Hospitals continue to acquire or affiliate more closely with physician practices at a breakneck speed to operate more effectively under value-based purchasing or accountable care organization reimbursement models. But many organizations struggle with how to integrate their different EHR systems, forms, and templates long after the physicians become hospital employees.
Along with quality measure removals in the 2018 OPPS and MPFS final rules, CMS has continued to propose additional removals in the 2019 proposed rules. In addition, the agency is proposing to add to its ability to remove quality measures in the future.
Your organization does not have to look far to see how important it is for your business associates (BA) to comply with HIPAA. Take a glance at the OCR website for breaches involving 500 or more patients. BAs are regularly involved in these breaches along with covered entities (CE). However, the bad press almost always goes to the CEs.
Integrating facility and professional fee coding into one centralized department model can help organizations make the most of advances in technology and manage costs.
New tools, products, and training can help optimize the HIM department, but gaining approval the expense can be a challenge. Apply these lessons to make your next budget request a success.
