Business

Lab and clinical terminology groups align July 24, 2013 | Diana Manos

The Regenstrief Institute and the International Health Terminology Standards Development Organisation announced July 24 they have signed a long-term agreement to begin cooperative work linking their global healthcare terminologies. The cooperative work will connect the clinical semantics of SNOMED CT to LOINC codes, which provide extensive coverage of laboratory tests and some types of clinical measurements.

Rule links MU with medical licensure July 24, 2013 | Anthony Brino - Contributing Writer

Starting in 2015, doctors in Massachusetts will have to show meaningful use proficiency as a condition for medical licensing. The state medical society is encouraging the Board of Registration in Medicine to broadly interpret the rule, but the provision's primary author feels primary care providers need to be utilizing health IT in order to practice safe medicine.

Deliverance in details for payment formula July 24, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

Offering succinct praise to the Energy and Commerce Committee and other congressional leaders for putting their best foot forward to stamp out a “broken Medicare physician payment system,” the American Medical Association focused on routes to restructuring in its address to lawmakers on July 23.

As IT demands increase, so do salaries July 23, 2013 | Bernie Monegain - Editor

According to MGMA, medical group leaders have a variety of projects on their plate: implementing electronic health records, enhancing the functionality of practice management system software, employing new technologies, such as patient portals, and complying with complex new federal programs and mandates.

ONC files health IT progress report July 23, 2013 | Tom Sullivan - Government Health IT

"Federal investments in a wide array of programs and activities, including the meaningful use EHR Incentive Program, have impacted the health IT marketplace, allowing the healthcare system to improve health and healthcare," the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT said in the report posted July 19.

House calls making a comeback July 23, 2013 | Stephanie Bouchard - Associate Editor

Advocates say it makes sense to extract the frail elderly out of the "industrialized medicine" system and put them in a parallel system based on home health services. The potential for cost savings for a population that is one of the biggest drivers of healthcare costs has caught the attention of policy-makers.

AOA delegates bolster GME initiatives July 22, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

In attempts to anchor, address and accommodate the growing need for graduate medical education program funding, the American Osteopathic Association’s House of Delegates voted in approval of the creation of alternative GME state-level financial mechanisms on July 21.

Surgeon loses Medicaid funding July 22, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

An order, issued by the HHS Departmental Appeals Board, concluded that the surgeon violated Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. It follows an OCR investigation of a complaint filed by a patient who alleged that the surgeon refused to perform back surgery after learning that the patient was HIV-positive.

Pages

Flag these dates for 3Q through year's end July 01, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Here's a summary of key ICD-10, meaningful use, PQRS and Sunshine Act dates to track during the second half of 2013.

6 benefits of integrating ICD-10 codes June 28, 2013 | Thomas Ormondroyd, MBA - Vice President, General Manager, Precyse Learning Solutions

ICD-10 will affect every aspect of the physician's practice, including patient encounters, clinical and financial workflow and, depending on the circumstances, compensation, reimbursement and future career opportunities. Physicians who take decisive steps to fully integrate ICD-10 codes into their clinical practice stand to benefit in several ways.

Physician job search beginning earlier June 27, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Medical residents and fellows from the Class of 2014 will soon be exploring employment opportunities, according to a report from Cejka Search. Here's a summary of job preferences and motivations for graduating residents and fellows.

3 tips for handling the ACA patient influx June 26, 2013 | Salvador Lopez - Content Writer, CareCloud

You may choose to bring in an extra physician, hire a physician's assistant or purchase an EHR to streamline operations. Here's a look at each strategy to help you determine the best possible course of action for successfully embracing the upcoming patient wave.

How virtual weight-loss programs can help June 25, 2013 | Jeff Rowe - Contributing Writer

Given their efficiency and effectiveness with large populations of patients, virtual weight-loss programs aren't just the next best thing to being there -- they're actually just as good, according to the physician founder of a software company that helps diabetic patients who are struggling with weight problems.

Familiarity simplifies ICD-10 transition June 21, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Clinicians already document a patient's chart with more information than an ICD-9 code can capture, an update from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services pointed out. Here's why you should review your most often-used ICD-9 codes.

Megatrends: Where healthcare is headed June 20, 2013 | MedAxiom

Joel Sauer, vice president of consulting at MedAxiom Consulting, travels to healthcare organizations throughout North America, guiding them on how the changes in the healthcare environment will affect their ability to serve patients, while remaining profitable. Here, he shares eight overarching considerations he believes will direct the nature of healthcare.

Monitor revenue to strengthen bottom line June 19, 2013 | Richard Pizzi - Editorial Director

Texas Health Physicians Group (THPG), which operates in the highly competitive Dallas-Ft. Worth healthcare marketplace, follows five metrics it considers critical to physician revenue performance. Read on to learn the metrics THPG uses to track how its revenue cycle is working.

Pages

Achieving Success with the ICD-10 Changeover September 21, 2012 | Resource Central

ICD-10 has 69,099 codes – and growing annually. What do staff and providers need to know about the impact of these changes on EHR system configuration, addressing modifications in clinical operations and end-user training? Download this complimentary white paper to learn what you need to consider when creating a plan of action for the change-over, including the significance of software, timelines, implementation and contingency planning.

Physicians Medical Center Prepares for Inevitable Changes September 04, 2012 | Resource Central

Physicians Medical Center faced increasing challenges with decentralized patient information among its various practice locations. CEO, Sharron Grodzinsky wanted to prepare the group for imminent changes in the industry and decided that integrating its Electronic Health Record and Practice Management systems was the right decision. Read this story to learn how the medical center has realized better care, centralized and easily accessible patient data, as well as eligibility for Medicare incentives for using ePrescribing.

Youngsville Medical Clinic Increases Documentation Accuracy & Continues to Improve Patient Care September 04, 2012 | Resource Central

Unlike many physician practices that have qualified for financial incentives, the physicians of Youngsville Medical Clinic were recent adopters of the EHR technology. Deborah Vidos, LPN, Office Manager, described the practice’s reasons for selecting and implementing their EHR system in April 2010. In July 2011, the practice received the full incentive payment, adding financial returns to the many clinical benefits already realized by the EHR. Read this story to find out how they also realized more accurate and complete clinical documentation and facilitation of continuous improvement activities.

Choose Your Path: Developing New Strategies for RCM and Practice Performance August 09, 2012 | Resource Central

Physician practice revenue cycles are full of complexities that impact profitability, from avoiding lost revenue opportunities, to managing denials and working to collect payments in a timely manner. Flexible revenue cycle management (RCM) solutions have been developed so you can manage your revenue cycle in house and spend more time focusing on patients. During this webinar you'll learn how to increase collection rates from payers and patients, proactively manage denials and measure key performance indicators to benchmark against peers.

Next-Generation Provider Payment Collections Assessment & Capabilities August 02, 2012 | Resource Central

Many providers are surprised to learn about the costs associated with the day-to-day process of collecting payments. Opportunities exist to substantially reduce or virtually eliminate these costs. This white paper examines the benefits and pitfalls of traditional lockbox services, and evaluates new approaches that can substantially help providers increase efficiency and keep a larger percentage of the payments they earn.

Code Red: Rescue Your Flagging Medicare Reimbursements August 02, 2012 | Resource Central

As healthcare costs and insurance premiums continue to rise at a pace far surpassing inflation, payers have responded to the mounting economic pressures by employing complex billing and coding rules to eliminate inappropriate payments. Lacking adequate error detection and research tools, the typical healthcare business suffers from a backlog of denied claims and diminished revenues. Read this paper to learn how to rescue your flagging Medicare reimbursements.

A Guide To Understanding and Qualifying for Meaningful Use Incentives July 12, 2012 | Resource Central

Are you looking to gain a better understanding of the meaningful use requirements? Do you want to avoid federal penalties and qualify for incentive payments instead? This white paper will teach you all about meaningful use, when the incentives kick in, and how much money you could potentially receive. Download now and find out how you can earn between $44,000 and $63,750!

Getting Ready for ICD-10 April 10, 2012 | Resource Central

On October 1, 2013, U.S. providers will be required to move from the current ICD-9 coding standards to ICD-10 in their practice management and electronic medical record systems. The changes represented in ICD-10, while sweeping in their scope, are not beyond the ability of medical practices to adopt. The earlier you begin, the easier the changeover will be. In this whitepaper learn the basics of ICD-10, the differences between ICD-9 and ICD-10, the benefits ICD-10 will provide and what you should be doing now to prepare.

Pages

So many choices, so little time June 26, 2013 | Arlen Meyers - CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

If you are faced with the happy choice of where to lend your talents, ask yourself the following questions before you take the plunge.

AMA refuses to accept ICD-10 implementation again June 25, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

The AMA does not want healthcare payers to deny medical claims because of medical coding error or use of not-so-specific medical codes.

Recovery June 24, 2013 | Rob Lamberts, MD

Things are tough, but they are a lot better since I left my destructive relationship with Medicare, Medicaid and insurance companies.

Rebounding home prices boost physician turnover June 19, 2013 | Lori Schutte, MBA - President, Cejka Search

Now is the time to prepare your medical practice to overcome retention challenges and capitalize on the opportunity to recruit newly mobile physicians.

When will the data tsunami turn into a windfall for patients? June 17, 2013 | Dave Lareau - CEO of Medicomp Systems

While we toss our patient-level data into a huge pool, we have to be able to retrieve it on a patient level and deliver it to the clinician as structured versus unstructured data that can be easily accessed and used as well.

The 4 C's of the MBA: Worth the price? June 14, 2013 | Arlen Meyers - CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

Before you invest the time, effort and money enrolling in an MBA program, ask yourself the following questions.

Not all clouds are created equal June 11, 2013 | Kurt Hagerman - Director of Information Security at FireHost

With a cloud stack designed to meet the specific needs of the healthcare industry, you can optimize your EMR/EHR system, improve medical billing, enhance patient outcomes, satisfy compliance regulations and more.

Planning a career transition June 06, 2013 | Arlen Meyers - CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

Doctors who are contemplating a switch to bio-innovation and entrepreneurship have several options, including creating their own company, consulting, working with industry or becoming a service provider to life science entrepreneurs.

Pages

New ACO to improve care and lower costs for 40,000 NJ patients August 13, 2012 | Industry Release

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) and Optimus Healthcare Partners (Optimus) today announced the launch of an Accountable Care Organization (ACO) agreement to deliver more effective care at lower costs to more than 40,000 Horizon BCBSNJ members. The new ACO agreement will include 42 primary care practices and 104 primary care physicians within 11 New Jersey counties.

Lone Star MSO partners with CareCloud to offer cloud-based software and services to Texas physicians August 09, 2012 | Industry Release

CareCloud, a leading provider of web-based practice management, electronic healthcare record (EHR), revenue cycle management and medical billing software and services, today announced that it has partnered with Lone Star MSO, the leading medical practice management services organization in Texas, to offer CareCloud's cloud-based software and services to medical practice clients. Lone Star MSO currently services hundreds of medical group clients throughout Texas and multiple other states and will look to further assist them in optimizing financial and clinical outcomes through CareCloud's platform and services.

Updated coding and payment on the horizon for CTC testing August 09, 2012 | Industry Release

Veridex, LLC announced that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will determine payment rates for two new Current Procedural Technology (CPT) codes for circulating tumor cell (CTC) testing. CPT codes are assigned by the American Medical Association (AMA) to medical, surgical, and diagnostic services to communicate uniform information about medical services and procedures among physicians, patients, payers and others for administrative, financial, and analytical purposes.

USPI's Physician Strategy Group partners with Provista to support affiliated physician practices August 09, 2012 | Industry Release

United Surgical Partners International's (USPI) Physician Strategy Group (PSG) and Provista, LLC announced that they are working together to deliver supply chain services to over 9,000 physician customers who perform procedures at surgical facilities centers operated by USPI. The program, called Purchasing Plus, is expected to help those physicians save 10-15% on supplies, services, and capital equipment.

HIMSS and Healthcare IT News announce privacy & security forum August 08, 2012 | Industry Release

HIMSS, the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, and Healthcare IT News, the industry's leading news source for health IT, have partnered to present The Privacy & Security Forum. The event will bring together CIOs and IT executives for a day-and-a-half of collaboration, networking and presentations by leading health IT professionals, industry thought leaders and key government officials.

Cigna and Roper St. Francis Physician Partners reach agreement, renew relationship August 07, 2012 | Industry Release

Cigna and Roper St. Francis Healthcare announced that they have reached an agreement on a new contract. Physicians directly employed by the healthcare system, Roper St. Francis Physician Partners, will once again be part of the Cigna network of participating health care professionals effective August 15, 2012. Cigna customers who receive services from these physicians will again be covered at the in-network benefit level, according to the terms of their health care benefits plan.

Physicians Insurance acquires EMPAC/SCRUBS risk retention group management companies August 07, 2012 | Industry Release

Physicians Insurance A Mutual Company has announced the successful acquisition of the EMPAC and SCRUBS risk retention group management companies providing Physicians Insurance with a nationwide alternative risk financing platform. Through this acquisition Physicians Insurance now can offer alternative risk financing options to physicians, clinics, hospitals, their respective single/multi-state associations, and other healthcare facilities.

Upgrade to Coda Financials boosts efficiency of finance system for University Physicians August 03, 2012 | Industry Release

University Physicians, Inc. (UPI), the multi-specialty group practice of faculty physicians and ancillary health care providers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, has upgraded its financial management software to Coda Financials Version 12, the most powerful financial management software for fast-changing organizations from UNIT4 CODA, Inc., a division of UNIT4.

PhysBizTech

Pages

Pages

Pages

Pages

Pages

ZirMed Fact of the Month

Slideshow: Physician Practice Demographics from SK&A Research

Featured Resources

Events & Conferences

Supporting Sponsors