Healthcare Business Management Association - HBMA
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May - June 2008 •
Volume 13, Issue 3
Clearing the Air about Clearinghouses
Companies Talk about the Industry
Billing Editors
Clearinghouses are the lifeline of the claims filing process and as such, play a vital role in the medical billing workflow. Understanding the current trends in this business sector gives us insight and vision to formulate and adjust to the dynamics of electronic claim processing. To help HBMA members in their assessment and planning, we thought it might be useful to hear directly from clearinghouses about what is happening in the industry and what they see for the future. Click for more

A Larger, More Inclusive HBMA?
President's Message
By Ken Goodin, CHBME
Last month, we held our 2008 Spring Conference at Disney's Contemporary Resort in Orlando where we celebrated our 15th Anniversary. It was definitely one of the best conferences we have ever put together thanks to the hard work of our Education Committee. There is probably no better place in the world to learn and witness firsthand the progress that comes from innovation and creativity. Our keynote speaker from the Disney Institute shared with us some of the secrets of Disney "magic," many of which were inspired from the imagination of Walt Disney himself. Click for more

A Spring Conference of Celebration
Spring 2008 Conference Wrap-up
By James E. Monroe
he Healthcare Billing & Management Association (HBMA) turned 15 years young in 2008. The spring conference at Orlando's Walt Disney World drew record attendance for a spring conference, and the rainy Florida weather even broke open to sunshine. For what more could you ask? Well, we're glad you asked, because there was a lot more. Once again, HBMA delivered a great venue, an exceptional program, and stellar networking opportunities. Click for more

The Vendor Affiliate Advisory Committee
Spotlight on HBMA Committees
By Judy R. Cardenas, CHBME
The Vendor Affiliate Advisory Committee is responsible for working with our management company, ISAM, to ensure the exhibit hall is full and running smoothly. It is also our responsibility to make sure all e-mail broadcasting is done with a "paid advertisement" disclaimer and that vendors do not take information from our HBMA website for marketing. Click for more

Is It Found Money?
What to Tell Your Clients Regarding Overpayments
By Rich Papperman, CHBME
HBMA has advocated for compliance since 1995, when the association was still called the International Billing Association. Programs followed each year. The first "big" compliance course under the HBMA banner was presented by Steve Vincze in Atlanta, GA, in 1999, which followed the release of the OIG Model for Billing Companies. Since then, the Ethics and Compliance Committee has presented numerous programs, articles, website offerings, etc, to further the "climate of compliance" for our members. Click for more

The Digital Medical Office of the Future
Use These Six Components to Select the Right Ambulatory EMR (Part 3 of 3)
By Mark Anderson, FHIMSS, CPHIMS
The current pressures in the industry for increased efficiency and better care delivery, coupled with significant advances in technology and applications, have enabled electronic medical records (EMRs) to take center stage. The challenge with EMRs is that it is very difficult for the average physician practice to effectively evaluate its options. Click for more

How Much Culture Do You Have?
Creating a Culture of Compliance
By Jackie Willett, CHBME
Returning from the recent HBMA Conference at Disney World, I was reminded of the "culture" that Disneyland and Disney World project— a culture that is often acknowledged as having created the premier visitor service organization. Disney destinations are some of the most visited recreation sites in the world, and their success is attributable to Disney's commitment to a culture that exceeds visitors' expectations. Click for more

Policy and Procedures for TERM Billing Employee Check through OIG
Contemplating Compliance Pt 2
Billing Editors
Purpose: TERM checks each prospective and current employee in the Exclusion Program on the OIG website to identify individuals and entities that are currently excluded, suspended, debarred or ineligible to participate in the Federal healthcare programs. TERM avoids employing anyone identified as having been convicted of a criminal offense or who is listed by a federal agency as ineligible for the federal program participation, or anyone who has worked for a company that is listed as having a CIA. Click for more

Are You Ready to Sell?
The Preparation and Process of Selling Your Company
By Paul A. Rianda, Esq.
Many of my clients are interested in learning about the process that they will have to go through in the event they sell their company. In this article, I will first provide a few simple steps to follow in getting your company ready to be sold. This is a broad overview of the main areas to be concerned with when gathering the documentation to sell your company. Click for more

The Heart of the Matter
Coding for Diagnostic Electrophysiology Studies
By Jackie Miller, RHIA, CPC, PCS
Electrophysiology (EP) studies are performed to diagnose and localize disorders of the heart's conduction system. These procedures can be difficult to code due to their technical complexity, the number of potential code combinations, and the restrictive definitions of some of the CPT® codes for EP services. This column discusses EP studies involving the right heart only. Click for more

From Black to Red
Where Have All My Profits Gone?
By David F. Jakielo, CHBME
Unfortunately, one of my predictions is starting to come true: the profitability of mediocre billing companies is eroding at a rapid pace and if steps are not taken to improve the overall fiscal health of these firms, they are in danger of going out of business. Click for more

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