If you have not yet prepared for the October 1, 2015, transition from ICD-9 billing codes to ICD-10 codes, you are not alone. According to an ICD-10 trainer approved by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), as of May 1, 2015, more than 30% of physicians had not even begun their preparation. They either are hoping for another postponement of the implementation date or have vastly underestimated the time and costs of ICD-10 readiness. Whatever your reason for not yet having prepared, there is still time. But, you need to begin as soon as possible. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) states unequivocally that there will be […]

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the ICD-9 content that has been used since 1979 by American public health officials at the federal, state, and local levels, as well as doctors, nurses, medical coders, and health plans, is obsolete. The 13,000, five-character codes in ICD-9 are no longer adequate for serving the health care needs of the future. The content is inaccurate and limited; the number of available codes is insufficient and their structure too restrictive; and the U.S. lags behind most developed countries that have already made the leap to ICD-10 code sets.   The Pros of ICD-10 The ICD-9 code set was not designed to […]

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Rapid developments in EHR tools are inspiring more Americans to get involved and invested in managing their own health. While just five years ago the Markle Foundation Survey showed that 41 percent of Americans never accessed their paper medical records, digital age technology is making it easier, faster, more convenient, and more fun! As hospital and medical providers continue to adopt the use of EHRs at a rapid pace, patients are incentivized to get on board as engaged participants. More accurate and timely communication across all providers and platforms means increased wellness, less chance for error, and lowered medical costs for the entire nation. Here are three exciting developments in e-health tools and applications. […]

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Professionals who are constantly looking to evolve their practices populate the healthcare world. Meaningful Use has been picking up steam thanks to its efforts in bringing healthcare officials together by pushing them toward a technologically progressive and cohesive way of patient-client interaction. Meaningful Use comes in three different stages. Stage 1, implemented in 2009, focused on the collection of patient data by healthcare providers. Stage 2, implemented in 2014, was focused on getting that data into the hands of patients while promoting patient – doctor engagements. Stage 3 is scheduled for implementation in 2016 but it has been the most divisive stage yet. Let’s take a look at a few […]

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Congratulations! You’ve already made the huge commitment to move your practice from paper to electronic records. You know that while an EHR system won’t solve all of your problems, and in fact, may cause a few new ones, you’ve taken a proactive, leadership role. You’ve made a careful assessment of where the weak spots in your organization lie and have begun to address and remedy them. Medical Mastermind is able to help your practice improve in all areas. We offer specialized courses that will help make your transition smooth and you’ll find there is no need to be nervous as you make the switch to EHRs. Lighten the Load as […]

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Medical providers are aware that October 1, 2015, is a significant date. That is when ICD-9 billing codes will become obsolete and ICD-10 codes take their place. From that day on, all claims for reimbursement for services that are submitted to Medicare, Medicaid and other HIPAA covered industries must use ICD-10 codes. If the ICD-10 codes are not used, the claims will be rejected and returned to the provider unpaid. There are a lot of rumors about ICD-10 implementation. The Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) prepared a booklet for providers to consult about ICD-10 implementation and how it will work to improve your medical practice. Here are five […]

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The time has come for medical practices that have not yet converted their paper files to Electronic Health Records (EHR) to do so. Those practitioners who are unable to demonstrate meaningful use, as it is defined by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, will experience reductions in their reimbursement claims to Medicare and Medicaid. In addition to avoiding financial penalties there are a number of benefits of using EHR’s. Benefits of using EHR’s According to the health information technology website provided by the federal government, there are a number advantages to practitioners who use EHRs. Some of those include: 1. Quality of patient care is […]

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Patient-centered care is the focus of many healthcare providers today. With so many patients receiving treatment from a community of providers, communication is critical to enhancing the quality of care and arming patients with the ability to actively participate in their treatments. Unfortunately, there are many issues surrounding EHR interoperability, the ability of two information systems to communicate patient information. The following are four tips your medical practice can use to speed up EHR interoperability for your partners. Health Partners Must Agree on Technology to Speed EHR Interoperability Within the medical field, there is a shift from patients receiving care from one medical provider. You and every other medical professional […]

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After many postponements of the implementation date for ICD-10 codes, some medical providers assume there will be another one. All indications are that no more delays in implementation will occur. You should absolutely be prepared for the transition and plan on using the new codes on October 1, 2015. Here are just three reasons why no further postponements are expected. Proposed ICD-10 implementation delay omitted from final omnibus funding bill In December 2014, a provision to delay ICD-10 implementation was slipped in to an omnibus funding bill proposal. ICD-10 opponents, a minority but vocal group according to the ICD-10 Monitor, hoped to delay the mandate by two years. Proponents objected […]

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Electronic Health Records (EHR) are the new standard in the medical industry. Advances in technology allow medical institutions to leverage technology to improve the way healthcare is delivered to patients. EHRs eliminate deficiencies in the old paper system many medical facilities relied on, including the inability to communicate with multiple departments within the same facility instantaneously and the propensity to lose proprietary patient information. With the old paper system paperwork remained in-house at one facility, which does not benefit other medical professionals providing care to the same patient. EHRs have revolutionized the delivery of patient care. The following are four reasons patients get better care as a result of medical […]

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