Business

AMA maintains operational vigor May 17, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

The largest U.S. physician organization remains in good health, according to its 2012 annual report, released May 16. American Medical Association membership grew 3 percent during the report period to a current level of nearly 225,000. Financially, the association recorded its 13th consecutive year of operating profits, $16.6 million in 2012.

Law expert's views on excluded persons May 15, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

PhysBizTech talked to Paula Sanders, principal and chair of law firm Post & Schell's Health Care Practice Group, about the potential impact at the physician practice level of the Office of Inspector General's May 9 guidance on excluded persons. "The penalties can be catastrophic if you are working with someone who has been excluded," cautions Sanders.

Doctors transform how they practice May 15, 2013 | Kaiser Health News - www.kaiserhealthnews.org

Physicians are experimenting with business models and new practice techniques, hoping to find work that is both financially and personally rewarding. One doctor comments, "Unless you remain independent, you will have no say in what kind of medicine you practice."

Stepping away from typical office furniture May 14, 2013 | Rodney J. Moore - Contributing Writer

Even as studies from the Obesity journal to the Journal of Applied Physiology have shown that sitting is bad for your health, many employers – even healthcare-related ones – balk at the costs of non-traditional office furniture like treadmill desks.

App locks down doc communications May 14, 2013 | Eric Wicklund - Senior Editor

Two mHealth companies, Medweb and DocbookMD, have unveiled a mobile application designed to enable clinicians to communicate and share labs, images and reports via mobile device with other clinicians.

Medication spending drops 3.5 percent May 13, 2013 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor

Spending on U.S. medicines fell 3.5 percent on a real per capita basis in 2012, driven in large part by greater availability of generics and lower price increases. In addition, the use of healthcare services overall declined for the second consecutive year, according to a recently released study by the IMS Institute for Healthcare Informatics.

Health plans invest in value-based models May 13, 2013 | Chris Anderson - Contributing Editor

The number of health plans that expect more than half their business will be under value-based models is expected to triple in the next five years according to a new research report released by health information network Availity. Of the six value-based models studied, the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) is the most common model, with 62 percent of health plans reporting they have implemented a PCMH.

Cost sharing doesn't deflate overall burden May 10, 2013 | Mary Mosquera - Contributing Editor

Increasing healthcare cost sharing does little to reduce overall healthcare costs or make it more efficient, according to a report released May 8 by the Economic Policy Institute. But shifting the burden to patients puts an excessive load on those who may need care the most and can least afford it.

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5 stages to ACO maturity May 17, 2013 | Mike Miliard - Managing Editor

With recognition that "the path through accountable care is unknown," IDC Health Insights has launched a new Accountable Care Maturity Model, designed to help healthcare organizations gauge their own status and make strategic decisions for funding business and IT initiatives.

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.

Breaking the cycle of 'Groundhog Day' May 15, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

To ensure that your organization or practice is capturing and implementing the best data out there, Health IT Summit panelists proffered the following tips and tricks to navigating through challenges and coming out on top by wielding proper business intelligence.

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.

How dates of service affect ICD-10 coding May 10, 2013 | Frank Irving - Editor

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services explains how you would handle submission of a claim in October 2014 for a service you provided in September 2014.

How to optimize your EHR May 08, 2013 | Madelyn Kearns - Associate Editor

In his session at the Health IT Summit in Boston on May 7, Larry Garber, MD, outlined these steps as imperative to achieving success with any EHR system, drawing upon experience and even the institution of marriage to cement for practice managers a meaningful strategy into an EHR future.

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The VNA Strategy: Balancing Workflow and Enterprise Imaging Management April 16, 2013 | Resource Central

As healthcare providers implement health IT to comply with federal mandates and participate in quality of care programs, VNA solutions can play a critical role in helping them meet their needs today and in their future IT initiatives. Forward-thinking healthcare providers around the world are already successfully meeting this challenge with VNA. Download this Healthcare IT News eBook to learn how VNA enables exchange, supports data consolidation and IT simplification.

Saving Private Practice: The Front Office April 03, 2013 | Resource Central

20 million newly-insured patients will enter the healthcare system by 2014 as a result of the Affordable Care Act. 80% of these newly-insured patients are deemed “High Risk” for non-payment. As a practitioner, you cannot afford inefficient front office processes. In this webinar, learn about the changing healthcare landscape, how it may affect you, and best practices for ensuring you receive payment.

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.

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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."

How to get the biggest ROI on your marketing communications dollars May 13, 2013 | Cindy Thomas Wright - Physician Practice Marketing

Putting dollars toward building on a solid brand is much more efficient, for example, than having to spend resources on undoing inappropriate messaging or bad public relations.

What if the healthcare cost crisis solves itself? May 10, 2013 | David Williams - Health Business Blog

Health plans tend to follow Medicare rates and do little to independently establish and negotiate price levels.

Comparative analytics: The future of business intelligence in healthcare May 09, 2013 | Brian Fugere - Chief Operating Officer, RemitDATA

Comparative analytics solutions leverage the concepts of business intelligence but contextually compare that data against peers and other benchmarks.

Accelerators should kill companies, not create them May 06, 2013 | Arlen Meyers - CEO, Society of Physician Entrepreneurs

Throwing resources primarily at startups and not scaleups is a prescription for persistent failure.

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Kareo Raises $20.5 Million to Fuel Rapid Growth January 23, 2013 | Industry Release

Kareo, Inc., a cloud-based medical office software provider for small medical practices, announced today the closing of a new $20.5 million equity investment led by Stripes Group with participation from existing Kareo investor Western Technology Investments. This new funding is in addition to the $18 million previously raised, bringing Kareo’s total funding to more than $38 million. Kareo will use the new capital to launch Kareo Billing Services, a technology-enabled revenue cycle management solution for small medical practices, and is extending its market reach and leadership position through new investment in sales and marketing.

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).

QuantiaMD Announces New Executive Appointments January 09, 2013 | Industry Release

QuantiaMD, the largest online physician community and collaboration platform, has appointed Daniel Malloy to the role of Senior Vice President, bringing deep payer, health system and life sciences expertise to the company’s leadership team. In addition, current QuantiaMD President, Mike Coyne, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Eric Schultz, QuantiaMD’s founder and current CEO, has been appointed Executive Chairman.

Voalte Chief Nursing Officer Named Nebraska Nurses Association President January 08, 2013 | Industry Release

Voalte, a provider in clinical communication technology, announced that the company’s chief nursing officer, Dr. Teresa Anderson, was recently inducted as President of the Nebraska Nurses Association, an organization that represents more than 25,000 nurses in the state. Voalte congratulates Dr. Anderson on this prestigious appointment for the 2013-2014 term.

Navicure Named 2012 Best in KLAS for the Claims and Clearinghouse Services Market Segment for Third Time in Five Years January 02, 2013

Navicure, an Internet-based medical claims clearinghouse for physician practices, today announced that it has been named “Best in KLAS” for the claims and clearinghouse services market segment as part of the 2012 Best in KLAS Awards: Software & Services report. KLAS seeks to improve healthcare technology delivery through honest, accurate and impartial measurement of vendor services.

Voalte Executive Wins Florida Governor’s Innovators in Business Award December 11, 2012 | Industry Release

Voalte’s founder and Vice President of Innovation Trey Lauderdale was honored by the Governor of Florida Monday for his role in helping transform clinical communications.

digiChart Names Harry Jacobson, M.D., as New Board Chairman November 14, 2012 | Industry Release

digiChart, Inc. today announced that Harry Jacobson, M.D., has been named the new chairman of digiChart’s board of directors. digiChart is a national provider of specialty-specific electronic health record (EHR) and practice management system (PMS) solutions for OB-GYN practices. Dr. Jacobson replaces digiChart’s former chairman, G. William Bates, M.D., M.B.A., who has been named chairman emeritus of the company.

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.

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