Evolution of Health Care
Evolution of Health Care Information Systems
Nancy Glaz
HCS/533
February, 4, 2013
Sean Kern
Evolution of Health Care Information Systems
The introduction of Health Information Systems (HIS) to the health care industry has changed the delivery and reimbursement services in the United States (US). The history of information systems (IS) has enhanced communication between patients, providers, and insurance providers. Prior to the information age, health care use a paper method to maintain patient records. Numerous advancements within the information technology (IT) industry have since evolved. Family physicians and small medical practices have incorporated clinical and administrative and rely on its technology. IS have also influenced federal programs and compliance of regulations.
Physician Offices
Health care delivery has changed dramatically over the decades. Prior to the 1930s individuals would visit the doctor or hospital, receive treatment, and receive a bill from the provider. This was known as indemnity insurance or otherwise known as fee-for-service plan. Family physicians would also accept goods as a form of payment.
In the 1960s President Lyndon Johnson established two federal programs, Medicaid and Medicare as a means to provide health insurance to the elderly and indigent populations. Federal, state, and municipality funds covered the cost-base of the programs. Medicaid and Medicare altered the paper documentation for fee-for service payment. IS was in its early phase of development and healthcare professionals soon realized the benefits of technology. Most notability, the technology provided faster reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.
The late 1960s through the 1970s marked furthered developments in healthcare and IS. Hospitals housed large mainframe computers to store financial and administrative information. The computer technology during this era was expensive and only large healthcare facilities could afford the
Nancy Glaz
HCS/533
February, 4, 2013
Sean Kern
Evolution of Health Care Information Systems
The introduction of Health Information Systems (HIS) to the health care industry has changed the delivery and reimbursement services in the United States (US). The history of information systems (IS) has enhanced communication between patients, providers, and insurance providers. Prior to the information age, health care use a paper method to maintain patient records. Numerous advancements within the information technology (IT) industry have since evolved. Family physicians and small medical practices have incorporated clinical and administrative and rely on its technology. IS have also influenced federal programs and compliance of regulations.
Physician Offices
Health care delivery has changed dramatically over the decades. Prior to the 1930s individuals would visit the doctor or hospital, receive treatment, and receive a bill from the provider. This was known as indemnity insurance or otherwise known as fee-for-service plan. Family physicians would also accept goods as a form of payment.
In the 1960s President Lyndon Johnson established two federal programs, Medicaid and Medicare as a means to provide health insurance to the elderly and indigent populations. Federal, state, and municipality funds covered the cost-base of the programs. Medicaid and Medicare altered the paper documentation for fee-for service payment. IS was in its early phase of development and healthcare professionals soon realized the benefits of technology. Most notability, the technology provided faster reimbursements from Medicare and Medicaid.
The late 1960s through the 1970s marked furthered developments in healthcare and IS. Hospitals housed large mainframe computers to store financial and administrative information. The computer technology during this era was expensive and only large healthcare facilities could afford the
References: Bates, D.W. (2005, September). Physicians And Ambulatory Electronic Health Records. Health Affairs, 24(5), 1180-1189. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.24.5.1180 Harris, D. M. (2008). Contemporary issues in healthcare law and ethics (3rd ed.). Chicago, IL: Health Administration Press. Wager, K. A., Lee, F. W., & Glaser, J. P. (2009). Health care information systems: A practical approach for health care management. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.