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Archive for the ‘Health IT’ Category

Does all medical encounters make you have quick and easy money? What do you do to minimize healthcare costs/expenses, and to optimize revenue?!

 

It is a common scenario in healthcare setting: care providers treat a lot of patients, provide them medical services on this and that, but at the end, do not get timely paid by insurance companies/payers. Are you a victim of one such – have you ever realized, why it happens to you?!

You may wonder, what it is that your organization lacks, which hinders you make revenue; if you are dangling over the edge, with this issue – then leave your worries aside; there are companies/service providers that will manage your business for you, and you can have more time for your patients, to cure and treat them, nicely!

Inaccurate coding on various medical notes/procedures at time can bring in big issues – which you should remain aware about, if not; professionals skilled in medical coding and billing should be opted for, in such cases, as many do not understand their importance in a healthcare practice.

Were you trying hard to improve revenue cycle, and failed on it – you should think now of professionals/service providers to help improve the bottom line of your business; it can be quite difficult for to capture, process/audit all the procedures, to enhance the income, and we understand it; electronic charge capture (at point-of-care) is one that many prefer to go after.

If insurance companies have negotiated with you on certain terms, and you are not paid ‘just’ for everything you discussed along, you definitely require somebody to assist you on this issue, as they will check for all variances involved, and let you have clear picture of the business, to make valuable decisions!

No unclaimed bills/denied payments for you, any longer – get paid for all your services, on negotiated terms and conditions!

If you are searching for companies for (specialized) medical billing and coding services, then MedicExchange can help you out on everything! For more details, stay connected!

Thanks to American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (stimulus), passed by Federal Government in 2009, healthcare professionals can get to benefit through various incentive programs, associated with EHR adoption.

 

For all care facilities/professionals that are meaningfully using electronic health records, this is their time for these financial incentives (Medicaid, and Medicare); if you have not yet digitized your healthcare setting with an electronic medical record, then you have the time to go for it.

Adopt an EHR, and get to enjoy a safe and effective work-space for improved productivity/efficiency, to better quality of care and treatment; decide, you want incentives through EHR adoption, or prefer to get penalized by?!

Please not, penalties and incentives vary for both the programs – Medicaid, and Medicare that a medical professional is eligible for. You cannot qualify for both the programs, at a time, as can go with any one.

Under Medicaid (care for the needy) program, there is no penalty, and maximum incentive payment is $63,750 (over 6 years), per eligible professional; besides, with the Medicare program, be prepared with the penalty of payment reductions (1%-5%; 1% increase every year), if are not found meaningfully using EHRs by 2015; on the other, the maximum incentive for eligible professionals under this program is $44,000 over 5 years.

So, what are you thinking about? Do not delay, and just go for it – digitize your care unit, for incentive benefits, and to better health outcomes!

For details about various EMR Companies that you could go for, stay connected with MedicExchange!

Hello doctor, who is there to help you on your dictations? See, a medical transcriptionist is right here to help you on voice-text data conversion, to let you streamline the process!

 

Doctors/physicians remain always busy with N number of patients; they have to manage patients on this and that, and since they are human, not machine – they can not focus on more than one work at a time (multi-task), i.e. diagnose patients, jot down details about every patient encounter, and other related.

Medical transcriptionists play vital role here; they assist doctors on dictated medical notes (spoken over through Dictaphone/recorder) by converting that to textual format; the transcribed file can be paper or electronic; in case of paper-files/records, it can be scanned over, and included in (permanent) medical record of the patient. About electronic files, we know these are easy to work with, and to transmit over!

Medical transcriptionists require to work on both audio and video files; but in both – they have to tap exactly what the doctor/medical professional has conveyed over. Nothing less, nothing more!

The work that medical transcriptionists do is vital, as they play important role in patient care and therapy (indirectly); yes, their role is challenging, as they have to transcribe exactly the same that the doctor has spoken over (recorded), about a medical case, of a patient.

So, do you require service of a medical transcriptionist, today? If yes, let us know – and we will direct you the right way!

On the other, with an electronic medical record in place, you can easily manage patient encounters (real-time); go for certified EMR technology, if you have not adopted one, yet, to reform your care unit with it.

Well, healthcare sector is growing at a fast pace, and the sector has great hope for everybody! All are growing with the sector (and will continue to…) – whether doctors/medical professionals, medical equipment manufacturers, diagnostic imaging centers, healthcare service providers (viz. medical transcription/translation, medical imaging, medical waste disposal, on-demand software, Teleradiology/Telemedicine, and lots more)…!

If you run a hospital, a clinic, or anything related – and are in dire need of companies/vendors and service providers for various organizational objectives (of products, or project outsourcing/services etc.), then you are at the right place.

Stay connected with MedicExchange for to restructure your healthcare business, for better growth prospects, and outcomes!

A cloud/sky has space for everybody; what are you comfortable under – a protective roof (traditional enterprise software), or an open cloud (web based software)?!

***Hello, this is Healthcare sector, here!***

 

Expensive software packages can be a matter of concern, for many; software on demand (Software as a service) that are being deployed over the Internet for seamless access is what most are looking forth.

Yes, we understand that – traditional enterprise software (client/server) require you to install things down, every time, to your personal computer, so as to use it effectively. How different can be such software that you have to manage, on you own – in comparison to other web-based software available to you, on-demand, with subscription fee?

Well, everything in the world is balanced with few share of plus and minus, here and there (confused?); we mean positive and negative traits are common in all, and traditional enterprise software and/or web-based software [software on cloud (computing)] are nothing different, than usual.

For some – a traditional approach (software) will do, and for others, they may like a web-based platform for the software technology! It is all about healthcare cost, which most think about, prior they decide of going for any of these. How careful you are with MONEY, ha?!

In case of web-based software (Software as a service, or on-demand software), the data is hosted centrally over the Internet, which the users can have secure access to through a web-browser; this is simple and easy, in most of the cases – as here the user is free of worries about software upgrades/enhancements, and other related, as the central host will take good care of it, for them. No headaches for you, but for them!

If we equate both the scenario (traditional enterprise over web-based software on demand) – we would realize, that if we buy a software for our care unit, we would be required to always check (on our own) for new updates, this and that, which can be tedious, at times!

Please note, ownership (of anything) has its own freedom – as you can use a product the way you can, customize it, do this, do that; but in a web-based culture, since you are a guest, and not the host – you would have to manage with things that all others are having, without any choice! You have to decide the best host/vendor prior you go for any of their software services.

To make right decision perhaps is not easy for many; if you are confused over anything – please let MedicExchange resolve this out for you.

Stay connected throughout for various medical software and services, to gain on!

What can doctors at remote location, with isolated population do to manage health of people? Well, Telemedicine (clinical medicine/approach) perhaps is an answer for them! What do you say?

 

Yes, telecommunication technology has made it possible long back; it is like isolated population can never drive every now and then to nearby BIG hospitals for special care and treatment; and Telemedicine naturally is an answer for all their requirements – of remote diagnosis and therapy, through audio-video systems.

Now care providers at any distant location can discuss along, seek expert consultation from other physicians/doctors over interactive audio-visual media, in real-time; yes, telecommunication has made it easy for a doctor at remote location to diagnose a patient, supervise/monitor and direct various medical procedures (on a patient) to the care provider at the other end.

There has been increased demand for Telemedicine services; through computer, Internet, satellite/wireless communication, video-cameras/online conferencing this and that – care providers at two or more different locations can discuss about any medical case of a patient that they want to talk about, for better decision support, for medical interventions.

Yes, through the technology, doctors/medical professionals at remote locations can consult each other in a more personalized manner on a lot of things, and even educate a patient on their condition and other related that patient requires to be informed about.

Whether for remote (interactive) consultation, or for information exchange – Telemedicine has turned out to be vital in every day health practice…!

No issues if a doctor or a patient, or two or more doctors cannot come together (due to remote locations they are situated at, and/or other reasons), real-time videoconferencing (Telemedicine) helps them overcome all these issues, for effective interaction/communication over a health condition or matter, associated with a patient, for timely interventions.

Are you in search of Telemedicine service providers? If yes, then we can help you out with many; stay connected with MedicExchange for more details!

Go for PACS, and have easy and convenient access to medical images/data from various imaging modalities…!

 

The imaging technology PACS (Picture Archiving and Communication System) facilitates for effective storage, easy retrieval/recovery of medical images from varied imaging modalities (viz. CT, MRI, Ultrasound etc.); digital data (images/reports) can be electronically transferred from one location to the other, for easy access.

Gone are the days of old and traditional way of managing images on films; everything is digital here, as radiology studies are managed in PACS systems! The imaging standard DICOM is used for image storage and transfer, and we know about it!

Real-time data at point-of-care is the requirement of ‘this hour’, for immediate medical interventions; can you achieve this with films and hard-copies?

PACS system is in great demand for off-site reporting and viewing (medical images/data); doctors/care providers at various locations can have remote access to radiology data, for image interpretation and consultation.

Digital files are easy to be maintained, as do not require higher cost to manage it, in comparison to traditional films (for data storage); web-based PACS are common among care units, as data is easily communicated, and can have access to through Internet (virtual private network/secure sockets layer).

If you are concerned about higher cost of PACS system, then web-based PACS (HIPAA compliant) is a feasible option for you for digital image/data management.

Stay tuned with MedicExchange for web based PACS systems, and other related, to benefit from.

“…swinging between – physical and digital medical files??!!”

 

Is something holding you back for EMR adoption? Wise men always say, “OLD IS GOLD”, and we presume old doctors are used to, or say love to stick to the old tradition of managing patient records/charts on paper – well know as “PHYSICAL FILES”!

All are saying, adopt an EMR, implement an EMR, EMR is this…it is that…!

Yes, what do you think? Can everything go digital, all of a sudden – in one fine day? It is a fact that not everybody can adjust, or be flexible all at once to anything NEW to them – and they are not to be blamed, either, as “NEW” always intrigues…!

We often get to read a lot about Electronic Medical Records, here and there; most (majority of people) are in favor of an EMR, as know it is beneficial, but “old habits die hard” for some that are happy in their PAPER-WORLD, and we have to understand this well; physicians/doctors and other related that are accustomed to paper based work culture perhaps require some more time to switch over to the digitized work-culture.

For some – it is “lack of funds”, and for others it is “new technology, and associated training”; people feel, the new system would be hard to get adjusted to, this and that. N number of heads, and N number of versions you will get to have from all of them!

Some of the market analysts feel – the healthcare sector would continue to be like this, with half of using paper-based records, and half enjoying the electronic workspace.

It perhaps is “COMFORT” that all are going after (who does not want to be comfortable, ha?); many are still comfortable with paper-based charts/medical records, and prefer that ONLY, but there are other that really understand the importance of an EMR system, and are going for it.

The industry requires men to decide smartly – for what is good and relevant for them, than not what they are used to; time does not stop for anybody – it is like some love to live ahead of time, some go with the time, and others stay behind in the race!

Are you running ahead of time, or with time, or left behind? If you have apprehensions about an EMR system, we are here to help you overcome it!

Stay connected with MedicExchange for more details about EMR companies/vendors, and other related!

Are you worried about rising healthcare costs, and lowered profit margins? Lack of integrated information systems is one of the reasons, why you are unable to manage your cost, and incurring loss in many of the ways.

 

We are sorry, but you can never be productive or efficient, if are devoid of proper health information structure for real-time networking and data/information exchange along various departments; lack of cutting-edge medical technology (records for data storage and management) is one of the reasons for poor inefficiency and productivity downtrend.

Real-life incidents are many, where patients were made to pass similar tests/examinations all over again, and this happened (mostly) due to lack of technology for proper data/information storage and management.

Every time anything goes wrong, we blame it on technology; we never care to learn it, and fear implementing it – every error starts with our lack of understanding a thing! Medical professionals that are apprehensive about new medical software (EMR and other practice management) should not worry any longer, as these are easy to learn and work with.

Once integrated well with the healthcare system, you can get to improve your operational efficiency, and better your medical practice; for all system connectivity, interoperability and other related issues you have been having – you can seek assistance from industrial experts, to better health outcomes.

Stay connected with MedicExchange for various health information management systems, to reform your care setting.

Does ‘performance’ has any relation with the work-culture, we get to work in? Instantly, the reply would come – YES! Every business has the same story, and Healthcare sector is nothing different!

Let not lack of technology, and poor information architecture affect your business!

 

Good or bad performance of people, and the organization is directly related with the overall infrastructure (system, network etc.) that any firm has; everything from an A-Z is of core importance that decides how an organization will yield at the end of the day (every-day adds to the overall performance)! Every drop counts, similarly – EVERYTHING counts here – it is the combination that works everywhere! HEALTHCARE IS NOT DIFFERENT!

If you have spent millions on this and that (medical equipment, and other) in your care facility, but not SMARTLY, then that would not serve the right purpose for your business; yes!

An organization with highest-quality imaging equipment, badly/poorly connected (incorporated) with other departments/information systems serve no purpose for anybody, or the healthcare business. Poor medical device connectivity is one of the issues many have been having; what about system Integration, Interoperability & Connectivity issues, at your facility?!

It is like, everything should be in a loop, fully inter-related/linked to each other in a web, as that would facilitate for real-time data/information exchange and communication along one department to the other.

Time is precious to all, and patients are not here to wait in queues; they will stick with organizations that work out things in a zap, with best of information system (technology). For Government incentives and other benefits, many are implementing EMR at their facilities, but only few are doing it the right way. Do you think this would help them any way? No, never!

Certified EMR technology is what you should always go for; it is not only about clinical/administrative tasks that you manage with an electronic medical record, but the technology even helps care units in various other manner. For queries, be in touch!

Please note, if you have not adopted an EMR yet, go for it ASAP! If you are struck in between client/server EMR and web-based technology, we can help you out with the right decision. For EMR consulting and other related queries on various practice management system – stay connected with MedicExchange!

See, healthcare/medical service providers are queued up with these questions: Hi, how can I help you, Sir/Madam? What are you looking today us, for?

Parallel to medical equipment manufacturers, healthcare service providers have carved their own space; please read along!

 

Well, Healthcare sector is not only about diagnostic imaging equipment (computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography, ultrasound, this and/or that which you can feel with your bare hands – that are tangible); yes, we know – you agree with it/us!

We know, many English alphabets come together, form a word, then a meaning; similarly in a healthcare cycle – many individual constituents come together and form a synergy: these are medical professionals/care providers, equipment manufacturers, imaging centers, service providers, to name a few.

All are related to each other for this and that; doctors rely on medical equipment and supplies from equipment manufacturers, to treat on patients; they even rely on various service providers to manage their office work-flow, yes, Teleradiology service is one, where radiology images are transmitted to distant location for reading and consultation. You even know about Telemedicine, where an expert is required for remote diagnosis and treatment of patient (courtesy: telecommunication technology);

Does a shop you go every day has everything you ask them for? You would say – NO! Yes, the same way, not every health organization (hospital, clinic) you pick from the Google will have everything you require for to treat you (self) from head to toe!

Here come into play – SERVICE PROVIDERS! They try to fill in the vacant space, here and there – that others lack; for example, your small clinic is devoid of expensive imaging equipment (X-ray and other) or technologists/technicians to manage patient examinations; here – you will be left with no option than to recommend your patients to diagnostic imaging centers, for getting your patients imaged by. Yes, they are there to help you out on that, only!

How would you get to manage your patients otherwise, without medical imaging service of these centers? It is like, we always go for alternatives to the PRODUCT (technology), when we lack it at the first place, and service providers help us overcome the same issue, as when you have no equipment/technology to manage work, outsource your project to service providers – so easy, and simple!

Healthcare sector has answer for everybody (that are short of technology/equipment, or related) – that want to accomplish this and/or that through service providers, whether – consultation (Medico-legal,…), staffing and recruitment, medical transcription/translation, medical waste disposal (do you have incinerator?), equipment finance/lease, and more!

It is like, if you are confused over a product, which you are unable for (to purchase) – opt for an alternative; yes, try to achieve your organizational objectives going for a rental agreement, and related.