Accurate coding is paramount for medical practices and rural hospitals nationwide. However, today’s providers must also answer a whole host of other questions, such as: How can we compete with retail medicine and non-traditional healthcare providers? How can we address ongoing staffing shortages? How can we successfully expand telehealth and other digital health efforts in the long run?
If your medical practice or critical access hospital needs assistance navigating these and other challenges, Physician Practice Resources can help. As we look ahead, what are your concerns, and how can Physician Practice Resources provide assistance? Email us at info@ppr-corp.com. Most importantly, stay safe out there.
Volume (not value) still dominates payment for hospital-employed physicians
One recent study found that despite growth in value-based payment arrangements from payers, health systems currently incentivize physicians to maximize volume—not value. However, authors of the study say that value-based payments for physicians are necessary to realize the full potential of value-oriented payment reform. What are your thoughts on this issue?
Competition heats up for independent medical practices nationwide
At the beginning of 2021, only 30% of physicians in the United States practiced medicine independently. The other 70%? They are employed by hospital systems, private equity firms, or health insurers. If staying independent is the goal, what steps are you taking to ensure that is possible? The American Medical Association provides several resources that can help physicians start and sustain a successful independent practice.
Staffing shortages continue to be top of mind for healthcare managers
As remote work opportunities increase, rural and critical access hospitals have had a difficult time recruiting and retaining staff. The same is true for independent medical practices nationwide, many of which have lost administrative staff to other high-paying, less strenuous positions outside of healthcare. What is your practice or hospital doing to incentive people to stay?
Integrating patient-generated health data into the EHR: Here is how
The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality recently published a guide to help medical practices integrate patient-generated health data (PGHD) into the EHR. This guide answers a whole host of questions such as: What does it mean to integrate PGHD into the EHR? What support to patients need to collect PGHD? What are billing and reimbursement considerations? And much more. Check it out if you haven’t already done so.
Hybrid care models may be here to stay
A recent survey found that more than 73% of patients say they plan to receive some or all of their care through telehealth after the pandemic. The survey also identifies the 15 adult specialties that use telehealth most frequently with endocrinology, gastroenterology, and rheumatology topping the list. This and similar surveys all seem to point to one thing: Hybrid care models are the way of the future. What is your medical practice doing to embrace this inevitable shift?
Best in KLAS report names top healthcare finance and revenue cycle management vendors
Looking for a new finance or revenue cycle management partner? Look no further than the most recent Best in KLAS report that identifies top vendors in a variety of categories. Sometimes change is a good thing, and there is no time like the present to shop around.
E/M code changes haven’t eased EHR documentation burdens
One recent study found that found no meaningful changes in measures of note length or time spent in the EHR even after revised documentation requirements meant to streamline physician efficiency and allow them to spend more time with patients and less time on paperwork. What has been the experience at your medical practice? Have physicians been more productive considering these changes? What other steps is your medical practice taking to improve physician efficiency?
About us
Physician Practice Resources, Inc., founded in 2002 and headquartered in Midlothian, IL, is a full-service company that partners with small and large healthcare organizations to build solutions that enhance operational effectiveness, improve clinical documentation, and decrease overall compliance related risks. Contact us at https://www.ppr-corp.com/about-ppr-corp/ for more information.
