by Wisconsin Health News | Mar 22, 2016 | Health Technology |

The chief information officer for one of the nation’s largest dental benefits payers called for disrupting current healthcare with new technology to focus on improving workflow and patient experience. “We’re all going to be in a position somewhere down the road where we’re all going to be making choices about the coverage we want, whether it’s medical or dental,” said Dan Sheehan, senior vice president and chief information officer of DentaQuest. “It’s going to happen.”
Sheehan, who recently spoke in Madison during WTN Media’s Fusion 2016 CEO-CIO Symposium, said that DentaQuest and others have to consider how to drive a different experience “that a member would want.”
by Wisconsin Health News | Nov 19, 2015 | Health Technology |

Epic Systems and Cerner say too much has been made of a supposed rift between the two electronic health record vendors, especially when it comes to the exchange of patient information.
Some of that controversy surrounds CommonWell Health Alliance, a collection of EHR vendors that includes Cerner. CommonWell is working toward building a vendor-neutral platform. Some have criticized Epic’s decision not to join.
by Wisconsin Health News | Oct 29, 2015 | Health Technology, Uncategorized |

Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare’s southeast Wisconsin operations and related corporate services are joining Ascension, the nation’s largest Catholic health system, the organizations announced Thursday. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2016.
by Gene Thomas, Wisconsin Health News | Feb 24, 2015 | Economy, Health Technology, IT |

New requirements for value, meaningful use and benefits coverage are pushing providers to improve information technology systems, revamp business strategies and consider organizational partnerships, according to two healthcare leaders in healthcare finance and IT. Infor Chief Medical Information Officer Dr. Barry Chaiken said changes in the healthcare business model are incentivizing providers to move toward value-based care and risk sharing.
by Wisconsin Health News | Jul 2, 2014 | Health Technology, IT |

Six experts on the economics of healthcare explained the financial reasons pushing providers to join major hospital systems during a discussion panel Wednesday at the 2014 Digital Healthcare Conference in Madison.
Hospital mergers aim to enhance patient care from administrative and clinical standpoints, according to Michael Burger, director of Fitch Ratings’ public finance healthcare group.
by Wisconsin Health News | Jul 2, 2014 | Health Technology, IT |

As the rush around meaningful use slows, the next push will be to ensure providers are fully utilizing the technology that’s available to them, according to Eric Helsher, executive director of Epic’s Clinical Adoption Program.
“That’s the next race,” said Helsher, who spoke Wednesday at the 2014 Digital Healthcare Conference.