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Study Has eCW EMR Users Questioning the Future of Patient Engagement

Patient engagement is a buzzword often used in accord with Electronic Medical Record (EMR) software. A proactive, interactive approach is an integral part of new health care models brought about by the Affordable Care Act and new guidelines within HIPAA legislation. HIPAA mandates that patients have the right to restrict certain medical records from third-party distribution. In theory, that means if an insurance company or another physician requests medical records from a health care provider, the patient has the right to say he or she wants part of the record restricted. However, a recent study shows the importance of balancing patient engagement with quality care. The research, led by the Regenstrief Institute in partnership with the Indiana University School of Medicine and Eskenazi Health, is raising concerns about just how far patient engagement, specifically access, should go. How much access should patients get to their medical records? Consider the study’s findings.

The Trial

The study included a six-month trial of 105 patients that were part of a Eskenazi primary care clinic. The participants were granted patient controlled access to their EMR, meaning they could choose what information their doctors were able to access. Almost 50 percent admitted they hid certain information from some or all of their providers. The data most commonly blocked from physicians was dealing with sexually transmitted diseases, substance abuse or mental health. For the trail, providers were able to override patient preferences and view the information the patient blocked.

Mixed Feelings

Providers had mixed feelings about the trial. Some felt privacy laws give patients the right to control their EMR, even if that means hiding information. However, these physicians admitted that patients need to understand hiding information can have dangerous consequences. Other doctors “strongly objected” to patients having this authority. They expressed concern about patient care and physician liability if improper care was the result of insufficient data. Other providers expressed concern that patients may not reveal sensitive data at all if they do not have the right to choose which providers have access to it.

The transition to EMR is happening rapidly and there’s no doubt the technology will continue to evolve. Physicians can count on EMR Billing Solutions to keep up with the latest research and legislation to provide the most efficient, user-friendly system available. Let our experts help your office get the most out of eClinicalWorks® (eCW).

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Are Your Patients Using the eClinicalWorks® healow® App?

As physician offices transition to electronic medical records (EMR), many are outlining strategies to get their patients more engaged and proactive in their medical care. healow®, short for Health and Online Wellness, is a platform offered by eClinicalWorks® that does just that. eClinicalWorks® invested $25 million in the healow® business unit in 2013. “It’s about patients having access and information to make the right decisions and make them consumers of care,” explained Girish Kumar Navani, CEO and co-founder of eClinicalWorks®. Is your office using this valuable tool? If so, are your patients taking advantage of its benefits? Consider some of the perks.

  • Track patient wellness. The healow® app allows physicians to remotely monitor medical devices such as pedometers, blood pressure cuffs and glucose monitors. Data automatically uploads to the patient’s record for the physician to review. In addition, healow® allows patients to set wellness goals, track their progress and look at personal trends. This data is shared with the physician so he or she can monitor patient progress.
  • Greater patient access. Patients can access their medical records anytime via the Internet or phone, providing access to lab results, medications, immunizations, allergy information, financial statements and much more. Settings also allow designated family members to access data for those they care for. It’s important to note that healow® allows physicians full authority over which data patients are allowed to access.
  • Collaboration between physicians. healow® interacts with eClinicalWorks®’ Join the Network platform, which enables physicians to share health records even when one of the practices uses another EMR provider. Patients can also simply bring their complete data on their phone to a new provider via the healow® platform.
  • Save administrative time. Patient access means fewer disruptions for administrative staff. Patients can make appointments, order medication refills, check lab results and review physician directives through their healow® app.

A 2013 survey of physicians conducted by eClinicalWorks® found that 93 percent of doctors favor having a mobile health app that connects to EMRs. Ninety-three percent also felt that mobile health apps improve patient outcomes. Is your office utilizing this platform and actively encouraging patients to use the app? Let EMR Billing Solutions show you how healow® can be a key part of your patient engagement strategy.

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eClinicalWorks® Practice Management – Helping to Meet “Meaningful Use” Core Objectives

As more and more small practices are working to achieve Meaningful Use status for their offices, the right Electronic Health Records system is key. One of the most successful in meeting these objectives is eClinicalWorks®, helping a practice along every step of the way, from tracking information about a patient when they walk in the door, to being able to provide electronic records to the patient at their request.

Users of this system are able to electronically record, edit, and look up patient demographic information.  This is helpful in order to determine a patient’s preferred language, emergency contact, and preferred method of contact at the touch of a button.  Keeping track of all Meaningful Use data is easier with the eClinicalWorks® system as well, as notifications appear for the front office if there is data missing from a patient’s records.

In order to maintain current information about all of the prescriptions a patient is taking, all of the potential interactions, and to help make the order entry of new prescriptions even easier, eClinicalWorks® integrates a link to the Medi-Span® database.  This promotes a more clear record of all medications in the patient’s history.

eClinicalWorks® also allows for e-prescriptions to be generated. By being able to submit a prescription directly to the pharmacy, records are clear on both ends of the path, without handwriting and interpretation getting in the way.

There are a number of other ways in which eClinicalWorks® helps to achieve a Meaningful Use status as well. And beyond the direct benefits of the system itself, billing solutions are available for eClinicalWorks®. Staff can continue to focus on giving the best services to patients, keeping records as clean as possible, and allow someone else to handle the invoicing.

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What is eClinicalWorks®?

Since EMR Billing Solutions’ focus is providing expert service to eClinicalWorks® users, a common question of the unacquainted is: what is eClinicalWorks®? eClinicalWorks® is an Electronic Medical Record (EMR) that is a leader in modern clinical solutions. It provides electronic practice management, medical record and personal health record software and services to numerous health care providers and is used by over 600,000 health care professionals.

What does eClinicalWorks® do?

The eClinicalWorks® technology expands the use of electronic health records beyond individual networks and creates community-wide records. The eClinicalWorks® modules can be purchased individually or collectively, and they are available as either onsite deployments or as subscription based on-demand software. Once integrated, the modules allow health care providers to view records of patient histories, past visits, medications, allergies, and more. The software also manages patient accounts and uses patient records to verify eligibility for certain services. It also gives the patients a closer connection with their physicians and other healthcare providers. Patients can use it to request prescription refills, message their physicians and view scheduled appointments and lab results.

What are the benefits of eClinicalWorks®?

Using eClinicalWorks® has many benefits for both health care providers and their patients. A few of these benefits are:

  • Increased Productivity
  • Better Communication
  • Convenience

eClinicalWorks® helps increase productivity by organizing each patient’s complete records in one easily accessible space, which helps speed up every day activities by decreasing the time spent searching for records. Having all patient records in one shared place allows for easier communication between health care practices and patients can also use it to directly communicate with health care professionals. Convenience is another benefit of eClinicalWorks® because everything is organized into one program. eClinicalWorks® even offers a mobile browser so that users can access it on their smartphone quickly and conveniently.

In short, eClinicalWorks® is a records software for healthcare professionals that allows for increased productivity, better communication, and more conveniently available records. For more information about eClinicalWorks® visit their website here. For more information about the services related to eClinicalWorks® that EMR Billing Solutions provides contact us.

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Specializations in eClinicalWorks® billing service

Small medical practices are always striving to make the bottom line of their financial statements more secure in today’s economy, and one way of doing so is to put more staffing energy on providing excellent care to their patients. However, the money still has to be coming in order to pay the bills of payroll, rent, utilities, insurance and other expenses. In order to meet both of these needs, smaller offices might want to start researching services such as those provided by EMR Billing Solutions.

EMR Billing Solutions focuses all of their services on one key program, that of eClinicalWorks®. By specializing in one program, EMR Billing Solutions is able to give one of the best rates available of any service provider in billing and collections. For example, for a rate of just 3%, EMR Billing Solutions will provide all initial billing services for a small medical practice.  This will allow the staff employed by the practice to focus on the matters that keep the patients the most satisfied… shorter waiting times, more attentive practitioners, and bigger smiles.

Adding a small piece to the fee will allow EMR Billing Solutions to take over the telephoned questions as well regarding the statements that are sent to the patient’s home.  This furthers the work that can be done in the practice in order to provide the best service to the patients. The medical practice can focus on providing medical care and services while the EMR Billing Solutions staff can focus on what they are best at – billing and reminders of the accounts.

Just as doctors find their specialty, EMR Billing Solutions has found their specialization, too.  The eClinicalWorks® unified electronic medical record and practice management system is one of the top systems in the field today, and EMR Billing Solutions has focused on this one system in order to provide the best service to small practices.

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How Can eClinicalWorks® Billing Help Private Practices the Most?

In today’s world of advanced technology with a focus on improving the health care industry, many times private medical practices can feel overwhelmed and seem to struggle at keeping up with the big guys.  While everyone in the medical industry is hustling to provide quality care to everyone for a reasonable cost, it can be difficult to keep up with the changing economic landscape.  One major factor in the healthcare reformation includes the implementation of electronic health records.

When the electronic health records first became widely used they were met with skeptics and the die-hard paper file keepers. Once the systems were in place, it didn’t take long for even the naysayers to realize they were very efficient.  While some smaller practices felt they were too little to require this type of record keeping operation, it became more apparent the time and even money that could be saved while their workflow was also improved.  More details on that later, but first let’s look at what is an ideal solution for private practices.

No matter what size your practice may be, you will benefit from using a full-service medical billing company to help with your cash flow and show you a return on investment for your electronic medical record transition. Many are discovering that the eClinicalWorks® billing system offers an excellent solution to meet the needs of your organization.  A full service medical billing company such as EMR Billing Solutions specialized in working with the eClinicalWorks® Electronic Medical Record system.  Using a billing company that has an abundance of experience in business operations and the healthcare industry can provide the very best medical billing solution for your organization.

EMR Billing Solutions knows just how you feel, since they are not trying to be the biggest medical billing company, but rather the best revenue cycle management solution for eClinicalWorks® users. Some companies boast of trying to be the largest, while our focus is on proficiency using the best medical billing solution for eClinicalWorks®.

A recent press release for Healthcare Finance News revealed how a small town healthcare provider selected eClinicalWorks® for their system because it is one of the strongest and most sophisticated EMR system available. They also are known for using award-winning technology that is continuously being improved.  If you decide to use this and employ a dedicated eClinicalWorks® expert like EMR Billing Solutions to handle your billing needs and stay on top of the latest updates you will experience what we alluded to earlier..

The mission of EMR Billing Solutions is to make your life and your practice easier, more efficient and save you money on the service that you need the most.  To learn more about how you can benefit from the most effective, reliable and timely service to meet your needs contact us.

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The 2014 CPT® Codes have Arrived!

EMR Billing Solutions is an innovative, full-service medical billing and coding company. After analyzing our success in the healthcare and business industry, we have chosen to work with eClinicalWorks® Electronic Medical Record. Our dedicated staff stays current with new updates, is educated on any new features, and is ready to answer any queries. As experts in eClinicalWorks® on all levels, we are devoted to continuing to master and understand the system to ensure full functionality.

Why did we select eClinicalWorks®?  We chose it because it is an award winning technology that’s easy to use and affordable. It streamlines administrative functions, improves patient experience, and enhances overall proficiency. In fact, it is one of the most technically advanced and most sophisticated electronic medical records in the medical industry! Since it is updated constantly, it is the best system possible, and we are proud to keep our clients up to date with its latest releases.

Therefore, EMR Billing solutions is excited to announce that eClinicalWorks® has released their newest update today for 2014 CPT® codes. If this is news to you, make sure to update your master fee schedule soon. As a matter of fact, we already updated the master fee schedules for all EMR Billing Solution clients free of charge! We take pride in our business, and take this opportunity to show you our support.

One in five of American’s health care data is stored with eClinicalWorks®, which makes it the biggest Software as a Service (SaaS) network in the industry!

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Telemedicine and the Future!

EMR Billing Solutions believes that telecommunication technology is advancing the future of medicine by increasing access, improving care, and reducing costs. As always, we are here to keep you informed of any changes that may affect you or your practice.

New insurance exchange policies in 2014 should include coverage for telemedicine services, as determined by the HHS Secretary. In 2015, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will begin to use the Medicare fee schedule for grander payments to physicians that will provide high-quality care associated with cost.  For example, the quality of care will be measured on all levels, including telecommunication devices like remote monitoring, online communications, and so on.

The American Telemedicine Association has made a number of requests for telemedicine in 2015.  Some of those requests include the addition of CPT codes for Telehealth, including codes that Medicaid already covers.  There is also a request for a select number of “interpretative services” regarding remote cardiac and remote diabetic retinopathy that will be included in the definition of a “physician service.”  After an analysis of the benefits in telemedicine, there are requests for an increase in Telehealth in Dermatology and Wound Care, too.

Lastly, any professionals who are participating in the Medicare HER Incentive Program may undergo payment adjustments beginning Jan 1, 2015. CMS is now determining payment adjustments based on meaningful use data submitted prior to 2015. To avoid payment adjustments in the future, you must demonstrate meaningful use every year under either Medicare or Medicaid.

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Reviewing the Affordable Care Website Outage

EMR Billing Solutions is aware of the previous troubles with Obama’s Affordable Care website, and is ready to review it with our clients. The first sign of trouble was when the site asked visitors to wait. However, when 2 pm rolled around, everything operated as normal, and users could log in and create new accounts. Earlier that day, applicants on healcare.gov were notified that the system was down for maintenance. Visitors were directed to try again later or wait until they received a notice that it was back up and running.

Why did this happen? Apparently, there were some complications during maintenance on Thursday night, and repairs were scheduled for 10 am Friday. The outage came at a very unfortunate time, right before Obama was scheduled for a news conference, and prepared to leave for vacation. The more urgent issue at hand were the Americans trying to use the federal exchange before Monday’s deadline to pick a plan in order to be eligible for coverage starting January 1st. Administration proposed that users encountering this problem could qualify for a special enrollment period.

The crisis was obverted, while administration officials struggled and urgently tackled the remaining Obamacare issues. Therefore, late Thursday evening the White House made an announcement. It stated that individual policyholders that received termination notices could qualify for hardship exemptions, and purchase plans on the exchanges. Finally, insurers announced that applicants could pay for their first month’s premium up till January 10th and receive retroactive coverage till January 1st.

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2014 SGR Discussion and Proposal Details

The SGR controversy began in 1997, when Congress approved the Sustainable Growth Rate formula.  It was designed to determine physician fees under the federal Medicare program.  Since 2001, SGR has mandated reductions in physician fees, and Congress continues to step in and extend their pay.

However, EMR Billing Solutions is concerned about the possible 24 percent reduction in Medicare fees that will take place if Congress does not alter the current policy. As expected, the Senate has responded by scheduling another vote.  Along with the House of Representatives, they are developing a final legislation to repeal and replace SGR. Nevertheless, the House has approved another temporary fix, which extends a “patch” on SGR for another year.

The Current SGR Proposal Details include:

  • Combining three quality Medicare payment programs to reward providers who meet required performance levels
  • Improving Senior care with assurance for providers
  • Physician-established Clinical Care Guidelines, aimed to reduce careless spending and improve overall patient care
  • A Technical Advisory Committee to analyze and advise Physicians who develop alternative payment models
  • 0.5% fee increase for Medicare Physicians till 2014 ends
  • Increases in Medicare payments to hospitals and ambulances in rural areas
  • Instituting two new Mental Health Grant Programs that would obtain $60 million over four years to advance outpatient treatment
  • Push back the deadline on the new ICD-10
  • Postpone the new inpatient “two-midnight rule” for hospitals to March 2015

At EMR Billing Solutions, we take the future of medicine very seriously, and it is our goal to keep you informed.

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