Rheumatologists practicing in the current healthcare environment are experiencing unprecedented information flow, data management issues, and a rise in quality designations and pay-for-performance incentive programs. There is increasing pressure on rheumatologists to document or capture treatment concordance with guideline recommendations and best practices and to monitor gaps in care and patient outcomes. Unfortunately, some quality programs are not considered clinically meaningful, and even those that are often bring administrative burdens related to reporting, data aggregation, and analysis.
Technology and Pay-for-Performance
Medicare and private payers are increasingly developing programs to reward physicians based on clinical benchmarks. As more payers embrace this approach, practices are looking to technology to help them manage complex reporting requirements.
Update on Meaningful Use
On December 30, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) released the long-awaited proposed rule establishing the Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program, which lays out a set of standards, implementation specifications, and certification criteria for EHR technology. This program has been developed in response to the “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” (ARRA), which authorizes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide a reimbursement incentive for physician and hospital providers who become “meaningful users” of an EHR.
Coding Corner Answer
February’s Coding Answer
Coding Corner Question
February’s Coding Challenge
Documentation: Better Sooner Than Later
Do you want to save your practice time and money? Here’s a tip: Stay on top of documenting your patients’ records.
Doctor or Accountant?
Complex coding and reimbursement rules can detract from patient care
Medicare Bills Under the Magnifying Glass
What you need to know about the Recovery Audit Contractor program
The Health Buzz
What is the ACR doing with healthcare reform?
Value-Driven Healthcare Moving Into Your Practice
In last month’s issue, “From the College” gave a brief overview of the theory of value-driven healthcare; in this month’s edition, we’ll move from the theory of value-driven healthcare to its implementation in today’s healthcare system.