August 26th 2024
"Generative AI technologies may play a valuable role in providing prompt, accurate responses to routine patient questions––potentially alleviating patients' concerns while freeing up clinic time and resources to address other complex tasks," says Michael Scott, MD.
How to select the right wireless program for your practice
May 1st 2002Technologies are currently available or in development to make use of real-time wireless technology, which can be applied to the office practice of medicine and is affordable to large and small practices. Using wireless technology, physicians can have access to data on their patients anytime and anywhere.
Legislators plan to take aim at 'inflated' drug prices
April 1st 2002System based on average sales price would reduce overpayments, membersof Congress sayWashington-Convinced that physicians are somehow ripping off Medicareby overcharging for prescription drugs, members of Congress are workingto find a solution. The eventual result could be restrictions on drug charges,combined with improvements in reimbursement levels for some cognitive services.
Congress fails to restore Medicare reimbursement cuts
February 1st 2002Patients' rights, regulatory reform, and research funding are still underconsiderationWashington-With a 5.5% decrease in Medicare reimbursement rates now inplace for 2002, urologists and other specialty groups are hoping to convinceCongress to quickly reduce those cuts and act on other issues importantto them, as well.
Consider features, cost when selecting an EMR system
February 1st 2002Make sure vendors have experience with urology practices and are HIPAAcompliantIn the new age of medicine, electronic medical records (EMR) systemswill transform the way you practice. Last month, I discussed the benefitsof EMR and its ability to facilitate many of the goals common to all practices-efficiency,correct coding, Medicare and HIPAA compliance, and improved outcomes. Inthis column, I will discuss how to select an EMR system, including productfeatures, vendor support, and cost.
How to prepare your practice for Stark II compliance
February 1st 2002As of January 4, the final Stark II rules became effective. These federalregulations will have a profound effect on the relationship between urologypractices and the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Their impact extends farbeyond lithotripsy, which has been the primary concern of many urologists,to virtually every aspect of their practices. Practices that have not conformedto the requirements of these new regulations are exposed to financial penaltiesand other severe sanctions.
Electronic records help improve compliance, efficiency
January 1st 2002It's time to add electronic medical records, or EMR, to the list of buzzwordscommon in medical practices today. This new technology, although in itsinfancy, has the opportunity to facilitate many of the goals common to allpractices-efficiency, correct coding, Medicare and HIPAA compliance, andimproved outcomes. We are in a new age of medicine, and EMR technology willtransform the way you practice.
Medical insurance plan targets Medicare and Medicaid billing
November 1st 2001Oak Park, IL-Cunningham Group has launched a new insurance plan thatoffers complete protection to medical practices, hospitals, clinics, andother health care providers that bill Medicare and Medicaid. The new plan,called MediKey, takes the guesswork out of coding and protects medical earningswith special low-cost billing errors and omissions (E&O) insurance availableto those who enroll in the compliance plan. This combined approach enablesproviders to qualify for the E&O insurance at a favorable rate, thecompany says.
Ruling would impact lithotripsy, brachytherapy payments
October 1st 2001Washington-A sweeping new proposed federal regulation dealing with hospital outpatient compensation would change Medicare payments for specific medical procedures and tighten rules governing new technology payments, a move that could adversely affect urologists. The regulation from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services CMS) would apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2002.
HIPAA will change all facets of information management
July 1st 2001If you thought your electronic nightmare was over when the Y2K scare came and went with hardly a glitch, think again. There's another acronym that all of us in health care will have to contend with in the next few years: HIPAA, or the Healthcare Information and Portability and Accountability Act.
Handheld device stores patient charts, documents
July 1st 2001Bothell, WA-Data Critical Corp. offers the PocketChart handheld tool for patient charting, billing, and filing. With the product, physicians can create complete, legible documents using simple point-and-tap menus to record all elements of a patient encounter, the company says.