To handle a busy patient schedule, communication among all staff — from your receptionists to your clinicians to your billers — must be seamless for you to best serve your patients’ needs and collect for your services. Yet when Physicians Practice recently surveyed physicians on their technology usage, nearly three in 10 practices told us that their practice management systems are at least five years old, while 10 percent bought their systems more than a decade ago. More than half the physicians surveyed don’t use technology to keep up with payers’ chaotic coding and billing rules. Does this mean they are satisfied with their status quo? Hardly; six in 10 physicians said they’d like to expand their management systems’ capabilities. So what’s the problem? Well, most people don’t know where to start looking for a new system; others say they’re just too busy to shop around for technology that will work for them; and still others simply fear change. This comprehensive resource can help you overcome these obstacles and run a smoother, leaner healthcare delivery operation.
Articles How-to stories for successfully upgrading your practice management system and making the most of its features.
Time, at Last, for an Upgrade? Still using ancient practice management software? Maybe you’re ready for something new. Douglas Blair, senior director of physician information systems at Mount Carmel Health System in central Ohio, describes its pre-upgrade practice management software as “essentially broken for us. My understanding is that it has code in it that’s over 30 years old.” From a technology standpoint, 30 years is analogous to a geologic age.
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Don’t Be Denied Use software to reduce claims rejections
In October 2006, Schneider-Maurer Foot and Ankle Associates, plagued with minimal cash flow and a claims denial rate exceeding 50 percent, put a machine in charge. Keep reading.
Tech Tricks at Your Fingertips Make the most of the tools you already have
Have your children ever asked for a new video game despite the fact that they've barely touched the last 10 games you bought them? If so, you've probably told them to play with the games they already have. Kids rarely take full advantage of what's already at their disposal. But neither do medical practices.
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The Tech Doctor: Best-of-Breed or Integrated Systems? For first-time EMR buyers, it’s a key decision
Most practices in the market for their first EMR already have computerized practice management systems. As they shop for an EMR, they will need to make an important decision: Should I keep my existing practice management system and interface it with my new EMR, or should I purchase an integrated system that combines a new EMR with new practice management software? Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option. Keep reading.
For more articles on practice management systems, visit the Physicians Practice Articles Home Page, and type “practice management systems” in our Search Articles box.
Q and As
Review these quick answers to commonly asked questions on practice management systems. Want more help? Go ahead and ask our experts. We’ll get you complete answers to any of your technology questions.
Managing Denials
Q: I am looking for software that will nearly eliminate our claim denials. I started my practice four months ago and my collection ratio is only 10 percent. We have had a tremendous amount of denials, many of which have been simple office mistakes. Keep reading.
Tech Made Easy?
Q: Can you direct me to an algorithm that will walk me through the IT maze? Our cardiology practice is looking at document management systems instead of a full EMR, but how do I pick the right technology? Keep reading.
Easing Front Desk Burden
Q: I’m hoping to use more technology to decrease overhead. I’m envisioning a waiting-room computer for patients to use to check in. This hopefully will decrease the workload on front-office staff. We don’t have an EMR yet. Is there something out there similar to this? Keep reading.
Free Audioconferences
Effectively managing their practices is a perennial concern for all physicians. Whether you are still relying on the pen-and-paper method, are struggling with decades-old practice management software, or are trying to train your staff to make the most of a recent software upgrade, you need to keep the “big picture” in mind when taking a bird’s-eye view of your management processes.
Since the following free seminars can be archived online for easy access, you can learn about optimizing your office workflow from industry experts when it’s convenient for you. Or you can attend an upcoming live sessions via phone and ask our experts your own questions.
Some of our most popular audioconferences include:
Vendor Comparisons: Practice Management Systems
With all the software vendors out there, how can you begin to narrow down your choices? This comparative chart is a good place to start. It lists vendor names, pricing, contact numbers, and other basic information on the many IT products on the market today.
NEW! Shopping Made Easier
For additional vendor listings, browse through our new Physicians Practice 2008 Buyer’s Guide virtual flip book — the one-stop resource for all your technology and other needs. Turn to page 50 to flip through our Practice Management Software/Systems section, and get detailed information on the products that best fit your office’s needs.
Sponsored Content Case Studies: The Impact of the Right Practice Management Software When looking for a software solution for your office you always want to see the bottom line. What will this do for my practice? What benefits might we receive? How hard will it be to implement? Access over 20 actual case studies that can give you the practical information you need to know to make an informed decision. The bottom line really is – you need a partner not just a vendor for a successful implementation. Learn how for over 25 years, Sage Software has been that partner for many medical practices.
