Q. I recently tried to access my medical records through the hospital’s patient portal. I had a hard time logging in because it prompted me to enter codes sent to my phone several times. It was difficult to keep track of which code was the most recent. I feel like this was an unreasonable barrier. Usually, you’re given the choice to opt out of multifactor authentication or only have to enter one code along with your password. Do multiple authentication codes represent a significant barrier to patient access?
Organizations are generally keeping up due diligence when it comes to HIPAA compliance training and essential auditing, despite an increasingly challenging array of threats directed at them. However, confusion still holds sway on risk analysis and more robust audit functions.
Medicare Advantage plan payment rates will increase by an average of 3.4% in 2019 due to higher projected per-capita cost growth for Medicare fee-for-service. The final pay bump is significantly higher than the 1.84% increase proposed in the 2019 advance notice.
This week’s Medicare updates include two new fact sheets on Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) policies, a Special Edition MLN Matters article on proper coding for certain laboratory tests, instructions regarding the new skilled nursing facility Advance Beneficiary Notice (ABN) forms; and more!
Virtual reality is not just for entertainment, it is a valuable tool that healthcare professionals can employ in clinical scenarios, according to CMSA Today. Virtual reality has been used in healthcare since the 1990s, and today serves as a valuable clinical and educational tool.
