When you think about a data breach, you probably think about things like maximum fines and penalties of $1.5 million, willful neglect, corrective action plans, and so forth, right? Well, think again.
Although HIM professionals do not treat or diagnose patients, their role in managing all the moving parts in a healthcare organization affects overall quality of care.
Revenue cycle leaders, including HIM professionals, are aware that a patient billing or collection problem can destroy what had up to that point been an exceptionally positive clinical experience. With the ever-expanding reach of social media, a patient who is dissatisfied with a billing or collection problem may be more likely to share that problem with others rather than sharing private details about clinical problems.
In 2008, only 11% of respondents to an Association of Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialists (ACDIS) poll indicated their clinical documentation improvement (CDI) programs either reviewed outpatient records for documentation improvement opportunities or were looking to expand into outpatient areas (8% and 3% respectively).
The April 1 confirmation of the delay in implementing the ICD-10 code set certainly took the wind out of many healthcare organizations' sails. Those organizations spent countless hours and dollars preparing for the go-live date that was six months away.
Numerous community groups are working to help people stay healthy. Programs that help individuals pay for expensive medications, free health clinics, and support services for chronic illnesses are just a few examples. However, the problem is that the people who need these services often don't know they're available.
