Happy New Year!

Remember- Genius will be closed Jan 2-3.  Have a Happy Holiday!

5010 Updates for BSBSM MI & All Others

Don't forget to visit our Genius 5010 web page for all of the updates and most current information for your clearing house and state.  New information is being added, updated, and amended daily.

Genius had a conversation with BSBSM of Michigan and received these updates just this week.  Check them out to make sure that you will be able to smoothly transition your billing over the rest of this month and into the new year.

December e-News Flash from Genius

In case you missed the December e-mail that was sent out last week from us, here it is.

If you did not receive it, but we have your current e-mail on file, check your "junk mail" and un-junk us.  If it's not in your mail box or your junk mail box, then we may not any e-mail address for you (or at least not an active or current one).  Next time you're on the phone with us, update your e-mail or you can send in your e-mail with your office id or phone #  to newsletter2010@geniussolutions.com and we'll make sure to update your information.

In the mean time - have a great holiday season!

The Best Presents

Sometimes the best presents are the ones we allow ourselves.

Christmas time is special.  No matter what your religious affiliations (or not) are, no matter how much you love or hate shopping or snow, Christmas time is the best time of the year.  It’s a shame that it has become so commercialized, politicized, and contentious in word and symbol that it has become nearly ostracized.  For such a civilized society we often aren’t very civilized. 

Civilization is people coming together and working together for common sustaining goals and purposes.  One of civilizations definitions is listed as “intellectual, cultural, and moral refinement”.  It sounds a lot like people coming together and improving to become a better mankind.  Of late, rather than coming together at Christmas, people are using it as an excuse to wage a battle to separate, rather than unify, and to cause us to become uncivilized. 

The 2011 Genius Holiday Schedule

Yes- I needed an excuse to post another holiday puppy.

Here is the Genius Holiday Schedule for the rest of this year (2011)...

Genius will be closed for the holidays:

Dec 26-27 &  Jan 2-3.

WritePad Training: Practical Clinical Application

Dr. Ted Arkfeld will guide you through on how to select the most appropriate Evaluation and Management (E/M) Code by choosing the correct Workflow in the WritePad system. 

December 15 @ Genius Solutions in Warren, MI.

You must choose either the 9 am-noon or the 1-4 pm time slot when registering.  

For more information and to register for this event, click here.

The Genius 5010 Zone

Below is the 5010 link you've been waiting for.  This is where you need go to set up your THOMAS systems for 5010.  This area is evolving check back for continued updates.  

• The Genius 5010 Zone

Genius First Friday of the Month Phone Conference

The next Genius Solutions First Friday of the Month Conference Call is scheduled for December 2, 2011.

The next conference call will be special because we will have TWO different calls:

• 10:00 a.m. for eTHOMAS clients
• 11:00 a.m. for dTHOMAS and THOMAS-Lite clients

You can attend both if you wish, or listen to the recordings on Monday at www.geniussolutions.com/news

I'm hoping this will be simpler for everyone and save time so you don't have to listen to the "other" THOMAS instructions.

I'm thinking this is a one time only event and we'll go back to the normal 10 a.m. time for everyone in January.

Current topics for the call include:

• How did the THOMAS Users Focus Group in Warren, MI go last week?
• CMS delays enforcement until 4/1/2012 but payors might not
• 5010 for THOMAS users not in Michigan: what to do
• BCBSM accepting some 5010 now - get started sending now
• Step by step THOMAS sending 5010 to BCBSM
• General interest questions and answers from the listeners
• Final comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

We wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! And remind you that our office will be closed 11/24-11/25, open again on Monday as usual. 

~Genius Solutions

In case you missed it, here is a link to the November e-mail that was sent out last week- Genius November 2011 News Flash

Webinar Reschedule

The Transaction Ledger Webinar that was scheduled for Nov 17th (yesterday) has been rescheduled for Dec 1st.  The reschedule was due to the computer and phone issues we were experiencing yesterday.

As far as we know all computer and phone lines seem to be working fine today.

If you didn't sign up for this webinar previously, but would  like to now, please do.

Here is the link:  https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/185424090

Phone & Computer Problems at Genius

Our phone lines and computers have been up and down this morning. Work continues on them. Keep trying to get through and know we are working on it.

The Genius Focus Group Seminars are FULL!

Hi Everyone - I get to be the bearer of possibly unhappy tidings.  The seminars are completely full for both Wednesday and Thursday. So if you weren't signed up by yesterday, you will probably not be able to make this round.

I have not yet heard if any additional days will be offered.  As soon as I get any new information, I'll pass it along.

Thanks.  PS - We are really looking forward to seeing all of you!

CMS Threatens to Slash Medicare Payments by 27.4%

Ok, technically CMS just issued a teaser of their final Medicare payments rule which is due to finalized and out November 28, 2011.  But when you really look at it and think about it, it really is a threat of you vs. the federal government.  At the beginning of this month CMS (Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services) released a final rule stating that unless Congress does something by January 1, 2012 physicians and non-physicians (who receive reimbursements under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule) will have subsequent payments slashed by 27.4%.  Although this number is down from the 29.5% cut CMS had estimated would occur earlier this year (because Medicare physician services have fallen below increased practice costs).

Permanent EHR Certification Program Delayed by ONC

Dr. Farzad Mostashari the coordinator for the Office of the National Coordinator for Heath IT (ONC) announced last week (click here for the posted announcement) that the permanent EHR certification would be delayed about 6 months, from January 1, 2012 to mid-2012.  This shift also coincides, deliberately, with implementation of the Phase 2 meaningful use standards.

We're Back - Focus Group 2011!

Focus on 5010 and More!  Click Here for more details and registration.

Happy Birthday to Us, & to You!

Visit Cupcake Obsession for more cute cupcakes.

Today is our birthday!  Genius Solutions is 25 years old.  Wow.

There have been so many changes over the last 25 years in healthcare, with computers and technology, and maybe even with you.  Whether you’ve been with us since the beginning or are just joining us now…. Thank-you!  You’re part of our Genius extended family and we’re glad to know you and have you with us.  Treat yourselves to a cup of something you love and a piece of cake today while offering up a toast.  We’ll be toasting each other and you with cupcakes at lunch.

Here’s to working together for the next 25 years and seeing where this great healthcare adventure takes all of us!

And thanks again for being part of our family and our 25th Birthday-- We love you!

Save a Life Doc?

Ok, you are probably going to have raised an eyebrow by now.  Good.  You doctors are trained to help people and save lives and we all know this, but what about the rest of your office staff?  Patients don’t come to your office because they feel good.  Heck, if they’re as bad as me, they won’t show up until they are dying or practically dead.  That being the case, are your staff trained as first responders?  When minutes count can they act until you can be grabbed or reached to help?  How about an AED machine?  Do you have one in your office?  Is it easy and quick to get to from the front or from one of your exam rooms?  You care about your patients enough to be there long hours every day; do you care enough to make sure your whole office is prepared to assist you in your work?

Worried about ICD-10? Relax, ICD-11 is on its way!

Picture courtesy of http://icanhascheezburger.com

Yes, just when you thought your life couldn’t get any more complicated and governmentally annoying, someone just had to say it… ICD-11.  Yes, after a 23 year process to integrate ICD-10 codes, from their inception, into our United States vernacular, there are already newer codes looming on the horizon.  Perhaps if we hadn’t waited so long to move into ICD-10, this wouldn’t be like dripping ice water down your sun-warmed backs. 

Dr. Arkfeld's Live WritePad Training #3

Be up and running with WritePad now!

Please Mark Your Calendar for November 10th and Register now.

Our September classes WritePad classes filled up so fast that Dr. Arkfeld is offering an additional training date on Nov 10, to accommodate additional Write Pad Users.  It is still free for those that have purchased his training and who are just starting or have not yet completed their WritePad training.  For anyone who would like to attend, but had not previously purchased Dr. Arkfeld's training, you may also attend for the modest training price of $399 per person.

Stimulus Payments and Meaningful Use, Preparing for 2012

Guess what?
If you haven’t already registered and if you are not meaningfully using your EHR 2011 is no longer an option for you.  You needed to report for 90 days this year and you would have to have registered and been using by the beginning of October to qualify for the 2011 payouts.

Is it worth it?  Really? 
We can’t speak for each of you, but I can direct you to this nifty article “CMS pays out nearly $90M in MU incentives in September” at HealtcareITNews.

Have you added the eRX programs to your WritePad?

The last 90-day Meaningful Use reporting period for 2011 begins October 3rd.

As mentioned in the WritePad training earlier this month with Dr. Arkfeld, if you want to earn the Medicare Stimulus money for 2010, you must begin at the beginning of October to complete the 90-day window. You also must have the WritePad eRx (e-Prescribing) add-on to be able to fulfill all of the Meaningful Use portions to receive the money.

We just got word from WritePad today that you MUST purchase/have the eRx or eRx Check add-on by no later than this coming Monday, September 26, 2011 or you cannot start your reporting period. Per WritePad, it can take as long as a week to complete the registration process and you must have the service installed and functioning by October 3rd in order to be able to complete your reporting and be eligible for this year’s funds.

Call the WritePad client relations manager at 800-496-2001 extension 2 for installation information.

Special Webinar- Registering for the MR Incentive Program

eTHOMAS/Writepad Roundtable Discussion Series- Registering for the Medicare Incentive Program

So, you've purchased & begun using a Certified EHR, now what?

Join us for a Roundtable Webinar with Dr. Ted Arkfeld to make sure you know exactly what you need to do, to get the Incentive money you deserve. Get information from the expert, and have a chance to ask questions. Dr. Arkfeld will take you step-by-step through the registration process for the government's ARRA "Meaningful Use" Incentive Program for healthcare providers.

Don't be stressed out, we've got your back. 

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 27th, from 12:30-1:00pm EST. Don't miss out!

Register for this Special webinar here.

ICD-10: Gone are the Days

ICD-10—Potpourri:
General State of Readiness- How you can & should be Preparing for the Inevitable, Part 4 of 4

ICD-10 Heralds the Death of the Superbill 

 
This article goes into a bit more detail, but I think you can gather from the above discussions that a superbill just isn’t going to be super enough to cut it for ICD-10.  Gayl Kirkpatrick, from 3M HIS Consulting Services, gave an example from a hospital her team consulted with. "We took a two-page superbill in ICD-9 and translated that into ICD-10," Kirkpatrick said. "It became a 48-page superbill." (1)

ICD-10: Concerns & Preparations

ICD-10—Potpourri:
General State of Readiness- How you can & should be Preparing for the Inevitable, Part 3 of 4

“When healthcare transitioned to ICD-9 on Oct. 1, 1984, there was still great confusion 18 months later on how to submit the codes. There was great deal of frustration both on the provider side as well as the health plan side. There was also a huge lack of training to prepare the doctors for the transition to ICD-9. As a result, for almost a year, there were large drops in revenue.

I am seeing things now, for ICD-10, that I witnessed back then for ICD-9. A great deal of people have not even started their processes.” Ben Michelson, of Hayes Management Consulting ...(1.)

Why ICD-10?

ICD-10—Potpourri:
General State of Readiness- How you can & should be Preparing for the Inevitable, Part 2 of 4

This article “ICD-10 Implementation: Top concerns for healthcare providers” quotes Jim Jacobs, senior vice president and product management and health information management for QuadraMed. "If you want to understand outcomes and understand the protocols that are working, the protocols that have measured benefits, then you need quite a bit of specificity."

What is ICD-10?

ICD-10—Potpourri:
General State of Readiness- How you can & should be Preparing for the Inevitable, Part 1 of 4

The message is, as always, begin to prepare now and begin making the changes to how you document now, so that you are better prepared as a provider for ICD-10 and so your coders and billers will have the information they need to take care of you and the patients properly.

The International Classification of Diseases system will be updated from the ICD-9 to the ICD-10 standard on October 1, 2013.  These are the codes that are used in healthcare as a common language to describe the diagnosis, condition, or other reasons for a patient visit to the doctor or healthcare facility.  Now around the world ICD-10 has been used for years, the United States is one of the last places to implement this coding.

Live WritePad Training With Dr. Arkfeld Review & Added Date: Sept 29

We had a WritePad training with Dr. Ted Arkfeld, DC, MS, CPC. Thursday, Sept 8th.  It went very well with great tips, good comments, and a general sense of "yes, I can do this".  Being the lucky duck who gets to sit in on the classes I also live tweeted throughout the day.  I have collected those tweets for you here.  For some they might be reminders they forgot to note, for others I'm hoping you'll see a couple of things that might help your office or inspire you to learn more. (Penny)

Here are the notes:

Dr. Arkfeld’s WritePad Training Seminar #2

Be up and running now - Again!

Please Mark Your Calendar for September 29th and Register now.

Our Sept 8th WritePad class filled up so fast that Dr. Arkfeld is offering an additional date on Sept 29, to accommodate any additional Write Pad Users.  It is still free for those that have purchased his training and who are just starting or have not yet completed their WritePad training.  For anyone who would like to attend, but had not previously purchased Dr. Arkfeld's training, you may also attend for the modest training price of $399 per person.

BCBS MI Disaffiliation Solution!

ATTENTION GENIUS SOLUTIONS CLIENTS

Over the past three weeks Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has been sending disaffiliation letters to doctors of chiropractic throughout the state. 

Thanks to Dr. Arkfeld’s efforts on your behalf, we are pleased to announce that those doctors who have become compliance clients and purchased eTHOMAS-WritePad have been given a six-month extension on their disaffiliation.  This will allow our WritePad users who are compliance clients to make and show the necessary changes in their profile in a clearly documented and evidenced way. 

If you have received a disaffiliation letter from Blue Cross Blue Shield, or any letter regarding your profile, please call Dr. Ted A. Arkfeld of Advanced Compliance Technologies immediately at 989-448-8065 or visit http://www.arkfeldcompliance.com.  Even if you are not currently a compliance client of Dr. Arkfeld’s, or do not currently have or use WritePad and have received a disaffiliation letter not all is lost, please call Dr. Arkfeld today.

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!)

Meaningful EHR Use = Office $timulu$

Click on the flier for more information.

  

WOW!

You only have until October 1st to begin ARRA stimulus reporting for 2011.  This FREE seminar will teach you how to use the new Government Certified version of WritePad.  Be eligible for up to $18,000 per provider this year, and up to $44,000 per provider over the next 5 years! 

Seats are limited.*  Reserve your spot today!  

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.


(*You will be asked to give your credit card information to hold your spot, but the seminar is free.  If you cancel within 5 days of the event, a $25 fee will be charged to your card. ) 

ICD-10 Deadline Fast Approaching- Only 28 Months Away?

By Penny Henriksen, Genius Solutions' News Editor

Ok, yes, I can hear you rolling your eyes.  You're thinking, "28 months, are you kidding?  That's 2 years and 2 vacations away...really?" Being out and about over the last year and speaking with many of you I also have actually heard "Yeah, but it's the CMS.  It's going to get bumped."  Let's reason together for a few minutes and reflect on this, shall we?

eTHOMAS/WritePad Roundtable Discussion Webinar Series

With EHRs coming into their including both the meaningful use requirements and the possibility of reporting it to receive stimulus funds we wanted to start a round table.  This series is for you, our clients, to bring questions, concerns, and comments to your software experts, coding & compliance experts, and to your peers, who are in the same position as you.

This round table series will be hosted by Genius Solutions and this first discussion will be led by Ted Arkfeld, DC.  We will be announcing additional seminars throughout the summer to make sure that you are ready.

Who is invited? 
All eTHOMAS and WritePad users are welcome.  Whether you've been using the programs together for a while, are new, or are just thinking about joining the EHR party.  These seminars are for you!  Come chat with the experts and each other- learn something new, share something you know, and work with those who can help.

The discussion begins here:
Tuesday, June 28th
12:30 - 1pm EDT

Click Here to register.

Emergencies and E-Data- A Wake Up Call

EHR’s can be a lifesaver as new convert St. John's Regional Medical Center in Joplin, Mo found out last month when it became part of Joplin’s tornado disaster.  According to an iHealthBeat article, the hospital had just converted to EHR 3 weeks prior to the tornado that wiped out and spread its paper records as far away as 75 miles.

You can Update to eTHOMAS v 9.2 Now!

As promised, eTHOMAS Version 9.2 has been released and is now available for download.  The “What’s New” Document for v 9.2 can be accessed by going to Genius on the Web under the Messaging Tab.  Once you are on Genius on the Web, click FYI at the top of the screen, and select General.  It will be listed under Genius Solutions Resources as eTHOMAS v9.2.

If you are an active, current Genius client office, the update is FREE; there is no charge for updates to the program if you are a current SoftCare subscriber.  If you aren’t up-to-date, don’t wait, update! (Unless you are beta testing any features or programs for us.  If you are beta testing something, call us before updating.)

Here is more on the "whys" and "how to-s" of good THOMAS updating.

Genius Presents WritePad Webinars, by WritePad

Click the Banner for the schedule.

  

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

First Incentive Paychecks Mailing Out to Non-Hospital EPs This Week

Per an Update e-mail from the ONCHIT (the Office of the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology), the first paychecks will be going out this week for individual eligible providers who completed their attestation for having met the meaningful use and other necessary requirements.  Per one of their Twitter messages this week:  “Incentive Programs have paid out $83,294,778.06 since January.”  Up to this point that would be mostly money that has gone out to Hospitals and possibly some Medicaid payments.

The ONCHIT’s newsletter also reiterated some of the money rules that apply to these payments, this year:

• Payment is based on 75% of Medicare allowed charges that are submitted no later than 2 months after the end of 2011 (the charges had to be this year, but you seem to have a grace period for reporting of up to 2 additional months).
• The max allowed incentive charges for this year is $24,000, which will yield a max check of $18,000 incentive payment.
• An eligible professional must meet the minimum threshold of $24000 in Medicare charges before they can be paid the incentive.  (I know they say you only have to report for 90 consecutive days this year, but it sounds like you may have to give yourself a longer than 90-day window if it will take you longer to generate the $24000 minimum Medicare charge threshold.  Bear this in mind as you decide when you want to start your attestation period this year to give yourselves enough time to generate the proper amount of charges.)
• You will receive payment to the TIN (taxpayer identification number) you selected during your registration for the incentive program.

Want to know more?  Check out the Medicare “Path to Payment” Incentive page.

eTHOMAS v 9.2+

Whoo-hooo!  We love a challenge and we love to add new accessories as much as you do, so I am pleased to give you a glimpse of the shiny, new, upcoming eTHOMAS v 9.2 release.  Now at the outset I can see your faces drooping saying “yeah, sure, new because you have to for the 5010 electronic format”.  However, we’re not just any software vendor, if we’re going to have a number change it’s because we want to give something more to our clients—YOU!  And did I mention?  We’re Genius.

UB-04

UB-04, also casually referred to as institutional or hospital billing, may be in your present or near future.  Many of you may work as outpatient facilities such as rehab or physical therapy facilities, etc. that may need to use this format.   At Genius we have been fielding an increasing number of calls regarding UB-04 billing:  Can eTHOMAS do it? Can we teach you UB-04 billing? Are there resources available for you “out there”?  So, here we go.

Changes this month…. New National Coordinator at the ONCHIT

Dr. David Blumenthal stepped down as the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology this month, replacing him is Farzad Mostashari, MD, ScM . Dr. Mostashari is not new to the ONCHIT office, he has been working with them and the previous National Coordinator since 2009. He was the Deputy National Coordinator for Programs and Policy when I was reviewing the big ONC HIT 2009 review at the end of last year.

CMS Offers Anti-RAC Tool, Based on RAC Findings

Don’t the RACs work for CMS? Is it possible? Did the RACs spawn something useful?

Indeed it appears they have, if you can a) find it, b) use it wisely. The RACs have created a new CMS Learning Resource that you are probably not aware of: the Medicare Quarterly Provider Compliance Newsletter. If you go by its tagline (and you can) the newsletter’s purpose is to help you with "Guidance to Address Billing Errors". As the RAC information is beginning to rack up, CMS has found a useful way to help you use the information that they are getting back from the RACs (Recovery Audit Contractors).

Use WritePad to qualify for up to $44,000 in EHR Stimulus Reimbursements

Let us show you how with WritePad’s 5-Part Meaningful Use Webinar Series which highlights the following areas:

• Introduction to Meaningful Use
• As it applies to Demographics & Diagnosis
• As it applies to Lab Work
• As it applies to Medications
• As it applies to Communication

 Click here for more information or to register.

Certify in 2011 with the NACC's 1-day Super CA Chiropractic Coding & Certification Seminar

Don't miss out become a CCC (Certified Chiropractic Coder) today!   

You can still sign up to attend the upcoming session in Saginaw, MI, April 7th and we've also just added a date for Des Moines/Urbandale, IA, May 19th.

You can literally go back to your office and change your office life after attending this seminar.  This seminar can pay for itself and you, the same week you attend, go back to your office, and use it. 

My favorite NACC quote of the day?

"Come on, what are we waiting for?  Let's start a Chiropractic Revolution!"

ICD-10 Coding is Coming – Run NOW!

I had the opportunity to sit in on some preliminary ICD-10 training being given by the Practice Management Institute (www.pmiMD.com) last week.  It was their goal to inspire confidence and a “we can do this” attitude, but honestly, the reactions I witnessed (or had myself), looked more like despair that would soon be mixed with alcohol and anti-anxiety meds.  I was a bit disheartened.  I came out of that meeting thinking “ICD-10 coding is coming- Run NOW!”

Chicken Little
I do so hate to sound like Chicken Little shouting that “the sky is falling”.  I was also seeing some benefits to updating the codes and coding.  I mean, yeah, with new technology, new procedures, and new techniques, there needed to be new codes and new code availability to cover them.  It also simplifies some things to have one CPT code, rather than a CPT code plus some DX codes.  The specificity of the codes will also make the data more valuable because you are giving more information.  Disease and treatment patterns can be studied more accurately.   The spread of disease can be studied and possibly better contained.  However, this is a beast with many tentacles, on par with the biggest of government programs and endeavors ever conceived.  Have no doubt, it is going to change the way you document patient encounters and bill out, forever.

Let’s start with the easy stuff and work our way along the ICD-10 trail.

Genius Presents WritePad webinars, by WritePad

Click the Banner for the Schedule.

  

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 denzler@@writepad.com

Free Stimulus Webinar!

Correct Coding to Boost Your Stimulus Funds

You've invested in a certified EHR system to enhance your documentation and you qualify for healthcare stimulus funds. What if your coding is not correct?

Correct Coding is the answer not only to ensure that you receive the maximum stimulus funds being offered, but it also helps you to maximize your insurance revenues for the work you perform. This webinar will highlight the most common coding errors that results in revenue leaks from your office.


Sign Up Here:

Monday, March 14th, 12:15-1:45pm EDT

Electronic Patient Data: The Future e-Wave Comes Crashing Down

Four quick, current looks at patient information: Need, Care, Exploitation, and Change 

NEED

Now that hospitals and offices are getting on the EHR bandwagon and they are discovering the pearls, perils, and pitfalls of it, it is coming to light that physicians aren’t the only people who need to be educated about electronic health records and using them. According to a new study by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP) and some general “noticing” of things, it is being discovered that patients aren’t quite on the e-records band wagon yet either. PwC surveyed 1000 consumers and found that only 14% of them had gotten their records electronically from their physician (I didn’t see a note that indicated any connection between desiring to get their records electronically, and being able to get them because of the office not being able to issue it.) Setting aside that potential problem- 14% get e-record, 30% said they don’t know why they would ever need them, and 50% requested paper records. When consumers were asked how they would like to interact with their doctors electronically the top three answers were to: follow-up from their doctors, make appointments, learn about treatment information.