Home Forums Discussions Meaningful Use Sending transfer of care summaries

HI folks,

I'm trying to figure out a way to crack this nut: the simplified MU criteria are a big improvement but we can't figure out a way to send the 10% of our transfer of care summaries / referrals electronically as required. None of the consultants I use seem to have direct email. No one has ever heard of Updox. I ask them if they have "secure email" and they give me a gmail address. It doesn't work. I'm only going to attest for the 90 days Oct to Dec and I doubt I'll have 100 referrals in that time period so I'm probably going to claim an exception for 2015.... but come jan 1 (assuming I don't just chuck it) I need to have this figured out. Any suggestions other than trying to get my specialist colleagues on Updox?

Secondly, is anyone else cringing at the formatting and content of these transfer of care summaries? It's a prime example of Meaningless Use. Today, I'm referring a patient to an opthalmologist for a really nasty corneal abrasion and I generate a document that includes the medical assistant's name who roomed the patient, vital signs, the level of service I coded, instructions to the patient, ALL labs, etc, etc for EVERY SINGLE ONE of 15 or 18 visits going back 6 years. It was 15 pages. I hate sending this to my colleagues. It's really embarrassing.

Can someone from AC make this document any more "use"ful?

JT

Our office has had the same exact issue. After extensive searching I have found less than 10 providers with "direct email." We also have an issue with the content on the care summaries, its mostly useless. I have spoken directly with CMS and they have confirmed that the care summaries only need to be sent electronically, and the "direct email" is not a requirement on their end. Hopefully amazing charts will be able to implement some quick changes.

I have also been working on this. Several of the physicians I refer to have medent with direct messaging accounts that are set up. I have somehow gotten the wizard to recognize that 2 of my referrals have gone through? However, in speaking with the other office, they can't tell me they actually received anything. Are we not able to check off what we would like sent or not sent? Isn't a CCD document all that is required? Several offices are sending these documents to me by fax. That is how we have always sent our referrals. I'm not clear by what "they" mean by electronically. Does that mean we can fax? Or does it have to be direct messaging? Most of the physician specialists to whom I refer, do not have their direct messaging set up. I am connected to a regional health information organization but I'm not sure if I can send to them or just receive. I don't even really know who to ask. I just sent an email to AC asking if the wizard will be updated or they will advise regarding the final rules so we can know what to do.
I hate to leave any $$ on the table no matter how small.
Nancy

Nancy... time is money. good luck with MU