Author Topic: Emr system  (Read 13503 times)

Mariana

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Emr system
« on: June 06, 2011, 11:41:00 AM »
I am getting ready to open my billing business but i have a question about the EMR system. i heard from another medical biller that with the new EMR system that the doctors will not be using more paper charts and everything is going more electronically. The EMR system will make the billing much more easier that they will not be needing to outsource anymore. Whats your opinion about that? I want to make sure if i am opening the business there will be a need to outsource. And how will the doctors office provide information to the billing business since everything will be done in their EMR system? I just got a little disapointted when she told me that because i want to make sure if i am opening a billing business there are still going to be a need to outsource. She told me she lost two accounts because they went to the EMR system. Any comments on that?

pattil88

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2011, 03:38:08 PM »
Medical billing services have to stay on the cutting edge of what's going on in the overall industry, just like any other business. EMR's (and a ton of other services that practice management software vendors are floating around out there) have developed some powerful tools that will make practices think twice about outsourcing. However, I try to "adapt" our services to ensure that a practice is getting some type of added value above and beyond what their current billing process gives them.

For example, after they have adapted to an EMR-based coding/billing function, do they still receive denials from payers? Probably. Does the EMR coding/billing system they use know when to add a certain modifier for certain payers? Maybe - maybe not. I may not be able to get a practice that wants all the services I offer, but I want to position my business and keep adjusting my business plan to fit what they need today and what they'll need in the future. We do that by constantly keeping track of trends occurring in our business niche. (After all, isn't that what makes this so much fun?!!)

I spend alot of time looking at features billing software vendors are offering to their clients and look for ways to capitalize on what's not working by reading different blogs/opinions/etc. from physicians and other industry experts. I don't think medical billing services will become a thing of the past - we just have to keep reinventing ourselves to keep pace with what our markets want and need.

Just my two cents worth......

arms

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #2 on: June 06, 2011, 09:48:41 PM »
I agree, I truly believe there will always be a need for outsourced medical billing services.

EMR's are not that scary.   

EMR's are only a tool and only as good as the information that you plug into it, if the practice staff is not knowledgeable enough in billing they will still struggle and there is no EMR out there that automates claim follow-up and appeals!

If the provider drops you due to getting an EMR they were sadly un-informed and will probably be looking for somebody again when they realize what a mistake they made. I would keep in touch with them for when that happens.



DMK

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #3 on: June 06, 2011, 09:53:45 PM »
EMR is going to be somewhat "mandatory" in the future, but it's really only for records and patient notes.  The EMR we used was only as good as what the Doctor input.  He would click on the services he provided, but at the end of the day I still had to read the notes and make sure what he said he did was in the record, and that he billed for what he did. 

When the billing was done, it still required that someone actually push the button and print the claims, send to the secondaries and chase down unpaid and incorrectly paid claims.  EMR can not and will not replace billing services in house or out sourced!

Whatever specialty you decide to pursue, try to be up on the software packages available and the pros and cons for the software.

QueenAlicia

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2011, 11:01:01 PM »
I actually go to a doctor/hospital that does EMR and I think it's great.  They don't have to look up my file thru paper and it's easily accessible. I think that it also requires that the doctor actually chart in updates and what services he provided that day.  This may be an issue for some providers.

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #4 on: June 06, 2011, 11:01:01 PM »

Mariana

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2011, 10:58:01 AM »
Guys, i have one more question. If EMR will be mandatory in the future how will the doctors provide information to billing companies? Because i am used now to get the superbills, patient information form all by fax...so if it will be all in their system with EMR how will they provide the information to the billing company? And will there be a need to use my billing software or will we have to use the provider's software by remote access? 

DMK

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2011, 01:31:11 PM »
I think Linda and Michele have addressed this a few times.  Remote access to the doctor's software will always be best, then you can print off notes if needed, and you can really monitor the incoming payments and outgoing billing.  You will still need your own software for the smaller practices (who will likely not be required to have EMR).

I'm not a big fan of national healthcare, but Canada has a great NATIONAL software program for billing that works really well.  The US will balk at that since it would impede the software manufacturers, but for Medicare, Medicaid, and other "national" plans, they will probably have to come up with something that everyone uses and that is cheap or free just for the consistency alone.  The clearing houses are already doing something similar by taking different software data and compiling it into a single format that all insurance companies accept.

These are just my opinions, but this business is constantly changing and will continue to do so.  As the saying goes "changes aren't permanent, but change is...."

PMRNC

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #7 on: June 11, 2011, 10:30:22 AM »
Hold on to your hats for what I'm going to tell you....

I'm not dealing with EMR at all!  Nope, not at all!  I have many reasons, one being I'm just too busy with the other day-to day operations and consulting. All my clients are fine with that and I have a lot of contacts that could use the business and step in for me for that part :)   I know.. crazy isn't it?  But that's just me.  There's no way EMR is going to take business from us at all, and with all changes in the healthcare industry and what I believe is going to happen in the next presidential election, we are going to be so busy we won't have time to deal with EMR.  That's my opinion.   
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

Michele

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #8 on: June 13, 2011, 09:49:55 AM »
We don't have much to do with EMR either.  Only to advise our providers on what their options are.  I agree with Linda.  It really doesn't pertain to us and we are way too busy.  There are always those who try to make more of things than need to be.  EMR can be tied in to billing or it can be completely separate.  EMR companies will use anything they can to make their product look better, including pushing how it will aid in billing.  Billing still needs to be understood to be done correctly and no EMR is going to change that.  JMO
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sl1181

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2011, 11:38:13 PM »
I work for a few pratices that use their EMR only as EMR and not to try and bill. They learned the EMR was only as good as they were at inputting the info and learned quickly it was a billers job. I find the EMR much easier to read than a doctors chart and now its all right on my computer.

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Emr system
« Reply #9 on: June 14, 2011, 11:38:13 PM »

PMRNC

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #10 on: June 15, 2011, 10:07:02 AM »
My doctors are going to hate me because i am refusing a medical record on my family.. don't want it and I've seen enough of it that I know i won't want it.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

DMK

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #11 on: June 15, 2011, 01:13:41 PM »
I agree Linda.  EMR packages are "cookie cutter" meaning that there are statements already set up in the software so the doctor only has to push a button and it types in the statement.  The reports we get from other doctors' offices are full of errors.  The notes look more complete, but they aren't correct a lot of the time.  Once again it's Garbage In Garbage Out!  Doctors don't really like EMR, and our patient's keep complaining that all the doctor does is look at his computer now instead of looking at them!

PMRNC

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #12 on: June 15, 2011, 01:40:25 PM »
It's going to be interesting for sure to see how doctors handle it for patients who refuse an EMR. I had a nightmare of a problem not once but TWICE and that's 2 times too many for me.
Linda Walker
Practice Managers Resource & Networking Community
One Stop Resources, Education and Networking for Medical Billers
www.billerswebsite.com

camedbill

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #13 on: June 16, 2011, 06:18:21 PM »
I have lost a couple of clients to an EMR  - mainly because that's part of their sales pitch to any clients who use a billing service- that providers will save money because it's so easy to bill out.  What they don't tell them is it's the a/r follow up that is time consuming not the billing out.  Although, soon there may even be software that takes care of most of this issue as well.

I could have explain this to try to retain my clients but unfortunately sometime when they're set to transition, they won't tell you until they've already signed on the dotted line and it's too late.

Even the HMO organizations & insurance companies are partnering with EMR companies to push providers to use EMRs to make it easier for them to process claims and to access for datamining purposes.

Sorry I'm not as optimistic about our industry as others here but one thing is for sure - there is a lot of changes in our industry and we will need to change with it in order to survive. Also another tip is stay in touch with your clients, if not, someone or something else will.
*pattil88* says it best

QueenAlicia

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Re: Emr system
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2011, 06:48:46 PM »
I agree, one of the software systems that I am interested in promotes a certain EMR system.  I think if the provider wants EMR great if not great.  My plan for my business is to be aware and current on all new systems and procedures.  I think the business  has to adapt to the industry. 

Medical Billing Forum

Re: Emr system
« Reply #14 on: June 16, 2011, 06:48:46 PM »