Technology incorporation has become compulsory for every medical practice. Not just it facilitates clinicians’ everyday operations but helps them provide value-based healthcare services to patients. Moreover, they can maximize their MIPS score within the improvement activities (IA) and promoting interoperability (PI) – MIPS Quality Measures. The software tools such as EHRs (Electronic Health Records), EMRs (Electronic Medical Records), and PMs (Practice Management Systems) are a few examples. Software Tools – The Backbone of Medical Billing & MIPS Reporting We are in an age where physicians cannot deny the importance of EHRs, PMs, and EMRs. With digitalization, software tools are significantly improving data collection and management operations. If you have not outsourced medical billing services to professionals and without proper guidance, you can face some issues. Let us start by understanding the core software's functionality. EHRs: These are used to collect patients' health data, such as medical history. Often, medical billing services use it to share information with patients. EMRs: This software essentially stores patient’s health information in the form of a medical chart. It holds all the diagnostic and treatment procedures. PMs: The practice management system, as the name suggests, helps with the administrative tasks and the medical billing and coding. It offers a complete solution right from capturing patient data, appointment scheduling to report generation, and maintaining insurance information. No doubt, it is essential for efficient revenue cycle management. One Thing to Remember! These software tools where make work easy at a healthcare organization and not just at the billing and collection fronts, they create challenges if we are not careful. Questions to Ponder Upon We have listed down some questions that can help you make efficient use of technology. Moreover, clinicians can align their practices for successful MIPS reporting and billing. While getting the infrastructure, make sure you ask the right questions from the vendors. For instance, - In case of an emergency, how easy is it to access customer support services?
- Is the software safe to use? Is it robust?
- Does the software come with updates? Is there any area that glitches? Most importantly, is the system HIPAA-compliant?
- Is the system user-friendly and easy to use for everyone? Is the layout easily comprehensible?
- Is the system saleable and flexible? If your medical practice grows, how will the system fit in?
Why Asking These Questions are Important? Apart from all these questions, clinicians must ask themselves if they are ready to handle technology. Do they have the right training to operate technology? Is their chosen system add value to medical billing services and MIPS data submission? An updated system can help with compatibility, database, and documentation issues. It also helps with improving cost-effectiveness. Many physicians feel frustrated in terms of handling data entry and the other administrative burden. However, EHRs, EMRs, and PMS can cut down on management problems. Increased Efficiency: Clinicians can improve their productivity, as they do not have to invest time in paperwork. Moreover, data duplication is also reduced. Optimized Workflow: Technology saves the day as tasks become concise and are at the same place. Clean Data Submission: Mistakes are rectified easily, and clean documentation results in successful billing and MIPS reporting services. Set Enough Time to Train on EHR/PM/EMR Whether you do in-house medical billing or outsource this process to professionals if your staff is not trained enough to deal with these systems, you should not have it in the first place. Dare we say, you will create more problems in the end, namely denied claims! Therefore, clinicians/medical billing services should dedicate time to learn each of their functions efficiently. There is no strict time to set aside for the training period because technical people may learn in an hour or two while some would need five to six days. However, to achieve the highest level of operability, staff should know how to operate the system without any disturbance. Training staff for the latest EHR is already a norm in professional medical billing companies. Maybe, this is the reason for their increased efficiency and productivity. ConclusionWhether it’s EHR, EMR, or practice management system, technology adds value in so many ways. Yes! We cannot undermine the administrative tasks in QPP MIPS and medical billing, but with technology, it consumes lesser time to comply with the regulatory authorities. The healthcare value services are also improved. It all depends on the quality of the system, which can help you abreast with the industry practices. The choice is yours. So, take care of the above-mentioned points before implementing technology and improve your practice’s revenue. It will definitely take your performance up a notch.
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MIPS score, MIPS Quality Measures, Medical Billing, MIPS Reporting, medical billing services, medical billing and coding, MIPS data submission,
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