NortecEHR

EHR Billing Software Features

2011-06-02T13:27:00.000-07:00

EHR Billing Software to help medical practices manage their finances has been around for decades.
EHR Billing Software covers a wide range of functions and features:

tracking patient demographics, visits, and diagnoses
collecting, transmitting, and tracking billing information and insurance payments
managing appointment scheduling
generating a variety of reports

In addition, most ehr billing programs will also bring you into compliance with the sections of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that specify increased security standards, ANSI billing formats, and more.

Note that we say "most" - some ehr software may provide only partial HIPAA compliance. You should quiz vendors carefully about the HIPAA compliance of any software you are evaluating, particularly around electronic billing and security measures. Here are some major benefits of EHR Billing:

Improved staff productivity - easy-to-use software improves efficiency.
Increased patient and customer satisfaction - more flexibility in scheduling and better access to personal information.
Faster payment from insurers - paper claims usually take 30 - 60 days, electronic claims are usually paid in 10 - 14 days instead.
Fewer errors in billing and insurance - correct and resubmit in hours, instead of weeks.

First, make sure you include the right people in the purchasing process. Physicians, office managers, receptionists, and billing managers will all have different viewpoints and important concerns: taking any major steps towards a purchasing decision without involving every role is likely to lead to problems down the line.

A successful medical billing software decision includes not only choosing the right software - but choosing the right supplier. Qualified suppliers will listen to your needs during the sales process, help your office run smoothly during and after the transition, and provide the training and support you require.

Nortec EHR is best solution for all billing needs of any practice, because it provides smooth technical manoeuvres, keeping in mind physicians’ in-depth usage.

Meaningful Use & NortecEHR

2011-05-17T12:37:00.000-07:00

In a nutshell, it means making "Meaningful Use" of electronic health records to meaningfully improve health outcomes. Over the years, much data has been gathered to identify dozens of ways Meaningful Use of EHR results in better health care while reducing costs. For example, electronic prescribing and patient medication history, two core Meaningful Use of EHR functions can reduce life threatening events such as adverse reactions to drugs. In another Meaningful Use of EHR example, housing patient data in one place – like an EHR – reduces costly redundancy in medical care, like duplicate test orders and unnecessary overlapping medication treatments.

Although the benefits of Meaningful Use of EHR are very clear, many providers aren't using electronic health records yet. Part of this is because of financial concerns, particularly by smaller practices that aren't sure if they can afford one or worry they'll need to hire someone to show them how to meet Meaningful Use of EHR. No matter the practice size, many providers are also under the impression that meeting Meaningful Use, regardless of the benefits, will negatively impact their daily work flow. But it’s just the impression; practically there are many benefits for providers if they consider any reliable EHR.

Those are the Meaningful Use of EHR basics. As you can see, the goal is pretty clear: to encourage providers to make true Meaningful Use of EHR. For more information and to find out how Nortec EHR can help you qualify for a Meaningful Use incentives check in 90 days or less,

contact Nortec EHR today.

Electronic Health Records: Productivity?

2011-05-09T16:54:00.000-07:00

With the popularity of computers and the ability for them to sort through information within a short time frame it is no surprise that this system would be applied to the medical files and information. Health records have been around for many years and it wasn't until recently that they have become computerized. There are many benefits of electronic health records that make finding information easily accessible for medical professionals as well as the medical staff to help patients in their treatment.

An Electronic health record includes an array of information that includes the past medical history of the patient and can be used to transfer important files to providers from the convenience of their computer. Such information includes demographic data, medical history, medications, allergies, immunization status, laboratory test results, other tests results, radiology imaging and billing information.

Not only do the Benefits of electronic health record help with the process of patient care. It helps also ensure that everyone helping the patient is on the same page, so there is less room for confusion. This type of electronic system also helps increase the care provided by the physician as well as cuts expenses and promotes generalization of care.

Another benefit of using electronic health records is that it saves space. The office will no longer have to be filled with filing cabinets full of patients' paper records. Since it doesn't take very long for the Patients care giver to place new information onto the patients electronic record, it also saves employees time. The reduction in use of paper is also a money saver. Not only do doctor's offices and hospitals save space and use much less paper, the insurance companies also collect the benefits of electronic health records. Because the doctor's office can send records immediately to the insurance company, any claims are handled in a much quicker way.

Because some patients may have multiple medical problems that cause them to see several different types of physicians the electronic system allows each doctor to keep track of what is happening in the patients all around treatment process. Nortec EHR has specific features which make it unique among a new market of Healthcare Information Technology products. Most importantly, features of Nortec EHR which enable the centralized management of medical practices are a key component to the success of our systems solution. Nortec pledges to offer physicians an Electronic Health Record solution that is customized and tailored to meet specific needs.

Significance of Electronic Health Records (EHR)

2011-05-04T15:20:00.000-07:00

EHR software is very useful software, as it improves and enhances the quality of medical practice. It also assists with planning the healing and treatment for the patients, with precise monitoring of examination schedules and various follow ups. An efficient method to handle paperwork and reports will improve the type of service you can give. It hastens the job of the specialists and doctors in immediately providing all the diagnostic reports they needed to make accurate diagnosis and recommend more effective treatment plans.

“Service” is the very essence of medical practice. Its revenue depends very much on the feedback of its patients. One way of beating competition is by delivering efficient service all the time. Outstanding patient feedback is easier to achieve with dependable EHR software. In easing patient scheduling tasks, it minimizes the hassles of re-schedule or meeting cancellations. This way, the staff can conveniently remind patients to come to the clinic ahead of time. It saves a lot of the doctor's valuable and important time as it also helps the staff route patients

Not every EHR software solutions are the same. The software can usually be adapted to suit the needs of any size clinic. While there is a great deal of record keeping work in larger clinics, smaller clinics might need minimal support to the same task. Choosing the right software would be vital in ensuring positive reinforcements to the stability of all medical practices. Nortec EHR is an encompassing answer to technologically shifting and demanding healthcare provider requirements. Patient records are recorded, stored, and accessed on a network which may include multiple medical providers. To feel the difference within health IT, we must not fail to remember this power and emerging name: Nortec EHR!

Why Prefer Electronic Health Records(EHR) ?

2011-04-26T12:51:00.000-07:00

Electronic Health Records or EHR software is the newest medical upgrade that has a comprehensive listing feature. It is essentially a computer program which develops a system where medical records are stored in the form of electronic files. It also features simple yet practically advanced computer applications that offer easy and quick search or retrieval of the needed information. The software may also be planned to join mutually other useful applications such as robotic data encouragement, E&M, code suggested, intra-office immediate messaging, tolerant preparation and problem listings. By reducing the chances of human error, the quality of medical practice is great increased by utilizing the software.

EHR software presents a number of solutions to delivering better patient care or health service. Instead of devoting all their time in searching and updating records of the medical patients, all the professionals and staff can now use their valuable time in taking care of the patients. The software will enable the staff to be more productive. With that, billing papers can be accomplished in a snap as finalization in the reports, clearances and other forms of paper works can be finalized easier and faster.

EHR software designs typically offer more practical applications, besides record keeping and faster paper work returns. Medical record privacy can be more reliably protected with this, in security terms. Most EHR packages force the user to log in multiple times before allowing access to certain records. This feature provides a cheaper yet equally dependable alternative to expensive security programs and IT infrastructure. As a result, the software saves operating time and costs. Nortec EHR has specific features which make it unique among a new market of Healthcare Information Technology products. Most importantly, features of Nortec EHR which enable the centralized management of medical practices are a key component to the success of our systems solution.

Traditional Medical Records vs Electronic Medical Records (In Detail)

2011-04-06T11:34:00.000-07:00

A paper patient record is recognized by name, serial, membership, reference or medical record number, and other identifiers that make it easier to find in the physical filing system. It takes long time to sort thousands of files, whenever patient or doctor requires checking previous medical history or updating the status of record. On other hand, an EHR provides dissimilar identifying information for each patient, and identifiers to locate the digital record among any number of records.Due to its digital nature, finding patient record is concern of merely seconds.

If a paper chart is filed correctly in the medical records system, a staff member must go to the stacks of charts, using some quick identifier code. After matching the exact last name and first name, then the chart is "pulled" for desired review. Sometimes, a placeholder is inserted in stack, to make re-filing easier and for reference where the chart is headed. In this whole manual process, there is great potential of human mistake; any file can be lost easily due to slight negligence. An electronic chart is never lost, out, or misfiled because it is always exactly where it should be. An electronic record may be accessed from any point in a healthcare facility that has access to medical records.

A paper medical record includes office or progress notes in chronological sequence. These are sorted and searched by flipping through pages, until the desired entry is located. Progress notes in a traditional paper record might be produced by dictation/transcription, free handwriting, or form completion method. An EHR keeps progress notes and provides quick access by date of visit, provider or other accessible search criteria and the ability to browse by diagnosis and prescription. A full function EHR automatically creates the progress notes, as the visit is produced.

Laboratory and radiology reports, as well as related communication, are filed in more or less chronological order. Access to specific/desired entries can be prolonged or slow. An EHR stores reports/information in number of ways to provide quick access and speedy reference, such as scanned images, direct lab results or even on-line laboratory information. Access to common demographic and information is highly resourceful and useable due to implementation of EHR system in any practice.

In a paper chart system, a healthcare provider typically writes a paper prescription for the patient to take to a pharmacy. Actually, once this information has been adequately obtained, the paper prescription is handed to the patient. It is then necessary for the provider to document the process (that just took place), including the negative potential for drug interactions and allergies, as well as the form, strength, quantity, and directions for the prescribed drug/medicine. On other hand, EHR with strong clinical “decision support”, offers reference information regarding most-favorable treatment, such as treatment guidelines or "best practice standards”. An EHR with prescription writing capability performs the allergy and drug interaction checking, or at least provides a quick reference for manually checking, when the desired drug is selected. In addition, an EHR with electronic prescribing capability can send the prescription to a designated pharmacy directly/online/automatically.

Paper charts characteristically hold demographic and insurance information, along with a list of medical problems, allergies and medications. These must be readily reorganized and should stay up to date and precise, manually. Some practices, use carbon copies of each document for transferring data to concerned or relevant department(s) such as billing. An EHR maintains this information, and shares any updated information wherever it is needed. For example: when updated insurance information is provided, that information is automatically passed to billing so that the information is reliable and existing, without the need for duplicate data-entry. In addition, clinical information such as problem lists and medication lists are readily updated without duplicate data-entry. EHR automatically updates the patient's medication list. As a result, carrying out this concept saves time, eliminates mistakes, keeps computerized revision and makes whole process smooth and trouble-free.

Nortec EHR is “complete” Electronic Health Record system/solution for practices, having full capacity to manage any kind of operational task. Nortec’s suite consists of Electronic Medical Records (EMR), Practice Management (PMS), Advanced Surescripts certified Electronic Prescribing, Document Management, Revenue Cycle Management and a myriad of other modules designed to automate ambulatory and outpatient physician practices. Not only for its Stimulus Package of $44,000, Nortec EHR provides friendly, easy and complete “Health Record Management”, if implemented within any practice. Moving towards next era of Health IT, Nortec EHR can be your best partner!

States have begun issuing EHR MEANINGFUL USE incentive payments. Are YOU ready?

2011-03-07T14:40:00.000-08:00

Less than 3 days after the registration process began on January 3, 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has already sent the first two Medicaid incentive payments! Talk about efficiency, especially from the government!

For those wondering the recipients of the first set of incentive checks were:

- University of Kentucky‘s teaching hospital, University of Kentucky Healthcare which received its first payment of $2.86 million (which is a third of what it expects to receive over the life of the program

- Gastorf Family Clinic based in Durant, OK was the first practice to receive its incentive payments. 2 providers received their first check of $21,250 each!

The initial payments were made for those in the following 11 states:

· Alaska

· Iowa

· Kentucky

· Louisiana

· Oklahoma

· Michigan

· Mississippi

· North Carolina

· South Carolina

· Tennessee

· Texas

Registration is scheduled to open in February 2011 for the following states:

· California

· Missouri

· North Dakota

What surprised me was the speed at which at reimbursement payments have begun to be sent out. From experience working or dealing with government bodies, the amount of red tape makes me understand why some would just avoid the process altogether.

BUT, for those of you who have been sitting on the sidelines wondering if this incentive program is real or are dubious of when they will receive their payments, this is proof that the government is serious about the program and that it is here to stay.

Check back with this blog as we will keep updating the list as more states begin opening their registration processes.!

Is now the time for health IT?

2011-01-29T11:50:00.000-08:00

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) released statistics which showed that 81% of the nation’s hospitals and 41% of office-based physicians intend to register for federal incentive payments for adoption & meaningful use of certified Electronic Health Record (EHR) technology. David Blumenthal, national coordinator for health IT, in keeping true to staying abreast of technology posted a YouTube speech in which he laid out the work that was being done by the ONC & the promising statistics for Health IT Implementation. Realizing that changing ones practice around is a big investment with much hard work, Dr. Blumenthal encouraged those still on the sidelines that : "Now is the time. ... Never again will the same level of resources and talent be devoted to helping providers make the switch to health IT."

For those small primary care practices, where the vast majority of physicians work, hoping to move to the next step in medicine, NOW IS THE TIME FOR HEALTH IT!

Personally, I would want receive the carrot (incentive payments) rather than having to just end up with the stick (the post incentive penalties). That is why I’m perplexed at why the percentage of office based physicians in the statistics are so low.

I’m curious to hear what you think. What are some reasons you believe that only 41% of office-based physicians intend to register for the federal incentive program? Is it the time? The investment? The cost? Or something else?