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.

EHR- Got one?

Dr. Blumenthal Discusses Registration for EHR Incentive Programs (video +)

In the Blumenthal video above, he gave some statistics:

• About 80% of the hospitals plan to implement EHRs and work on complying with the stimulus fund program over the next two years.
• 40% of private practice physicians plan on doing the same, and 80% of them plan on implementing and working their EHR over the next two years.
• 18% of private practice physicians said they will not participate at all.

We know that the magic stimulus dollar amount an individual physician can get over the five years is $44,000. I was also reading that hospitals can get reimbursements and aid of up to $2 million.

Are you ready? What tools are you going to use this year?

In case you've missed it or haven't noticed.... we have some great tools in the form of upcoming seminars and webinars to help you make the most out of your office (and your bank account) this year.

First Up Seminars

NACC 1-day Super CA Training and Certification class for CAs, Office Manager, and even you Chiropractors who work on your own coding. We've also got some documentation specials for you doctors.

It's not just a nice thing to have a certified coder, it also pays in correct coding, protects you in an audit, and will become a vital necessity in the near future as rules, regulations, and documentation tighten (not to mention the introduction of ICD-10, coming to your office soon). Don't just be on the cutting edge, be on the leading edge of payment.

1-day, Super CA Chiropractic Coding & Certification Seminar Begins Next Week, Are you Registered?

Don't miss out!  You still have a chance to sign up and attend the upcoming sessions over the next two weeks!  You can literally go back to your office and change your office life after attending this seminar.  You are worth it and this seminar will pay for itself and you, the week you go back and use it.



My favorite NACC quote of the day?

"Don't wait for the government- Create you own Stimulus Plan!"