Professional Development

Interactive messaging spans gap to outpatient setting May 24, 2013 | Mike Miliard - Managing Editor

A new study, funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, suggests that follow-up calls to diabetes patients using interactive voice recognition technology could show promise in identifying safety triggers.

'Epic' day: 5 transplants in 24 hours May 24, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Lucile Packard Children's Hospital reflects on a record-setting 24-hour period in which five transplant patients received two livers, two kidneys and a heart. A bit more than a month later, all patients are recovering and doing well. Here's how it transpired.

Disabled firewall leads to $400,000 fine May 23, 2013 | Erin McCann - Contributing Writer

Idaho State University (ISU) will pay the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services to settle alleged violations of the HIPAA Security Rule. The settlement comes after ISU's Pocatello Family Medicine Clinic reportedly disabled server firewall protections for a period of at least 10 months, resulting in the breach of electronic protected health information for 17,500 patients.

Experts look to lawmakers for long-term solutions to doctor shortage May 23, 2013 | David Weldon - Contributing Writer

Recent survey data reveals that the number of doctors entering the healthcare field remains flat, and existing physicians are reducing the number of patients they are willing to service. Solutions to the shortage are urgently needed, industry observers say.

HHS sees EHR adoption at 'tipping point' May 23, 2013 | Erin McCann - Contributing Writer

More than half of all eligible providers nationwide have received federal incentive payments for demonstrating meaningful use of EHRs, rates that have more than doubled since last year alone, Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced May 22.

Groups join on quit-smoking campaign May 23, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

The American Medical Association, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American College of Physicians, and the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- collectively representing nearly 600,000 doctors -- want clinicians to ask patients if they smoke and offer assistance in helping them to quit.

EHRA responds to senators' MU challenge May 22, 2013 | Mike Miliard - Managing Editor

One month after six Republican senators published a white paper calling for a new approach to the federal meaningful use incentive program, the HIMSS Electronic Health Record Association has drafted a point-by-point response.

Index projects profitability downtrend May 22, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

CareCloud, a provider of cloud-based health technology and services, and QuantiaMD, a social learning and collaboration platform for physicians, introduced the Practice Profitability Index during the HealthBeat 2013 Conference in San Francisco on May 21. It shows healthcare reform fueling top operational challenges for medical practices.

Pages

Call for PQRS measures open until July 1 May 24, 2013

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is accepting suggestions for potential inclusion in the proposed set of quality measures in the Physician Quality Reporting System for future rule-making years. Here's how to submit measures for consideration.

EHR incentives open to CAH II physicians May 22, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Physicians who assign their reimbursement and billing to a Critical Access Hospital under Method II may participate in the Medicare EHR Incentive Program as eligible professionals, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CAH II physicians can begin submitting attestations in 2014.

4 reasons why ICD-10 matters May 21, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

Robert Tagalicod, director of the Office of E-Health Standards and Services, summarizes how important ICD-10 is to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The benefits of e-prescribing May 20, 2013 | Molly Merrill - Contributing writer

Using an e-prescribing system integrated with its EHR, East Lake Pediatrics in Trinity, Fla., not only cuts down on wait times for patients, but improves efficiency for physicians and staff as well.

3 ways practices can empower staff May 16, 2013 | Amanda Guerrero - Contributing Writer

How do you engage employees and get them to feel committed to your practice? You do this by making sure that they are challenged, that they feel valued, and their role within your practice is important. Here are a few tips you can use to increase empowerment among your staff.

OIG strengthens authority on exclusions May 14, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

The Office of Inspector General has the authority to exclude from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal healthcare programs persons who "have engaged in fraud or abuse and to impose civil money penalties (CMPs) for certain misconduct related to federal healthcare programs." Providers who employ or contract with an excluded person retain substantial potential CMP liability.

How Is Your Website Feeling? May 14, 2013 | David S. Brooks - Vice President, Client Services, Doctor.com

[Sponsored Content] Today’s practice manager is responsible for an effective marketing strategy, especially involving the website and (more importantly) the dozens of social media platforms that patients use to find doctors. To help you make good decisions about your web marketing programs, here's a checklist of seven diagnostic questions to determine the health of your practice web site and web presence.

Double down on EHR and PQRS incentives May 13, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

If you treat Medicare patients and bill for Part B services on the Physician Fee Schedule, you may be eligible for two incentive programs offered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Pages

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.

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.

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.

Enhancing Cash Collections and Internal Controls April 10, 2012 | Resource Central

Healthcare co-payments now account for 20% of total revenue in the typical physician practice, but providers who have not adopted the current set of industry best practices generally only collect 50-60% of these payments. By implementing the best practices in this whitepaper, healthcare providers can increase collection rates to over 90% and decrease billing expenses, both of which contribute to wider operating margins and a healthier bottom line.

Apparently the HIPAA 5010 transition isn't over May 23, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

It surprises me that more than a year after the HIPAA 5010 deadline, some healthcare providers are figuring out that they can't rely on clearinghouses.

Wanted: Entrepreneurial business models for doctors May 22, 2013 | David Williams - Health Business Blog

I believe many physicians would like to work for themselves if there were a viable way to make it happen.

Medical details on Oklahoma emergency May 21, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

Here is a recap of medical emergencies related to the severe storms and tornadoes that swept through sections of Oklahoma beginning May 18. Relevant information will be added to the top of this blog post as it becomes available.

The big data bubble May 20, 2013 | Arlen Meyers - CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

Most doctors need targeted, small bits of information to make clinical decisions, not reams of data.

On EHR data integrity: A patient's perspective May 17, 2013 | Deborah Kohn - Principal and Founder, Dak Systems Consulting

It's time our industry professionals address the integrity of information contained in EHRs, not just the technical and operational mechanisms for the sending and receiving of the information.

Acknowledging shortage from all sides May 16, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

And although the attention is warranted, concern for the MD trade has seemingly left other occupational staples also in need of personnel supply — such as nurses — without much oversight.

Dual coding: Will medical practices be required to keep both code sets? May 15, 2013 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch

I have to wonder if practice isn't a compelling enough reason for medical offices of all sizes to try dual coding.

More trouble May 14, 2013 | Rob Lamberts, MD

I want my patients to see as few doctors, be sick as infrequently, and be on as few drugs as possible. I hope to wage an all-out assault on "more."

Pages

COLA to offer lab quality program to American College of Physicians January 10, 2013 | Industry Release

COLA, a laboratory accreditor, today announced an agreement with the American College of Physicians (ACP) to promote a program of laboratory excellence to ACP members. The joint initiative is designed to assist Patient-Centered Medical Home practices in delivering quality and value-driven laboratory medicine to their patients through a new COLA laboratory recognition program, called Patient-Centered Laboratory Excellence (PCLE).

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.

Epocrates invests in future physicians August 17, 2012 | Industry Release

Epocrates, Inc., developer of the top medical app among U.S. physicians, is investing in education and care quality by offering free subscriptions for its premium mobile product to all U.S. medical students. The next generation of physicians is now heading back to school with an essential tool -- Epocrates(R) Essentials drug, disease and diagnosis reference -- at no cost..

EHE International announces nationwide expansion of its physician network August 15, 2012 | Industry Release

EHE International, the nation's largest specialty preventive medicine practice organization, announced today that it has immediate market opportunities for qualified physician practice groups to join its private network to accommodate this growth. Entering its centennial year, EHE International is the recognized leader in employer-sponsored preventive medicine programs. These programs are designed for the early detection of life-threatening chronic disease and its associated life-style behaviors by way of comprehensive physical exams and clinical counseling.

Cardiovascular Systems announces physician training and educational opportunities at AMP Chicago 2012 August 10, 2012 | Industry Release

Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a medical device company developing and commercializing innovative interventional treatment systems for vascular disease, today announced a slate of training and educational activities for physicians at the upcoming LEAD (Latest Endovascular Atherectomy Devices) Course and AMP (Amputation Prevention) Symposium in Chicago.

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.

EMS introduces Orion, the next generation clinical simulation management platform August 07, 2012 | Industry Release

Education Management Solutions (EMS), a global leader in simulation-based educational training solutions for healthcare providers and educators, today announced the launch of ORION, the next generation Clinical Simulation Management platform. Leveraging the latest technologies to maximize user experience, Orion is the most intuitive, feature-rich, and powerful clinical simulation management platform on the market for training programs focused on optimizing clinical outcomes.

PhysBizTech