Outsourcing can be an effective way to overcome patient collection challenges. But it can also backfire if the collection agency you contract with uses illegal, unethical or insensitive collection tactics. One of the keys to managing these risks is to include proper legal protections in your services contract. This article covers the three legal protections you should include … [Read more...] about 3 legal protections to include in your patient debt collection agency services contract
Billing & collections
CMS extends 2016 PQRS EHR submission deadline
CMS is extending the submission deadline for 2016 Quality Reporting Document Architecture (QRDA) data submission for the Electronic Health Record (HER) reporting mechanism. Individual eligible professionals (EPs), physician quality reporting system (PQRS) group practices, qualified clinical data registries (QCDRs), and qualified EHR data submission vendors (DSVs) now have … [Read more...] about CMS extends 2016 PQRS EHR submission deadline
Don’t know what MACRA will require of your practice? You’re not alone
According to a recent survey conducted by Kareo, a provider of clinical and business management software for independent medical practices, 84% of independent physicians and staff aren't sure what MACRA's Quality Payment Program (QPP) will require of their practice. Despite this uncertainty, most of these same physicians expect to participate in it to the best of their … [Read more...] about Don’t know what MACRA will require of your practice? You’re not alone
4 steps to preventing medical claim denials
By Ricki Ransom bio It's no secret that the relationship between health care providers and insurance companies is complicated. Healthcare providers are spending a significant amount of time and energy with patients just to find out that an insurance company will fight them on paying for the services provided. Preventing claim denials helps ease the complications … [Read more...] about 4 steps to preventing medical claim denials
By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
A three-physician New York City surgery practice had a stellar year. It attributes its success to the fact that everybody follows strict and detailed procedures. Procedures produce efficiency, says Veronica L. Mogerman, administrator at Manhattan Surgical Associates. And efficiency means the office operates at top capacity and staff give patients top quality service, which … [Read more...] about By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
Answering your questions about MACRA
Understanding the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) is vital because it changes how Medicare pays physicians for services as well as care delivery. It moves away from fee for service to value-based care. Not understanding the new policies, passed on October 14, 2016, will result in a penalty of negative 4 percentage! Those who work in the healthcare … [Read more...] about Answering your questions about MACRA
Should your practice invest in medical billing software?
By Aiden Spencer bio There has been considerable debate among physicians about whether or not it is beneficial to get an EHR (electronic health record). If your practice is having this debate, let's evaluate the benefits and problems associated with an EHR and see if one is right for you. [Full disclosure: I have abundant experience in the field because I am working for a … [Read more...] about Should your practice invest in medical billing software?
CMS launches new online tool to make Quality Payment Program easier for clinicians
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a tool to share automatically electronic data for the Medicare Quality Payment Program. This new release is the first in a series that will be part of CMS's ongoing efforts to spur the creation of innovative, customizable tools to reduce burden for clinicians, while also supporting high-quality care for … [Read more...] about CMS launches new online tool to make Quality Payment Program easier for clinicians
Look back to lead forward
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio Every autumn, it's easy to get bogged down with next year's budget crunching, fret about the unveiling of Medicare's new conversion factor, or worry about the amount of this year's physician bonuses. Because in the harried life of a practice manager, it's easy to focus on what hasn't been done and forget just how many things have. So that's exactly … [Read more...] about Look back to lead forward
OIG celebrates 40 years of fighting fraud
October 15, 2016 marked 40 years since the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) was launched in 1976. It is now the largest inspector general with 1,600 employees and 70 offices and oversees $1 trillion in spending. The HHS OIG is charged with fighting fraud, waste and abuse in federal health care programs—primarily Medicare … [Read more...] about OIG celebrates 40 years of fighting fraud