WEDI-Con 2017

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The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (@WEDIonline), a nonprofit organization focused on the use of health IT to improve healthcare information exchange, enhance quality of care, improve efficiency and reducing costs, will hold its annual conference, WEDI-Con 2017, this December 4-6 at the Hyatt Regency Reston in Reston, Va. During the three-day event, payers, providers, government regulators and vendors will network and collaborate over sessions focusing on data exchange, HITRUST assessments, block chain, the new Medicare cards, electronic clinical quality and the future of health IT. Both WEDI members and non-members are encouraged to register for the event soon to take advantage of group and early registration discounts. If attending from out of town be sure to book your room prior to November 20, 2017 for a discounted rate.

Conference Sneak Peek
Just this week WEDI released their Conference Agenda complete with speakers, talks, breakout sessions and networking opportunities of which attendees can take advantage. Below is a sneak peek into some of the offerings:

  • Deep Diving Tracks on Data Exchange, Privacy & Security and the Business of Health IT
    Tools and strategies to help you with your 9 to 5 and beyond! Sessions focusing on Attachments, Prior Authorization, HITRUST Assessments, Tips from a Hacker and more.
  • WEDI Workgroup Working Sessions
    On Monday, December 4th, meet with colleagues from all around the country and not only discuss the latest projects, practices and trends in health IT but work toward solutions with WEDI leadership. Have a voice and put your thinking cap on!
  • Emergency Preparedness and Data Exchange- Interoperability at Work
    A hurricane. A terrorist attack. A school bus accident. Emergencies occur at the local, regional, national and international levels. During these stressful times, health data needs to smoothly and efficiently move at a moment’s notice to ensure quality of care at the point of care. A panel of subject matter experts led by Noah Smith from the Government of the District of Columbia discuss case studies, initiatives and lessons learned on emergency preparedness and health information exchange.
  • Ways & Means Committee Listening Session
    Ways and Means Subcommittee Chairman Kevin Brady and Health Subcommittee Chairman Pat Tiberi’s recently announced the “Red Tape Relief” initiative to reduce administrative burdens facing the healthcare industry. To assist in advancing this project, the Committee will need to work closely with a wide range of healthcare stakeholders and health IT professionals. On Wednesday, December 6th in Reston, VA welcome House Ways & Means Health Subcommittee Staffer Nicholas Uehlecke to the conference as WEDI supports the Committee’s initiative by providing important and unique insight to identify burdensome mandates that stand in the way of better patient care.
  • Everything you wanted to know about Blockchain but were afraid to ask!
    Blockchain, a digital ledger in which transactions made in bitcoin or another cryptocurrency are recorded chronologically and publicly, will soon become commonplace in the healthcare industry. What is it, is it all hype and how might it affect data exchange and payment solutions?
  • Updates from NCVHS and a look at their 2018 Workplan
    Learn about the 2018 work plan of the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ long standing public advisory body on health information policy: The National Committee on Vital Statistics (NCVHS). Providing advice and assistance on key health data issues related to community and population health, standards, privacy and confidentiality, quality, and data access and use. NCVHS also regularly reports to Congress on HIPAA implementation, and serves as a forum for interaction between HHS and interested private sector groups.
  • Are you ready for the New Medicare Cards (formerly known as the Social Security Number Removal Initiative or SSNRI)
    Beginning in April 2018, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will be mailing out the New Medicare cards with the new Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to all people with Medicare. In preparation for this major undertaking WEDI welcomes Dr. Monica Kay of CMS who will present on the initiative, its timeline and what the health IT industry must be prepared for in the coming months.
  • Digital Quality Measurement Roadmap from NCQA
    Where does the industry stand with electronic clinical quality (eCQM) and where is it headed with regards to digital quality measurement infrastructure?
  • Common Vulnerabilities Found by a Hacker
    Rapid7’s Patrick Laverty is one of the good guys, but his job is to pretend to be a bad guy and find the weak points in computer networks. He will show attendees some of the common areas and things to look for in your systems to keep the attackers out.
  • A Look at the 21st Century Cures Act
    Charged to implement a range of policies that would enable greater interoperability, we welcome ONC’s Steve Posnack to offer updates on this impactful bill expected to enhance health IT data exchange.

Wedi-Con Media Sponsors

About WEDI
The Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange is the leading authority on the use of Health IT to improve healthcare information exchange in order to enhance the quality of care, improve efficiency and to reduce costs of the American healthcare system. Formed in 1991 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), WEDI was named in the 1996 HIPAA legislation as an advisor to HHS and continues to fulfill that role today.

Serving as a private and public industry solution to critical healthcare problems, WEDI is a coalition comprised of a cross-section of the healthcare industry: doctors, hospitals, health plans, laboratories, pharmacies, clearinghouses, dentists, vendors, government regulators and other industry stakeholders.