Medicare Healthcare Information Technology Update Free Educational Webinar for Community Oncology Practices

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Community oncologists, practice administrators and clinical staff interested in learning the requirements of the meaningful-use regulations in order to receive federal stimulus payments towards adopting a certified electronic health record (EHR) are invited to attend a free webinar at 2 p.m. EDT (11 a.m. PDT) on Friday, August 6, 2010. To register, visit http://www.opspharmacist.com/opes. Registration is free, but space is limited.

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Now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have issued the final, meaningful-use regulations, one of the hot topics among healthcare providers continues to be, "How does one achieve meaningful-use requirements in the coming years?" In addition to improving quality of care, physicians hope to earn up to $44,000 in incentives over the next five years as part of the approximately $20 billion allocated to EHR adoption in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA, aka the stimulus package).

As community-based oncologists, it is vitally important to understand how the stimulus can affect the healthcare information technology (HIT) plans for your practice. Join three highly-qualified and recognized individuals in the oncology community for an informative webinar discussing the final regulations associated with meaningful-use and EHR certification requirements for oncology-specific EHRs. Peter Harrison, M.D., Manager of Physician Products at iKnowMed™, an oncology-specific EHR supported by US Oncology, Inc., joins Geoff Werth, Director of Federal Government Relations for US Oncology, and Cindy Chavez, Vice President of iKnowMed™ for this interactive webinar. Drawing from their experience with iKnowMed™, they will discuss what impact the new standards will have on the community-based oncology practice.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, Inc. is the nation's leading integrated oncology company. By uniting the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America, US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,300 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals, payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery continuum. By promoting the use of innovative technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a better patient experience. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About Oncology Practice Education Series

US Oncology offers a series of complimentary webinars through its Oncology Practice Education Series. Designed to provide community-based oncology practices with information and education, the Oncology Practice Education Series helps physicians and practices successfully negotiate today's cancer care environment. US Oncology is dedicated to providing community-based oncology practices with timely and important information about current legislation and other policy changes that impact community oncology. The company is affiliated with more than 1,300 physicians from across the nation and is active in all relevant health care initiatives that support the delivery of quality cancer care in the community. For more information call (866) 216-5053 or visit www.usoncology.com/oncologists.

About iKnowMed™

US Oncology leverages the innovation of iKnowMed™, a Web-based oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR) system designed by oncologists to enhance the patient experience and advance the science of cancer care. Developed in 1996 and acquired by US Oncology in 2004, iKnowMed goes beyond delivering standard EHR features by leveraging technology that helps physicians focus on clinical excellence and cost-effectiveness in community cancer care. With more than 16 million patient records and 900 oncology users, the system provides insight into quality patient care, and serves as a decision support tool at the point of care by providing staging and diagnosis suggestions according to criteria from the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC). The system also allows access to US Oncology's Level I Pathways -- evidence-based medicine -- and screens new patients for potential clinical trial eligibility for open trials available at the practice. For more information call (866) 216-5053 or visit www.iKnowMed.com.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.