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January - February 2014 •
Volume 19, Issue 1
Strategic Changes for HBMA
President's Message
By Jeanne A Gilreath, CHBME, HBMA President
2014 brings with it the excitement of new challenges and opportunities, but also the uncertainties of the future of the billing company model. Click for more

HBMA's New President
HBMA Profiles
By Billing Editors
Beginning in January, Jeanne Gilreath, CHBME, will become HBMA's new president. In keeping with Billing tradition, we interviewed Jeanne to learn more about her professional background and personal interests. Click for more

Service, Stewardship, Value Creation
SmithBucklin's Commitment to HBMA
By David Schmahl, Chief Executive, Healthcare & Scientific Industry Practice, SmithBucklin Corporation
It is with sincere respect for HBMA's members, leaders, and stakeholders that I express my appreciation for the opportunity for SmithBucklin to serve HBMA as its new management partner. The time and care spent by HBMA leaders to explore, analyze, and ultimately decide upon a management change was executed with professionalism and rigor. Click for more

An Evolving Healthcare Model Requires an Evolving HBMA Educational Model
Committee News
Interview with Phil Ellis, Education Committee Chair
Prior to the Fall Educational Conference – and in response to requests from some members of the board, committee chairs, and several individual members – the Education Committee began working on a redesign of HBMA's educational programming. In September, the committee submitted a proposal to the board of directors with a conceptual model of the redesigned package. Billing Editor Madelon Berger sat down with Education Chair Phil Ellis to discuss the new model. Click for more

Using Technology to Increase Efficiencies and Reduce Costs
Evaluate Available Tools
By Randy Johnston
Using the right technologies will help you to collaborate with your clients with greater ease while providing higher levels of service. When you use browser-based technologies, either in a private or public cloud, much of the hard technology work is done by others, allowing you to focus on delivering your knowledge and providing value. Click for more

Be Aware of the Risks
The Benefits (and Dangers) of Outsourcing Medical Practice Ancillary Support Services Overseas
By Robert Liles, Esq.
Health care providers around the country are facing a myriad of serious economic and operational challenges. While both Medicare and private payor reimbursement rates have steadily declined in many areas, the regulatory obligations imposed on the provider community have continued to increase. In response, many billing companies and providers have looked overseas in an effort to further reduce the cost of ancillary support services. Click for more

Meaningful Use of Electronic Health Records
Requirements for Receiving Incentives
By Shannon Larner Brainard, Esq. and Stephanie Barr, Esq.
The advancement of technology has resulted in many changes to the healthcare profession over the years. One such change is the development and utilization of electronic health records, or EHRs. EHRs contain information from all healthcare providers involved in a patient's care. Click for more

The ERA/EFT Mandate
How It Will Impact Your Business
By Bill Marvin
In 2014, all payors will be federally mandated to support electronic funds transfer (EFT) and electronic remittance advice (ERA) in accordance with the requirements specified in the CAQH CORE Operating Rules.1 Billing services and their clients may be wondering how this mandate will affect payor payments and what must be done to be compliant. Click for more

ICD-10: Focus Your Training to Protect Your Revenue
Suggestions That Help You Prepare in Advance of October 1, 2014
By Jackie Griffin
It is less than one year from the ICD-10 implementation deadline. Is your company preparing your clients' practices? Some providers may be well on their way to preparing their offices for the transition, but we know many others have yet to begin – and are dreading the process. For example, we recently surveyed over 750 providers, and more than 80 percent said that they have not begun training their coding staff for ICD-10. Click for more

Healthcare Electronic Payments Options
Which One is Best for your Clients?
Published with permission of the American Medical Association (AMA)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), which mandated NACHA's Automated Clearing House (ACH) CCD+ Addenda format as the HIPAA healthcare Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) standard, goes into effect January 1, 2014. As health plans migrate to electronic claims reimbursements, physicians and other healthcare providers have the power to select the electronic payment option that works best for their needs. Click for more

Top 10 Coding and Compliance List for 2014
Coding Corner
By Melody W. Mulaik, MSHS, CRA, FAHRA, RCC, CPC, CPC-H
In the spirit of David Letterman, I thought it would be fitting to start the new year with a top ten list of areas that you should consider to address so you and your clients are compliant in 2014. This article is not intended to focus on your contracts or responsibilities with your clients, but I would argue that compliant clients are easier to manage and definitely ensure that you sleep better at night. Click for more

Chronic Conditions and Combination Codes in ICD-10
ICD-10
By Valerie Fernandez, MBA, CPC, CPC-H, AHIMA ICD-10 Trainer
A combination code is a single ICD-10-CM code that is used to report two diagnoses or a diagnosis with associated complications. When using these codes, the ability to identify the disease process and the link between the coded conditions is necessary, and the provider's documentation must be robust enough to support the selection. Click for more

Data Validation
Software
By Nate Moore, CPA, MBA, CMPE
One of the fundamental rules of data analysis is, "Garbage in, garbage out." If the data that you are trying to analyze is riddled with errors, your analysis will likely be full of problems as well. One way to improve the quality of data entry in Excel is to use a feature called data validation. Click for more

Help Your Client Migrate to a New EHR
EHR Issues
By Ron Sterling
A number of medical practices now face the decision (or requirement) to replace their existing EHRs. In some cases, practices cannot cope with the products they have, and in other cases, for reasons beyond their desire or control, practices' EHR products are no longer viable. Click for more

The Three Essentials for Success
From the Road
By Dave Jakielo, CHBME
It is a pivotal time in the medical billing industry. Reimbursement pressure still abounds, many clients and potential clients are merging or becoming employees of larger entities, and management fee price competition is more rampant than it ever has been. Click for more

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