A Medical Practice Manager's Job Just Got A Lot More Challenging

Here lately medical practice managers, office managers

, and practice administrators all over the nation have been facing incredible job overwhelm, office chaos and turmoil over health care changes and upcoming requirements. This comes with its own set of issues for each one.

Choosing EHR Software

Some practices are adopting an electronic health record and thus have to choose a software that will meet their needs and not break their budget. Sure, there may be incentives down the road, but first, the system must be purchased along with training and implementation costs, not to mention hardware and support. The system they choose must be able to meet meaningful use requirements in order to receive the incentive reimbursements.

Implementing a new system comes with workflow changes. Employees and clinicians within the practice will have different issues associated with change. Some of those issues could include a few of these familiar items:

* Difficulty with change itself

* Having to adapt from paper to using a computer for their chart

* Developing new ways to document their procedures

* Accurate charge capture without missing charges

* Finding and viewing information they need to do their job

* Time constraints

* Learning curve

Adopting HIPAA 5010 EDI Transaction Standards and ICD-10

With the impending deadlines now in place for HIPAA 5010 (January 1, 2012) new electronic transaction standards and ICD-10 (October, 2013), the responsibility on a practice manager is high given the effect this could have on reimbursements. Delays could be caused by not having proper systems or testing completed in time for the transitions to new claims submission protocols since Medicare, Medicaid and some other health plans will no longer be accepting claims that are not in the proper 5010 format.

E-Prescribing and PQRI

Providers wishing to receive reimbursements for electronically prescribing medications will need to correctly document using a choice from three methods to do so:

1. Report it to CMS on their Medicare Part B claims submission

2. Use a qualified registry system

3. Document to CMS via a qualified electronic health record (EHR) product

Then a provider can also submit physician quality reporting initiatives (PQRI) for reporting measures that are documented using the same methods as listed above.

There is so much regulation to keep a medical office manager busy alone without mentioning the typical office chaos of:

* Patient complaints

* Reimbursement issues

* Staff conflicts

* Provider conflicts

Running a smooth medical practice just got a lot harder. More and more offices are calling on outside help to get the technical and collaborative help they need to get these challenges under control and manageable.

Just remember that you do not have to do this alone. There is much support here for you. Remember that no one who ever did anything great achieved it all on their own. Be diligent and prepared by acquiring the help that you need now in order to have a plan for your medical practice future in place.

by: Rebecca Morehead

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