In this first of several installments, we detail your responses to our recent HIPAA Survey. You gave us some great information. We will lay it out for you over the next few issues in hopes that it will give you perspective on your own HIPAA compliance efforts.

Cigna leads an emerging trend that already includes United Healthcare, WellPoint and Aetna: offering alternate site telehealth services. For-profit insurance companies never do anything that does not have a measurable return. So they must have figured out that paying for telehealth pays off in the long run. Staff writer Audrey Kinsella spoke with Cigna about their new program.

Patients communicating with other people around the world with similar health conditions. Concerned family members keeping track of their infirm seniors. Health information shared among physicians, both personal and hospital, home care and hospice staff, and patients and their families. No, not some new healthcare software system but Facebook and Twitter. Should your agency join the stampede toward everybody knowing everything about everybody else? Guest writer Scott Herrmann says,"'absolutely."

Though largely ignored at last month's World Health Care Congress, home healthcare technology emerged as a primary concern for Kaiser Permanente. Our Liz Seegert spent a few minutes with CIO Philip Fasano and learned about the healthcare giant's plans for technology-centered and patient-centered care delivery through the age of health reform.

Often considered a population "too old" for computer-based communication tools, seniors were recently found to become more engaged when using electronic Personal Health Records, resulting in improved clinical outcomes. A recent study found a significant improvement in hemoglobin A1c levels as well as improved patient activation scores among seniors using a PHR.

Mobile healthcare advocate Scott Herrmann, Director of Mobile Solutions for Procura, explains how mobile applications can dramatically change the way your agency operates, including changing marketing tactics and scheduling procedures and providing new ways to increase revenues. Mobile users have the most current patient information, which can improve care, contain costs and increase compliance.

Editor's note: This article was submitted by a representative of one of our HCTR advertisers. If you would like to submit an article from within your area of expertise, write to editor@homecaretechreport.com. Submissions from advertisers and non-advertisers are given equal consideration.

Hospice EHR software continues to get better and better. At last week's NHPCO meeting, CareAnyware was one of the hospice vendors making news with its enhanced product.