Today Medisoft announced the release of version 17. The release of Medisoft Version 17 is about 2 weeks ahead of the scheduled release date of 12/17/10.
This version of Medisoft® will help you prepare for the new realities of healthcare finance with Medisoft® v17 the ANSI 5010-compliant practice management solution from McKesson. With a host of
new features and enhancements, Medisoft v17 increases the effi ciency of scheduling and billing, and improves the quality of reporting and revenue management. With the challenges of implementing healthcare changes, it pays to adopt early and allow time for testing prior to the January 2012 ANSI 5010 transition. Start the process now and reduce the risk of rejected claims and decreased cash fl ow as ANSI 5010 is adopted.
For complete details goto http://www.sunrize.com/.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
10 Steps to Get Ready for ICD-10 Changes
10 Steps for Providers to Get Ready for ICD-10
These 10 steps will help your organization get ready for the transition to the ICD-10 code sets.
1. Establish governance and responsibility: Identify a project manager and set up a multidisciplinary team and governance steering committee. Communicate the financial ramifications of not being ready to gain buy-in and funding from the executive team.
2. Launch your ICD-10 compliance initiative: Hold your kick-off meeting and communicate timelines and impacts of the change to all staff. Ensure coders, physicians and other billing staff understands the impact of reimbursement and days in accounts receivable for claims that are not properly coded or substantiated.
3. Conduct a readiness assessment: Assess the impact to policies and procedures, payor contracts, training needs, staff augmentation or outstanding and determined software vendor readiness.
4. Create an integrated project plan detailing essential components for success: Include a communications plan, department training and a software roadmap.
5. Identify clinical documentation required for coding: Reinforce the requirements in your organization’s policies and procedures.
6. Schedule and implement updated IT solutions: Ensure your implementation schedule provides time to perform any system upgrades, test releases and install updates. Determine when and how long you need duel coding systems.
7. Train coders on new code sets: Review coder experience. The new code set will require increased familiarity with medical procedures, anatomy and pharmacology.
8. Train physicians on new documentation requirements: Educate physicians on area that require increased clinical documentation.
9. Perform service line assessments and potential impact to cash flow: review coding that supports your key service lines and most commonly assigned and highly reimbursed DRG’s.
10. Use enterprise intelligence analytical tools and reporting to monitor compliance and financial performance: Check first-time submission claims success rate, reimbursement turnaround time, days in AR, source of claim edits, source of denials and staff compliance/productivity.
These 10 steps will help your organization get ready for the transition to the ICD-10 code sets.
1. Establish governance and responsibility: Identify a project manager and set up a multidisciplinary team and governance steering committee. Communicate the financial ramifications of not being ready to gain buy-in and funding from the executive team.
2. Launch your ICD-10 compliance initiative: Hold your kick-off meeting and communicate timelines and impacts of the change to all staff. Ensure coders, physicians and other billing staff understands the impact of reimbursement and days in accounts receivable for claims that are not properly coded or substantiated.
3. Conduct a readiness assessment: Assess the impact to policies and procedures, payor contracts, training needs, staff augmentation or outstanding and determined software vendor readiness.
4. Create an integrated project plan detailing essential components for success: Include a communications plan, department training and a software roadmap.
5. Identify clinical documentation required for coding: Reinforce the requirements in your organization’s policies and procedures.
6. Schedule and implement updated IT solutions: Ensure your implementation schedule provides time to perform any system upgrades, test releases and install updates. Determine when and how long you need duel coding systems.
7. Train coders on new code sets: Review coder experience. The new code set will require increased familiarity with medical procedures, anatomy and pharmacology.
8. Train physicians on new documentation requirements: Educate physicians on area that require increased clinical documentation.
9. Perform service line assessments and potential impact to cash flow: review coding that supports your key service lines and most commonly assigned and highly reimbursed DRG’s.
10. Use enterprise intelligence analytical tools and reporting to monitor compliance and financial performance: Check first-time submission claims success rate, reimbursement turnaround time, days in AR, source of claim edits, source of denials and staff compliance/productivity.
START NOW!!! While the date comply may seem far in the future, don’t underestimate the
amount and complexity of change that will be required.
Let SUNRISE SERVICES LLC help you get ready. Call us today 1-888-880-0384
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Tips for Successful EHR Implementation
Tips for Successful EHR Implementation
By Chris Torregosa, Project Coordinator
With all the government stimulus money made available to hospitals and clinic these days, many groups are purchasing and implementing and EHR system. Some implementations go smoothly and achieve their goals while others they struggle or stall due to inexperience and frustration with the selected system. Some tend to fall short due to limited resources or IT issues. In certain instances many groups experience little or no success at all. These groups then begin to contemplate whether it is a problem with their staff learning the system, the workflow processes within the group, or simple the EHR system’s abilities to meet their requirements. Regardless of your group’s size, many implementation issues are common throughout. Like any new journey in life that requires a certain amount of knowledge, there is much to learn and many things that can go wrong without proper things direction. Here is a few tips to help ensure a successful EHR implementation.
1) There is no “I” in the world “Team”. Any football fan knows that any given play can’t be run on the field unless everyone is completing their assigned role. The quarterback can’t throw or handoff the ball unless his offensive line is providing the proper protection from the opposing defense. I can go on an on, but the point is that the same team concept can and should be applied to an EHR implementation. Navigating through an EHR implementation is not a solo task. Everyone from the receptionist to the biller, to the medical assistant, to the physician will play a role in the success of the implementation. Involvement from the stakeholders is essential and to identify any ways the EHR could fail.
Like any normal team, there needs to be leadership. In an implementation, a physician champion is to provide good input and communication, and to be an energetic supporter and positive motivator throughout the project. He or she is responsible to keep driving the project forward despite any road blocks that lie ahead.
Lastly, like any good team, practice makes perfect. It is incumbent of the staff to learn and practice. The more and more you practice with the system, the more familiar and comfortable you will be. This will ease any anxiety and in turn provide confidence within the group.
2) Setting realistic goals and expectations.
Implementing an EHR is by no means an easy task. A successful implementation involves a great deal of planning long before you go live. One of the first tasks during the process is to create a realistic implementation timeline that everyone is comfortable with. It is important to be flexible and open to modifying the schedule if necessary. Also, remember that you don’t have to go everything at once. A phased-in incremental approach is suggested so that users are not learning everything at once and become overwhelmed. Another important aspect of the implementation is staying focused throughout the project. Staying on schedule in the timeline is more about making the EHR implementation a priority.
3) Positively despite challenges.
Many challenges and frustrations will present themselves during an implementation. It will create uncertainty and doubts as to whether these challenges can be overcome.
It is important to stay positive and realize that there is no reason why these challenges can’t be overcome.
4) Consult with experts with EHR experience.
It is a tall order to successfully implement an EHR without prior experience. There arte many aspects of an implementation that can be overlooked that may result in failure. Assistance from someone with experience in implementing EHR systems can make a difference towards the outcome of the implementation.
By Chris Torregosa, Project Coordinator
With all the government stimulus money made available to hospitals and clinic these days, many groups are purchasing and implementing and EHR system. Some implementations go smoothly and achieve their goals while others they struggle or stall due to inexperience and frustration with the selected system. Some tend to fall short due to limited resources or IT issues. In certain instances many groups experience little or no success at all. These groups then begin to contemplate whether it is a problem with their staff learning the system, the workflow processes within the group, or simple the EHR system’s abilities to meet their requirements. Regardless of your group’s size, many implementation issues are common throughout. Like any new journey in life that requires a certain amount of knowledge, there is much to learn and many things that can go wrong without proper things direction. Here is a few tips to help ensure a successful EHR implementation.
1) There is no “I” in the world “Team”. Any football fan knows that any given play can’t be run on the field unless everyone is completing their assigned role. The quarterback can’t throw or handoff the ball unless his offensive line is providing the proper protection from the opposing defense. I can go on an on, but the point is that the same team concept can and should be applied to an EHR implementation. Navigating through an EHR implementation is not a solo task. Everyone from the receptionist to the biller, to the medical assistant, to the physician will play a role in the success of the implementation. Involvement from the stakeholders is essential and to identify any ways the EHR could fail.
Like any normal team, there needs to be leadership. In an implementation, a physician champion is to provide good input and communication, and to be an energetic supporter and positive motivator throughout the project. He or she is responsible to keep driving the project forward despite any road blocks that lie ahead.
Lastly, like any good team, practice makes perfect. It is incumbent of the staff to learn and practice. The more and more you practice with the system, the more familiar and comfortable you will be. This will ease any anxiety and in turn provide confidence within the group.
2) Setting realistic goals and expectations.
Implementing an EHR is by no means an easy task. A successful implementation involves a great deal of planning long before you go live. One of the first tasks during the process is to create a realistic implementation timeline that everyone is comfortable with. It is important to be flexible and open to modifying the schedule if necessary. Also, remember that you don’t have to go everything at once. A phased-in incremental approach is suggested so that users are not learning everything at once and become overwhelmed. Another important aspect of the implementation is staying focused throughout the project. Staying on schedule in the timeline is more about making the EHR implementation a priority.
3) Positively despite challenges.
Many challenges and frustrations will present themselves during an implementation. It will create uncertainty and doubts as to whether these challenges can be overcome.
It is important to stay positive and realize that there is no reason why these challenges can’t be overcome.
4) Consult with experts with EHR experience.
It is a tall order to successfully implement an EHR without prior experience. There arte many aspects of an implementation that can be overlooked that may result in failure. Assistance from someone with experience in implementing EHR systems can make a difference towards the outcome of the implementation.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
ATLANTA - (BUSINESS WIRE) - As part of its Achieve HIT stimulus program for physicians, McKesson today announced a limited-time offer to reduce the cost barriers associated with independent physician adoption of electronic health records (EHRs). Physicians may choose from two options on selected EHR/practice management solutions - 0% interest for 12 months with a 25% down payment, or a $1,000 cash rebate for the first provider with a $500 cash rebate for each additional provider in a practice.
The new program applies to McKesson's EHR/practice management solutions for independent community physicians, including the award-winning Practice Partner, Lytec MD and Medisoft® Clinical solutions. Collectively, these solutions are currently used by more than 100,000 providers nationwide, many of them in small to mid-sized practices. All of the solutions feature Bright Note Technology , which enables physicians to use their preferred method for charting to capture data in a single note and, with one touch, synchronize the data across the entire patient chart.
McKesson will offer the promotion directly to those independent physicians licensing selected EHR software through McKesson, as well as through McKesson's national network of EHR-certified, value-added resellers (VARs). With locally available training, implementation and support services, physicians can conveniently get the help they need from McKesson VARs where they live and practice.
"McKesson is making an investment in the success of physician practices," said David Henriksen, senior vice president of McKesson's Physician Practice Solutions group. "From the underserved to the well-established, our goal is to provide a cost-effective way for community physicians to more easily acquire EHRs. Ultimately, we believe that will result in a safer, more efficient and more connected healthcare experience for all of us."
This limited-time offer is the latest effort by McKesson to accelerate and simplify electronic health record (EHR) adoption at independent physician practices across the country. In January, McKesson announced that it is collaborating with HP to offer McKesson's EHR/practice management systems bundled with HP office hardware preconfigured for easy installation. McKesson's national network of EHR-certified, value-added resellers will provide the bundled McKesson and HP solutions, along with training, implementation and support services, for physicians in their local communities.
Both programs are logical extensions of McKesson's Achieve HIT program, which for the past year has provided free resources and education on the implications of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's healthcare information technology provisions.
"McKesson has been by our side since the stimulus incentives were announced, helping us to understand the legislation and positioning our providers to meet the requirements," said Lance Foster, president, AZCOMP Technologies, Inc., a prominent value-added reseller. "This latest offer is just one more example of how McKesson is leading the way in preparing providers to take advantage of government incentives."
McKesson's comprehensive portfolio of physician solutions is designed to reduce time spent on administrative tasks and help to meet the needs of running a modern practice. As the source for solutions that improve practice performance, McKesson's offering includes clinical and EHR software, as well as business management and revenue management solutions. The company also provides connectivity solutions for health information exchange and medical-surgical equipment and supplies.
More information on this program is available online at www.offehr.com.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit
The new program applies to McKesson's EHR/practice management solutions for independent community physicians, including the award-winning Practice Partner, Lytec MD and Medisoft® Clinical solutions. Collectively, these solutions are currently used by more than 100,000 providers nationwide, many of them in small to mid-sized practices. All of the solutions feature Bright Note Technology , which enables physicians to use their preferred method for charting to capture data in a single note and, with one touch, synchronize the data across the entire patient chart.
McKesson will offer the promotion directly to those independent physicians licensing selected EHR software through McKesson, as well as through McKesson's national network of EHR-certified, value-added resellers (VARs). With locally available training, implementation and support services, physicians can conveniently get the help they need from McKesson VARs where they live and practice.
"McKesson is making an investment in the success of physician practices," said David Henriksen, senior vice president of McKesson's Physician Practice Solutions group. "From the underserved to the well-established, our goal is to provide a cost-effective way for community physicians to more easily acquire EHRs. Ultimately, we believe that will result in a safer, more efficient and more connected healthcare experience for all of us."
This limited-time offer is the latest effort by McKesson to accelerate and simplify electronic health record (EHR) adoption at independent physician practices across the country. In January, McKesson announced that it is collaborating with HP to offer McKesson's EHR/practice management systems bundled with HP office hardware preconfigured for easy installation. McKesson's national network of EHR-certified, value-added resellers will provide the bundled McKesson and HP solutions, along with training, implementation and support services, for physicians in their local communities.
Both programs are logical extensions of McKesson's Achieve HIT program, which for the past year has provided free resources and education on the implications of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act's healthcare information technology provisions.
"McKesson has been by our side since the stimulus incentives were announced, helping us to understand the legislation and positioning our providers to meet the requirements," said Lance Foster, president, AZCOMP Technologies, Inc., a prominent value-added reseller. "This latest offer is just one more example of how McKesson is leading the way in preparing providers to take advantage of government incentives."
McKesson's comprehensive portfolio of physician solutions is designed to reduce time spent on administrative tasks and help to meet the needs of running a modern practice. As the source for solutions that improve practice performance, McKesson's offering includes clinical and EHR software, as well as business management and revenue management solutions. The company also provides connectivity solutions for health information exchange and medical-surgical equipment and supplies.
More information on this program is available online at www.offehr.com.
About McKesson
McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to helping its customers deliver high-quality healthcare by reducing costs, streamlining processes, and improving the quality and safety of patient care. McKesson has been in continuous operation for more than 175 years, making it the longest-operating company in healthcare today. Over the course of its history, McKesson has grown by providing pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management across the spectrum of care; healthcare information technology for hospitals, physicians, homecare and payors; hospital and retail pharmacy automation; and services for manufacturers and payors designed to improve outcomes for patients. For more information, visit
Friday, December 18, 2009
Business Continuity
Welcome to electronic medical records blog.
What would you do if you lost your patient accounting and clinical records to a catastrophic hard drive failure, fire, flood etc. HIPAA requires that every practice have a disaster recovery plan in place. Do you have one?
Sunrise Servicess' Business Continuity solution is a good value if you never need it and PRICELESS if you do.
Business continuity is much more than just a backup it is a solution that provides:
What would you do if you lost your patient accounting and clinical records to a catastrophic hard drive failure, fire, flood etc. HIPAA requires that every practice have a disaster recovery plan in place. Do you have one?
Sunrise Servicess' Business Continuity solution is a good value if you never need it and PRICELESS if you do.
Business continuity is much more than just a backup it is a solution that provides:
- Offsite storage
- Delivery of a fully operational server with all data, programs and operating system within 72 hours in case of a disaster!
- Incremental Hot backups every 15 minutes with the option of rolling back to vaious points in time.
- A Standby Server that can be online and back in service within 2 hours of a server failure, all done remotely.
- Monitoring of all backyups 24/7365
- At a cost of less than $150 per month for a solo provider.
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