One of the greatest advantages of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software is that of the e-prescription feature. Certified EMR programs (or certified HER programs) can integrate with e-prescriptions, which can increase your income while also helping to maintain more accurate records. What is an e-prescription?
This refers to computer-generated prescriptions that you can print out and send directly to your patients or pharmacy. Instead of having to write out prescriptions on a piece of paper you simply enter it into the EMR system. The prescription then travels from your office to the pharmacy's computer. This is done through a private, secure and closed network to ensure that the information is never just sent over the Internet or through email, sources which may be compromised.
The benefits of using EMR software for e-prescriptions include less waiting time by the patient, which will in turn increase the patient's satisfaction and loyalty to your office. You no longer have to worry about legibility, as EMR systems have advanced handwriting and speech recognition features. The pharmacist won't even be dealing with your handwriting, as he will be receiving all prescription information via computerized message. Using EMR medical software is also the more economic choice, as it will help you to streamline your business and pass the savings onto your customers.
Currently, over 75% of all pharmacies in the country accept e-prescriptions. Moreover, in the year 2009 and in the upcoming 2010, practices that use a qualified electronic prescribing system are eligible to earn a bonus payment of 2% of the total allowed charges through Medicare Part B. Using certified EMR medical billing software you will have access to e-prescribing features. You will be able to experience dramatic gains in enhanced productivity, additional income and reduction of time and monetary expenses.
The average physician spends an estimated $15,000 a year on nothing in particular-and it all results from using a paper file system or a basic computer record system. Using an EMR system with e-prescribing capabilities enables to you take advantage of e-prescription programs along with increased bonus payments made possible by PQRI (Physician Quality Reporting Initiative).
EMR practice management software simplifies the prescription process, protecting you legally as well as helping you financially. You will be surprised at how much more efficient your office works thanks to a comprehensive electronic document management system. Remember that you can modify and add customized features for your practice as you need them, and you don't have to be a computer expert to make these changes.
Showing posts with label medical billing articles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medical billing articles. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Pediatric EMR
By Russ Tanioka
Why the need for a special Pediatric EMR module or program? The original EMR system was developed primarily for out-patient adult services. Since EMR is the wave of the future as deemed by the Federal Government, there became a necessity to include pediatric information.
The information previously lacking was:
- Newborn Screening records
- Immunization Records
- Wellness Child Exams
- Growth Records
- Pediatric Narrative Templates
- Pediatric Examination Templates (by age)
- Pediatric SOAP Note Templates
- Patient Pictures
- Pediatric Image Management
- Collection of Family Structure
- Birth
- Adoption
- Step-Children
- Child-Abuse
- Foster Children
- Genetic Information Collection
- Newer Family Identification Methods, indexing the family together.
Although every EMR system contains templates, the earlier versions did not include an easy way to accept the additional information relating to pediatric care. Physicians and caregivers simply did not have the time to design their own database structure and care for patients at the same time.
With the newer enhanced systems, Pediatric EMR has become a reality and “paper-less” offices are becoming a standard way of practice. From scanners to hospital networking, the physician can now retrieve 98% of a patient’s information:
- Lab Tests and Results
- Radiology Tests and Results
- Cardiology Tests and Results
- Dictated Reports
And much more…
How is all this possible? Hospitals and medical facilities are storing all this data. As they strive for a consistent Master Patient Index (MPI) repository, this data can be gathered from disparate systems and stored in a central location. Most facilities and medical systems are capable of sending HL7 (Health Level 7) messages. This is a real-time connection between systems that keeps data current across all applications and available immediately to be viewed by an authorized person.
So now, a pediatrician with a Pediatric EMR equipped solution, can have data fed to their “stand-alone” application at their local office. Although, this arrangement needs to be authorized by the medical facility, which brings up another issue – HIPPA!
Medical Billing services are now offering EMR as an add-on to the services they provide along with scheduling, billing, collection, and all the back-office services. Primarily physicians of a medium to large group can benefit from such a service.
There’s multiple solutions depending on the needs of the physician and the amount of staff to support the infrastructure. Favorably, this segment has grown in regards to the quantity of EMR vendors and their capabilities.
Soon will be the day when you walk into a doctor’s office and no longer see rows and rows of manila folders (charts). Instead, you will see them viewing Pediatric EMR information from a touch-screen computer in the patient room.
Don't purchase a Pediatric EMR system until you are fully informed. If you value your time and money, make sure your are well educated on the future government mandates.
Why the need for a special Pediatric EMR module or program? The original EMR system was developed primarily for out-patient adult services. Since EMR is the wave of the future as deemed by the Federal Government, there became a necessity to include pediatric information.
The information previously lacking was:
- Newborn Screening records
- Immunization Records
- Wellness Child Exams
- Growth Records
- Pediatric Narrative Templates
- Pediatric Examination Templates (by age)
- Pediatric SOAP Note Templates
- Patient Pictures
- Pediatric Image Management
- Collection of Family Structure
- Birth
- Adoption
- Step-Children
- Child-Abuse
- Foster Children
- Genetic Information Collection
- Newer Family Identification Methods, indexing the family together.
Although every EMR system contains templates, the earlier versions did not include an easy way to accept the additional information relating to pediatric care. Physicians and caregivers simply did not have the time to design their own database structure and care for patients at the same time.
With the newer enhanced systems, Pediatric EMR has become a reality and “paper-less” offices are becoming a standard way of practice. From scanners to hospital networking, the physician can now retrieve 98% of a patient’s information:
- Lab Tests and Results
- Radiology Tests and Results
- Cardiology Tests and Results
- Dictated Reports
And much more…
How is all this possible? Hospitals and medical facilities are storing all this data. As they strive for a consistent Master Patient Index (MPI) repository, this data can be gathered from disparate systems and stored in a central location. Most facilities and medical systems are capable of sending HL7 (Health Level 7) messages. This is a real-time connection between systems that keeps data current across all applications and available immediately to be viewed by an authorized person.
So now, a pediatrician with a Pediatric EMR equipped solution, can have data fed to their “stand-alone” application at their local office. Although, this arrangement needs to be authorized by the medical facility, which brings up another issue – HIPPA!
Medical Billing services are now offering EMR as an add-on to the services they provide along with scheduling, billing, collection, and all the back-office services. Primarily physicians of a medium to large group can benefit from such a service.
There’s multiple solutions depending on the needs of the physician and the amount of staff to support the infrastructure. Favorably, this segment has grown in regards to the quantity of EMR vendors and their capabilities.
Soon will be the day when you walk into a doctor’s office and no longer see rows and rows of manila folders (charts). Instead, you will see them viewing Pediatric EMR information from a touch-screen computer in the patient room.
Don't purchase a Pediatric EMR system until you are fully informed. If you value your time and money, make sure your are well educated on the future government mandates.
Medical coding and EMR
written by Ricci Mathew
What is EMR and what does it have to do with the medical coding process? EMR stands for "Electronic Medical Records" and is a system that is used by doctors and hospitals to electronically store and manage patients' medical histories. Today because of the Government regulations (like HIPAA compliance) all patient records have to be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
The huge and growing database of medical information has given rise to the development and use of the sophisticated electronic medical records systems which is good for the insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and also for the HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). Handling of huge quantities of medical documents efficiently in less time is made possible because of EMR.
Medical coding is about assigning codes to the diagnosis and various procedures used for reimbursement from insurance companies and government agencies, software companies and consulting firms. EMR is a necessary base for medical coding. Physicians and doctors find EMR to be a very powerful tool that allows complete medical documentation in an easy manner. Many payers and other agencies like Medicare have to keep checking up if the medical coding has been done rightly or if there has been a mistake. This process of checking can be done and is supported only because of EMR implementation.
However indiscriminate use of EMR can result in major errors and so caution must be taken to avoid mistakes in the medical billing process. These are,
- Checking the software's default settings and override whenever necessary.
- Personalizing records as much as possible.
- EMR training for all.
- Maximize human intervention in choosing the codes
What is EMR and what does it have to do with the medical coding process? EMR stands for "Electronic Medical Records" and is a system that is used by doctors and hospitals to electronically store and manage patients' medical histories. Today because of the Government regulations (like HIPAA compliance) all patient records have to be handled with the utmost confidentiality.
The huge and growing database of medical information has given rise to the development and use of the sophisticated electronic medical records systems which is good for the insurance companies, doctors, hospitals and also for the HMO (Health Maintenance Organization). Handling of huge quantities of medical documents efficiently in less time is made possible because of EMR.
Medical coding is about assigning codes to the diagnosis and various procedures used for reimbursement from insurance companies and government agencies, software companies and consulting firms. EMR is a necessary base for medical coding. Physicians and doctors find EMR to be a very powerful tool that allows complete medical documentation in an easy manner. Many payers and other agencies like Medicare have to keep checking up if the medical coding has been done rightly or if there has been a mistake. This process of checking can be done and is supported only because of EMR implementation.
However indiscriminate use of EMR can result in major errors and so caution must be taken to avoid mistakes in the medical billing process. These are,
- Checking the software's default settings and override whenever necessary.
- Personalizing records as much as possible.
- EMR training for all.
- Maximize human intervention in choosing the codes
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