Power Your Practice

Medicare eligible professionals (EPs) who do not demonstrate Meaningful Use for the Medicare EHR Incentive Program may be subject to a payment adjustment beginning Jan. 1, 2015.

For EPs who entered the program between 2011 and 2013, this year’s participation will determine the 2015 payment adjustment. To ensure that Medicare EPs are aware of the adjustments — and how to avoid them — PhysBizTech recently spoke to Rob Anthony, deputy director of the HIT Initiatives Group at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the EHR Incentive Programs.

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The Joint Commission relesed a Sentinel Event Alert newsletter on April 8 warning hospitals about alarm fatigue, a persistent problem that affects healthcare professionals in hospital settings nationwide.

Alarm fatigue is caused by incessant noises made by bedside monitors and other medical devices, which often leads providers to adjust alarm settings beyond the recommended limits or ignore the sounds completely. Doing so poses a great risk to patients, as it can lead to serious injury or even death.

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To keep bottom lines healthy, organizations are turning to a process called lean revenue cycle management.

John Gallagher, account manager of Simpler Consulting, helps organizations utilize this efficient form of management.

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Electronic prescribers take note: A major deadline is approaching. Individual eligible professionals (EPs) and group practices participating in the Group Practice Reporting Option (GPRO) must successfully report as an electronic prescriber before June 30, 2013, in order to avoid a 2014 payment adjustment for professional services covered under Medicare Part B’s Physician Fee Schedule (PFS).

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a reminder on May 7, emphasizing that the 2013 ePrescription Incentive Program 6-month reporting period (Jan. 1, 2013 to June 30, 2013) is the final reporting period available to e-prescribers seeking to prevent the 2014 eRx payment adjustment.

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