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2. Billing Systems vs. EMR
(Electronic Medical Records)
OVERVIEW – This section raises the issue of whether
practice management software is over designed, and as a result
complicated, and
overpriced.
It asks the question whether the needs of smaller medical
practices are largely ignored by software developers whose interest
lays along the lines of attractive monthly
support contracts and who would naturally lean towards the cost
efficiencies afforded by larger practices (small practices offer neither
large purchases nor large support contracts).
What makes practice software so expensive?
..and: Are the prices justified?
– Debunking The EMR
Myth
Only a few years ago the trend among medical offices was a drive towards
the elusive “paperless office” with Electronic Health/Medical Records (EMR
/ EHR). Developers of medical software produced elaborate end-to-end
solutions that addressed every process within the medical office; ..and of
course doctor’s were told they needed it. As it plays out today, even the
best of these systems range from expensive to enormously expensive, they
have steep learning curves, are cumbersome and time consuming to use; and
instead of simplifying office tasks, they complicate them. The time
required alone to enter treatment notes necessitates the cloning of the
doctor; the office manager is no longer running a medical practice but
managing a monster disguised as a software system; and the functions of
billing and patient accounting are several times more complicated than
when done by hand.
THE PROBLEM: Does the average healthcare practice actually need an
end-to-end office solution that addresses every function within the
practice – software that was more than likely designed for the needs of a
larger practice? Is a full blown EMR what every practice really needs? Is
the expense a necessity? Or
is there a case for a
simpler, cheaper solution.
REAL NEEDS: The advantages of maintaining a patient data base are clearly
evident; and if insurance claims aren’t submitted regularly, the cash flow
stops (which means the whole show stops) so billing must continue
uninterrupted. As well, the need for sound financial reporting is
essential; but, when it comes to scheduling patients only about half of
medical offices use a computer to do so. Furthermore, studies indicate
that only 15 to 20 percent of a software’s functionality is ever used.
So, if the dream of
a “paperless office” is no longer the critical application driving the
purchase of practice software, what is?
The doctor really needs to get paid for his work; the office manager needs
her financial reports, and the whole practice grinds to a halt if claims
aren’t sent in.
THE SOLUTION: The answer to all three needs is a single product: In
contrast to yesteryears sophisticated EMRs, practices today are leaning
more towards simpler
Patient Accounting Systems
that handle all the patient accounting, claims management, and that offer
excellent financial reporting.
Although Medical 'Billing Systems' tend to be generic, they generally provide full patient
accounting and good financial reporting. And although they’re primarily
made for the functions of patient billing, some also offer an easy way for
health providers to enter simple quick treatment notes (in under a
minute). Some are
desktop applications
that do not require an expensive Network or Server, but run on ordinary
personal computers with a simple network.
This new generation of medical billing
software is more akin to QuickBooks – but designed especially for patient
accounting and electronic claims processing. These programs are
usually far more... cont.
NEXT:
Recent Major Shifts in Practice Management
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