Page 15 - Layout 1

MEDICAL PRACTICE
STRATEGIES & ISSUES

new regulations put 12% of Medicare reimbursement on the line cost of switching, even if their software isn’t meeting standards
if there is poor organization within a practice. Problems can be within their practice. but shopping for EHRs is like shopping for
averted by making sure your system is being used to its full any other high-end service. Some companies out there charge an
capability, even going as far as contacting your current provider and arm-and-a-leg as initiation fees; but there are plenty of EHRs
asking for remote training for new staff. available that are more than happy to work with your needs. When
considering a new system, it never hurts to ask about any
3. Reduce Burnout promotions or offers that can reduce the initial cost of the software.

Not only does full utilization of the correct EHR improve a Many companies don’t hesitate to make you and your practice happy
practice’s financial bottom line, but it impacts users on a much more and, if cost is a breaking point for you and your team, make it a
human level. by streamlining your practice, there’s a higher chance priority when negotiating.
of having a more manageable work/life balance. Full integration Switching your practices’ EHR system might sound like a big bur-
will save valuable time that could be otherwise spent on seeing den. While it can be a big transition, you shouldn’t feel trapped with
patients as well as being able to leave work at the office. The Mayo a system that isn’t meeting your wants and needs. Changing to an
Clinic surveyed 6,000 physicians about EHRs. It demonstrated that EHR that is customized to your practice needs can be the founda-
the clerical burdens of outdated EHRs are a key factor in the decline tion to quality improvements, can lead to better patient experiences
of job satisfaction. Your practice’s examination of the entire and, most importantly, better office workflow.
workflow of the system, from the front office all the way to billing,
weighs out the pros and cons in terms of time management. Christiane Escobar, CMRM, is a Certified Medical Revenue Manager with
Acumen Systems. Acumen is a Circle of Friends donor to the Bexar County
4. Upgrading EHRs is Not as Expensive As You Think Medical Society. Christiane can be reached at 210-687-5506 or
Physicians often stay with their current EHR due to the rising cescobar@acumen.systems

visit us at www.bcms.org 15