The Weekly

1/6/2025

LinkedIn  YouTube  X
 
Federal Update
Events
Knowledge Center

WEDI President & CEO to Retire

A Message from Charles Stellar

I shared with the WEDI board that I would be retiring in early 2025, after nine incredible years as President and CEO of WEDI and more than four decades in the health care industry. It is a bittersweet decision to retire from an organization that I so admire and from the industry that I’ve committed so many years to. Reflecting on this journey, I am filled with pride, gratitude, and optimism for an expected future where patients have their health information at their fingertips and can collaborate seamlessly with their doctors, hospitals, and health plans. 


During my tenure, WEDI has navigated tremendous advances in Health Information Technology and interoperability. Together, we’ve tackled challenges that seemed insurmountable, built bridges between stakeholders, and advanced standards that continue to improve care delivery and reduce administrative burden. These accomplishments are a testament to the tireless work of countless colleagues, volunteers, and collaborators who have shared this vision.


I am especially thankful to the mentors who guided me early in my career, my colleagues who inspired me, and my family who provided unwavering support. You all have made this journey not only possible but meaningful beyond measure.


The healthcare industry still faces challenges: achieving seamless interoperability, addressing cybersecurity risks, and advancing value-based care, to name just a few. I am confident, however, that the collective commitment and ingenuity of this community will continue to shape a brighter future.


As I look forward to the next chapter, my to-do list is far from empty. I’m excited to explore new opportunities, give back to my community, and embrace long overdue travel adventures.



Thank you to everyone who has been part of this incredible journey. Your partnership, support, and dedication have enriched my career and life beyond words. Let’s keep pushing boundaries and making a difference!

Federal Update


OCR Releases New HIPAA Proposed Rule Focused on Cybersecurity.


Year End Congressional Package Includes Short-Term Telehealth Extension.


OCR Releases 2024 Recap Video.


Epic QHIN Announces it has Connected More than 600 Hospitals.


NUCC Releases Updated Provider Taxonomy Code Set.


CMS Opens 2024 MIPS Data Submission.


CMS Innovation Center Releases Report to Congress.


CMS Infographic Highlights Medicare Beneficiary Internet Access and Use.

Download

Michael welcomes Kent Dicks, founder, CEO, and award-winning entrepreneur of Life365, a digital health platform that connects patients with their doctors at home. The two discussed how artificial intelligence creates an environment that allows patients to receive affordable and efficient care earlier in the care cycle, thus preventing costly readmissions and improve overall health care accessibility. 


Click HERE to listen, or subscribe to the WEDI podcast on your favorite streaming service!

New Fact Sheet from the Health Equity Workgroup!

This fact sheet outlines health equity and other sensitive patient data included in each version of the United States Core Data for Interoperability (USCDI), a baseline data set meant to set the floor for data exchange efforts in the United States. USCDI is an official government standard and is used to set requirements in various regulations related to health data and health data exchange.

Download

Free to the Industry!

Join us for an in-depth spotlight designed for health care stakeholders—payers, providers, vendors, government, HIEs, SDOs, and more—focused on the latest developments in implementing the Payer-to-Payer API, Provider Access API, and Patient Access API from the CMS-0057-F Final rule. As the health care landscape evolves toward greater interoperability, these APIs will be critical to facilitate seamless information exchange, improve patient care coordination, and support value-based care.  

Register

Join us for an engaging and informative Virtual Spotlight exploring how health care stakeholders—payers, providers, and innovators—are leveraging data and technology to bridge gaps in health care accessibility for under-resourced communities.

Confirmed Speakers Include



  • Vanessa Candelora, HL7 Gravity Project
  • Alex Li, MD, Chief Health Equity Officer, LA Care
  • Vanessa Hill, Manager, Community Health, Sentara
  • Darylin Doublehead, Clinical Solutions Architect, Cherokee Nation Health Services
  • Kendra Wyatt, Founder, New Birth Company

Use code "WINTERWEDI" for a 25% discount until January 13th, 2025

Register for the Winter Forum

Save the Date!

Join the Conversation and Help Shape the Future of Cybersecurity in Healthcare. 



In an era of rapid technological advancements and increasing digital connectivity, the health care industry faces an unprecedented wave of cybersecurity challenges. Join us for an insightful Virtual Spotlight as we explore the latest trends, threats, and solutions shaping the future of health care cybersecurity. 

In case you missed it, during the Annual Member Meeting held in December, we recapped the highlights from our work in 2024. These include:

  • Three successful conferences (Spring, Summer and National) and each event smashed previous registration records!
  • Convened two Member Position Advisory (MPAs) Sessions and multiple CMS Listening Sessions.
  • Welcomed 11 new industry members and 4 new Government and Patient Advocacy members and maintained a 91% retention rate.
  • Integrated a Patient Centric approach by welcoming two patient advocacy organizations to our membership roster, introduced the patient voice into workgroup discussions, and held multiple sessions specifically related to “the patient voice” and how customer data can improve the patient experience.
  • Produced a multi part Spotlight series on The Road to Interoperability on the new CMS rule and a new series on 0057 to come in 2025!
  • The WEDI Podcast (The Collective Voice of Health IT) Achieved 19,000+ total downloads all-time, 5434 downloads in 2024 (All time downloads for a year) and broke all time download month total (826 downloads, October 2024).
  • The WEDI workgroups produced a dozen new workgroup products including the Top 10 Cybersecurity Tips and Claims and Remittance Survey.
  • Grown our advisory role, notably with CMS at the Remittance and Payment and Prior Authorization SWGs and No Surprises Act Taskgroup.
  • Updated and elevated the WEDI website with more changes to come.


In 2025, we will continue to build on our role as industry convener.

Monday 11AM

 

Agenda:  The Remittance Advice and Payment SWG will continue work on the fact sheet for reporting card payments in the 835.

 

Tuesday 2PM

 

Agenda:  Health care Security continues to take center stage and 2025 starts off with a big bang with the release of the HIPAA Security Rule modification NPRM. Join us on January 08 for a discussion of this complex proposed regulation and help shape Workgroup plans for the year.

Wednesday 11AM

 

Agenda: Join us to discuss the X12 business processes and changes.

Thursday 1PM

 

Agenda:  We’ll be discussing GenomeX and diving more into this FHIR Genomics Data Exchange and HL-7 Clinical Genomics Workgroup!

 

Friday 1PM

 

Agenda:  Help give CMS guidance for an NSA Implementation Glide Path.

 

 
 

WEDI, a national membership association since 1991, advises on health IT policy and implementation, focusing on enhancing health care through efficient data sharing and education across all stakeholders. Learn more about becoming a member here!


Connect, collaborate & communicate for a better health system

 

Was this email shared with you? 

Subscribe today and stay a step ahead of the competition with the latest news, regulatory information, free resources and more!

Subscribe to the Weekly