Future of Health IT

Science has given us many gifts, including significant advances in the healthcare industry; EHR systems have enabled healthcare services to become cheaper and faster than before. Interoperability for different stakeholders of the health care industry such as providers and pharmacies, creates a sense of trust among the entire healthcare ring.

Decision making tools such as the clinical decision support tools (CDS) facilitate providers in delivering prompt care to patients with greater accuracy. Such innovations have only been made possible through the progress of science and technology. Here is a list of the expected trends in the healthcare industry by the year 2020.

Medical Scheduling Software

Guide to Selecting Patient Scheduling Software

Practice management systems provide medical offices with a variety of features designed to improve practice efficiency and positively impact patient outcomes. But perhaps one of the most essential and valuable components of a practice management system is medical scheduling software also known as patient scheduling software.

This post is designed to be a practical guide to medical scheduling software – its key features, some common implementation challenges, and the important benefits that providers should expect to derive after implementing the scheduling software right for their practice setting.

Top Advantages of Implementing an Integrated EMR and Practice Management System

Practice Management Systems (PMS) offer providers a dynamic solution to coordinate all organizational tasks and processes through improved workflows, added efficiencies and a myriad of other benefits. This article will provide an in-depth examination of some of the key benefits clinics of various sizes and specialties can expect by implementing a robust practice management system.

EHR System Optimization

What can you do to overcome dissatisfaction with your EHR System?

When the federal government implemented its meaningful use initiative as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, medical groups finally started to move toward electronic health records en mass. By 2015, nearly 9 in 10 (87%) of office-based physicians had adopted an EHR, and over 3 in 4 (78%) had adopted a certified EHR, according to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT.

However, the dissatisfaction with EHRs continues to rise at an accelerated pace. It has also resulted in physician burnout which in turn can create more patient safety problems. This post addresses the core issue of EHR Optimization and all the facets associated with the process of optimizing an EHR.

Best Electronic Health Records (EHR) Software

Spotlight on EHR Software Selection Best Practices

Have you ever been frustrated about your current EHR software and did some or all of the following thoughts cross your mind?

1. This interface is too difficult to navigate!
2. My vendor takes so long to release updates and bug fixes!
3. What are all these extra charges on my invoice?!
4. My vendor's support team is slow to respond and hard to reach!
5. My EHR doesn't really understand me and my needs.
6. This system is so hard to learn. I give up!

Current EHR systems have been criticized for causing physician burn-out, hurting the relationship with patients, and as recently mentioned by Shawn Martin, AAFP Senior Vice President of Advocacy, Practice Advancement and Policy, "really all physicians have a disdain for electronic health records.” Yet, certified Health IT is required to be part of a new framework for reimbursing clinicians who successfully demonstrate value over volume in patient care.

Practice Management Software - Best Practices

Far-reaching regulatory shifts at the federal level combined with advancements in technology and a changing patient population are just a few factors contributing to the rapid transformation of the U.S. healthcare system. As the industry evolves, the systems and processes utilized by practices and practitioners must also evolve in order to keep pace with the demands of today’s care continuum.

In such a dynamic healthcare environment, medical practice management software is essential in order to effectively and efficiently coordinate communications, transactions and interactions between patients, providers and systems. Various organizations nationwide have implemented practice management system software and achieved measurable, positive outcomes related to both patient care and the fiscal health of their practice.

Medical Billing Clearinghouse

Criteria for Selecting a Great Medical Billing Clearinghouse

The profitability of physician practices is being squeezed by declining payer reimbursement rates and increasing operating costs. There is also a growing trend towards enhanced patient responsibility both for self-pay and insured patients. This has a direct impact on physician practices which now run a risk of increasing patient account receivable (A/R) balances.

Proactive revenue cycle management processes are key to ensure full and timely reimbursement from payers and minimizing the financial risk due to patient A/R exposure. Even though clearinghouses had a limited function earlier, the scope of functionality delivered by a good medical billing clearinghouse has increased significantly and encompasses entire revenue cycle stretching from insurance verification, claims submission, remittance and all the way to appeals and settlement.

1. What is a Clearinghouse?

2. Why functions does a good Clearinghouse perform?

3. What is the Clearinghouse Process?

4. What are the benefits of using a great Clearinghouse?

5. Best Practices for choosing a Clearinghouse

6. Which are the top medical billing Clearinghouses?

Benefits of Electronic Medical Records (EMR / EHR)

The word is out -- ambulatory practices continue to reap the benefits of adopting integrated EHR platforms. According to the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, EHR adoption in the medical practice has doubled since 2008. For the remaining practices failing to seek the benefits of EMR, declining reimbursement tied to MACRA will encourage most of these providers to eventually adopt the technology. One bit of good news for the solo or small practice is that Medicare adoption incentives still exist for the office-based physician practice. But perhaps the best news for physicians reluctant to switch is that there are documented benefits in EHR adoption for both patients and providers.

This article summarizes the top EHR benefits experienced by an ambulatory practice for their patients and practice when deploying the technology.

Medical Billing Audits

There is no doubt that the transition to ICD-10 forced a lot of healthcare organizations to take a long hard look at their claim processing practices. While that transition is in the past, the importance of medical billing audits isn’t.

Every practice should have a strong understanding not only of the nature of billing audits but also what kinds best fit their individual needs. If you don’t you have a strong grasp on the billing practices, weaknesses, and opportunities for growth in your practice, it might be time for a refresher.

Value Based Care vs. Fee For Service

The transition from fee-for-service to value-based reimbursement represents a paradigm shift for the entire healthcare industry but also promises specific opportunities and challenges for individual providers. If you’re considering transitioning to a value-based reimbursement model, it is important to learn as much as possible about the two systems, the changes ahead of you, as well as your strategic options.