ACO (Accountable care organizations)
An accountable care organization (ACO) is an association of hospitals, healthcare providers and insurers in which all parties voluntarily assume financial and medical responsibility for Medicare patients.. See complete definition.
Top Stories
-
News
04 Sep 2019
Transition to value-based care requires planning, communication
Establishing a value-based care environment requires institutional readiness and oftentimes changing an organization's mindset on how it delivers care. Continue Reading
-
Feature
06 Jun 2019
Insurers join forces to control value-based healthcare delivery
Commercial insurers are key drivers in the transition to value-based care in health systems through joint ventures, analytics and greater control over delivery of patient care. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Jan 2023
Fujifilm acquires Inspirata's digital pathology technology
With the acquisition, Fujifilm aspires to streamline oncology care delivery by integrating pathology images and data into a healthcare organization’s EHR system. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Jan 2023
Machine-learning model estimates adverse opioid outcomes
A machine-learning model trained on administrative data can estimate adverse outcome risk within 30 days of opioid dispensation. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
14 Jun 2021
Virtual care is the future of healthcare
2020 was the catalyst healthcare needed. Here we discuss how the industry is shifting to a virtual-first model and doubling down on interoperability for the foreseeable future. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jan 2021
Real-time customer experience in healthcare is on the horizon
Forrester's chief business technology officer explains how tools that capture data in real time can help healthcare organizations improve customer experience in a post-pandemic future. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Jan 2021
A look inside the all-in-one HCISPP exam guide
Check out this excerpt from the HCISPP All-in-One Exam Guide to learn more about privacy and security in healthcare, one of the seven domains tested by the official exam. Continue Reading
-
Quiz
28 Dec 2020
Get started on your HCISPP training with this practice quiz
Are you thinking of taking the HCISPP exam? If so, here's 10 practice questions from Sean P. Murphy's 'HCISPP All-in-One Exam Guide' to help get you started. Continue Reading
-
Tip
15 Dec 2020
5 best practices to consider when implementing telehealth
The pandemic has rapidly accelerated the adoption of telehealth services and with these best practices, clinics and medical practices can ensure the implementation is a success. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Nov 2020
Healthcare supply chains recognized for COVID-19 resilience
Gartner's annual ranking of healthcare supply chain organizations highlights innovative processes and fast thinking. Continue Reading
-
Feature
23 Nov 2020
EHR go-live goes virtual in 2020
Healthcare systems relied on virtual command centers to support staff during EHR go-lives this year, which has proved so successful experts believe there's no going back. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Nov 2020
To prep for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, CIOs turn to data
CIOs should prepare a COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan now. Making sure immunization records are digitized and easy to access is a good first step. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Nov 2020
Healthcare CIO taps AWS public cloud for research services
The AWS public cloud allowed IT staff at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital to enable precision medicine capabilities for hospital research staff. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
13 Nov 2020
InterSystems IRIS Data Platform reduces complexity for Epic customers
Epic is using the InterSystems IRIS Data Platform for data ingestion and analysis in its latest release of its EHR. Scott Gnau, vice president of data platforms at InterSystems, said the IRIS Data ... Continue Reading
-
Feature
12 Nov 2020
CIOs tasked to make healthcare infrastructure composable
Healthcare is already on the path to becoming composable. The next steps, however, will present challenges and require good stewardship from CIOs, according to Gartner. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Nov 2020
Seamless Exchange a next step for Cerner interoperability
Cerner recently unveiled Seamless Exchange, a new interoperability tool that deduplicates and reconciles external data with the Cerner EHR. Continue Reading
-
Feature
04 Nov 2020
Hospitals make themselves a target for cyber attacks
In the midst of a pandemic, the last thing healthcare CIOs need is a wave of cyber attacks -- but that's exactly what they might be faced with, and there are reasons why. Continue Reading
-
News
02 Nov 2020
Cybersecurity advisory a 'call to arms' for healthcare CIOs
The FBI, HHS and CISA warn healthcare CIOs of a potential wave of destructive ransomware attacks. Cybersecurity experts offer advice on how they can best prepare. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Oct 2020
ONC delays compliance for information blocking provisions
Due to COVID-19, healthcare systems will now have until April 5, 2021 to comply with information blocking provisions in ONC's final interoperability and information blocking rule. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
23 Oct 2020
During COVID-19, CIOs struggle with predictive analytics programs
Predictive analytics in healthcare has been a useful tool during the COVID-19 pandemic. It has helped healthcare organizations foresee changes in bed capacity or disruptions in the supply chain for ... Continue Reading
-
Feature
19 Oct 2020
VA CIO: COVID-19 has accelerated digital projects
In this Q&A, VA CIO James Gfrerer describes how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed his priorities for and his approach to digital transformation projects. Continue Reading
-
News
19 Oct 2020
VA prepares for its first Cerner EHR launch
After months of delays, a sizable cost inflation and in the midst of a pandemic, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is ready to start its Cerner EHR roll out. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Oct 2020
Nvidia brings federated learning to COVID-19 patient data
Researchers from 20 healthcare institutions built an AI model to predict the supplemental oxygen needs for COVID-19 patients. And they did so without ever sharing patient data. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Oct 2020
Physicians harness Healow televisit capabilities
The eClinicalWorks Healow app came to the aid of two healthcare provider organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused most healthcare organizations to rapidly transition to virtual care. Continue Reading
-
Guest Post
09 Oct 2020
3 COVID-19 health system investments for better ROI, patient UX
Companies should consider robotic process automation, integrated telehealth and migrating from legacy systems to help lower costs and improve ROI and patient experiences. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Oct 2020
Healthcare cybersecurity needs a dose of threat modeling
CISA senior advisor Josh Corman said healthcare CIOs should focus on threat modeling and stronger disaster recovery for better healthcare cybersecurity. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Oct 2020
Interest in wearable health devices grows despite challenges
Amazon Halo has advanced wearable devices in healthcare, but challenges of a growing digital divide and questions about their clinical value remain. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Sep 2020
Attack on Universal Health Services a cry for change
A suspected ransomware attack on Universal Health Services is an existential crisis for healthcare organizations that needs to be addressed, according to one security expert. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Sep 2020
Election results won't affect federal health IT initiatives
Federal health IT initiatives such as interoperability and patient access to data tend to transcend politics. Experts say they will again no matter who wins in November. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Sep 2020
Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare is going GA
Microsoft Cloud for Healthcare pulls together Microsoft products such as Microsoft 365, Azure and Microsoft Dynamics as well as partner products in one place. Continue Reading
-
News
18 Sep 2020
To combat COVID-19, healthcare IT experts use what they have
Two healthcare systems share how they met the demands of the COVID-19 pandemic. One lesson learned? Squeeze more value out of existing technology. Continue Reading
-
Feature
16 Sep 2020
Finding a new HHS CIO means navigating tricky waters
When HHS launches its CIO search, it will look for someone who is both politically savvy and technically skilled, an executive search consultant said. Continue Reading
-
News
11 Sep 2020
Epic digitizes ranking process for elective procedures
As healthcare systems began to bring patients back in for elective procedures, they encountered new challenges and cumbersome processes. EHR vendor Epic helped ease that burden. Continue Reading
-
News
03 Sep 2020
Digital health tools platform attracts EHR vendors
Startup Xealth's platform enables providers to prescribe patients with anything from a remote patient monitoring device to a food delivery service. The tech also benefits CIOs. Continue Reading
-
News
28 Aug 2020
Amwell, Teladoc race to expand virtual care platforms
The pandemic gave telehealth vendors a foothold in care delivery. Now Amwell and Teladoc are making strategic moves to sustain usage. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
25 Aug 2020
Mayo Clinic leans on Google Cloud for AI success
Mayo Clinic has spent the last 10 months focused on data and analytics initiatives with a long-term goal in mind: to make healthcare data more accessible and meaningful for clinicians. The ... Continue Reading
-
News
21 Aug 2020
Growth of AI in clinical decision support still slow
The COVID-19 pandemic has given some healthcare technologies a boost. AI in clinical decision support isn't one of them, according to experts. Continue Reading
-
Feature
14 Aug 2020
EHR vendors eye safe data access for third-party health apps
EHR vendors are designing data authorization scopes for third-party health apps. It's a process that hinges on patient trust and requires transparency. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Aug 2020
ONC focuses on HIEs for data sharing
Health information exchanges could provide the interoperability backbone between providers and state and public health agencies, making real-time data readily available in times of crisis. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Aug 2020
For smaller orgs, EHR security is a disproportionate struggle
Indiana University Health CISO Mitchell Parker said larger healthcare systems and two-factor authentication can play crucial roles in helping smaller providers with EHR security. Continue Reading
-
News
07 Aug 2020
CIOs challenged to make healthcare delivery faster, cheaper
In this Q&A, former Intermountain Healthcare CIO Marc Probst talks about how the pandemic has affected the healthcare CIO's agenda. Hint: It's all about efficiency. Continue Reading
-
News
06 Aug 2020
Oracle builds CoVPN volunteer screening tool for NIH
Oracle has developed cloud apps to help healthcare professionals keep track of COVID-19 data including results from clinical trials and lists of volunteers for vaccine trials. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
31 Jul 2020
HIMSS21 now slated for August in Las Vegas
The show must go on. On Friday, Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society's leadership announced that its annual meeting will be an in-person event next summer. HIMSS discussed its ... Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Jul 2020
Collective effort required to address health inequities
In this Q&A, CommonSpirit Health's Rich Roth says extensive partner relationships may help healthcare organizations address health inequities. Continue Reading
-
News
29 Jul 2020
Azure IoT Connector now readies IoMT data for use
Microsoft is previewing a tool that standardizes IoMT data for the clinical setting. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Jul 2020
Pandemic sets new course for virtual care, AI in healthcare
Kaiser Permanente leaders and David Rhew, Microsoft's vice president of healthcare, discussed how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtual care and AI. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Jul 2020
As virtual care demand exploded, healthcare orgs moved fast
For two healthcare organizations, virtual care will play an integral part of their delivery strategy even after the pandemic ends. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Jul 2020
For ONC final rule, compliance clock is ticking
Having passed the June 30 effective date, healthcare CIOs will be playing a significant role in ensuring compliance with the federal regulator's final rule. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Jul 2020
Top 5 predictions on digital future in healthcare post COVID-19
Frost & Sullivan is offering insight on what to expect in the healthcare industry post-pandemic including the acceleration of virtual clinical trials and increased use of AI. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Jul 2020
Pandemic helps to change telehealth policy -- slowly
Telehealth policy is changing, thanks to COVID-19, but providers worry some changes won't last. Continue Reading
-
Feature
29 Jun 2020
Mount Sinai CIO: IT vision is unchanged despite pandemic
Kristin Myers talks about transitioning to the role of Mount Sinai CIO in the middle of a pandemic. Continue Reading
-
Feature
26 Jun 2020
Telecritical care assists ICUs during a time of crisis
Healthcare leaders discuss their use of telecritical care programs to assist overburdened ICUs within their healthcare systems. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Jun 2020
Ground telehealth applications in security -- now
A recent software error at telehealth services provider Babylon Health is a stark reminder for healthcare CIOs to keep telehealth security and privacy top of mind. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Jun 2020
SCL Health expands digital front door with Bright.md
SCL Health's Terri Casterton talked about the organization's experience building a digital front door strategy during the American Telemedicine Association's virtual event. Continue Reading
-
Feature
22 Jun 2020
Pandemic will make indelible mark on health IT
Healthcare CIOs will continue investing in digital health tools such as telehealth and patient capacity management after the COVID-19 pandemic. But they may have to do so at a cost. Continue Reading
-
Feature
15 Jun 2020
Amwell calls for 'all hands on deck' to manage telehealth surge
In this Q&A, Amwell CMO Peter Antall talks about how the company navigated a 400% increase in use in March and April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue Reading
-
News
15 Jun 2020
Athenahealth launches new telehealth service
Blue Ridge Medical Group is using a new telehealth service from EHR vendor Athenahealth to treat patients at home. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jun 2020
Intermountain Healthcare relies on virtual hiring to fill CIO role
Intermountain Healthcare is relying on virtual hiring and onboarding processes to bring on a new healthcare CIO. Continue Reading
-
Feature
08 Jun 2020
COVID-19 could be a watershed moment for telehealth policy
Stakeholders are calling on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to make telehealth policy changes permanent. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Jun 2020
EHR vendors aim to meet pandemic demands
Healthcare CIOs are repurposing existing EHR products or rolling out new features to address COVID-19 demands. Continue Reading
-
Feature
28 May 2020
Pandemic could alter healthcare CIO terrain
Harris Health System CIO David Chou talks about how COVID-19 has changed the healthcare CIO's technology strategy -- and why it could change the role itself. Continue Reading
-
Feature
21 May 2020
Surge in digital health tools to continue post-pandemic
Four healthcare leaders explain how COVID-19 will help make digital health tools mainstream. Continue Reading
-
Feature
21 May 2020
Fallout from HIMSS20 cancellation continues
Attendees and exhibitors shared their disappointment with how the HIMSS20 cancellation was handled, including a lack of communication from HIMSS organizers and a lack of available refund options. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 May 2020
CIO on reopening healthcare systems for nonemergency care
CIO Aaron Miri said as healthcare systems reopen for non-COVID-19 care, CIOs will focus on EHRs and bringing a remote workforce back in. Continue Reading
-
Feature
12 May 2020
TailorMed platform helps offset costs for patients, providers
A platform from TailorMed helps healthcare systems quickly identify potential financial assistance for patients. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 May 2020
Contact tracing tools break into the healthcare sector
Contact tracing has been used by public health agencies for years. With COVID-19, the methodology is breaking out of the public health sector and into healthcare. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 May 2020
Health system taps Sentinel Healthcare for contact tracing tech
While tech giants are working to build a large-scale mobile contact tracing platform for use during the current COVID-19 crisis, healthcare CIOs are turning to tools that help automate parts of the process. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 May 2020
Pandemic crystallizes the need for remote healthcare
COVID-19 will change the way healthcare operates, according to a report from consultancy Frost & Sullivan. But permanent change will require a CIO's deft hands. Continue Reading
-
Feature
28 Apr 2020
Lessons learned from COVID-19 could help with next pandemic
In this Q&A, Penn State Health and Penn State College of Medicine CIO Cletis Earle talks COVID-19 misinformation, telehealth and next steps. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Apr 2020
Pandemic ushers in virtual rounds at one health system
Nemours Children's Health System combined its telehealth platform with remote monitoring capabilities to launch a virtual rounds initiative. It's helped in ways the organization didn't imagine. Continue Reading
-
News
22 Apr 2020
COVID-19 delays enforcement of federal interoperability rules
ONC and CMS will give health systems additional time to comply with portions of the interoperability rules finalized last month. Plus, OIG released a proposed rule on information blocking enforcement. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Apr 2020
Commercial video conferencing tools are risky for healthcare
Healthcare providers are allowed to use some commercial video conferencing tools during the pandemic, but analysts say they should choose their tools carefully. Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Apr 2020
Interoperability rules won't succeed without the CIO
COVID-19 is the crisis at hand, but healthcare CIOs also have to work on complying with new interoperability rules finalized last month. Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Apr 2020
Healthcare tech shifts in lockstep with pandemic
Building out healthcare tech during a pandemic puts the focus on getting patients treated and discharged -- quickly. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Apr 2020
Invest in digital health tools strategically -- especially now
Healthcare CIOs should invest in and deploy new digital health tools cautiously and strategically, despite the FDA's decision to relax regulations during the coronavirus pandemic. Continue Reading
-
Feature
03 Apr 2020
3 tasks healthcare CIOs should pursue during pandemic
During the COVID-19 crisis, healthcare CIOs are enabling a remote workforce and scaling out telehealth options. But they can also streamline a few processes that will help patients and providers. Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Apr 2020
5 areas healthcare CIOs should focus on during the pandemic
What should CIOs and other IT leaders in healthcare prepare for as they face a pandemic? We've identified five key areas they should be looking out for. Continue Reading
-
Feature
31 Mar 2020
How to get buy-in for healthcare cybersecurity investments
Healthcare CIO Michael Archuleta focuses on FOR -- finances, operations and reputation -- as part of his cybersecurity investment strategy. Continue Reading
-
Feature
30 Mar 2020
Pandemic drives demand for 3D-printed medical parts
Formlabs has begun 3D printing nasal swabs to help health systems combat the COVID-19 crisis. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Mar 2020
CIOs should plan for a spike in healthcare cyberattacks
COVID-19 is introducing new weaknesses to healthcare systems and providing new opportunities for cybercriminals. Continue Reading
-
Feature
18 Mar 2020
In a pandemic, demand for telehealth services soars
Telehealth services are in high demand due to the coronavirus pandemic, but can providers keep pace? Continue Reading
-
Feature
13 Mar 2020
Stakeholders sound off on ONC, CMS interoperability rules
New healthcare regulations from ONC and CMS strive to make it easier to share health data. Industry players have something to say about that. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Mar 2020
Health Gorilla updates API to enable orders for coronavirus testing
Current users of Health Gorilla's lab network API can electronically order COVID-19 tests immediately. New users can order tests after signing up for the vendor's web application. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
12 Mar 2020
HIMSS 2020 to go digital as organizers work out logistics
A digital version of the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition is happening -- albeit slowly. Health Information Management and Systems Society (HIMSS) officials decided to cancel ... Continue Reading
-
News
12 Mar 2020
Stakeholders focus on information blocking in ONC final rule
Healthcare stakeholders say the information blocking provision in the long-awaited ONC final rule is a good step toward greater data sharing. Continue Reading
-
Conference Coverage
09 Mar 2020
HIMSS 2020 Orlando news, trends, analysis and awards
More than 40,000 healthcare professionals attend the HIMSS20 conference to learn about the latest developments in digital health transformation and regulations. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Mar 2020
ONC, CMS information blocking, interoperability rules finalized
After months of delay, ONC and CMS announced the release of their long-awaited information blocking and interoperability rules. Continue Reading
-
News
05 Mar 2020
HIMSS 2020 canceled due to coronavirus
On Monday, President Trump was slated to speak at HIMSS 2020. On Thursday, the health IT event was canceled for the first time in 58 years due to the coronavirus outbreak. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
04 Mar 2020
A list of vendors that have withdrawn from HIMSS 2020 conference
*The HIMSS 2020 conference has been cancelled. The details of the 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition are changing daily. Citing coronavirus concerns, some vendors have decided to ... Continue Reading
-
News
04 Mar 2020
At HIMSS conference, coronavirus threatens to eclipse Trump's talk
President Trump will likely talk about patient empowerment and interoperability at HIMSS 2020 -- all set against a backdrop of growing concern over the coronavirus. Continue Reading
-
News
03 Mar 2020
CTA targets AI in healthcare with an AI standard
A team of more than 50 companies is working together to develop AI standards for healthcare. A recent effort was accredited by the American National Standards Institute. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
02 Mar 2020
Trump to speak at HIMSS 2020 conference
U.S. President Donald Trump will be a 2020 HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition conference speaker. Karen Groppe, HIMSS senior director of strategic communications, announced the news ... Continue Reading
-
News
26 Feb 2020
Interoperability rule will be in HIMSS spotlight -- again
At HIMSS 2020, federal regulators' proposed interoperability rule will be the talk of the conference, whether it's been finalized or not. Continue Reading
-
Feature
25 Feb 2020
Piedmont Healthcare CIO on IT's M&A role
CIO Geoffrey Brown has helped lead Piedmont Healthcare through the addition of six new hospitals to the health system network. Continue Reading
-
Feature
24 Feb 2020
How one medical center overcame legacy EHR systems
Parkview Medical Center needed to free data held hostage in legacy systems. Here's how the institution succeeded and how other healthcare organizations can follow. Continue Reading
-
Feature
21 Feb 2020
Buoy Health wants to fix healthcare's broken front door
Buoy Health is an example of the growing popularity of self-triage tools. This one has a machine learning algorithm that takes online symptom checking to the next level. Continue Reading
-
Feature
20 Feb 2020
Chief digital officers are now healthcare innovators
Two major health systems hired chief digital officers recently. Analysts say the decision could signal a shift in how healthcare organizations are tackling innovation. Continue Reading
-
News
17 Feb 2020
Healthcare CIO Marc Probst on embracing change
Intermountain Healthcare CIO Marc Probst, the 2019 CHIME-HIMSS John E. Gall Jr. CIO of the Year, provided a simple piece of advice to health IT leaders: Pay attention. Continue Reading
-
News
14 Feb 2020
Malware attack further proof that small health systems are vulnerable
An attack on affiliates of Boston Children's Hospital demonstrates how smaller healthcare organizations are often ill-prepared for cybersecurity incidents, according to experts. Continue Reading
-
Blog Post
13 Feb 2020
Health data sharing rules ignite debate between Epic, HHS
Contentions over proposed health data sharing rules, which would require health systems to implement standardized APIs, continue to heighten. EHR vendor Epic recently sent a letter signed by about ... Continue Reading
-
Tip
11 Feb 2020
Pros and cons of healthcare organizations moving to the cloud
Whether you've already adopted the public cloud or are still considering making the move, read these pros and cons to ensure your healthcare organization is getting the benefits. Continue Reading
-
Feature
07 Feb 2020
Telehealth visits could reach tipping point in 2020
Telehealth visits are poised to grow in popularity thanks to advances in mobile technology and better reimbursement models. Continue Reading