The U.S. House Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce and Agency Organization passed a bill yesterday to amend chapter 89 of title 5 of the United States Code, to provide for the implementation of a system of electronic health records (EHRs) under the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBA).
Under the terms of HR 4859, health insurers in the 4-million life FEHBA would be required to establish two forms of EHRs for the program. Its payors would have to establish an EHR for a covered individual consisting of a carrier's health information on the individual's healthcare claims, healthcare services data, or both. This includes, for example, information describing the individual's inpatient facility admissions, emergency room visits, and claims for prescription drugs, according to the legislation.
In addition, the bill requires FEHBA payors to implement a personal EHR for a covered individual consisting of personal health information, such as family health history, symptoms, use of over-the-counter medication, diet, exercise, and other relevant health information and activities, as the individual may provide.
The bill also would require health insurers to provide grants to physicians to implement EHRs through a new trust fund established with private donations.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writers
September 14, 2006
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