Looking for an EHR is same as buying a car


Looking for an EHR is same as buying a car

In the same way as cars and cereals, there are hundreds of EHR systems out there. Buying an EHR Software can be a complex process. But you don’t need to worry about, after you have narrowed down your search the only thing you should be worried about is which EHR you will end up taking home. 

Objective

First of all you need to ask yourself why you need an EHR Software in the first place. You need to have an objective to guide you on how to select the right EHR. The more precise and assessable your objectives are, the better they will be able to help you.

Limitations

Everyone had their limitations when buying a car or a house. So practices know their limitations when they are buying EHR software. Whether it is the practice size or the number of patients it helps the practices make decision regarding EHRs. You need to talk with everyone especially with your biller who might have different constraints that you may never have considered. After knowing all the objectives and limitations, you must convert them into the requirements of your EHR.

Specific requirements regarding EHR Software

Some of the requirements that practices and physicians should know when buying an EHR software.

  • Meaningful Use attested
  • Automated claim submission
  • Connectivity with labs and hospitals
  • Ability to customize the lists of medications, diagnoses etc.
  • Able to create reminders for chronic diseases
  • Advice on coding
  • Able to verify eligibility in real time
  • Able to allow multiple users to access charts simultaneously
  • Money back guarantee if not satisfied
  • Ability to access records anytime from anywhere
  • Ability to support dictation

Colleagues 

To know the names of different EHRs the best way is to ask your colleagues. Find out what other kinds of EHRs, physicians and practices are using and ask them for the information regarding those EHRs.

Regional Extension Centers (RECs)

These are located in every region of the country and funded by the government for the purpose of providing assistant in EHR implementation and health IT needs. Any practice and physician is able to get list of EHRs selected by RECs. For primary care physicians free consultation is also provided at these centers. 

http://www.curemd.com/smartEHR/index.html

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Signs that indicate when EHR replacement is due


Considerable amount of effort and investment is needed when implementing a new EHR Software. With the technology and rules changing rapidly around us, many users of EHR will know if their EHR needs replacement or not. As we move forward to meeting Meaningful Use stage 2 and ICD-10 requirements, having an old EHR that is unable to meet these requirements will not work out definitely.
Analyze your current system for flaws

Practices need to analyze their current system regarding any issues that they are facing with it. Evaluating the system will help the practice make a decision that if the new system is necessary or not. Make sure if your current system is meeting your practice requirements? Does the new hired staff have any problem with training?

Sometimes replacing the entire system does not entirely work out for the practices. Discuss with your vendor if you can receive an upgrade of your current system.

Signs of EHR Replacement

Old interfaces that doesn’t work

There are many kinds of different interface areas both software and hardware in which practices operate. If a certain interface is not working or is giving unexpected results or takes longer than usual than its time to get a new system. The new system will help the practices streamline their workflows and provide them with friendly and consistent interfaces.

Unable to incorporate with Health Information Exchange

Networking is the future of the medical industry. Having an EHR system practices must be able to integrate with other systems to provide a coordinated care. Medical records in one health practice should be accessible by a specialist in another practice. This type of integration will help enhance the medical care.

Not being able to meet Meaningful Use 2

Previous EHR systems were created to meet the Meaningful Use Stage 1 and are unable to meet the Meaningful Use Stage 2 requirements. The current EHR system should be flexible enough to allow the physicians meet the Meaningful Use stage 2 requirements and address the payment incentives. If your existing EHR system is unable to meet all these requirements than it is time that you replace your EHR software.

Issues transferring to ICD-10 codes

If your current EHR software is unable to shift from ICD-9 to ICD-10, which is significant to the healthcare industry than you should look into buying EHR software that is compatible with ICD-10 codes.

Inadequate technical support

If your current vendor fails to provide you with better customer services and technical support that is essential to every practice then it is time for a change. 
http://www.curemd.com/smartEHR/index.html


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Tips to enhance the use of EHRs


EHRs can be difficult to use efficiently if you are steering your way between digital and paper based systems. Here are some tips on how to solve these issues regarding the use of EHRs.

Call forwarding
Most of EHRs include call forwarding option that converts your faxes into a digital image that is uploaded onto the EHR Software. Practices need to check with their phone service provider to know if the call forwarding feature is available on their fax line.


 Use fax machine as a scanner
Practices don’t need to buy a new scanner for their office. They can use the fax integration option to convert their documents into black and white digital image of the document that can be accessed through the EHR.

Incorporate patient data into EHR
You can ask your EHR vendor to help you export the patient demographics from the current billing system. Practices can also ask their EHR vendors upload the existing patient contacts into the EHR system.

Write e-script
Instead of faxing the pharmacy you can use e-script option to reply to a refill request. Doing so will update the patient record so the pharmacy will know when the original script for refill was received and then will send an automatic request for an electronic refill.

Check office internet speed
For better experience you should have a minimum target for internet speed. Ask your internet service provider to check your internet speed. Downloading internet speed must be 5 Mb/s as it affects how fast you can open different web pages. The uploading speed should be 2 Mb/s and this will affect how fast you can upload data to your EHR.

Use your phone in case of internet failure
If you are using a cloud based system then in case of the internet failure you must have a backup option of internet. Contact your phone service provider to get internet access on your cell phone so that you can have an uninterrupted access to your EHR software.

http://www.curemd.com/smartEHR/index.html

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Cost effective ICD-10 implementation


In a new study by American Medical Association (AMA), ICD-10 implementation will cost the providers three times more than previously estimated. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner have made it clear that there will be no more delays regarding the ICD-10. So what practices need to do in order to make the ICD-10 transformation more cost effective?

 Practice ICD-10 codes
There is a large volume of ICD-10 codes but your practice doesn’t need to remember all the codes. Practices have to only use those codes that are specific to their specialty. There are many tools out there providing free ICD-10 conversion. Many EHR vendors are providing both ICD-9 and ICD-10 codes to their clients so that they can become familiar with ICD-10 codes before the deadline.

Make a training plan
Make a training plan for your practice so your practice can start practicing the ICD-10 codes at the earliest. Set goals and training timelines. Consistently test your staff regarding the ICD-10 codes and encourage them to get themselves acquainted with these codes before the October deadline. ICD-10 will affect every member of the practice so everyone needs to have a sufficient preparation to make the difference. Starting the ICD-10 training as soon as possible will benefit the practices in the long run as it will save them money.

Keep your EHR software ready
According to the AMA study, software upgrades makes up larger percentage of total costs associated with the ICD-10 implementation. The costs associated with software upgrades ranges from $60,000 for a smaller practice to $2,000,000 for a larger practice. Making a right decision about choosing the EHR software helps practice to allocate more resources towards the training and can help them save costs if their vendor upgrades their EHR software for free.

http://www.curemd.com/icd10/index.asp

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Tips to protect the revenues from ICD-10


As deadline for ICD-10 approaches many providers are trying to boost the productivity of their practices. Providers are now working on those parts in which they have been lagging, in order to meet the required goals. As more focus is concentrated on inpatient facilities many providers are now realizing the impact and value of professional fee revenue analysis, in reducing the risks. The financial reserves saved up by the practices are essential in surviving the blackout period after the ICD-10 deadline. 
After the deadline there will be a decrease in the incoming revenues mainly due to delayed payments, increased workload, uncertainty about the documentation regarding the codes and lack of feedback from external sources.

Practices needs to understand the risks involved with ICD-10 reimbursements and need to follow these tips in order to examine their professional fee claims.

  • Practices need to actively address the denials
  • Must focus more on top risk areas associated with the practice
  • Identify the ICD-10 financial risks on paid and billed amounts arising from undetermined codes
  • Engage the physicians actively
  • Decrease the audits carried out by third party
  • Avoid increased inspection carried out by payers
  • Estimate the productivity needs of the departments
It is never too late to protect your revenues from ICD-10. Most providers are trying to find out how much cash they need in order to survive the period after ICD-10. Practices can determine this number if they have a detailed understanding of the risks involved with their revenues.


http://www.curemd.com/icd10/index.asp