Electronic medical or health records (EMRs) are the computer programs now in almost every doctor’s office. They have become not a boon — but a bane — for both doctor…
Some experts are predicting a large spike in denials beginning on Oct. 1, 2016 when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will require claims to be more specific. Forward-looking…
The hard work and hassle of ditching paper documentation is not in vain.
Question: Our office is weighing the pros and cons of transitioning to electronic medical records (EMRs). We know the process is a huge undertaking that often results in even lower productivity and more confusion. So, is making the change really worth it?
Answer: If you haven’t witnessed or lead a conversion from paper records to an electronic medical record (EMR) system, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the potential downsides. But experts agree that yes, going electronic is worth it. Here are a few reasons why:
1. You Open More Cash Inlets. Many research studies pull their data via electronic records. So, if you can’t tune in to participate, opportunities for cash perks will fly by. “Grant money and incentive programs are available, for example, and they want data in the electronic form,” points out Francine Wheelock, PT, MPA, manager of clinical systems for MaineGeneral Health.
Just look at nationwide push for value-based purchasing and outcome data, and expect to go electronic if you want to be in the loop.
Stay alert: Last year, the federal government launched the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, which plans to pay eligible healthcare professionals incentives for the “meaningful use” of certain EMRs.
“SLPs, OTs and PTs are not eligible for the incentive payment,” confirms Kate Romanow, director of health care regulatory advocacy for the American Speech-Language Hearing Association. But they may be eligible in the future, so therapists “may want to consider implementing EHRs now,” she says.
Plus, you can enhance coordination of care with healthcare providers who are eligible for HITECH incentives and are adopting EHRs, points out Sarah Nicholls, assistant director for payment policy and advocacy for the American Physical Therapy Association....
We’ve got the links you need to keep up with these bottom-line changers from HHS, CMS. While most of us were celebrating the last few days the Old Year and preparing to welcome the New Year, the federal regulators had one last, little rulemaking frenzy for 2009. The result is a 555-page proposed rule implementing the [...] Related articles: