Sage to Offer Guidance and Tools to Help Physicians and Practices Navigate Meaningful Use Rules

TAMPA, FL–(Marketwire – July 19, 2010) – Sage North America Healthcare Division, providing practice management software and services to more than 80,000 physicians in North America, today announced several tools it is providing to practices, clients and members of the healthcare community to help them navigate the final Stage 1 meaningful use rules recently announced under the 2009 HITECH Act.

The final rule details the requirements physicians must satisfy to be eligible for financial incentives for the adoption and meaningful use of healthcare information technology under the HITECH Act.

“With the Stage 1 finalized rules, time is of the essence as healthcare providers race against the clock to prepare for and comply with the criteria,” said Betty Otter-Nickerson, President of Sage Healthcare. “With more than three decades of experience in this industry, we continue to be a knowledgeable and trusted source of information for our clients.”

The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act was created to promote the adoption and meaningful use of health information technology and includes more than $20 billion to aid in the development of a robust IT infrastructure for healthcare and to assist providers and other entities in adopting and using health IT.

Along with the Stage 1 meaningful use rules, a separate final rule was published establishing comprehensive guidelines that vendors’ products must meet for functionality, interoperability and security. Along with a third final rule released in June establishing a temporary certification program for testing and certification of vendor systems, the critical pieces are all in place to implement Stage 1 of the three-stage federal EHR incentive program designed to improve healthcare outcomes and patient care.

Tools of Success: Sage Meaningful Use White Paper, e-Consults and Webinar
Otter-Nickerson said she and Sage are aware of the confusion and questions surrounding meaningful use, the financial incentives, and how EHRs will drive efficiency and cost savings in today’s healthcare economy. To that end, Sage has developed several tools to help physicians and practices navigate the meaningful use landscape.

“We are dedicated to serving physicians and their practices, and we remain true to our mission of helping small and midsized ambulatory physician practices fulfill their ambitions, both with regard to using technology and to succeeding in a changing healthcare economy,” said Otter-Nickerson.

For physicians and practices seeking information about meaningful use rules, Sage North America Healthcare Division will host a one-hour public webinar on meaningful use and the final rule, featuring a 30-minute question and answer session. This free event, “Understanding Meaningful Use,” will take place Aug. 10, 2010, from noon to 1 p.m. EST. For more information or to register, visit www.SageHealth.com/MUFinalRule.

Webinar speakers will include Betty Otter-Nickerson, President, Sage Healthcare Division; Michael Burger, Sage Senior Director of Clinical Product Management; and Brenda Pawlak, Senior Manager of Health Policy at Manatt Health Solutions.

In addition, Sage is making a free white paper available to anyone interested in meaningful use. The white paper details how meaningful use may or may not affect practices differently and includes information about incentives and what it means to meaningfully use EHRs in the current healthsphere. The white paper will be available at the Sage Meaningful Use webinar.

Sage will also host several “e-consults” — web-based informational sessions for practice managers and physicians interested in learning more about meaningful use, the rules, and technology and electronic records in the practice space. For more information, please visit www.sagenorthamerica.com

“Now that the final rule has been released, we will continue to support and offer guidance in response to the needs of our clients and physicians while offering the market’s most competitive products,” said Otter-Nickerson.

Meaningful Use Webinar details:
Date: Tuesday, August 10
Time: Noon to 1 pm EST
Title: Understanding the “Meaningful Use” Final Rule
Cost: Free of charge
Registration URL: www.SageHealth.com/MUFinalRule
Moderator: Elizabeth W. Woodcock, MBA, FACMPE, CPC
Speakers:
Betty Otter-Nickerson, President, Sage Healthcare Division
Michael Burger, Sage Senior Director of Clinical Product Management
Brenda Pawlak, Manatt Health Solutions, Senior Manager of Health Policy

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About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs 4,000 people and supports 3.1 million small and midsized business customers including more than 80,000 physicians. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,100 people and supports 6.2 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the website at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

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