Time for the next entry covering Shawn Riley’s list of 101 Tips to Make your EMR and EHR More Useful. I hope you’re enjoying the series.
45. Think about ICD-10 compliance sooner than later
ICD-10 goes into effect October 1, 2013. (barring them postponing it again). Can you imagine if you’ve implemented an EHR and then find out that the EHR isn’t ready to support ICD-10? Sure, we’re still a little ways out, but ICD-10 has been on the docket for a long time coming.
44. Make sure your revenue cycle process is as clean as possible
Cleaner processes are easier to implement. Your revenue is going to take a hit when you first implement an EHR in your office just based on the learning curve of EHR. You don’t want to add to the changes by having to change any issues with revenue cycle at the same time.
43. Don’t underestimate the time necessary to be compliant with 5010
This won’t be as bad as ICD-10 for most practices, but you want to be ready for it.
42. Keep transcription in mind
Make sure you have a good understanding of the costs associated with cutting out transcription. Notice that I said costs and not savings. I already know that you’re aware of the savings of cutting transcription. What you might not have taken into account is the costs of ending transcription. If you’re doing voice recognition then you’re going to need the software, a great microphone, and possibly faster/newer computers. If you’re doing voice recognition there will be more manual corrections that you’ll have to do than in transcription. If you’re cutting out all voice input of data, then just be aware that you may hate “all the clicks” and want to go back to transcription in some form. Is your EMR conducive with that change if you decide to go back to transcription?
41. Watch your insurance claim denials
Of course, most clinics are doing this already. However, a whole new set of claim denials will happen because of how your EMR files those claims. You don’t want to miss out on the insurance money because you can’t handle the claim denials in a timely manner.
If you want to see my analysis of the other 101 EMR and EHR tips, I’ll be updating this page with my 101 EMR and EHR tips analysis. So, click on that link to see the other EMR tips.