Do you have an Off-Site Back-Up and is it Current?

Hello east-coast!  We know you’ve been getting constant reminders about the hurricane all week.  Heck, I’ve received no less than 10 bulletins in the last two days from the CDC, FEMA, National Weather Service, and many others- And I’m in the MID-WEST!

Anyway- we just wanted to remind you (while you were packing to run away or boarding in to hunker down) to back up your data.  BUT, we don’t just want you to back it up- we also want to make sure that you have at least one off site copy as well.

The CDC is right:  have a plan, be prepared, and by golly make sure you have an extra off-site back up too. 

Oh, yeah- and stay dry!

Webinars for WritePad Users

Upcoming WritePad Webinars

New Changes to RAC Program

Per an article by Sheri Porter on the AAFP website, Medicare is making a change to the RAC programs that might help out family physicians and their offices, beginning January 3, 2012.

The Google Health Experiment is Shutting Down

For the last four years or so I’ve been watching in the background as Google Health came out, followed shortly thereafter by Microsoft’s Healtvault and others.  PHR (personal health records) – take e-healthcare to the individual patient.  This was before the ARRA and the new EHR and meaningful use initiatives, before many people even knew what an EHR was, let alone a PHR.  Like many things Google had found a niche and was grabbing it by the horns to make it play nice for the average Joe.  Now it is over… they recently announced that the service will be completely shuttered on January 1, 2012.  At that point you will no longer be able to add info, search or view information etc.  They are giving you until the same time the following year to download or port your information into a new place.  Other PHR solutions like Microsoft’s HealthVault are already promoting the ease with which you can move your Google Health PHP information into their systems. 

Genius Solutions 5010 Update

Genius Solutions is currently working with BCBS as a 5010 pilot tester (currently in Michigan).   We are working closely with BCSBEDI (MI) in testing 5010 format using 5010 test files.  BCBS is only working with about 100 pilot testers at this point and Genius is one of them.  At this time, only the pilot testers are allowed to submit 5010 test files into BCBSEDI.

Genius Solutions Inc. has sent test files from several of our providers into BCBS (MI) which are currently being tested and checked.  We are also hoping to continue to expand our testing within the next few weeks by starting to work with other payors and clearing houses as they become prepared to test. We will be ready to submit 5010 files come 01/01/2012.

Genius 2011 Fall Training Schedule Posted

Click here to download/complete and return the registration form to us.  If you have questions on any of the classes, please e-mail training2009@geniussolutions.com or contact Training at 586-751-9080 / 800-645-0955

Special webinar on MedAssurant records requests & BCBS of MI Disaffiation Letters

Special webinar on MedAssurant records requests & BCBS of MI Disaffiation Letters

Over the past few weeks many chiropractic offices statewide have receive records requests from MedAssurant, and disaffiliation letters from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.  Please join us for a FREE 30-minute webinar on Tuesday August 23rd to discuss what immediate actions need to be taken regarding both of these issues.

Don't be stressed out, we've got your back.  Join us for this this important FREE roundtable webinar with Dr. Ted Arkfeld where he will discuss the things you need to know and the tools you have at your disposal to to fight back. Get information from the expert, and have a chance to ask questions.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, August 23rd.  From 12:30-1:00pm EST, you won't want to miss out!

Register for this Special webinar here.

Meaningful Use 2-part Webinar for WritePad Users

Meaningful Use 2-Part Series!

Part I and II of the Meaningful Use webinar series are a must for all doctors who are serious about the October 3rd, 2011 reporting period.

We wanted to make sure that all of our WritePad clients and users were aware of the upcoming webinars being provided by WritePad.  If you have any additional questions regarding these webinars, please e-mail scannon@writepad.com

EHR Stuff: All-in-one or Buffet-style? It’s your choice!

I’m sure you know how hard it is to find a good practice management (PM) system (when I say “good”, I mean gets you paid” AND makes your office life easier, not harder).  But now your life has just gotten complicated again.  Now you are being told that you need to have and use an EHR in your office.  Ok, even if you don’t give a hoot about participating in meaningful use.  The fact still remains that Medicare is threatening that if you are not meaningfully using an EHR by 2015 they are going to assess you a 1% penalty, with an additional percent being added each year up to 5% by 2020.  (Of course this could all change with the current state of healthcare and the influx or repeal of Obambacare.)  It is true.  There is a lot on the table with so many variables in play.  It’s more like a game of 52-card pick up than any organized card game.  (Seriously, have you ever tried to play Poker with someone who is playing Go Fish?)  Plus there are additional regional variations for Medicaid and third-party payers (Euchre anyone?). 

Do you know what day it is for your back up?

It shouldn’t be like pulling teeth to do a backup.  Nobody wants to get their teeth pulled out, it hurts!  So why is making a daily backup like pulling teeth in most offices?  As kids my mom tried to help us remember to do daily things like brushing and flossing by having us mark a calendar with cute stickers we could earn when we had done it.  We could have stickers for every day, MTWTFSS.  It just took some follow-up and a bit of time to make it a habit.  Well, now that you are all grown up I want you to consider MTWTFSS backups. I know, you are probably wondering why anyone would compare brushing and flossing to backups, but I’m going to tell you why… both should be done daily or the long term consequences are costly, bad, and you could lose it all.  Do you know what day it is? Do you know where your back up is?

Live from Meaningful Use=Office $timulu$

For the first time I had a live internet connection for the seminar yesterday, so I took the opportunity to "live tweet".  It was a lot of fun.

Normally I take notes and write down things that strike me during the seminars.  Yesterday's tweets were like live note-taking for me.  Please don't mind any spelling or grammar issues, I was in the moment with my 140 character limit.  I'm posting them here as thought provokers for you.  If you couldn't make it, they are things for you to consider and if you were there, they may help you recall things you wanted to consider or do.

I've also posted a .pdf file of the hand out we gave out yesterday.  If you move your mouse over any of the links, you should notice that they are "hot" (meaning that you can click on them and they will link to the page).  I found at least one where the link gets you to the site, but cuts of short of the exact page.  Hopefully you will find it helpful.

Documentation & Coding Training Camp for DCs & CAs

Click on the flier for more information.

  

You work together every day–DC and CA. Why don't you ever get to learn together so that you can work more efficiently together?

Now you can!

If you would like to register now, please complete and fax in this registration form. You can also download the flier (w/registration form) HERE.

Please fax your completed registration form to 586-751-9230.
(Seats are limited.  Reserve your spot today!)