Today we have a success story for a small surgical practice that was using a "paper-only" records system. They decided to transition to a Meaningful Use Electronic Health Records (EHR) system using Amazing Charts. Surgical Associates, MD, PC is located in Branson, Missouri, and the office manager, Gala Holiday-Wonder, shares with us her knowledge and experience.
Your successful colleague writes: We started using Amazing Charts in August 2011. Getting started was a bit of a challenge. I am not a computer person, nor did I have the time to "customize" the system, and it is a system like all other EMRs that you have to make yours. So, I made time. It is very time consuming, so prepare for that; make time, it pays off. Templates come with the system and are very generic, so you will have to customize your templates. However, you have to do that no matter what system you go with.
The technical support at Amazing Charts is priceless, I cannot say enough positive about their support. Amazing Charts is an excellent EMR system, and it has met our needs as well as the Meaningful Use criteria. We implemented the system in stages, which is why I think for us it has been successful. Once you learn how to navigate in Amazing Charts, you will more than likely be pleased with the system. I will be happy to share any of our templates with anybody that goes with this system; there is no reason to re-invent them if you don't have to. The interfaces done by Rexpert™ have been flawless. Our billing and receivables processes have not been interrupted with the changes and additions. We did not want to go with an EMR/billing program because we have been very pleased with the services provided by Practical Billing. When you are looking at EMRs, be careful of what they promise versus what they provide. All of them will promise templates, but don't buy into that. You will have to provide the time and resources to customize them.
I followed up with this successful Office Manager, asking her the following questions. Hopefully, you will appreciate her practice's success, and make use of her voluntary information to make informed decisions for your own practice.
Michael - How large is your practice, and what is your specialty?
Gala - We are a general surgery practice, employing 1 surgeon and 4 employees.
Michael - Why did you choose the EMR that you are using?
Gala - It met our needs, the cost, and it is user friendly.
Michael - Were you 'paper-only' prior to the switch?
Gala - Yes.
Michael - How much did you know about the criteria/process before you began?
Gala - Nothing.
Michael - How much incentive money did you actually receive after making the change?
Gala - $18,000.
Michael - Will you receive any additional incentives?
Gala - Eligible professionals registered with Medicare EMR incentive program can earn up to $44,000.00 over a 5 year period (beginning in 2011), so yes, we anticipate additional incentive payments; however, we will have to meet the stage 2 Meaningful Use criteria over the next year to qualify for additional payments. We met stage 1 of Meaningful Use.
Michael - How long did it take to receive those funds?
Gala - 8 months after going live."
Michael - What was the total cost for your practice to make the changeover?
Gala - $20,000.
Michael - Why did you decide to implement the Meaningful Use change?
Gala - The Medicare incentive program and the threat of reduction if we didn't use it.
Michael - Did you feel that you were too busy to make the change?
Gala - Yes.
Michael - Does the status of having Meaningful Use implemented determine contracts with any insurance companies? Which ones?
Gala - Yes, Medicare.
Michael - How much additional time does it take to meet the Meaningful Use criteria?
Gala - Once you get used to the system, which takes about 3-6 months, it requires very little time.
Michael - Did you need to hire additional staff to support the changeover?
Gala - No.
Michael - Now that you use the EHR which generates charges, how much of the data do you need to revise after it is sent back into the Rexpert™ system?
Gala - Nothing.
Michael - What would you recommend to other physicians who are wondering about making the change?
Gala - "Patience.
3 comments:
Very Interesting! Thanks, Gala, I had wondered how the incentive program worked out in real life.
I understand that if anyone is interested, Gala is willing to share Amazing Charts templates. Probably most useful for another surgical practice.
Thank you for sharing!
I understand that if anyone is interested, Gala is willing to share Amazing Charts templates. Probably most useful for another surgical practice.
Thank you for sharing
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