Since many practices are using or may use technology to help them keep records and manage their practices, it’s useful to explore what electronic health records (EHRs) and practice management software are, what they do, and how practices can combine them. https://eyecareleaders.com/difference-between-ehr-practice-management-software/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM? How to Spot and Stop Them EyeCareLeaders1
Small EHR glitches are sometimes tough to see before they become big, horrible RCM problems—or even the focus of a documentation audit. In extreme cases, EHR glitches, flaws, and user errors make providers more vulnerable to fraud risks. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
What Are the Key Differentiators Between an EHR and Practice Management Softw...EyeCareLeaders1
Since many practices are using or may use technology to help them keep records and manage their practices, it’s useful to explore what electronic health records (EHRs) and practice management software are, what they do, and how practices can combine them. https://eyecareleaders.com/difference-between-ehr-practice-management-software/
3 Ways Your EHR Can Make Your Job Easier (Seriously!) EyeCareLeaders1
Value-based care continues to ramp up. Are your practice’s operations keeping pace? Believe it or not, your EHR can help you succeed under value-based care—if you know how to put it to work. In this post, we’ll review three ways your EHR can help, not hinder, your practice’s transition to value-based care. https://eyecareleaders.com/3-ways-your-ehr-can-make-your-job-easier-seriously/
Hate your EHR so much that you want to bolt for greener pastures? Think twice before you ditch your EHR for another system. The grass may not be greener on the other side, experts say. Physicians hate their EHR’s for many reasons, and this Rand study sums them up. https://eyecareleaders.com/should-you-drop-your-ehr/
How Could EHR Systems Improve Practices’ Cash FlowEyeCareLeaders1
We all know that electronic health record (EHR) systems are valuable tools for storing and accessing information, but did you know that medical practices could use them for other functions? They can. In fact, because of their versatility and compatibility, health care offices could use EHR software for many purposes. https://eyecareleaders.com/how-ehr-improves-cash-flow/
Easy Ways to Make Your Medical Office More CompliantEyeCareLeaders1
Is your medical office doing everything it can to become and stay compliant with various health care regulations? That might not be an easy question to answer. You’re dealing with so much information and so many other things, so it may be difficult to determine if you’re following all the rules as well. https://eyecareleaders.com/easy-ways-to-make-your-medical-office
Running a medical practice is expensive but improving it doesn’t need to be. Did you know you can do a few things to improve your practice and the way it operates? You can if you consider some or all these tips. https://eyecareleaders.com/low-cost-ways-to-improve-practice/
Multiple-Location Practices: 7 Ways to Leverage ThemEyeCareLeaders1
New technologies make it easier than ever for offices that are far apart to share resources, records, and information. But owning and running a multiple-location practice also compounds the administrative, financial, and regulatory challenges that practices of all sizes are now facing. https://eyecareleaders.com/leverage-multiple-location-practice/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM? How to Spot and Stop Them EyeCareLeaders1
Small EHR glitches are sometimes tough to see before they become big, horrible RCM problems—or even the focus of a documentation audit. In extreme cases, EHR glitches, flaws, and user errors make providers more vulnerable to fraud risks. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
What Are the Key Differentiators Between an EHR and Practice Management Softw...EyeCareLeaders1
Since many practices are using or may use technology to help them keep records and manage their practices, it’s useful to explore what electronic health records (EHRs) and practice management software are, what they do, and how practices can combine them. https://eyecareleaders.com/difference-between-ehr-practice-management-software/
3 Ways Your EHR Can Make Your Job Easier (Seriously!) EyeCareLeaders1
Value-based care continues to ramp up. Are your practice’s operations keeping pace? Believe it or not, your EHR can help you succeed under value-based care—if you know how to put it to work. In this post, we’ll review three ways your EHR can help, not hinder, your practice’s transition to value-based care. https://eyecareleaders.com/3-ways-your-ehr-can-make-your-job-easier-seriously/
Hate your EHR so much that you want to bolt for greener pastures? Think twice before you ditch your EHR for another system. The grass may not be greener on the other side, experts say. Physicians hate their EHR’s for many reasons, and this Rand study sums them up. https://eyecareleaders.com/should-you-drop-your-ehr/
How Could EHR Systems Improve Practices’ Cash FlowEyeCareLeaders1
We all know that electronic health record (EHR) systems are valuable tools for storing and accessing information, but did you know that medical practices could use them for other functions? They can. In fact, because of their versatility and compatibility, health care offices could use EHR software for many purposes. https://eyecareleaders.com/how-ehr-improves-cash-flow/
Easy Ways to Make Your Medical Office More CompliantEyeCareLeaders1
Is your medical office doing everything it can to become and stay compliant with various health care regulations? That might not be an easy question to answer. You’re dealing with so much information and so many other things, so it may be difficult to determine if you’re following all the rules as well. https://eyecareleaders.com/easy-ways-to-make-your-medical-office
Running a medical practice is expensive but improving it doesn’t need to be. Did you know you can do a few things to improve your practice and the way it operates? You can if you consider some or all these tips. https://eyecareleaders.com/low-cost-ways-to-improve-practice/
Multiple-Location Practices: 7 Ways to Leverage ThemEyeCareLeaders1
New technologies make it easier than ever for offices that are far apart to share resources, records, and information. But owning and running a multiple-location practice also compounds the administrative, financial, and regulatory challenges that practices of all sizes are now facing. https://eyecareleaders.com/leverage-multiple-location-practice/
How do Online Patient Portals Benefit Patients?EyeCareLeaders1
Portals aren’t just the realm of science fiction. They’re a very useful tool in real life, allowing patients and medical professionals to share, store, and discuss health care-related information. What are some ways that portals involve patients in their care? https://eyecareleaders.com/benefits-of-patient-portals/
Electronic health records (EHRs) are useful, but did you know that they could be even better? It’s true. But usually, this improvement isn’t a solo effort. Artificial intelligence (AI) could provide the tools your practice needs to fully use and appreciate your EHR. Here’s how. https://eyecareleaders.com/improve-ehr-with-ai/
How EHR Billing and Coding Can Improve Revenue CycleEyeCareLeaders1
Billing is a vital part of medical practices, providing the funding that helps keep them operating. Because billing is so critical, it’s useful to have help. Electronic health record (EHR) tools could provide such assistance. EHR billing helps medical offices manage revenue, handle coding, and perform other operations in several ways. https://eyecareleaders.com/ehr-billing-coding-to-improve-revenue-cycle/
Talking about healthcare trends isn’t looking toward some distant time. It’s really discussing many of the things that are happening right now and analyzing how they might impact the future. Technology and medicine go hand in hand, and they’ll continue to do so. Here are some ways they influence each other. https://eyecareleaders.com/latest-healthcare-technology-trends/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM? How to Spot and Stop Them EyeCareLeaders1
Small EHR glitches are sometimes tough to see before they become big, horrible RCM problems—or even the focus of a documentation audit. In extreme cases, EHR glitches, flaws, and user errors make providers more vulnerable to fraud risks. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
3 Ways Your EHR Can Make Your Job Easier (Seriously!)EyeCareLeaders1
Value-based care continues to ramp up. Are your practice’s operations keeping pace? Believe it or not, your EHR can help you succeed under value-based care—if you know how to put it to work. In this post, we’ll review three ways your EHR can help, not hinder, your practice’s transition to value-based care. https://eyecareleaders.com/3-ways-your-ehr-can-make-your-job-easier-seriously/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM How to Spot and Stop ThemEyeCareLeaders1
Ready to shed some light on your EHRs inner workings? Fixing EHR glitches will help improve your RCM and make your practice a better place. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
EHR implementation is a complex, multi-step process. You will need a plan. A robust one! You’ll need a plan that increases EHR adoption among providers, helps you adhere to deadlines, tests internal processes, securely migrates patient data, takes into account employee training needs the list goes on. https://eyecareleaders.com/10-key-steps-to-utilize-EHR-to-its-full-potential
Are you texting patients - Make sure to stay on the right side of HIPAA regul...EyeCareLeaders1
Texting with your patients can be a great way to remind them of appointments, send driving directions, and more, any texting initiated by a healthcare provider needs to be done with extreme caution to avoid running afoul of HIPAA privacy guidelines. https://eyecareleaders.com/hipaa-rules-while-texting-patients/
EHR implementation is a complex, multi-step process. You will need a plan. A robust one! You’ll need a plan that increases EHR adoption among providers, helps you adhere to deadlines, tests internal processes, securely migrates patient data, takes into account employee training needs the list goes on. https://eyecareleaders.com/10-key-steps-to-utilize-EHR-to-its-full-potential
4 Ways a High-Quality EHR Dashboard Boosts ProductivityEyeCareLeaders1
One of the significant reasons that healthcare practices resist implementing electronic health record (EHR) software is the belief that using it will impact their productivity negatively, reduce the number of patients they see, and decrease their revenue. https://eyecareleaders.com/4-ways-a-high-quality-ehr-dashboard-boosts-productivity/
Revenue cycle management success: Learn these key factorsEyeCareLeaders1
Your ophthalmic practice should be leaning heavily on its revenue cycle management plan. RCM can help your practice minimize errors, increase the chances you will get paid, and tamp down on the size of your accounts receivable. https://eyecareleaders.com/revenue-cycle-management-success-factors/
How EHR Data Mining Can Drive Revenue for Your Eye Care PracticeEyeCareLeaders1
A good EHR, like the system offered by Eye Care Leaders, will allow you to build your own queries on any data field to find patients, data, and other key points. Built-in data mining tools will give you a ton of flexibility, such as the ability to search by address, payment status, claims denial, and even medical condition. https://eyecareleaders.com/ehr-data-mining-drive-revenue-for-eye-care-practice/
Top 5 Benefits of EMR Software for Independent and Small Businesses.pdfEyeCareLeaders1
The popularity of electronic medical records software is growing wildly, both in the United States and around the world. The growth of this market comes as the healthcare sector increasingly moves toward digitalization and integrated healthcare systems.
How do Online Patient Portals Benefit Patients?EyeCareLeaders1
Portals aren’t just the realm of science fiction. They’re a very useful tool in real life, allowing patients and medical professionals to share, store, and discuss health care-related information. What are some ways that portals involve patients in their care? https://eyecareleaders.com/benefits-of-patient-portals/
Electronic health records (EHRs) are useful, but did you know that they could be even better? It’s true. But usually, this improvement isn’t a solo effort. Artificial intelligence (AI) could provide the tools your practice needs to fully use and appreciate your EHR. Here’s how. https://eyecareleaders.com/improve-ehr-with-ai/
How EHR Billing and Coding Can Improve Revenue CycleEyeCareLeaders1
Billing is a vital part of medical practices, providing the funding that helps keep them operating. Because billing is so critical, it’s useful to have help. Electronic health record (EHR) tools could provide such assistance. EHR billing helps medical offices manage revenue, handle coding, and perform other operations in several ways. https://eyecareleaders.com/ehr-billing-coding-to-improve-revenue-cycle/
Talking about healthcare trends isn’t looking toward some distant time. It’s really discussing many of the things that are happening right now and analyzing how they might impact the future. Technology and medicine go hand in hand, and they’ll continue to do so. Here are some ways they influence each other. https://eyecareleaders.com/latest-healthcare-technology-trends/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM? How to Spot and Stop Them EyeCareLeaders1
Small EHR glitches are sometimes tough to see before they become big, horrible RCM problems—or even the focus of a documentation audit. In extreme cases, EHR glitches, flaws, and user errors make providers more vulnerable to fraud risks. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
3 Ways Your EHR Can Make Your Job Easier (Seriously!)EyeCareLeaders1
Value-based care continues to ramp up. Are your practice’s operations keeping pace? Believe it or not, your EHR can help you succeed under value-based care—if you know how to put it to work. In this post, we’ll review three ways your EHR can help, not hinder, your practice’s transition to value-based care. https://eyecareleaders.com/3-ways-your-ehr-can-make-your-job-easier-seriously/
EHR Glitches Ruining Your RCM How to Spot and Stop ThemEyeCareLeaders1
Ready to shed some light on your EHRs inner workings? Fixing EHR glitches will help improve your RCM and make your practice a better place. https://eyecareleaders.com/stop-ehr-glitches-ruining-rcm/
EHR implementation is a complex, multi-step process. You will need a plan. A robust one! You’ll need a plan that increases EHR adoption among providers, helps you adhere to deadlines, tests internal processes, securely migrates patient data, takes into account employee training needs the list goes on. https://eyecareleaders.com/10-key-steps-to-utilize-EHR-to-its-full-potential
Are you texting patients - Make sure to stay on the right side of HIPAA regul...EyeCareLeaders1
Texting with your patients can be a great way to remind them of appointments, send driving directions, and more, any texting initiated by a healthcare provider needs to be done with extreme caution to avoid running afoul of HIPAA privacy guidelines. https://eyecareleaders.com/hipaa-rules-while-texting-patients/
EHR implementation is a complex, multi-step process. You will need a plan. A robust one! You’ll need a plan that increases EHR adoption among providers, helps you adhere to deadlines, tests internal processes, securely migrates patient data, takes into account employee training needs the list goes on. https://eyecareleaders.com/10-key-steps-to-utilize-EHR-to-its-full-potential
4 Ways a High-Quality EHR Dashboard Boosts ProductivityEyeCareLeaders1
One of the significant reasons that healthcare practices resist implementing electronic health record (EHR) software is the belief that using it will impact their productivity negatively, reduce the number of patients they see, and decrease their revenue. https://eyecareleaders.com/4-ways-a-high-quality-ehr-dashboard-boosts-productivity/
Revenue cycle management success: Learn these key factorsEyeCareLeaders1
Your ophthalmic practice should be leaning heavily on its revenue cycle management plan. RCM can help your practice minimize errors, increase the chances you will get paid, and tamp down on the size of your accounts receivable. https://eyecareleaders.com/revenue-cycle-management-success-factors/
How EHR Data Mining Can Drive Revenue for Your Eye Care PracticeEyeCareLeaders1
A good EHR, like the system offered by Eye Care Leaders, will allow you to build your own queries on any data field to find patients, data, and other key points. Built-in data mining tools will give you a ton of flexibility, such as the ability to search by address, payment status, claims denial, and even medical condition. https://eyecareleaders.com/ehr-data-mining-drive-revenue-for-eye-care-practice/
Top 5 Benefits of EMR Software for Independent and Small Businesses.pdfEyeCareLeaders1
The popularity of electronic medical records software is growing wildly, both in the United States and around the world. The growth of this market comes as the healthcare sector increasingly moves toward digitalization and integrated healthcare systems.
Top 5 Benefits of EMR Software for Independent and Small Businesses.pdf
What Are the Key Differentiators Between an EHR and Practice Management Software?
1. What Are the Key Differentiators Between
an EHR and Practice Management
Software?
Once upon a time, medical practices had cabinets or shelves full of file
folders. Inside the folders were records that contained information about
their patients’ health, contacts, insurance coverage, and other aspects of
their lives.
Today, some health care practices still use paper records to conduct their
business. Some use software, and others use a combination of paper and
electronic records.
Since many practices are using or may use technology to help them keep
records and manage their practices, it’s useful to explore what electronic
health records (EHRs) and practice management software are, what they
do, and how practices can combine them.
What is EHR software?
As its name indicates, electronic health records (EHRs) relate to electronic
versions of patients’ health records.
At its most basic level, an EHR is like a patient’s chart. It includes
information about a person’s medical histories, diagnoses, treatments,
vaccinations, medications, test results, and other pertinent facts.
Because they include detailed patient information, EHR systems make
work more convenient for health care practices.
Staff members could transfer the same information to different
forms, preventing the need to enter the same data in multiple places.
Instead of digging through thick paper charts to determine if a patient has
undergone a particular test or procedure, a staff member can use digital
search functions.
These records could prevent patients from undergoing duplicate or
unnecessary procedures or receiving new prescriptions that could have
adverse reactions with medications they’re already using. By using current
EHRs, patients and practices have access to up-to-date information that
enhances their medical care safely and efficiently.
2. Combined with other options, EHR management software does much more
than chronicle a patient’s health history. It could be used to perform many
office-related tasks.
To perform these tasks more simply, many systems combine EHR and
practice management software.
What is a practice management system in health care?
Running a medical practice typically requires the work of multiple people
performing several tasks and handling large amounts of sensitive, often
complicated information.
Practice management software systems help coordinate and streamline
these tasks.
What does practice management software do?
There isn’t a single type of practice management software or a single way
to use such software systems. Different manufacturers offer different
features, and medical practices might incorporate some options, refuse
others, and modify still others.
But many systems offer features that help eye care offices:
Schedule appointments and send appointment reminders.
Store patient demographic information.
Establish portals that allow patients to access their records,
receive information, and perform other tasks.
Communicate with patients.
Organize and verify insurance information.
Assess, track, and manage billing and payments.
Many practice management software systems also coordinate with office
EHR systems.
What is practice management system in health care?
Describing a fictional patient could explain how an EHR and practice
management software work together to provide coordinated care.
For example: Let’s imagine Linda, a 61-year-old female patient with
glaucoma. An EHR would indicate that she has glaucoma, the medication
she uses for this condition and others, records of any tests and procedures
she’s undergone, a listing of her appointments, and other medical
information.
3. Her eye doctor’s office also uses practice management software that
coordinates with her EHRs. The office uses this management software to
Schedule appointments where they check on Linda’s
glaucoma.
Issue reminders for these appointments via text message,
phone, or Linda’s preferred form of contact.
Track when doctors have prescribed her medications and the
dosage of these drugs.
Send Linda information about glaucoma and other topics.
Bill insurance providers for her office visits.
Collect any copays or additional fees Linda is responsible for
paying.
Using the well-organized and accessible information in her EHR, Linda’s
eye care practice can assist her with several aspects of her eye care with
accuracy and without duplication.
How can health care practices find EHR and practice management systems?
A quick internet search produces several manufacturers that offer systems
that integrate EHRs and practice management systems. But practices
could also do a little research to determine which systems could work for
them.
For one, they could ask their colleagues who work in the same field.
Practitioners could ask if their professional organizations recommend
systems that integrate EHRs and practice management, give tips about
installing them, or offer other advice.
Health care practices, in fact, could narrow their search by profession.
Some EHR and practice management systems work with specific fields,
such as eye care or mental health. Practices might find it easier to
implement and ultimately use such systems if they’re tailored to address
the needs of their medical specialties.
How do offices learn and use EHRs and practice management systems?
Health care practices integrate practice management systems and EHRs in
different ways.
Practices should consider using manufacturers that offer training and
support during installation and training as well as assistance afterward.
4. Even practices that have used EHRs and practice management systems
before might find it challenging to use new systems or transfer information
from their old systems into their new ones.
It could be even more challenging if their systems involve modifying
software or using different platforms to conduct different functions that
could include keeping patients’ records, communicating with patients,
billing patients and insurance companies, and performing other tasks.
To overcome these challenges, health care practices can designate one
staff member as a superuser. This is a person who is well-versed in the
office’s EHR and practice management system, knows how it works, and
could help others navigate it as well.
A superuser has received advanced training on the office’s software
system and could use and even modify it to meet the practice’s needs.
When medical practitioners and staff members have questions about their
systems, they could turn to the superusers for help instead of asking
manufacturers who might have little knowledge of how their products
operate in specific office situations. Such quick answers could save health
care practices time and aggravation.
Although its rewarding, health care is also a difficult, ever-changing field.
EHRs and practice management software could make work easier, but they
carry challenges of their own.
Contact us if you’d like some assistance. We could help you make practice
management software and EHRs work for you, not against you.