Joseph Goedert

An executive at a software firm for personal health records recently told federal officials that too often, providers and payers use privacy and security issues as excuses to not permit patients access to their own information.

Federal officials should consider making intermediary entities providing services to health plans — such as benefits managers, third-party administrators and repricers — eligible for receiving a unique health plan identification number, according to recommendations recently sent to the Department of Health and Human Services.

A report from the Government Accountability Office says using EHRs, operating health insurance plans and employing physicians are effective strategies for integrated delivery systems to enhance patient care.

The Department of Health and Human Services has released an interim final rule to implement medical loss ratio requirements for health insurers under the Accountable Care Act.

The federal government's plans to build a national database of health care claims data covering tens of millions of individuals are on hold, at least temporarily, after privacy advocates protested the idea and the brief public comment period.

The American Medical Association has adopted a new policy that gives guidance to physicians using social media.

AARP and the Consumer Reports Health publication have launched a Web site for consumers to compare price, effectiveness, safety and convenience of medications.

One-third of recently surveyed physician practices and 14% of surveyed hospitals do not conduct a regular security risk analysis of their electronic health information.

The Department of Health and Human Services and Federal Trade Commission will hold a day-long roundtable discussion, which will also be accessible via a live Web cast, to solicit industry input on privacy and security requirements for personal health records and related service providers.