How are Physicians Expected to Bill Post Implementation?

Even though ICD 9 and ICD 10 are very similar in many ways including the guidelines, rules and conventions used which consequently brings out similarity in the organization codes as well; ICD 10 is a product of many improvements done in ICD 9 coding. In spite of the overwhelming improvements, the transition from ICD 9 to ICD 10 has been a huge challenge for the physicians, medical billers and health care workers to catch up with the advancements....

Physicians tackle HIPAA requirements and increased scrutiny by Government

The health reforms have not only affected the way in which healthcare is delivered but also the way in which information is shared among various professionals and entities in the health industry. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations have become more stringent for physicians, and patient privacy is one of the issues that are emphasized in the health reforms. Physicians are tackling this increased scrutiny...

Hospitals expand to attract well-insured patients despite pressures of healthcare reforms

Several hospitals are looking for well-insured patients beyond traditional market boundaries, both in prosperous suburbs and in nearby areas with growing, well-insured populations. According to a study by the Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC) hospitals seeking a competitive edge in the marketplace are targeting geographic expansion into new markets which are well-insured. The study based on HSC’s visits to 12 nationally...

Gauging your Medical Billing Company on ICD-10 compliant resource-capability

“As much as the intrinsic competencies of your medical billing companies, their ability to advise on EHR/EMR implementation for efficient clinical and operational management  should equally hold prominence. As HIPAA 5010 compliant EHR/EMR is the prerequisite to medical billing under ICD-10 system, your practices needs to be equipped with EHR/EMR that meets HIPPA 5010 standards both as a compliant measure as well as qualifying measure...

Orienting your support staff to the integrated EHR eco-system

“Before expecting your support staff or divisional departments to contribute qualitatively into the integrated EHR system, care must be taken to identify and train them for orienting them to the mechanism of the EHR”By now medical practices must have realized that EHR is not just about technology but beyond that. As EHR becomes mandatory in clinical and operational management, practices’ responsibility to comply by EHR mandate would also...

Dispelling hospitals’ reluctance in adopting Alternative Therapy & Medical Billing

“As much as its popularity amongst larger population of patients, Alternative Therapy may well become a viable alternative in ensuring hospitals’ uninterrupted sustenance and growth. And, judging by its popularity, it may well become an integral part of comprehensive medical services offer by majority of hospital” Many a times, proven medical treatment or intervention may not be able to ensure the requisite relief to patients. Especially,...

Billers and Coders to gear up for 1CD- 10 –despite physician community pushing the deadline

ICD-10’s implementation on October 1, 2013, according to AAPC – will alter everything from the way health care providers document services to the way codes are selected, reported, and reimbursed, however it will be coders who will play a vital role to achieving success in ICD-10 implementation. AAPC’s vice president of ICD-10 education stated that with the expected advantages of electronic health records (EHRs) aside, all eyes will turn...

Increased usage of Mobile Devices by Physicians while accessing medical records

Smartphones and other mobile devices have made it easier for physicians to perform some of their duties from any remote location and have also pushed many physicians to test the plausibility of these technologies being used in the healthcare industry. CompTIA, an information technology association, survey reported that 56% of physicians are using smartphones, and 25% are using tablets for work. However, there have also been some concerns over...

Meaningful Use’ Compliant EHR Technology Implementation – specialists’ perspective

“While specialist practitioners, such as Radiologists, Psychiatrists, Chiropractors, Urologists, etc. can claim exemptions and exclusion of certain objectives set out in the Meaningful Use Clause by CMS, they are not treated preferentially as far as documenting clinical processes using approved and compliant EHR software is concerned:  their responsibility for reporting clinical data using Certified EHR Technology and EHR modules...

Increasing trend in Hospital Employment: Impact Physician Billing

Health care reform, widely anticipated federal Medicare reimbursement cuts and a variety of changes in the physician workforce, are fueling more and more physicians to move under the hospital’s umbrella. Hospitals employees are expected to increase in the next ten years considerably with 85% of physicians likely to be hospital employees. A survey by the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development indicated that health care leaders...