Dave Yaussy over at the WV Environmental Law blog beat me to the post. The Sunday Charleston Gazette featured another nationally recognized lawyer with West Virginia roots.Featured in the article was Michael Gerrard, a nationally known environmental lawyer and current managing partner of the New York office of Arnold & Porter, LLP. Mr. Gerrard grew up in Charleston, West Virginia not far from where I currently live in South Ruffner near the University of Charleston.While looking over his profile and publications I noticed a timely article as we head down the home stretch to the election. The article looks at environmental policy positions of McCain vs. Obama. The article, McCain vs. Obama on Environment, Energy and Resources was published in Natural Resources & Environment, ABA, Fa... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1815214 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 15:53:00 +0100 1815214 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/follow-top-lawyer-twits.html Last week I noticed that I made JDScoop's list of 145 lawyers and legal professionals to follow on Twitter. I came in at #137 (@bobcoffield). Also making the list is my firm's IT Director, Bill Gardner, coming in at #69 (@oncee).The list is a great resource to find some of the leading lawyers experienced in adopting new social media tools into their practice of law. I've already started following a couple of colleagues who I didn't know were twittering.Thanks JDScoop for including me on the list of influential legal twitters (aka litters). Thanks to Steve Mathews at stem for pointing out the post. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812671 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 13:43:00 +0100 1812671 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/100-best-health-care-policy-blogs-and.html Thanks to the folks at RNCentral.com for naming the Health Care Law Blog to its list of the 100 Best Health Care Policy Blogs (see #21 under Politics, Legislation and Law category) and the Top 50 Health 2.0 Blogs (#49 under the Health Care Policy and Law category).Looking over both lists of blogs its a privilege to be listed alongside some of the best health care industry thinkers and writers. If you are new to health blogs or health 2.0 this is a excellent resource. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1812672 Sun, 21 Sep 2008 12:14:00 +0100 1812672 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/hipaa-are-you-friend-or-family.html My favorite fellow HIPAA blogger, Jeff Drummond, over at the HIPAA Blog points out the Office for Civil Rights has issued new guidance for providers to follow when assessing whether or not they should provide protected health information (PHI) to the friends or family of a patient under HIPAA Privacy Rule 164.510(b).The guidance is titled "Guidance on Communications with Family, Friends, or Others Involved in a Patient's Care" and includes a patient and provider guide:Patient Guide: When Health Care Providers May Communicate About You with Your Family, Friends, or Others Involved in Your CareProvider Guide: Communicating with a Patient's Family, Friends, or Others Involved in a Patient's CareThanks Jeff for the tip on the new guidance information. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798051 Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:01:00 +0100 1798051 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/bebetter-charleston-based-health.html Today's Daily Mail covers Charleston based beBetter Networks, Inc. selection as the 15th fastest growing private company in the U.S. BeBetter was selected and is highlighted in Inc. Magazine's September edition featuring the 5,000 fastest growing companies.BeBetter's three year growth rate was 6,675% and Inc. Magazine names beBetter as the industry leader in the health care sector ranking. See the full list of 5000 fastest growing.The Daily Mail article points out that the company has developed several Web sites, including one mentioned that caught my eye called the Portion Plate. The website includes information to better understand the importance of portion control and help individuals visualize the correct portion size. The site is focuses on fighting the growing obesity problems in U.S... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1798052 Tue, 16 Sep 2008 14:39:00 +0100 1798052 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/ehealth-initiative-state-of-hies.html EHealth Initiative has released the results of the 2008 Fifth Annual Survey of Health Information Exchanges (HIE) at the State and Local Level.The survey included responses from 130 community based initiatives from 48 states. Here is a summary of the key findings. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1794318 Mon, 15 Sep 2008 21:15:00 +0100 1794318 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/doc-searls-patient-as-platform.html Doc Searls on The Patient as the Platform.I missed this post and am glad it was pointed out via Twitter. The title caught my eye because it captures in a phrase what I think may be happening to our health care information system - a shift from provider-centric records to patient-centric records.Thanks to Jen McCabe-Gorman for the twitter tip. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1788654 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 19:35:00 +0100 1788654 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/obama-vs-mccain-look-at-differences-in.html For those interested (and we all should be) in the differences between the health care policies of Obama and McCain I a sharing a recent article appearing in the August 21 issue of The New England Journal of Medicine.The article is by Jonathan Oberlander, professor of health policy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill titled, "The Partisan Divide: The McCain and Obama Plans for U.S. Health Care Reform." It takes a look beneath the campaigns' rhetoric to discuss the substantive differences in the candidates' approaches to health care delivery as well as the relative costs and benefits of their two proposals.Thanks to the AHLA physcian organization practice group for pointing out the article. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1788655 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:28:00 +0100 1788655 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/facebooking-of-medical-records.html Bob Wachter on the Facebooking of medical records over at The Health Care Blog. Great thought provoking read for those in the health care world and who understand the powers of online social networking tools for communication.Recently I just completed co-authoring with Jud DeLoss the feature article for the next AHLA Health Lawyers News on PHRs where we discuss what may be a major shift in health information gathering from provider-centric to patient-centric. Basically the rise of the PHR and what may be on the horizon for health lawyers with such change. Bob's example and analogy of the Facebook culture is a valuable one as we look at the pros/cons of such a shift. His thoughts on leveraging the value of collaborative social networking tools to reinvent the medical record system are valua... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1788656 Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:44:00 +0100 1788656 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/california-proposes-new-privacy-breach.html Last month The LA Times reported on a new law (AB 211 and SB 541) moving through the California Legislature to increase protections around confidential medical and health information and create a new state Office of Health Information Integrity to oversee compliance, investigate breaches and assess fines.The article cites the high profile celebrity snooping cases into the records of Britney Spears, Farrah Fawcett and California First Lady Maria Shriver as recent examples highlighting the need for more protection. Governor Schwarzenegger has a personal interest in signing this bill if it gets through the legislature. The Health Law Prof Blog provides some additional insight and information on the bills.As is often the case California is a leader in new legislative initiatives and I suspect ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1782558 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:19:00 +0100 1782558 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/5-blogs-5-blawgers.html David Harlow blogging on health care law at HealthBlawg tagged me via his version of 5 blogs & 5 blawgs. A new law meme started by the editor of Blawg Review in honor of Blog Day.The basic rule is to post links to five great blogs (other than law blogs) and tag five of your favorite law bloggers (otherwise known as blawgers) to do the same under the post title "5 Blogs & 5 Blawgers". 5 blogs that I enjoy reading and recommend to others:Health Populi by Jane Sarasohn-KahnKevin M.D. by Kevin Pho M.D. On Location with Rick Lee by Rick Lee Marketing Genius from Maple Creative by Skip LinebergCrossover Healthcare (be well. do good. enjoy life.) by Scott Shreeve, M.D.5 blawgers who I am tagging to spread "5 Blogs & 5 Blawgers" on to other blawgers:HIPAA Blog by Jeff DrummondWest Vir... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779149 Wed, 10 Sep 2008 03:49:00 +0100 1779149 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/09/is-your-health-care-killing-you.html Check out and download for free the EBook, "My Health Care Is Killing Me: a survival guide for the american healthcare consumer."The book was written by a couple of colleagues, Christopher Parks and Robert Hedricks, health care technology innovators and disruption mavericks who started change:healthcare based in Nashville.A short interview covering the who, what why about the book. The basic reason for writing the book is summarized by Robert as:It really began as a way to help our employees – some of whom hadn’t worked in healthcare before – better understand key aspects of the industry and our role in helping consumers regain control over their own healthcare. I began writing by covering some of the basics – providers, bills, insurance, industry terminology – and things just ca... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1779150 Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:41:00 +0100 1779150 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/08/2008-worlds-strongest-man-competition.html The 2008 World's Strongest Man Competition will be coming to Charleston, West Virginia next week, September 6-14. Find the full schedule of events and locations here and a list of the international competitors who will be arriving in Charleston to compete.Phil Pfister, Charleston native and 2006 winner of the competition, will be competing this year in his home town. Today's Charleston Gazette has a feature sports article on Phil who will likely be competing in his last strongman competition.I know Phil and his family personally because our sons go to school together at Mountaineer Montessori. Phil is a great guy and ambassador for West Virginia.The first time I met Phil was through my son back in 2006 when he came home from school one afternoon and said, "Guess what, Wyatt's dad can pull ... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750029 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 18:29:00 +0100 1750029 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/08/twoctor-twoctor-ive-got-bad-case-of.html Nedra Weinreich over at Spare Change explores uses for Twitter to improve health care in her post Twitter for Health. Great ideas on how Twitter might be used by those of us in the health care industry.Thanks to Jen McCabe Gorman for tweeting the recent post. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1746029 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 20:05:00 +0100 1746029 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/08/john-stossels-perspective-on-wv.html Yesterday's Daily Mail article reports that John Stossel, co-anchor of ABC's 20/20 speaking at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Business Summit spoke out against West Virginia's Certificate of Need laws. Stossel argues that free market is better than regulation of health care.Regulation vs. free market makes for great conversation. The debate as it relates to health care is made more complex when we have a largely single payor (government funded) health care reimbursement system in West Virginia. I don't know the actual statistics but well over half and probably near 75% of health care costs are paid in West Virginia by Medicare, Medicaid, PEIA and other government payors. As for private payors we only have a few that have any influence in West Virgina. This makes West Virginia clos... Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1746030 Sat, 30 Aug 2008 15:12:00 +0100 1746030 http://healthcarebloglaw.blogspot.com/2008/08/why-wv-is-wonderful.html Another great example of why West Virginia is Wild and Wonderful. Rainy day in Charleston today - but this brightened my morning.Thanks to Rick Lee who has a knack for capturing the beauty of our state. (Source: Health Care Law Blog) Health Care Law Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1738998 Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:13:00 +0100 1738998