> At yesterday's Health IT Policy Committee hearing, officials reported that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has paid more than $8.35 billion to providers through its Meaningful Use incentive programs through October, according to the Health IT Law & Industry Report. In October alone, CMS made more an estimated $645 million in Meaningful Use-related payments to providers. Article
> Mechanicsburg, Pa.-based ISCA Labs is inviting electronic health record vendors to participate in a pilot test for the 2014 Edition certification criteria. ISCA Labs, a division of Verizon, will accept applications until Nov. 19. Announcement
> The first guide to help providers evaluate health information exchanges has been released by the University of California-Davis. The HIE Ready Buyers Guide helps providers assess the HIE capabilities with electronic health record vendors and HIEs, and includes a model contract. Guide
> Willoughby, Ohio-based Lake Health has fired several staff members for inappropriately accessing patient electronic health records in violation of HIPAA. The snoopers were discovered during a routine audit of the Lake Health's EHR system. Article
And Finally... You mean his name wasn't Al Bundy? Article