How EMR Software Can Enable Your Clinic to Meet Meaningful Use Requirements

By Jack E Glad

Meaningful Use is the hottest buzzword in Health IT right now. The PCAST report (President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology) provided this summary: Recent Federal legislation has charted a new path forward. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act, a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, authorized expenditures of at least $20 billion to promote the adoption and use of EHR technologies that would ideally be connected through a national health information network. Hospitals and physicians who make "meaningful use" of interoperable EHRs can qualify for extra payments through Medicare and Medicaid.

The Medicare program enables you to qualify for $44,000 if you are meeting CMS criteria for Meaningful Use with your electronic medical records software. The Medicaid program incentives reach $63,750. The Medicaid program is easier to qualify for in the first year, but it is in the hands of the individual states to conduct this program. Also, as a provider, you will need to see at least 30% Medicaid patients to qualify for this program.

Vendors are quickly pursuing Meaningful Use certification for 3rd parties such as CCHIT. To qualify for these incentive dollars, providers must be using a Meaningful Use certified EMR product.

That's only one of many requirements that will incur workflow changes and additional possible investments. Providers and administrators are encouraged to consider Meaningful Use when beginning the EMR software selection process and EMR implementation. However, it is more important to select a product that will be supported and upgraded, and will best meet your hospital's or clinic's needs.

Following the implementation, there are many workflow considerations for a provider that hopes to meet Meaningful Use requirements. For example, patients need to be able to receive electronic copies of their records on request. Also, the providers need to be checking smoking status and completing many other requirements.

Jack Glad created EMR Software Pro. This site helps you find the best EMR Software vendor for your organization's needs! Check out EMRSoftwarePro.com.

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44K Bonus - Electronic Health Record Incentive

Eligible healthcare professionals and hospitals can begin receiving incentives from CMS for meaningful use of a certified Electronic Health Records system, or EHR.  Participation may start as early as 2011, but in order to make sure they receive the maximum benefit, providers must begin participation by 2012.  Medicare will payout a maximum of up to $44,000 over 5 years for those providers who demonstrate meaningful use of EHR technology.

For detailed information you can visit the CMS website here.

For an easy to use, FREE EHR Solution visit here.

Please check back often for more posts and information on how to take advantage of the incentives for EHR implementation.

Modifier 33 for Preventive Services

One of the most significant health care reforms involves how insurance companies are to cover preventive
services.  The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act now requires all health care insurance plans to
cover preventive services and immunizations without and cost-sharing.  This means that plans cannot
require copays, coinsurance, or deductibles on office visits when these services are part of an office visit
and the primary purpose of the office visit is to receive preventive services.

In order to identify these services, providers will now append the modifier 33 to these services.  There are
four instances when modifier 33 is to be used:

1. Services rated "A" or "B" by the US Preventive Services Task Force located at their website here.
2. Immunizations for routine use in children, adolescents, and adults as recommened by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Preventive care and screenings for children as recommended by Bright Futures and Newborn Testing as supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.
4. Preventive care and screenings provided for women in the comprehensive guidelines supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Information provided from the AMA website

Procedure Codes Medical Billing

Using correct procedure codes in medical billing is vital to getting your claims paid.  CPT and HCPCS codes that Medicare and private insurers recognize are continually changing.  Claims denials are lost money even when you resubmit a corrected denial due to extra staff hours and postage spent.

Evaluation and Management coding can be confusing as well.  Correct procedure codes for billing your medical E&M's are important as well.  Overcode and you run the risk of triggering an audit and being liable to reimburse the insurer.  Undercode and you are losing potential revenue that you are entitled to.

Our proven team of experienced and certified coders can help you catch lost opportunities and show you areas for improvement.  All at a cost that is much less than you might think!  For more information on how we can help your facility or practice protect and increase its revenue, fill out the form below and a representative
will be in contact within 24 hours.

If you would prefer more information now, you may learn more by clicking here.

Influenza Q codes for Medicare billing

Just a reminder now that flu season is here....Medicare no longer recognizes CPT code 90658 for the Influenza Virus vaccine.  This became effective January 1, 2011.  Instead, there is a set of "Q" codes depending on the brand name of vaccine you are using.  They are:

• Q2035 Afluria Vaccine - Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Afluria)
• Q2036 Flulaval Vaccine - Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Flulaval)
• Q2037 Fluvirin Vaccine - Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Fluvirin)
• Q2038 Fluzone Vaccine - Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Fluzone)
• Q2039 NOS (Not Otherwise Specified) Vaccine - Influenza virus vaccine, split virus, when administered to individuals 3 years of age and older, for intramuscular use (Not Otherwise Specified)

You will still submit the claim using G0008 for the administration of the vaccine.