A view from the Center

Interconnectivity among health care stakeholders could increase cyber threats

The annual Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference is underway this week. Looking through the agenda, there’s a good mix of session topics covering electronic health records (EHRs), advancement of medical devices and health IT, and interoperability of systems and applications to exchange patient data. There also are sessions devoted to the important issues of protecting patient data and enhancing cybersecurity.

The 21st century cures act one year later: Big ideas still needed

December 13 marked the one-year anniversary of the 21st Century Cures Act. While the law holds tremendous promise for enabling treatments and even cures for disease, multi-sector collaboration – and federal funding – is likely essential if the law is to reach its potential.

The three-year journey that culminated in the passage and enactment of the law was filled with idea generation and questions.

Risk-based contracting: It’s NOT just about the shared savings

The first in a blog series to guide provider organizations through strategic risk contracting for population health

As health systems (hospitals and provider organizations) continue to transition to value-based care and population health, more and more contracts with payers are including some form of gain/risk sharing. Even if a system has not yet taken on any risk,

Data protection for health systems: From the inside out

If we’ve learned anything about the state of data security in 2016, it’s that health care organizations are getting better at recognizing the cyber threats they face – and hackers are getting even better at penetrating medical data stores and compromising personal health information.

Two recent breaches in the health care industry underscore the severity of the threat.

Cyberattack readiness: The impacts of an attack may be larger than you think

In an era when connectivity is paramount, organizations have long focused on keeping personal data secure. Companies and stakeholders are beginning to acknowledge that cyberattacks are not only likely, but perhaps inevitable – and unfortunately, life sciences and health care organizations are at higher risk than other industries. A personal health record can sell for up to $50 on the black market,

Better protecting your crown jewels from cyber attack

The health care industry is going through a period of cyber-awakening. Reports of data security breaches are growing, and with this growth is the increasing cost of cyberattacks throughout the industry. And while many organizations are implementing improved defensive measures, the health care industry is undergoing a surge in data breaches, security incidents, and cyber attacks.