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04/07/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: E-Prescribing Program (William B. Crawford, DPM)
From: Alan Meyerberg, DPM
I'd like to add my dismay on this topic. I asked Medicare if I needed 10 prescriptions per office since I have an office in New York and one in New Jersey. I was told its per doctor and NPI, not per office. I am now receiving a 1% penalty for not having enough prescriptions in NJ.
It seems that 31 years ago, when I opened my first office, I used my Social Security number. The second office is listed somehow with my tax ID #. Medicare bases the eligibility on the NPI and the TAX ID and they told me there is NO APPEAL. I suppose I could have been more diligent, but I thought when we went to NPI numbers, we solved all the identity problems. The good news is I expect the $44,000 incentive for each office (I say that facetiously).
Alan Meyerberg, DPM, Staten Island, NY, FOOTQUEST@aol.com
Other messages in this thread:
09/12/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Wisdom ASP Program (Alan Budman, DPM)
From: Alexander Terris, DPM
I have been using Wisdom ASP for two years now and haven't had any problems with it. You won't notice any difference in working with it. The biggest advantage is having off-site back-up of all your data.
Alex Terris, DPM, Wilmington, DE, alext0923@gmail.com
07/26/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Kareo Medical Billing Software
From: John Scholl, DPM
I have been using Practice Fusion and started using its “billing partner”, Kareo, only about 3 months ago. From what I gather from my staff, Kareo does not flow very well in that there are many steps to entering charges and getting claims submitted. Insurance information and referring doctors are not imported automatically from Practice Fusion.
The ‘pros’ are that online chat answers quickly, and that once claims are successfully submitted and received, payments are processed quickly. Posting payments from insurance is also done relatively quickly. It seems, at this early stage of using Kareo, that it is not integrated well with Practice Fusion. I am hopeful that after my staff spends the time necessary to manually enter required data and follows the learning curve, Kareo will be worthwhile for us. If not, we will look for another billing program. Is there anyone who can recommend another billing program that works well with Practice Fusion?
John Scholl, DPM, Lady Lake, FL, drjms@embarqmail.com
04/12/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Practice Fusion and Flash
From: Steven Kaniadakis, DPM
Practice Fusion (PF) has announced that they'll be updating or offering a "a whole new set of features." PF says users will need Adobe Flash or they will be "unable to log in." My past experience is that Apple-related products do not come with this program. Likewise, some Android users may need to get the program for their hardware. Mac OS, iPad, or iPhone users need to install Flash to avoid potential problems.
Steven Kaniadakis, DPM, St Petersburg, FL stevenkdpm@yahoo.com
04/05/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Mixing and Matching EMR and Billing Programs (Joel Morse, DPM)
From: Stephen Musser, DPM, Marc Garfield, DPM
As far as mixing and matching EHR with a different practice management system, I don't have a problem using a billing software with a different EHR program. I have Epic My Practice EHR, but my billing software is from DB Consultants. My office manager doesn't have a problem 'pulling' the coding data out of Epic and then plugging it into the DB program to do the billing.
Stephen Musser, DPM, Cleveland, OH, ly2drmusser@gmail.com
Mixing an EMR, particularly one that has a billing component already, with outside billing software is cumbersome and should not be considered. The biggest benefit you have with EMR, is not improvement in your charting; it is the seamless flow of information between your scheduling, charting, and billing software. What you are suggesting would be to take on all of the problems with EMR and throw away the benefits. Remember that your biggest cost is always staffing. Separating your components would require you to pay someone to enter demographics and scan pertinent information into two systems, and then deal with the possible error of data entry into two systems. Buy an EMR that will collaborate with your billing system or buy a complete system.
X-rays: “2X Client” is a free remote desktop program (like gotomyPC software) and works on Android and IPads. It works wonderfully from within your office network and from home. Viztek (20/20 System) Software can be loaded onto any Windows, XP, Vista, or Windows 7, and can work right off of the server. You would need a remote desktop to work from home.
Marc Garfield, DPM, Williamsburg, VA, mgarfield1@cox.net
04/04/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Query: Recommendations for EMR/EHR (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Brian Kiel, DPM
I have been with Practice Partners since 1988, and until McKesson bought them, they were great. However, since McKesson bought them, they are worse than terrible. Their program is full of bugs, and when they try to fix one, five more pop up. We have been down for extended times and frequently our insurance claims get kicked out. Their support, once excellent, is non-existent. It is usual to be on hold for 2-3 hours just to get in touch with someone. The last we heard, their entire Atlanta offce quit, and the new people have no clue as to what to do about the problems. We are in the process of changing EMR programs, and trust me when I tell you, it takes a lot to make me go through that, but I have no choice. Stay away from them.
Brian Kiel, DPM, Memphis, TN, Footdok4@gmail.com
04/01/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Recommendations for EMR/EHR (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Joel Epstein, DPM
Another independent solo practitioner and I evaluated a number of EMR solutions and went with Total Practice Partner by McKesson for both our EMR and medical billing.
Our criteria in choosing an EMR were the following:
1. A strong parent company that would be here in the future. With all the medical record, billing, and regulatory changes coming down the road, we felt it was important to go with a big proven company. McKesson meets this criteria.
2. The company had to have a seamless interface between...
Editor's note: Dr. Epstein's extended-length letter can be read here.
03/30/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Recommendations for EMR/EHR (Greg Caringi, DPM)
From: Pete Harvey, DPM
I have been happy with MDsuite. Support has been excellent. We have used the MDsuite predecessor, Elligence for many years. Integrated with the program is an appointment scheduler, capture for claim submission at the end of the day, highly usable demographic screens, and the ability to capture all reports as needed. The EHR is not podiatry-specific, but the models are thereby easy to customize by the staff or the doctor. eRx is integrated with the program to send prescriptions automatically to the pharmacy. Before completing the patient encounter, the doctor can check a box to automatically send a report to the referring physician. I use Dragon Medical for patients who do not easily fit a model. We met incentive qualifications last year with the program, and will do so again at the beginning of 2013.
Pete Harvey, DPM, Wichita Falls, TX, pmh@wffeet.com
03/29/2012
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Issues with Cerner Billing Software (Scarlett Kinley, DPM)
From: Nadia Din, DPM
I too have had similar problems. Cerner also has not addressed the J code issue. We have been omitting the code just so we can get paid for everything else. Even with the NDC, it was not going through for some cases. Cerner has an Enhancement Form that you can fill out for the issues you are having with their system. Keep in mind that if you use this form, it must be TYPED. Cerner will reject it if it is handwritten. It is going to take more than an enhancement form to enhance this EMR system.
A new problem we have found is with the diagnosis not showing up in the actual note. And for some reason, there are times where our procedures/office visits are not even going through to the practice management part. I agree that Cerner should have had all software updates in place by November 2011. All the clients of Cerner should receive compensation from Cerner for this because of the amount of time our staff now has to put into fixing everything!
Nadia Din, DPM, Forked River, NJ, nadia7din@gmail.com
08/12/2011
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Clinical Summaries (Michael J. Hodos, DPM)
From: Jeffrey Kass, DPM
When the idea of EMR/EHR came out, I was under the impression this would be a "green idea." I was under the impression that it would reduce the amount of paper, hence save trees and be good for the environment. Dr. Hodas brought up "clinical summaries." I see a lot of senior citizens who do not deal with computers. Even, my younger patients get enough e-mail and prefer not to get anymore. This leaves me printing outpatient summaries. The program I am using is currently printing out the summary on two pieces of paper. I am not sure what is going on in other offices, but I have been purchasing more reams of paper than ever before since I began going "paperless."
What I don't understand is what purpose the clinical summary achieves if I have to document that I took or obtained patient height, weight, and B.P. and I can attest that I reviewed this information. Why can't a doctor attest that he reviewed the patient medications and whatever info is in the clinical summary?
Additionally, I was informed one only needs to list one allergy (if the patient has one) and one medication to qualify for meaningful use. If this is correct, then it isn't even a complete record anyway, and so what value is there in the clinical summary anyway?
Jeffrey Kass, DPM, Forest Hills, NY, jeffckass@aol.com
06/22/2011
RESPONSES / COMMENTS (EMR) - PART 2
RE: Practice Fusion
From: Justin H. Sussner, DPM
I am currently a happy user of Practice Fusion. I and other users received notification in the past week that PF is now fully certified. I just felt that the news should be published so other doctors could take a look.
Disclosure: I have no financial interest in Practice Fusion.
Justin H. Sussner, DPM, Suffern, NY, jsussner@optonline.net
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