Health Information Technology: Standards Alone Will Not Lead to Adoption, Let Alone Transform Health Care (PDF)

8 pages. Excerpt: "Proponents of health IT must resist 'magical thinking,' such as the notion that technology will transform our broken system, absent integrated work on policy or incentives. The alternative route to transforming the system sets all of its sights on the destination." (Health Affairs)

WellNet Launches Online Social Networking Program for Health Care Coordination

Excerpt: "WellNet Healthcare this month will launch a test version of Point to Point Healthcare, a social network linking users' physicians, pharmacists and insurance benefit managers, the Washington Post reports. The online tool will allow employees of companies who use the program to connect their health care providers to facilitate treatments." (Kaiser Family Foundation)

Online Avators Enhance Benefits Communication

Excerpt: "No longer just for video games, avatars -- computer-generated characters -- now can be integrated into employers' benefits communications programs to ensure consistent, user-friendly messaging 24/7. Sound like an alternate reality? It is -- virtual reality." (Employee Benefit News; free registration required)

[Guidance Overview] IRS Issues New Guidance on HSAs (Part III of Guidance Overview)

Excerpt: "The IRS recently issued Notice 2008-59 and proposed regulations to address a variety of open questions about health savings accounts, or 'HSAs.' This is the third in a series of articles on aspects of the guidance which are of particular interest to employers. The focus of this article is on permitting HSA account owners to access their funds with debit cards that permit payments only for health care." (Employee Benefits Institute of America (EBIA))

Wired for Health Care Quality Act (S. 1693), Senate Floor Version (PDF)

93 pages. Excerpt: "To enhance the adoption of a nationwide interoperable health information technology system and to improve the quality and reduce the costs of health care in the United States." (U.S. Senate via American Benefits Council)

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