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Obamacare – The Problem it is Trying to Solve

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Sep 14, 2013 | Electronic Medical Records, Medical Billing, Physical Therapy Billing, Physical Therapy Documentation, Physical Therapy Software

The goal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act was fourfold: to increase access to healthcare, reduce healthcare costs, institute more consumer benefits and protections, and improve efficiency. As different portions of the Act go into effect, it will have a major impact on virtually every individual in the U.S.

The Act has both a human and financial component.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) more than 45 million people had no type of health insurance in 2012.

Individuals at the lower end of the financial spectrum were the most likely to lack coverage.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates the Act will reduce the number of uninsured by 27 million between now and 2023, but will still leave approximately 26 million Americans uninsured and financially unable to purchase coverage.

Increasing Access to Healthcare

Obamacare establishes healthcare exchanges and provides subsidies for low income individuals to help them purchase coverage. Millions of Americans can stop living in fear of becoming ill.

They will no longer be turned down for a preexisting condition and children can remain on parental policies through the age of 26.

The downside is an influx of new patients to practices that are already working to capacity. A poll for the Physicians Foundation showed that 40 percent of medical professionals intend to sell their practice or retire early due to Obamacare, resulting in a shortage of available clinicians and longer wait times to obtain an appointment.

Reducing The Cost of Healthcare

One of the tenants of Obamacare was the control and reduction of skyrocketing healthcare costs. The Act reduces the amounts paid by Medicare to practitioners, but allows hospitals to collect more for the same services.

The inequity is prompting many clinicians to stop accepting Medicare patients, further limiting access to care.

Clinicians are under pressure to reduce the number of tests they order and utilize the least expensive modes of treatment whenever possible. Many healthcare professionals fear the drastic reductions in reimbursements will drive potential physicians into other fields.

Healthcare costs also come in the form of copays, premiums and deductibles. Patients are already seeing an increase in all three, as insurance companies raise prices in response to the services the Act forces them to reimburse for.

With insurance companies placing limitations on reimbursements, pharmaceutical firms are reducing or eliminating medications as unprofitable to produce.

The cost of Obamacare comes in other guises. In 2018, a 40 percent tax will be placed on healthcare plans, dependent upon their value, and collected through tax returns. Fines will be assessed on individuals without insurance.

Employers with more than 50 workers must offer insurance or face financial penalties for each person they employ.

Benefits and Protections

Obamacare provides patients with some perks along with coverage. Insurance companies can’t place an annual limit on benefits, nor can they cancel policies for frivolous reasons, but the Act limits the amount individuals can place in Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) and purchases that can be made with the funds.

Improving Delivery and Efficiency

The Act’s components are intended to increase the overall efficiency and delivery of healthcare services. To accomplish that goal, the Act mandated use of an electronic medical records (EMR) system.

The technology is expected to allow clinicians to treat a greater number of patients per day and eliminate paper records.

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) encourage networks of providers, with financial incentives for clinicians that provide a better level of care.

The focus of healthcare would begin a transition to a system of preventatives measures rather than reacting to treat disease after it occurs.

The Act also creates a panel of individuals to determine and recommend preferred treatment options.

Obamacare has four major goals through the Affordable Healthcare Act. In an effort to solve the glaring problems in the healthcare system, it will change the way clinicians practice their profession and deliver care. Patients will have greater access to clinicians, but only time will tell if Obamacare creates a nation of healthier individuals and more efficient practitioners.

The Right EMR System Provides the Solution to the Physical Therapy Practice

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Aug 17, 2013 | Electronic Medical Records, Physical Therapy Documentation, Physical Therapy Management, Physical Therapy Software

Physical therapy clinics and providers should opt for the right EMR system that serves as the solution for improved management and better delivery of patient care. Nitin Chhoda reminds physical therapy practice owner to always choose the right EMR system to maximize its use and increase profitability.

Individuals in need of physical therapy services will always check on the expertise and capability of the clinic.

This will serve as the deciding factor in figuring out the physical therapy clinic or provider they will choose.

The same degree of professionalism and efficiency is also expected from the office solutions that are being utilized with electronic medical records for physical therapy services.

It is essential for any physical therapy clinic or provider to select the best EMR system or physical therapy documentation software.

Focus on What Your Practice Needs

Due to the wide selection of EMR system for physical therapy services, clinic owners and providers are having a difficult time sifting through the various features and functionality of every EMR system. Finding the right EMR system that fits perfectly with the practice’s needs and preferences are overwhelming.

The navigation and the user interface are the main features being focused on. The ideal EMR system can make the daily tasks a lot easier to handle while at the same time, make the office organized, thus, saving time and money for the practice.

User Interface

With many different EMR systems shown to practice owners, there are certain ways in which a user can interface in order to view and manage the documents online. The user interface is available in various forms.

The files are neatly categorized based on the chosen arrangement. This can greatly help in locating required files for a particular treatment as well as other important files such as the workflow items, insurance files, messages and many more.

Simplify Practice Flow

The right EMR system should involve the review of the workflow processes, particularly repetitive steps undertaken in the office.

EMR system for physical therapy services that meets the needs of physical therapy clinic can greatly help save time and money in the long run.

The EMR system that will be chosen will not only establish how the practice is organized, but also how well the patients are treated.

The professional image of your practice is also greatly affected. As the best solution for better management, workflow and delivering quality patient care, the ideal EMR system for physical therapy services must be chosen.

Proven Tips on EMR Implementation Provides Physical Therapy Clinics with an Advantage

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Aug 14, 2013 | Electronic Medical Records, Physical Therapy Documentation, Physical Therapy Software

Physical therapy clinics will gain an advantage by utilizing the proven tips on the implementation of the EMR for physical therapy services which Nitin Chhoda keeps on sharing to the practitioners.

The decision to integrate EMR for physical therapy services is the best choice due to the remarkable shift in the management of the patient files and the workflow.

The EMR system was specifically created in order to improve the accuracy for better patient care and management.

The implementation of the EMR system is important as well as the type of EMR system that was selected.

Certain aspects that range from the government standards up to the training of personnel must be carefully planned out during the implementation of the EMR so that the best results can be achieved.

EMRs Main Purpose

With the main objective of the EMR systems to reform the health care system as well as improve quality of health care, patient safety and efficiency, practitioners can achieve a better workflow and even provide the best patient care.

Today, physical therapy clinics that concentrated on providing superior care to their clients while at the same time managing the daily practice efficiently with the help of the EMR system, has a better stand in gaining monetary incentives in the long run.

Physical Therapy Staff Involvement

The involvement of the personnel in the implementation process will result in a highly efficient and effective EMR system that can greatly improve the workflow. During the implementation of the new EMR for physical therapy services, important personnel can voice out their own perspectives, which can help improve the patient care.

Staff should also receive training on operating the EMR system in order to make the implementation successful and highly effective.

Creating Plans for Implementing EMR

Implementing EMR for physical therapy service should require a plan B just to be prepared for unexpected surprises during the implementation process.

Doing so will help save a lot of hassle in the future. Even opting for a secondary electronic medical records system can help maintain the functionality while certain issues are dealt with to recover the main system.

Proper implementation of EMR for physical therapy services can greatly help out the practice in achieving better management, workflow and even the patient care they provided.

There should be adequate planning as well as working with the personnel involved to achieve a successful implementation.

Referral and Preauthorization: A Jump Start

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Jun 17, 2013 | Physical Therapy

An increasing number of healthcare insurance companies are requiring preauthorizations and referrals before they’ll pay for testing and treatments.

Even though the onus is typically on the patient to provide proof of either before seeking treatment, clinicians should take the lead to ensure the proper approvals were obtained.

In this informative article, Nitin Chhoda discusses the referral and preauthorization process to ensure reimbursements are approved.

Verify Coverage
It’s essential that clinics, especially physical therapy management, verify a patient’s healthcare insurance coverage before they arrive for their appointment. The referral information is essential for the payment and treatment process.

Payers are a law unto themselves, each with their own set of rules, regulations and parameters for reimbursements. Some won’t pay for anything that it has determined to be experimental or investigative, or will only pay for a less expensive or basic procedure. Others won’t reimburse for any procedure that doesn’t have a specific code.

Preauthorization Dictates Payment
Verifying the client’s insurance coverage, with or without referral, allows practitioners to locate potential problems with reimbursements or special protocols that must be followed. The data will also impact the treatment provided by the clinician.

For insurance carriers that require preauthorization, clinicians must receive an agreement from the payer for reimbursement before providing a proposed treatment or service. An authorization number will be provided that must be included on the claim for reimbursement.

The critical element for a preauthorization is the CPT code, which must be determined before the patient is seen and services rendered. The challenge is for practitioners to supply the correct code for the anticipated treatment, taking into account all possible options. Insurance carriers will only pay for the specific procedure that was preauthorized.

In emergency situations, it may not be possible to verify insurance coverage beforehand. It then becomes necessary to seek authorization or referral from the payer as soon as possible. When preauthorization is required and not obtained, clinicians may find that they won’t be reimbursed, even if the service was essential for saving a patient’s life.

Practitioners should be aware that many payers won’t issue authorizations after that fact.

The Rules of Referrals
Sometimes a client requires the services of a specialist or a second opinion, but their healthcare insurance demands a referral. It’s to the medical provider’s advantage to assist in the referral process and to ensure that the referral is clearly noted on the reimbursement claim. Once the referral has been approved, many clinicians assist by making the appointment with the specialist and notifying the patient.

The large majority of clients don’t have a clear understanding of what their medical insurance will cover or if there are any special requirements. When a referral isn’t obtained when one is required, the patient will be held accountable for the expense and will blame the referring physician.

It’s a situation that can cost the practitioner future revenues from the client and loss of potential patients in the future.

As more insurance carriers begin to require referrals and preauthorizations, it’s critical for any healthcare provider to obtain and verify a patient’s coverage prior to their appointment.

It will affect procedures and treatments provided. Obtaining the appropriate approvals ensures continuity of care for the client and that clinicians receive the reimbursements to which they’re entitled.

Physical Therapy Software: Adoption of an Integrated EMR

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Nov 25, 2012 | Physical Therapy

There are several things to consider before adopting an integrated EMR software. Nitin Chhoda emphasizes the most important thing to remember is to choose the best physical therapy software that is right for your practice.

Physical therapy software is the tool of the future, bringing efficiency, exciting new features, and convenience to aspects of physical therapy management that were previously unimaginable.

But what will it mean to go through the process of implementation and integration of your current systems and a new software system?

Decisions About Software

What will your software look like? If you’ve read any reviews of physical therapy software systems, you know that some are incredibly intuitive and others are very difficult to use.

The interface can be smooth, streamlined, and logical, or it can be crowded and frustrating. There are so many decisions to make regarding the type of physical therapy software that you choose that it may feel overwhelming.

Naturally, you should start with relevant user reviews. Find out if physical therapy software of other private practices have had particular success with a particular EMR system.

Don’t compare the experiences of a large hospital to the experiences of a small private practice. Be careful about where the information is coming from, because there will even be a lot of good information that is not relevant to your practice.

And remember, you don’t have to get the fully integrated, most expensive physical therapy software system right off the bat. You can start slowly. But if you do work towards full integrated incrementally, be sure to adopt a system that can be expanded upon when you are ready.

If you adopt a stand-alone system because it is cheaper, you may find that when you do want to upgrade or increase features, you have to start all over again with a new company.

Decisions About Hardware

Another big decision will be how to use your physical therapy software. Will you start with computers first and work towards a goal of using tablet computers in the future? Or will you invest in tablets right away to get the most benefit from the switch?

Tablet computers represent a sea change in the way physical therapists can do their jobs. Taking medical records and client histories anywhere is now easier and safer than ever before.

You can also access exercise example videos and engage with patients in different ways using tablets and other physical therapy software technologies.

Research is an Important Job

There will be a set of answers to your questions about the right software and hardware to implement, and those answers will be specific to your practice. More important than anything will be the amount of research you put into finding the answers and the right physical therapy software that will suit your practice.

The most successful adoption of physical therapy software and medical EMRs are done when a team is designated to do the research, prepare the staff, and come up with an implementation plan.

Your goals should be specific and attainable. If you want to improve efficiency using physical therapy software, you can find a way to do so. And you will be able to overcome the challenges that present themselves between now and the day you adopt the technology you need.

Physical Therapy Software Bottom Line

by Nitin Chhoda PT, DPT | Nov 15, 2012 | Physical Therapy

Using physical therapy software will make your practice a success. Yes, it will be hard at first but when your staff and management have had time to adjust to the new technology, the benefits will be endless. Nitin Chhoda discusses how this is all possible.

The decision to improve efficiency within your physical therapy practice should be an easy one. As a physical therapy management professional, if you can make things work better, you will.

But every decision is always weighed against the cost of making the changes. Physical therapy software is not cheap. In fact, some software packages will be completely unaffordable.

Questions to Ask

So when is it worthwhile to invest and how long should you wait? Is it worth your time and energy to start researching EMR solutions now, or would it be better to wait for more improvements in the technology? About five years ago, it may have been better to wait and see with physical therapy software.

But today, the fact is that you can’t really afford to wait. Solutions exist today that are making physical therapy practices more efficient, improving claims acceptance rates and relieving staff of unnecessary burdens.

An Elaborate Equation

The easy answer to questions about whether or not to implement physical therapy software is: yes. Physical therapy software can make a world of difference for your practice.

But of course, it’s not that simple to implement physical therapy software. The process is time consuming and there will be expenses you cannot foresee or even calculate. So the way to go about making these changes will be complicated, too.

More important than anything is your attitude and the way you prepare your staff. You should have a clear plan that involves a lot of time for training and adjustment.

Find the Right Physical Therapy Software For Your Business

You will need to research your options and find the physical therapy software review that is both the right solution and the right price for your practice. You will need to research your own practice to determine what you really need and what you want for the future of the practice.

Each step of the way, you will question yourself about how the process is going to benefit you and the entire practice. So before you even start, you should know exactly what you need and that the physical therapy software you invest in will give you exactly what you need.

Good Investments Take Time to Show Returns

The hardest part for many physical therapy management professionals will be waiting for the return on your investment. You invest in staff and technology and the payoff isn’t an instant win. Remember why you are considering physical therapy software in the first place. You want to improve efficiency within the practice so that you are not wasting time and money.

Physical therapy software helps you and your staff to stop wasting time and money.

You will start to see improvements in your received payments, but if you spend time trying to count up the benefits of your new physical therapy software, you might wear yourself out very quickly.

There are intangible benefits that you will not be able to quantify right away. Rest assured that within a couple of years, the practice you are growing will be a very different, and much better, practice than the one that doesn’t adopt physical therapy software.