Health research firm KLAS says internal medicine doctors report a satisfaction of 7.6 out of 9 for their chosen electronic health record (EHR) systems, making them the group of physicians most satisfied with their EHR.
The Utah-based research group’s study finds family physicians are nearly as satisfied with their EHR systems. Oncologists and ophthalmologists are least excited about their systems, with a rating of 5.8 out of 9.
In a press release, KLAS research director Mark Wagner said, “Vendors strive to meet providers’ needs and reach the specialty EMR promised land by offering a solution that provides the fewest gaps with the best support for the broadest number of specialties.”
Wagner continued, “Providers also want a solid solution for the critical, high-revenue, and high-volume specialties; strong ambulatory/inpatient data exchange, whether through native EMR integration or HL7 interfaces; and clean code releases built on top of dependable applications that work in tandem with reliable customer support.”
May 11th, 2012
Primary care physicians could receive a pay raise bringing Medicaid primary care service fees in line with those paid by Medicare. The proposed boost would be in effect for calendar years 2013 and 2014. States would receive a total of more than $11 billion in new funds to bolster their Medicaid primary care delivery systems, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced.
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by: Wendy E. Grant, CPC
Health Management Associates
Most practices keep a log of X-rays and laboratory procedures performed due to requirements by the agencies governing such tests. It is also a good idea to also create an “Injection Log” for medications. These are expenses to the practice and should be billed to the patient; however, there are times when these are not indicated on the superbill, and the practice has “given them away. ”
Rocephin is a common injection administered in most family practitioners’ offices today. The HCPCS Level II code and definition of Rocephin is J0696 – per 250 mgs. This 250 mgs dose is usually given to a child. An adult may be given one gram of Rocephin. The billing for this injection should be J0696 – 4 units (or 250 mgs x 4). Attention must be given to the code definition of dosaging, in order to ensure that the correct units/price is billed to the insurance company.
An injection log should be kept in the nurses’ area where they draw up the injection. The nurse then notes the injection on the log and in the patient chart. By supplying the data entry clerk with a copy of the Injection Log on a daily basis, these errors can be caught prior to billing to the payer.
August 17th, 2010
New Category I CPT® influenza vaccine codes announced in 2009 and slated for publishing in the 2011 CPT® manual are effective July 1. All four codes have the pending approval icon as the vaccines are not yet approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
90664 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation, live, for intranasal use
90666 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation, split virus, preservative free, for intramuscular use
90667 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation, split virus, adjuvanted, for intramuscular use
90668 Influenza virus vaccine, pandemic formulation, split virus, for intramuscular use
For more information, go to the American Medical Association’s (AMA) CPT® website.
July 2nd, 2010
Many physicians battle with how to remain devoted and compassionate to patients when faced with HMO paperwork, long days, and receiving less money for services. Some primary care physicians are opting into early retirement and switching to specialized care due to poor reimbursement, increased regulations, time constraints, and low morale in the primary care setting.
A recent survey shows why many doctors are looking to other professions. Listen to Dr. Sidney Spiesel and surveyed physicians talk about their frustrations and coping mechanisms on NPR Audio News Clip.
December 15th, 2008