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Physicians should prepare for Sunshine Act's advent July 31, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Starting Aug. 1, pharmaceutical and medical device companies must begin tracking and preparing to publicly report payments and other transfers of value made to physicians under the Physician Payments Sunshine Act. Doctors should ask industry representatives for an opportunity to review and, if necessary, correct all information that will be submitted to the government.

Narrowing physician access puts pharma in a bind July 30, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

Oncologists have a reputation to maintain -- and according to the latest report from ZS Associates, when it comes to fortifying against pharmaceutical sales representatives, the specialty remains characteristically staunch for the second year in a row.

How IT impacts medical consolidation July 30, 2013 | Jeff Rowe - Contributing Writer

While most health IT professionals are probably more focused on implementing or maintaining systems than they are tracking larger healthcare trends, they should be aware of five areas where IT concerns factor into the drive toward, and the success of, consolidation.

HHS scrutinizes observational care policy July 30, 2013 | Kaiser Health News - www.kaiserhealthnews.org

Medicare patients' chances of being admitted to the hospital or kept for observation depend on which hospital they go to -- even when their symptoms are the same, noted Health & Human Services' Office of the Inspector General in a report released July 30.

Practice Advisor tool offers MOC points July 29, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

The American College of Physicians' Medical Home Builder tool has been renamed ACP Practice Advisor to reflect a broader scope of use, the organization announced on July 26. It includes two modules that internists can use to achieve Self-Evaluation of Practice Performance points towards Maintenance of Certification.

EHR program at 'inflection point' July 26, 2013 | Tom Sullivan - Government Health IT

The requirements for Stage 2 meaningful use are more stringent, said John Glaser, CEO of Siemens Health Services, during a July 24 Senate Finance Committee hearing on health IT. He recommended a delay to October 2015.

Quality measures should be locally relevant, IOM says July 26, 2013 | Anthony Brino - Contributing Writer

Tasked with reviewing national public health quality efforts and the Healthy People 2020 strategy, the Institute of Medicine came to a conclusion shared by others: Partners in the health system use a complex array of measures of quality in a manner that seems uncoordinated.

Physician payment bill attracts support July 25, 2013 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor

The legislation proposes to repeal Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula and transition to a stable system. A voice vote moves the bill to the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, which is expected to consider it before lawmakers' month-long August recess.

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How remote care can take patients, docs to next level July 26, 2013 | Jeff Rowe - Contributing Writer

Improvements in healthcare can't come from technological advances alone. Enhancing healthcare boils down to identifying the gaps in the ways care is delivered, and figuring out how to fill them.

5 data recovery tips you can put into action now July 26, 2013 | Chris Bross - Strategic Technology Alliance Manager, DriveSavers

Small and medium-sized businesses experience an average of six computer outages a year, with the top reasons being cyber-attacks, power failures and natural disasters. Planning ahead for a data disaster may seem like a tedious task, but with the right knowledge and a solid action plan, you can prevent a complete data loss.

Avoid the pitfalls of a hybrid workflow July 25, 2013 | Salvador Lopez - Content Writer, CareCloud

Quality of care, productivity and profitability all suffer from using both paper and electronic charts. So, if you're already using a quality EHR, it's time to leave paper behind. Read on to find out why.

Taking control of ICD-10 July 24, 2013 | Thomas Ormondroyd, MBA - Vice President, General Manager, Precyse Learning Solutions, Bruce Scott, MD - Precyse ICD-10 Consultant, Christian Oliver - Associate Vice President, Catalog and Courseware, Healthstream

Physicians who learn to document with specificity will reduce productivity losses by having fewer queries from coders and position themselves to receive accurate and higher reimbursement. Here's a summary of key ICD-10 education goals and a 5-step process for developing a training matrix.

A 'do it yourself' approach to EMR implementation July 23, 2013 | Joel S. Koenig, MD - Founder, Town & Country Pediatrics

My decision to transition Town & Country Pediatrics to a digital practice was influenced by the desire to increase patient safety, chart more efficiently, automate prescribing and billing processes, and enhance profitability. I followed a 10-step process to precisely define the features and functionality I needed in my EMR system.

How ICD-10 will benefit physicians July 17, 2013 | Tom Ormondroyd - Vice President and General Manager, Precyse Learning Solutions, Bruce Scott, MD - Precyse ICD-10 Consultant, Christian Oliver - Associate Vice President, Catalog and Courseware, Healthstream

Physicians have reason to question the timing and value of ICD-10 as they have many competing priorities due to a multitude of concurrent regulatory, technology and industry changes. Nonetheless, ICD-10 implementation presents physicians with five benefits that have the potential to be major game-changers.

Mining data to gauge practice performance July 16, 2013 | Neal Peterson - Director of Client Development, Medical Management Professionals, Inc.

Best practices have suggested that it is most effective to benchmark against other groups, but it is more important for a practice to benchmark against itself. Benchmarking current practice status against where it was last year will lend great insight into how the practice is faring from a business and operational standpoint.

4 secrets to enriching your revenue cycle July 11, 2013 | Salvador Lopez - Content Writer, CareCloud

Efficient billing and collections can be the difference between practice profitability and financial losses. Here are four options that can help you operate your revenue cycle at peak efficiency.

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Navigating the Path to a Successful ICD-10 Implementation January 28, 2013 | Resource Central

Over the last few years, all healthcare organizations – from payers to vendors to providers – have gone through the rollercoaster ride of preparing for ICD-10 then stopping or slowing down due to deadline delays. Now that the deadline is officially set, every organization needs to focus on their implementation plans to ensure they are prepared. So where should your practice start? This free white paper will provide you with the details you need to: • Build a successful and strategic implementation team • Conduct documentation reviews and gap analyses • Develop an implementation timeline A successful ICD-10 transition will not happen overnight, but with thoughtful planning it will be easier to manage.

Achieving Meaningful Use in Private Practice: A close examination of Stage 2 requirements November 28, 2012 | Resource Central

As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the Federal Government laid the groundwork for the nationwide implementation of electronic health records (EHR) systems as a measure to improve patient care, reduce healthcare costs, and increase the level of overall public health. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) program requires providers to demonstrate meaningful use (MU) of an electronic health record system to be eligible for monetary incentives. The implementation of EHR and compliance with meaningful use regulations, should be a top priority for all eligible healthcare professionals (EPs).

A Guide to Selecting a Medical Billing Service: 5 Key Questions to Ask November 14, 2012 | Resource Central

Choosing the right service for your billing may be among the most important decisions for your practice. Use this guide to make sure you’re covering all of your bases when selecting this important partner. Learn why you should outsource your billing now and how to find medical billing service providers. In addition, this guide will tell you what questions to ask during your selection process and more.

Revenue Cycle Mastery: How to Support Industry Standard Best Practices November 14, 2012 | Resource Central

Achieving the highest revenue potential in your medical practice is only found through applying innovative and proven operational principles. The Revenue Cycle Mastery Training and Companion Guide outlines how to implement these industry best practices and secure reimbursements in your practice.

EHR & Practice Management Software Buyer's Guide November 14, 2012 | Resource Central

Eliminate buyer's remorse! Make the right software choice for your medical practice the first time. This paper includes a comprehensive checklist of features and functionality that you must consider in your search for medical software. Cut to the chase to be aware of hidden costs, contract terms, and true ROI.

What You Should Know About ICD-10 Codes November 14, 2012 | Resource Central

This paper identifies what medical offices need to know about ICD-10 codes including: Facts, timing & impact of ICD-10 medical codes; expansion of ICD medical code base; ICD-10 impact on the medical practice and comparison table of ICD-9 & ICD-10 diagnosis medical codes.

Learn What is New for Stage 2! October 05, 2012 | Resource Central

Read this white paper to learn what objectives you will be required to report on for Meaningful Use Stage 2.

Preparing for the 2013 Medicare Cut and Improving Your Practice’s Long Term Financial Performance October 02, 2012 | Resource Central

CMS has proposed Primary Care raises funded with specialist cuts. Medicare would reduce reimbursement for many types of specialists to fund sizable raises for primary care physicians in 2013. These reductions and raises are apart from the huge pay cut — now put at 27% — set for January 1, 2013, that is triggered by Medicare's sustainable growth rate formula, and likely to be postponed by Congress. In the proposed rule, CMS included a slew of potential changes to the physician-fee schedule for 2013, including a 7% payment increase for family physicians and smaller increases for other primary-care doctors. The proposed pay hike for family physicians comes from a plan to reimburse such providers separately for providing successful follow-up care after a patient's hospital or nursing-home stay.

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The future of social media and healthcare July 17, 2013 | Jessica Velasco - Contributing Writer

Social media is perfectly positioned to help providers reach out to patients in a valuable, effective way.

Perspectives on accountable care organizations July 16, 2013 | Tom McGuinness, CPA, CVA - Founding Partner, Reimer, McGuinness & Associates, P.C., Marc H. Lion, CPA, CFP - Founding Member, Lion & Co., CPAs LLP

Do you really believe that CMS will not reset the bar to coincide with any savings generated by those trying to play by the rules and do the right thing?

Real meaningful use July 15, 2013 | Rob Lamberts, MD

My ultimate goal is to not only give medical records to the patient, but to invite the patient to help me in the never-ending task of keeping them organized and updated.

Can mHealth curtail suffocating malpractice costs? July 12, 2013 | Zachary Landman, MD - Chief Medical Officer, Doctorbase

The ultimate reason that EHRs tend to lead to more suits, according to MD-JDs, is that communication breaks down.

How to prepare queries for ICD-10 coding July 11, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

There are four basic principles that medical coders need to embrace if they're going to coax -- not coerce -- specific information on patient encounters from physicians.

5 reasons why physicians should be using social media July 10, 2013 | David Lee Scher, MD

Social media is neither stressful nor imperative. It creates virtual friendships, respect and collaboration.

Preparing your practice for change and survival in a value-based reimbursement world July 03, 2013 | Nancy Ruff - Director of Health Advisory Services, CTG Health Solutions

Physician practices must stay on top of new requirements, continue to educate themselves on requirement changes and associated deadlines, and regularly look for ways to make improvements.

The AMA's specific problem with ICD-10 implementation July 01, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

A recent survey revealed reliance on unspecific diagnoses with ICD-9 coding. That's not going to work well with ICD-10-CM coding.

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Navicure Launches Navicure Receivables Manager November 13, 2012 | Industry Release

Navicure, a leading Internet-based medical claims clearinghouse for physician practices, today announced the release of its new Navicure Receivables Manager, a central repository for insurance denials, appeals and payments, that streamlines denial and appeal management by automating the entire process. The solution, which is an evolution of Navicure’s ERA Filing Cabinet, helps physician practices decrease days in A/R, accelerate cash flow and improve staff productivity.

Navicure Announces New Clients, Continued Revenue Growth October 23, 2012 | Industry Release

Navicure, a leading Internet-based medical claims clearinghouse for physician practices, today announced that the company continued its record growth in the third quarter of 2012. During the period, Navicure added 280 new practice locations to its client base and experienced a 30 percent increase in revenue compared to the same period in 2011. Navicure’s third quarter performance builds on the momentum started in 2011, when the company experienced a 28 percent increase in revenue over 2010. This continued growth is the key reason Navicure ranked 14th on Modern Healthcare’s first Healthcare’s Hottest list.

HIMSS Media Announces The Launch of HIMSSwire October 18, 2012 | Industry Release

MedTech Media, a division of HIMSS Media, announced today the launch of HIMSSwire (www.himsswire.com), a custom content news service for healthcare professionals, accessible through feeds on a network of healthcare websites.

PhysBizTech and ADP AdvancedMD Webinar to Help Physicians Prepare for Upcoming Reductions in Medicare Reimbursements October 17, 2012 | Industry Release

ADP AdvancedMD, a leader in all-in-one, cloud-based electronic health record (EHR), practice management (PM), and medical scheduling software as well as medical billing services, today announced a webinar titled “Preparing for the 2013 Medicare Cut and Improving Your Practice’s Long Term Financial Performance,” with Frank Irving, editor of PhysBizTech and Anne M. Dunne, Director of Healthcare Management Consulting, Grassi & Co, an ADP AdvancedMD partner. The complimentary webinar takes place on Thursday, October 18 from 12-12:30 p.m. Eastern / 9-9:30 a.m. Pacific time. Participants will learn about the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) rule imposing a seven percent reduction in specialists’ pay for 2013, on top of proposed “sustainable growth” reductions of 27 percent.

MAXIMUS experts to share insights on health insurance exchanges and Medicaid initiatives at 2012 Medicaid Enterprise Systems Conference August 17, 2012 | Industry Release

MAXIMUS, a leading provider of government services worldwide, announced today that four of the Company’s leading subject matter experts on Medicaid program administration will be presenters at the Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) Conference: “Healthcare History In The Making.” The MES Conference, formerly known as the Medicaid Management Information Systems (MMIS) Conference, brings together thought leaders from the public and private sectors to share ideas and information related to Medicaid systems and initiatives.

ACE Axcel System to enhance and simplify physician office diagnostics August 16, 2012 | Industry Release

Alfa Wassermann Diagnostic Technologies, LLC (AWDT), a market leader in clinical chemistry analyzers for the physician office laboratory, has announced the launch of its ACE Axcel(TM) Clinical Chemistry System. The next generation ACE Axcel is designed to meet the needs of physician office laboratories and is cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration specifically for use in physician office labs.

New Commonwealth Fund white paper caucuses on strategies for implementing ACOs August 14, 2012 | Industry Release

The Commonwealth Fund released a new white paper on lessons learned from members of the Premier healthcare alliance’s accountable care collaborative.

drchrono offers protection against EMR security threats August 13, 2012 | Industry Release

Most electronic medical records (EMRs) require a standard username and password, leaving many physician's offices – often unknowingly – open to security threats and data breaches. In an effort to address growing physician concerns around patient data protection, drchrono added a new layer of security to its cloud-based EMR platform which offers physicians extra protection around patient data accessed through mobile and tablet devices such as iPads and iPhones."

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Slideshow: Physician Practice Demographics from SK&A Research

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