Regulation of electronic health records and the implementation of ICD-10 are among the top issues for physicians to watch in 2015, according to a list published by the American Medical Association, FierceHealthIT reports (Hall, FierceHealthIT, 1/7).

List Details

In the list, AMA stated that "unhelpful EHR systems and unachievable meaningful use requirements" are a top priority for many physicians.

Under the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, health care providers who demonstrate meaningful use of certified electronic health record systems can qualify for Medicaid and Medicare incentive payments (AMA Wire, 1/2).

AMA said it "will continue to push for the adoption of solutions to the one-size-fits all meaningful use program." Further, the association said it is building on a new framework for EHR usability developed in conjunction with an external advisory committee of executives, health IT experts, physicians and researchers (Gold, "Morning eHealth," Politico, 1/5).

The list of issues for physicians to watch this year also urges providers to ensure readiness for ICD-10 as the association does not foresee any further delays to the new code set (FierceHealthIT, 1/7).

 U.S. health care organizations are working to transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10 code sets to accommodate codes for new diseases and procedures by Oct. 1, 2015 (iHealthBeat, 12/23/14).