Hospitals are actively evaluating and buying new Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) applications to supplement core RCM functions, such as patient registration, billing and collections, according to a newly released report from HIMSS Analytics. These newer solutions are designed to improve collection rates, business office workflows, productivity, patient satisfaction and patient convenience, according to the 2013 […]
“I’m a hot-air balloon that could go to space,” sings Pharrell Williams in his mega-hit, “Happy.” That’s a feeling shared by many healthcare IT consultants these days who are riding sky-high on a surplus of challenging projects and ever-increasing pay rates. In our first-ever survey measuring engagement and job-seeking trends among HIT professionals, consultant satisfaction, […]
With more acronyms than you can shake an EHR at, the Association of Medical Directors of Information Systems (AMDIS) Physician-Computer Connection Symposium was a conference with an edge – at times edgy with dissonance, at times pushing to the edge of our knowledge and capabilities, at times the cutting edge of growth and change. Held […]
From code update delays to IT skills shortages, the health IT blog community effectively maps the long and winding road to health IT. For the second year, we’re giving special recognition to blogs that provide information about software systems, consultant best practices, tools of the trade and legislative changes that may impact healthcare IT consultants’ […]
Wearables, devices used to sense data and process it into information, are generating quite the buzz in healthcare these days. But down the line, does that buzz come with a sting? In Wearable Tech News, Tony Rizzo reports wearable technology spending predictions of $50 billion by 2018. He also reports on a ground-breaking, glucose-sensing contact […]
We asked our recruiters to outline resume must-haves that will truly set you apart from other candidates seeking healthcare IT consulting roles. Follow our tips and you’ll leave every recruiter and hiring manager wondering where you’ve been all their lives. Update your resume for each position While IT consultants typically utilize the same skills at […]
Just like with any information technology, a simple, clear, intuitive user interface makes all the difference in health IT. Developers and user experience designers, like those who created the infographic below, know from experience which features in new technology help with efficiency. From finding and registering patients to filling prescriptions and discharging patients, the infographic […]
On May 20, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) allowed providers another year to remain at Stage 1 of Meaningful Use, and the 2011 edition of CEHRT may be used for 2014. In addition, 2017 was confirmed as the start date for Stage 3. For some, unlike the ICD-10 delay, this postponement, confirmation […]
In "The Godfather," the character Peter Clemenza reminds us that even in violent, turbulent times, something sweet can be salvaged. As we all assess and improvise after the ICD-10 delay, we can’t ignore the cannoli. Meaningful Use Stage 2 and the ICD-10 adoption were aligned to create “the perfect storm.” They are now offset by a […]
In the wake of last month’s abrupt and unexpected ICD-10 delay, powerful healthcare groups remain at odds over what happened -- and what comes next. The American Medical Association (AMA), ostensibly the voice of the physician, opposes the ICD-10 mandate in its entirety. Doctors see significant costs and practice burdens associated with the coding update […]
“…Secretary of Health and Human Services may not prior to October 1, 2015 adopt The ICD 10 code sets as the standard codes.” - H.R. 4302 Never say never. On March 27, the House passed H.R. 4302: Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014. This act, among other things, defers until April 1, 2015 the SGR (sustainable […]
The complexity and interdependence of enterprise applications in healthcare settings increasingly require specialized QA and testing capabilities—automated and manual. A thorough testing program can help hospitals identify and fix business, functional and performance defects, while improving application speed, quality and usability. We see four critical drivers causing hospital leaders to evaluate and supplement their testing […]