The Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the introduction of ICD-10 have complicated the already complex medical billing system. Due to changes in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement as well as the different requirements for high deductible insurance plans, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for physicians to meet the financial goals they’ve set for their practice.
However, making the changes below may help improve the financial health of your practice and reduce the impact of the ACA.
With the introduction of the Medicare Electronic Health Record (EHR) incentive program and Meaningful Use, physicians have faced even greater pressure to balance efficiency and patient satisfaction. It can be difficult to input patient data accurately while simultaneously ensuring patients feel their concerns are being properly addressed.
The utilization of a medical scribe program can help doctors focus on providing a positive experience for their patients because the responsibilities of recording the patient’s past medical history and current complaints are delegated to a trained professional.
This post will examine the relatively new role of the medical scribe, including their training, primary duties and benefits to providers.
Auditing medical records can be a time-consuming process, but the benefits far outweigh the inconvenience.
In the simplest terms, a medical records audit is a chart review which is used to identify what is being done correctly and what is in need of improvement. Depending on the objective, medical record audits can be performed either by an external agency or by staff within an organization. Audits conducted by a third party are generally to review compliance, and internal audits are usually performed to evaluate current treatment processes and measure quality of care. This post will cover the latter.
Below is an eight-step guide on auditing medical records which nurses can use to ensure their facility is providing the best patient experience.
Unclear or inadequate communication is frustrating, but communication breakdowns can be downright dangerous when it comes to patient care.
In large hospitals and medical centers where information is exchanged between multiple departments, there is an even greater risk that crucial details won’t reach the right person in a timely manner. Unfortunately, this can lead to poor outcomes and even death.
A violation of HIPAA regulations, even if the infraction is accidental, can be costly.
If HIPAA rules are unintentionally violated, the Office for Civil Rights assesses a $100 fine per offense. If the infraction was willful and no attempt was made to correct the problem, the fine can escalate to $50,000.
HIPAA violations can cost your institution thousands of dollars and damage the relationships you’ve worked so hard to establish with your patients. These tips can help you ensure HIPAA compliance and keep patient information safe.
