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Lee Barrett is executive director and CEO of the 

Electronic Healthcare Network Accreditation Commission (EHNAC)

 where he continues to work on key HIT industry initiatives that lay the foundation for health information technology.

Accreditation and certification programs can help organizations address gaps and demonstrate to other providers, partners, and insurers that they are serious about protecting healthcare data.

As cyberattacks and insurance costs grow, time is right for accreditation | Viewpoint

True interoperability of patient data has been a goal for decades. But any enthusiasm must be tempered by the security and privacy issues healthcare companies continue to experience.

Data security remains a challenge as interoperability moves closer to reality | Lee Barrett 

Credentialing and payer enrollment play a critical role in facilitating and maintaining a healthy revenue cycle. Inefficient, manual processes not only create frustration, but also lead to mistakes and delays that can ultimately disrupt cash flow.

By streamlining credentialing and payer enrollment and improving data accuracy, your organization can speed up “time to value” for new providers, increase opportunity for complete reimbursements, and maintain compliance and financial performance.

Complete the form below to download the eBook.

Understand the financial impact and complexities of credentialing and payer enrollment in healthcare organizations, including how delays and errors disrupt the revenue cycle.	

Protecting Your Health System’s Revenue Cycle

President Biden disclosed Wednesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, and his diagnosis comes as more Americans are being infected.

“I am feeling good and thank everyone for the well wishes,” Biden said in a message on X. Biden also told reporters in Las Vegas that he feels good before heading back to Delaware on Air Force One, 

Biden will be self-isolating in Delaware and he said he will continue working. On Sunday, Biden announced he won't be seeking re-election and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to be the Democratic presidential nominee.

The White House said Biden has received his first dose of Paxlovid, and said his symptoms, which include coughing and a runny nose, remain mild. Biden’s respiratory rate is normal at 16 and his pulse oximetry rate is also normal, at 97%, the White House said.

Biden has plenty of company with his COVID-19 diagnosis. More Americans have been testing positive for the virus recently.

Through July 9, COVID-19 infections were rising, or likely rising, in 45 states, according to the 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low, and far below the levels seen during the peak of the pandemic, but 

 for patients with COVID-19 have risen 23% over the past week, the CDC says.

Nationwide, COVID-19 test positivity was 11% over the past week, a 1.9% uptick over the previous week, according to the 

Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of preventive medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told 

 that an increase in COVID-19 cases is typical in the summer, but should subside before the customary winter surge in cases.

The new cluster of variants, known as FLiRT, account for the majority of COVID-19 cases, and they are thought to be more transmissible than last winter’s variant, JN.1, 

The CDC is recommending all Americans 6 months and older should get updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccines this fall and winter. Updated vaccines from Moderna, Novavax and Pfizer will be available later this year, the agency said.

Those getting COVID-19 vaccines appear to be much less likely to develop long Covid, researchers found.

 published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine found that vaccinated people are at risk of developing long Covid, but unvaccinated individuals had a greater risk of ending up with long Covid.

Nearly 18 million Americans have had long COVID, and it’s more common among women

The president said he is doing well after his diagnosis. More Americans have tested positive in recent weeks.

Topic

President Biden has COVID-19, as cases are rising nationwide

Months after announcing plans to come together, the Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System have reached a definitive merger agreement.

The two systems made the announcement earlier this week. Under the agreement, Atlantic would acquire Saint Peter’s. The systems signed a letter of intent to merge in January.

Atlantic operates seven hospitals in New Jersey and more than 550 other healthcare locations. The system serves patients across much of the Garden State, as well as patients from New York and Pennsylvania. Saint Peter’s operates a 478-bed teaching hospital, a children’s hospital and perinatal center.

The deal still requires the approval of federal and state regulators, as well as the Catholic Church. If the deal is approved, Saint Peter’s would retain its Catholic identity, officials said.

Risant Health plans to acquire North Carolina hospital system

Brian Gragnolati, president and CEO of Atlantic Health System, called it the “next step in our commitment to more accessible, affordable health care for the people of New Jersey.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Saint Peter's in delivering high-quality care that builds healthier communities,” Gragnolati said in a statement.

Leslie D. Hirsch, Saint Peter’s president and CEO, called the definitive agreement an “important milestone.”

“We are enthusiastic about becoming a part of Atlantic Health with its outstanding reputation for excellence in patient care that aligns well with our culture and mission,” Hirsch said in a statement. “This ensures that Saint Peter’s will remain a strong presence in the central New Jersey area serving the community as a Catholic hospital for many decades to come.”

Five Alabama hospitals to be sold in $45 million deal

Atlantic is touting the opportunity to provide additional resources and services for Saint Peter’s clinicians and patients, including more outpatient services. Assuming the deal is finalized, Atlantic will bring Epic’s electronic health record platform to Saint Peter’s. Atlantic also said it will share its advanced data analytics technology with Saint Peter’s, which will help clinicians improve outcomes and lower costs.

Saint Peter’s has been looking for a partner for some time. Two years ago, Saint Peter’s had planned to join 

, but the Federal Trade Commission opposed the transaction, leading the organizations to drop the planned deal. The FTC argued the deal would have hurt competition and prices for acute care services in Middlesex County, although New Jersey regulators had signed off on the deal.

This isn’t the only hospital deal moving forward in the Garden State.

Cooper University Health Care is also planning to acquire Cape Regional Health System

 in southern New Jersey. The two systems have received approval from the New Jersey Superior Court to move forward with their consolidation plans.

Jefferson Health is planning to acquire the Lehigh Valley Health Network

. Jefferson and Lehigh Valley announced a definitive agreement to merge last month as they move to create a 30-hospital system serving the Philadelphia region and eastern Pennsylvania.

The University of Pennsylvania Health System announced in January that 

, a provider in the Philadelphia suburbs. Doylestown would become a part of Penn Medicine when the deal is complete.

Why Novant Health dropped its $320M plan to buy two North Carolina hospitals

Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter’s Healthcare System approved the pact, which comes months after announcing their intention to consolidate.

New Jersey hospital systems sign definitive merger agreement

How hospitals can position themselves for success

Leaders with HealthTrust Performance Group talk about trends to watch, looming challenges, and how hospitals can optimize their performance.

Improving hospital supply chain management and organizing warehouses

HealthTrust Performance Group has helped hospital systems implement stronger supply chain processes, develop smarter purchasing strategies, and plan for major weather events.

A hospital system cut expenses and improved efficiencies in the lab and pharmacy. Here’s how.

HealthTrust Performance Group helped a regional organization develop a system-wide strategy to control costs.

Lee Barrett

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