Brand equity expected to weigh heavily in HIX environment
The newly released Harris Poll EquiTrend study revealed that consumers shopping for health insurance will strongly factor in brand equity when payers begin competing on health insurance exchanges in 2014. MORE

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Brand equity expected to weigh heavily in HIX environment May 18, 2012 | Chris Anderson - Contributing Editor
The newly released Harris Poll EquiTrend study revealed that consumers shopping for health insurance will strongly factor in brand equity when payers begin competing on health insurance exchanges in 2014.
Can pharma align with physicians, payers and patients? May 18, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
In the current healthcare landscape, physicians, health insurers and patients want to know how well a drug will work and affect total medical costs. However, according to a report published May 17 by the Health Research Institute at PwC US, information provided by the biopharmaceutical industry no longer suffices.
Federal blueprint frames out insurance exchange plans May 17, 2012 | Kaiser Health News - www.kaiserhealthnews.org
The Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on May 16 released guidance for states to provide details to the federal government on how they will run their online insurance marketplaces. Details are due to HHS by Nov. 16, 2012, according to the blueprint document.
Small-business credit conditions improving May 17, 2012 | Frank Irving - Editor
A new business index, announced May 17 by Experian and Moody's Analytics, shows that U.S. commercial credit conditions are improving, with fewer small businesses falling behind on bill payments. The index will be reported quarterly to track fluctuations in the market and indicate factors that are impacting the business economy.
HL7 extends membership program to caregivers May 17, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
Standards development organization Health Level Seven International announced on May 16 a pilot membership program and webpage to encourage clinician caregivers to participate in the process of developing standards for EHRs.
Study finds $20 billion in ineffective healthcare incentives May 15, 2012 | Stephanie Bouchard - Associate Editor
A report released May 14 by sales and marketing consulting firm ZS Associates found that 75 percent of compensation incentives are so small or poorly communicated that they do not produce the work outcomes healthcare employers expect to get.
Medicaid payment parity would improve access to primary care, says AAFP president May 14, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
Access to primary medical care services could become easier for Medicaid beneficiaries under a new regulation proposed May 9. Federal funds would bring state Medicaid payments up to Medicare levels for primary care services beginning in 2013.
ONC asks for comments on HIE standards and specs May 14, 2012 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor
The Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT (ONC) seeks public comment on creation of a voluntary program under which entities that enable electronic health information exchange could be validated based on meeting ONC-established “conditions for trusted exchange.”

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Six essentials of exceptional service May 16, 2012 | John Tschohl - President, Service Quality Institute
Providing your customers with exceptional service will give you and your organization a competitive edge by increasing customer loyalty. The following six basic principles of customer service, if mastered, will help you succeed as a small business owner.
What you should know about data encryption May 15, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
A new report acknowledges that misconceptions about data encryption persist – even among people who are generally knowledgeable about computers. The report outlines what you should know about data encryption by debunking seven common myths.
Write a book to promote your practice: 3 steps to getting started May 15, 2012 | PhysBizTech staff
Yesterday's business cards are today’s books, according to PR expert Marsha Friedman. They give their authors immediate credibility, establishing them as experts in their fields. Credibility opens the door to journalists, talk show hosts, bloggers and anyone else creating content for hungry audiences.
What to study before purchasing cyber insurance May 14, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
There's no denying that data breaches pose an increasing threat to healthcare entities of all sizes. That's why current risk-management strategy calls for consideration of cyber insurance, according to a recently released report.
5 quick scripts for responding to complaints
 May 08, 2012 | Frank Irving - Editor
Patients with complaints don't want to hear you say: “You’re wrong.” They want to hear that you understand them, appreciate them and agree with them on the importance of the value they have cited in their complaints.
What to watch among social media trends April 27, 2012 | Michelle McNickle - Web Content Producer
Information from social media sources can help healthcare organizations connect with customers in ways that provide value and increase trust, according to a newly released report by the Health Research Institute at PwC US. Ultimately, social media can help organizations take a more active and engaged role in managing individuals' health.
8 helpful guidelines for your ideal professional photo April 23, 2012 | Lonnie Hirsch - Co-founder, Healthcare Success Strategies Inc., Stewart Gandolf - Co-founder, Healthcare Success Strategies Inc.
Healthcare is a people business, where trust and confidence begin with the first impression. And having a truly excellent executive portrait helps build and extend your first-class reputation. Here are eight guidelines that will help you get the job done right.
8 ways a REC can help April 16, 2012 | Molly Merrill - Contributing writer
Kathryn Galbraith, MD, of Galbraith Family Medicine, LLC, in Limerick, Maine, shares with PhysBizTech some of the REC services that she found to be most useful for her practice.

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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.
Code Red: Rescue Your Revenues April 10, 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.
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.
Physician Quality Reporting System Best Practices: Maximizing Medicare Reimbursements April 10, 2012 | Resource Central
As healthcare expenditures continue to rise, politicians and employers have sought after ways to slow the growth of healthcare expenses and the budget shortfalls which accompany these increases. While most solutions proposed to fix America's healthcare crisis have been met with intense debate and criticism, virtually all parties agree that efforts to improve prevention and the quality of care delivered are crucial for the success of any reform. In 2007, CMS took its first step towards “pay for performance” reimbursements by launching the Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS). In this whitepaper, you will learn about the PQRS program and best practices for participation.
Key Metrics in Revenue Cycle Management: Measurements that Ensure Peak Financial Performance April 01, 2012 | Resource Central
While cash flow is the most common metric practices use to determine financial health – it isn’t the only one that should be monitored. There are other key metrics that are just as important for guaranteeing revenue cycle success. Being proactive about measuring and monitoring these important additional key metrics can help you catch costly errors so your practice can enjoy fewer denials, faster payments and greater profitability. Download this free resource guide to learn more!
Post-Acquisition Physician Practice Billing Strategies March 20, 2012 | Resource Central
Ten considerations when deciding if hospital-owned physician practices should maintain independent billing solutions and processes.
Integrating Faxes into Today's World of Healthcare e-Records March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
This white paper examines the obstacles preventing the move away from fax machines, and the benefits of having a communications system that integrates faxed documents into healthcare systems and solutions.
Making (the most) of Technology Transitions: EHR imperatives and opportunities in today's medical practice March 19, 2012 | Resource Central
Medical practices have been contemplating the prospect of moving from paper-based records to electronic health record (EHR) systems for decades. But relatively few have begun taking steps to make the transition – until now. This white paper examines the factors that have kept many medical practices from moving forward with EHR over the years and the factors that are prompting action today; explains some of the technological requirements of making the transition to EHR and how to begin to meet them; and explores the significant operational, clinical and administrative benefits to be gained in the process.

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Like it or not, MU is underway May 18, 2012 | Diana Manos - Senior Editor
No matter how you feel about the federal incentive program to drive the adoption of healthcare IT, the numbers speak for themselves.
Retirement and healthcare costs May 15, 2012 | Jeff Bogue - Bogue Asset Management
How can you account for rising healthcare costs within your retirement planning? Here are several things to consider.
Health exchange standards finally surfacing May 08, 2012 | Hannah King - Health Information Exchange
HIEs have to talk to each other in order to source data across cities and states so that information can be where the corresponding patients are. The technical capability is alive and well. All we need are standards to facilitate the movement.
EHR lessons learned from small practices: part 2 May 07, 2012 | Arjen Westerink - Director of Business Development, VitalHealth Software
While perhaps the greatest emphasis of transition support needs to be focused on technical challenges, it is also important to address practical challenges, such as the EHR’s effect on the patient-physician encounter and relationship.
CMS, WEDI working out HIPAA 5010 issues May 02, 2012 | Carl Natale - ICD10Watch
Reimbursements are being held up without much help from the payers rejecting claims. Luckily the government is here to help.
I don’t really want my $127 MLR rebate check May 01, 2012 | David Williams - Health Business Blog
Health plans could relax their cost-containment initiatives if it looks like they are not spending up to the 80 or 85 percent mark.
The need for fiduciary financial advice April 25, 2012 | Jeff Bogue - Bogue Asset Management
Some financial service firms are required to act in your best interest first while others only have to determine if a product is suitable.
EHR lessons learned from small practices: Part 1 April 24, 2012 | Arjen Westerink - Director of Business Development, VitalHealth Software
In my next few posts I will shed light on some of the most common and significant barriers impeding EHR adoption in the small-practice setting.

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Cloud-based medical billing software company Kareo brings enterprise-grade claim scrubbing technology to small medical practices May 17, 2012 | Industry Release
Kareo, Inc., the leading provider of easy and affordable cloud-based practice management and medical billing software for US physicians, announced today the release of advanced claim scrubbing technology designed to streamline the billing process and improve cash flow for physician practices. This new feature will help practices eliminate medical claim errors and expedite payment from insurance companies. The enhancement is immediately available to all Kareo customers at no additional charge.
Resistance to workflow as leading obstacle to CPOE adoption May 11, 2012 | Industry Release
Imprivata, the leader in secure access and collaboration for healthcare, today announced the results of its fifth annual survey examining IT trends in healthcare. According to this year's findings, 45 percent of respondents indicate that more than half of their physicians are placing orders using Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE).  Yet, 38 percent report that still less than 25 percent of their physicians are using CPOE, which poses a challenge for meeting Stage 2 Meaningful Use.  Sixty-three percent of respondents reported Resistance to Workflow Changes as the leading obstacle to CPOE adoption, with Single Sign-on (SSO) (74%), Virtualized Desktops (48%) and Remote/Mobile Access (46%) reported as the top three technologies for engaging physicians to use CPOE. 
Emdeon completes re-pricing and increase to its senior secured credit facilities April 25, 2012 | Industry Release
Emdeon Inc., a leading provider of healthcare revenue and payment cycle management and clinical information exchange solutions, today announced it has completed the re-pricing of its existing senior secured credit facilities. In addition, Emdeon borrowed $80 million of additional term loans for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions.
The doctor is in...but where is the tax advisor? April 25, 2012 | Industry Release
Medical practices are a niche market vastly underserved by tax and accounting practitioners, according to leading tax experts Alan Gassman, Jim Feutz and Lester Perling, who will host a new webinar from Bloomberg BNA entitled Individual and Group Medical Practices: Tax, Health Law, and Creditor Protection Planning.
Emdat makes medical documentation more efficient with newest version of Inscribe April 18, 2012 | Industry Release
Emdat Inc., a leading provider of web-based medical documentation software, announces the newest release of InScribe, the HIPAA-compliant typing application designed to help clinical documentation specialists easily and quickly complete quality documents. InScribe version 4.109 boasts advanced voice recognition (VR) integration and Qualified Text capabilities.
NCB Medical agrees to defer 80 percent of cost for its industry-leading EHR solution April 10, 2012 | Industry Release
Perfect Care EHR has a proven track record of solving the complexities of the new electronic health record guidelines set by the government.
Interprofessional care teams improve clinical outcomes April 09, 2012 | Industry Release
With so much discussion about what's not working in healthcare today, experts are increasingly pointing to a model of care that is working to improve outcomes for patients.  A growing body of research is showing that the concept of "team work" or interprofessional collaboration can fill service gaps, enhance communication and ease the demands on the healthcare system – all of which translates into better care for patients.
Cigna works with physicians to bring accountable care to individuals from Maine to Texas April 09, 2012 | Industry Release
Cigna has expanded its collaborative accountable care program through 10 new initiatives with physician groups in seven states – Colorado, Maine, New York, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. With the addition of these initiatives, Cigna now has 22 collaborative accountable care programs in 13 states covering more than 270,000 customers and is positioned to reach its goal of 100 initiatives for 1 million customers by 2014. Cigna launched its first collaborative accountable care program in 2008.

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ZirMed Fact of the Month

Average time to submit charges by specialty

Click here to see the expanded table. Data provided by Revenue Cycle Management Company ZirMed.

Slideshow: Physician Practice Demographics from SK&A Research

Research firm SK&A maintains a database of more than 2 million healthcare practitioners. This slideshow presents snapshots of U.S. physician practice demographics, based on reports published by SK&A between June 2011 and January 2012.
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