Do you remember the movie, “The Right Stuff?” This 1983 movie depicted how a situation is in need of being handled and if all the circumstances match properly: (that is; right people come together at the right time to tackle a specific matter), the results will be beyond expectations. Well, the same can be said for the situation facing the Healthcare Industry in regard to the Electronic Health Record. There are numerous aspects and variable that need to be considered, but if the “right” EHR is chosen, not only can it address and solve many of the needs of the industry, it can go beyond expectations by saving healthcare practices a significant amount of funds! And now with recent Economic Stimulus funds becoming available, physicians who adopt EHRs can obtain between $44, 000 – $64,000!
Jose Miguel Sanchez (standing), CIO of IOS Health Systems, explains some of the various aspects of Medios EHR to Dr. Norman Ruiz-Castañeda, M.D. (sitting), of Day & Night Pediatric Services, including how to begin to prepare to qualify to obtain funds via the Federal Economic Stimulus Package. The Medios EHR, an innovative web-based electronic health record system, offers e-prescribing program that enables the physician to earn up to an additional $8,000 per year beginning immediately
To determine the “right” Electronic Health Records (EHR) system for your practice can be much simpler than it appears. The key is to determine what are the most important aspects of an EHR and what features are offered by the various systems. And, of course, considering the costs is naturally a major factor.
Some of the more important factors to consider when evaluating the “Right EHR system for your practice are:
– Does the company offering the EHR have a strong service model to support your practice with the EHR? The Medios EHR is supported by a dedicated 24/7 service and support team specifically designed to support your practice before, during, and after transition to the HER. Medios HER is a web-based system allowing for easy implementation with no software installations or computer upgrades or modifications. Practices can be up and running and utilizing the Medios system within a week, as compared to 3-6 months with most other EHR programs.
– Does the system adapt to the specific needs of your practice and specialty? Medios EHR eliminates the traditional “cookie cutter” approach that has been an issue with physicians in the past. The software offered is designed to be tailored specifically toward each physician and the needs of the practice. Medios EHR offers over 25 specialty specific versions and settings, and can customize one for your specific needs.
– Does the system allow the practice to communicate with Laboratory and Radiology Facilities? The Medios EHR allows a direct electronic connection and will automatically post results in patient charts. In addition, abnormal results can flagged and alert you and your staff.
– Does utilizing the system provide better patient care? The Medios EHR system significantly improves patient care by providing immediate accessibility to critical patient information reducing Medication Errors, including Dosage Errors, Handwriting Misrecognitions, Allergy Issues, Contraindications with other medications, Conflicts with Medical Conditions and Family Histories while improving patient education and communications. In addition, the Medios Disease Management tools flag chronic diseases in your patient population allowing for better preventative health management.
– Does the system assist with my practices Billing process? Medios EHR is a fully integrated with Medios PMS, a Practice Management Solution, allowing for accurate, electronic submission of claims to all major insurance companies. Medios EHR formats and helps calculate E&M codes with the Medical Records, ensuring a direct link from documentation to the actual claim. The tools within the system allow you to have total control on your revenue cycle, reduce claim rejections, and facilitate faster and higher reimbursements.
– Does the system require large upfront costs? The costs of the Medios EHR is 75% lower than many of the traditional EHRs on the market.
– Does the system allow the practice to utilize e-prescribing with Pharmacies? Medios EHR connects electronically to over 95% of the national pharmacy chains. This decreases waiting time for patients and it also ensures that it matches the patients insurance plan formulary. Practices utilizing electronic prescribing and complying with the new standards of the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative, can start earning an additional $6,000 – $8,000 per year.
– Does utilizing the system take additional time? Medios EHR actually decreases the time to complete a visit by streamlining your practices workflow and providing seven (7) different and flexible ways of documentation, including voice recognition, handwriting recognition, Quicknotes, customized templates, and BlueTooth Pen Technologies. This enables you to increase the number of visits at your practice while decreasing labor costs.
– Does the system reduce other costs? The Medios EHR significantly reduces Office Overhead Costs by eliminating or reducing expenses such as; transcription costs, costs for paper charts, staff time with test results, insurance verification, prescriptions, sending charts, chart filing, staff time with appointments since the patient can schedule and change on-line as well as pay for appointments on-line, staff time assisting patients with forms since they are on-line, and other areas of the practice. In addition, the Medios EHR can reduce Malpractice Exposure and may reduce rates, as it can lower risks due to misdiagnosis, lost charts, and improper documentation.
And now considering the funds available via the Federal Stimulus Package, if you choose an approved EHR System you could have most, and in some cases, all of your costs covered. EHR utilizers can obtain payments to $44,000 via Medicare and up to $64,000 via Medicaid over five years. And those utilizing electronic prescribing and complying with the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) can earn an additional $6,000 – $8,000 per year immediately.
All the factors combined leads to one conclusion, the one with “The Right Stuff;” Medios EHR by IOS Health Systems.
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