ATLANTA, Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Change is a constant in healthcare as individuals seek out new insurance plans and insurers offer new products and services. With help from qualified medical billing experts that put a strong emphasis on skilled managed care compliance teams, healthcare providers are monitoring variances in managed care agreements ensuring they receive appropriate reimbursement, according to a recent article in the February issue of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s (HFMA) Revenue Cycle Strategist. The article, entitled, “Contract Variance Management: Not by Software Alone,” was penned by Orion HealthCorp executives Cindy Luu and Sarah Gattis.

“Overseeing constant changes in healthcare requires smart software to handle the complexities of managed care billing, but software alone cannot prevent errors due to contract variances,” said Cindy Luu, Chief of Information Services for Orion. “The expertise of a managed care compliance team that routinely and continuously analyzes contract variance results is essential to determine the cause of payment variances.”

According to Luu, the compliance team must carefully monitor managed care contracts, and update the contract variance module accordingly. “Many medical billing software companies and medical billing services proudly state that they have a contract variance module in their billing application to detect payment errors. But beware: Managed care payment compliance with its many contract variances cannot be maintained by software alone.”

A knowledgeable and expert team can help

Most certainly, software is a tool that provides valuable support for handling large volumes of insurance plans and fee schedules, but unfortunately it does not automatically update itself. That requires human knowledge and expertise.

“Errors can result in underpayments to providers and lost revenues that—especially in today’s economy—should certainly be avoided,” said Luu. “The errors may result in overpayments, as well, and those overpayments can mean serious liability for a hospital or physician practice if not dealt with quickly.”

For example, earlier this year, Medicare and Aetna implemented multiple procedure reduction policies that resulted in a payment reduction for second and subsequent CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds performed on the same date of service. A compliance department should identify and confirm such variances and work with IT to enhance the medical billing company’s software so that it recognizes these acceptable payment reductions.

A dynamic process requires constant vigilance

Indeed, reimbursement monitoring is a dynamic process, requiring the team to stay abreast of legislative mandates, payer policies and fee schedule updates throughout the year. A compliance department should frequently review payer newsletters, notifications and websites to spot new exceptions and validate them.

Having a dedicated and enthusiastic compliance team —one that diligently researches updates, continuously monitors reimbursements, and establishes good relationships with insurers—brings enormous value to medical practices, ensuring proper reimbursement no matter how often the contract landscape changes.

To read the entire article, please visit http://www.hfma.org/Publications/Newsletters/Revenue-Cycle-Strategist/Archives/2012/February/Revenue-Cycle-Strategist–February-2012-Issue/

About Orion HealthCorp, Inc.

Orion HealthCorp, Inc. is a valued partner to physician groups, laboratories, imaging centers and other healthcare providers who require the specialized medical billing and practice management processes and technology necessary to successfully maximize the recovery of earned revenue and to manage stringent industry compliance mandates. The company supports thousands of office- based physicians and hospital specialists in pathology, radiology, and anesthesiology; and delivers an intense focus on personal relationships and company accountability. Innovative tools, technologies, and operational processes enable the Orion team to capture revenue that other companies overlook and help clients mitigate the risks associated with medical billing, collections, and practice management. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with offices in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio and Texas, Orion HealthCorp is among the top medical billing and practice management companies in the United States. For more information, please visit: www.orionhealthcorp.com.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/orion-healthcorp-commentary-featured-hfmas-130000310.html

ATLANTA, Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ – Change is a constant in healthcare as individuals seek out new insurance plans and insurers offer new products and services. With help from qualified medical billing experts that put a strong emphasis on skilled managed care compliance teams, healthcare providers are monitoring variances in managed care agreements ensuring they receive appropriate reimbursement, according to a recent article in the February issue of the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s (HFMA) Revenue Cycle Strategist. The article, entitled, “Contract Variance Management: Not by Software Alone,” was penned by Orion HealthCorp executives Cindy Luu and Sarah Gattis.

“Overseeing constant changes in healthcare requires smart software to handle the complexities of managed care billing, but software alone cannot prevent errors due to contract variances,” said Cindy Luu, Chief of Information Services for Orion. “The expertise of a managed care compliance team that routinely and continuously analyzes contract variance results is essential to determine the cause of payment variances.”

According to Luu, the compliance team must carefully monitor managed care contracts, and update the contract variance module accordingly. “Many medical billing software companies and medical billing services proudly state that they have a contract variance module in their billing application to detect payment errors. But beware: Managed care payment compliance with its many contract variances cannot be maintained by software alone.”

A knowledgeable and expert team can help

Most certainly, software is a tool that provides valuable support for handling large volumes of insurance plans and fee schedules, but unfortunately it does not automatically update itself. That requires human knowledge and expertise.

“Errors can result in underpayments to providers and lost revenues that—especially in today’s economy—should certainly be avoided,” said Luu. “The errors may result in overpayments, as well, and those overpayments can mean serious liability for a hospital or physician practice if not dealt with quickly.”

For example, earlier this year, Medicare and Aetna implemented multiple procedure reduction policies that resulted in a payment reduction for second and subsequent CT scans, MRIs or ultrasounds performed on the same date of service. A compliance department should identify and confirm such variances and work with IT to enhance the medical billing company’s software so that it recognizes these acceptable payment reductions.

A dynamic process requires constant vigilance

Indeed, reimbursement monitoring is a dynamic process, requiring the team to stay abreast of legislative mandates, payer policies and fee schedule updates throughout the year. A compliance department should frequently review payer newsletters, notifications and websites to spot new exceptions and validate them.

Having a dedicated and enthusiastic compliance team —one that diligently researches updates, continuously monitors reimbursements, and establishes good relationships with insurers—brings enormous value to medical practices, ensuring proper reimbursement no matter how often the contract landscape changes.

To read the entire article, please visit http://www.hfma.org/Publications/Newsletters/Revenue-Cycle-Strategist/Archives/2012/February/Revenue-Cycle-Strategist–February-2012-Issue/

About Orion HealthCorp, Inc.

Orion HealthCorp, Inc. is a valued partner to physician groups, laboratories, imaging centers and other healthcare providers who require the specialized medical billing and practice management processes and technology necessary to successfully maximize the recovery of earned revenue and to manage stringent industry compliance mandates. The company supports thousands of office- based physicians and hospital specialists in pathology, radiology, and anesthesiology; and delivers an intense focus on personal relationships and company accountability. Innovative tools, technologies, and operational processes enable the Orion team to capture revenue that other companies overlook and help clients mitigate the risks associated with medical billing, collections, and practice management. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., with offices in Alabama, California, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio and Texas, Orion HealthCorp is among the top medical billing and practice management companies in the United States. For more information, please visit: www.orionhealthcorp.com.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/orion-healthcorp-commentary-featured-hfmas-130000310.html

The event drew 26 area employers and 150 candidates, all vying for about 90 internships.

Using federal grant money, Southwest Florida Works will pay the salary of the selected interns for up to three months at 80% of the employer’s entry level wage for the position.

“How can you beat it? I think it’s a great opportunity for everybody, for the employer and the employees as well,” said Mark Hughes of Manhattan Construction.

Most of the candidates had completed training programs at Southwest Florida Works, including discouraged workers hoping to get a foot in the door of a potential employer.

“I’m not 19.  I don’t live at home anymore with Mom and Dad,” said Fred Shock.  

Shock’s past work experience includes construction management and supervision positions.  He also ran his own business. 

But after three years of unemployment, Shock’s hoping to start over in the medical billing and coding field.

“I want to work. I’m an older person. No delusions of grandeur to tame the world anymore.  I just want to make a living,” said Shock.

“My daughter had a paid internship to go to DC,” said Barbara Ramos. “So here I am in the same boat, which is wonderful because you get your foot in the door and you can seek further opportunities within that company.”

Organizers hope the internships lead to permanent positions for the applicants.

“Our hope is that many of these folks will have made themselves valuable enough that the employer will say, ‘You know, I’d like to keep you on.  I’d like to offer you a full-time job,’” said Bill Roshon, the event’s coordinator for Southwest Florida Works.

Organizers hope to hold more intern fairs in the future.

Article source: http://www.abc-7.com/story/16976616/intern-fair-draws-recent-graduates-and-discouraged-workers

The event drew 26 area employers and 150 candidates, all vying for about 90 internships.

Using federal grant money, Southwest Florida Works will pay the salary of the selected interns for up to three months at 80% of the employer’s entry level wage for the position.

“How can you beat it? I think it’s a great opportunity for everybody, for the employer and the employees as well,” said Mark Hughes of Manhattan Construction.

Most of the candidates had completed training programs at Southwest Florida Works, including discouraged workers hoping to get a foot in the door of a potential employer.

“I’m not 19.  I don’t live at home anymore with Mom and Dad,” said Fred Shock.  

Shock’s past work experience includes construction management and supervision positions.  He also ran his own business. 

But after three years of unemployment, Shock’s hoping to start over in the medical billing and coding field.

“I want to work. I’m an older person. No delusions of grandeur to tame the world anymore.  I just want to make a living,” said Shock.

“My daughter had a paid internship to go to DC,” said Barbara Ramos. “So here I am in the same boat, which is wonderful because you get your foot in the door and you can seek further opportunities within that company.”

Organizers hope the internships lead to permanent positions for the applicants.

“Our hope is that many of these folks will have made themselves valuable enough that the employer will say, ‘You know, I’d like to keep you on.  I’d like to offer you a full-time job,’” said Bill Roshon, the event’s coordinator for Southwest Florida Works.

Organizers hope to hold more intern fairs in the future.

Article source: http://www.abc-7.com/story/16976616/intern-fair-draws-recent-graduates-and-discouraged-workers

If elected president, Mitt Romney would be wealthier than any president except one.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/carecloud-appoints-john-hallock-vice-130000706.html

If elected president, Mitt Romney would be wealthier than any president except one.

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/carecloud-appoints-john-hallock-vice-130000706.html

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions (www.alfierimedicalhairloss.com) and Linda Alfieri Hair Replacement Salon in Boca Raton, FL announced today that they have retained Simply the Best Public Relations (www.simplythebestpublicrelations.com) as its PR firm to execute local, regional and national PR campaigns for its national Medical Billing Company, and for the state-of-the-art salon and hair replacement center.

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions is a nationwide medical billing company that submits insurance claims for patients who are in need of help to cover the costs to treat their hair loss. All major medical insurers cover medical hair loss.

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions also works with hospitals, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, oncologists, and therapists for patients suffering from cancer, alopecia, lupus, hereditary hair loss and burn accident victims. They also are in search of hair replacement centers nationwide to refer patients to and supply hair replacement products such as full cap wigs and hair systems for men, women and children.

“Our targeted publicity campaigns will introduce Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions to consumers, health professionals and hair replacement centers events as a one-stop shop for treating medical hair loss in every way from helping the client claim insurance, to helping the doctors identify and work directly with hair replacement centers throughout the country,” states Kim Morgan, President of Simply the Best PR. She adds, “Linda is well-known in the hair industry because her father, Charles Alfieri, has been a world-known hair restoration specialist in Manhattan for over 40 years. Linda’s salon in the heart of Boca Raton has been a mainstay in the community for the past 17 years.”

In addition, Simply the Best PR will execute regional brand awareness campaigns for Linda Alfieri Hair Replacement and Full Service Salon in Boca Raton, a busy and reputable salon that provides a wide range of services including hair styling, color, treatments, manicures, pedicures, a full line of products and more. Adds Morgan, “Linda Alfieri is an important part of the local community as she spearheads many charity events with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Rock of Love Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and others.”

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solution Full Service Salon
127 East Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33432
888-847-7705
www.alfierimedicalhairloss.com

Contact: Kim Morgan
Simply the Best PR
(954) 261-2149
kmorgan@goodpresspublishing.com

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/alfieri-medical-hair-loss-solutions-102000166.html

BOCA RATON, Fla., Feb. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions (www.alfierimedicalhairloss.com) and Linda Alfieri Hair Replacement Salon in Boca Raton, FL announced today that they have retained Simply the Best Public Relations (www.simplythebestpublicrelations.com) as its PR firm to execute local, regional and national PR campaigns for its national Medical Billing Company, and for the state-of-the-art salon and hair replacement center.

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions is a nationwide medical billing company that submits insurance claims for patients who are in need of help to cover the costs to treat their hair loss. All major medical insurers cover medical hair loss.

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions also works with hospitals, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, oncologists, and therapists for patients suffering from cancer, alopecia, lupus, hereditary hair loss and burn accident victims. They also are in search of hair replacement centers nationwide to refer patients to and supply hair replacement products such as full cap wigs and hair systems for men, women and children.

“Our targeted publicity campaigns will introduce Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solutions to consumers, health professionals and hair replacement centers events as a one-stop shop for treating medical hair loss in every way from helping the client claim insurance, to helping the doctors identify and work directly with hair replacement centers throughout the country,” states Kim Morgan, President of Simply the Best PR. She adds, “Linda is well-known in the hair industry because her father, Charles Alfieri, has been a world-known hair restoration specialist in Manhattan for over 40 years. Linda’s salon in the heart of Boca Raton has been a mainstay in the community for the past 17 years.”

In addition, Simply the Best PR will execute regional brand awareness campaigns for Linda Alfieri Hair Replacement and Full Service Salon in Boca Raton, a busy and reputable salon that provides a wide range of services including hair styling, color, treatments, manicures, pedicures, a full line of products and more. Adds Morgan, “Linda Alfieri is an important part of the local community as she spearheads many charity events with Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, Rock of Love Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation and others.”

Alfieri Medical Hair Loss Solution Full Service Salon
127 East Palmetto Park Road
Boca Raton, FL 33432
888-847-7705
www.alfierimedicalhairloss.com

Contact: Kim Morgan
Simply the Best PR
(954) 261-2149
kmorgan@goodpresspublishing.com

Article source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/alfieri-medical-hair-loss-solutions-102000166.html

Polly wants an ICD-10 code?
(Rachel Denny Clow – AP)
Right now, there’s a big fight going on in the health-care industry. It isn’t about contraceptives. It isn’t about Obamacare. It is about very technical, very bureaucratic billing codes — and it matters a lot.

The battle centers on something called “ICD-10.” That’s insurance-speak for the Tenth Edition of the International Classification of Diseases, a laundry list of thousands of billing codes that health insurance plans use to categorize various medical conditions. Get injured by a flaming water-ski? There’s an ICD-10 code for that. Have an unfortunate encounter with a parrot? ICD-10 has not one but nine codes to categorize parrot-related injuries (“W61.01” refers to being “bitten by a parrot” while W61.02 denotes being “struck by a parrot.”)

Right now, the medical billing world uses the ninth edition of the ICD, or ICD-9, which has about 18,000 codes. When it flips to ICD-10, that number will swell to 140,000 billing codes. The federal government was initially set to require the health-care industry to switch to ICD-10 by Oct. 1, 2013. But after intense lobbying, especially from the American Medical Association, Health and Human Services announced this week that it would delay implementation.

ICD-10 has come under a lot of criticism, especially from industry, as what’s wrong with American health care: It’s overly bureaucratic and too aggressively regulated. “Every hour spent treating a patient in America creates at least 30 minutes of paperwork, and often a whole hour,” the Economist bemoans of the ICD-10 system in a recent article. It is most certainly true that American doctors spend a lot more time on paperwork and billing than their counterparts abroad, who work in government-financed health-care systems.

But ICD-10 isn’t without advocates: There’s a reason, after all, that the Obama administration thinks it’s important to implement. And that mostly has to do with the plus side of granularity: being able to understand, at an incredibly detailed level, what care Americans are seeking.

“For the most part, those ICD-10 codes exist because a constituency of health-care professionals wants to access that data,” Carl Natale writes for Government Health IT Watch. More data on how Americans use health care could presumably create a more nuanced, and informative, portrait of who uses what care, and the country can best use a set of limited health-care resources.

Do we need a medical billing system with nine codes for encounters with parrots? I’m not nearly expert enough on avian injuries to know. There is, however, an interesting debate here about what the future of health-care technology looks like in America, and what tradeoffs need to be made between granularity and bureaucracy.

Article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/parrot-injuries-and-other-tales-from-the-annals-of-medical-billing/2012/02/17/gIQAHUa0JR_blog.html?wprss=rss_policy

Polly wants an ICD-10 code?
(Rachel Denny Clow – AP)
Right now, there’s a big fight going on in the health-care industry. It isn’t about contraceptives. It isn’t about Obamacare. It is about very technical, very bureaucratic billing codes — and it matters a lot.

The battle centers on something called “ICD-10.” That’s insurance-speak for the Tenth Edition of the International Classification of Diseases, a laundry list of thousands of billing codes that health insurance plans use to categorize various medical conditions. Get injured by a flaming water-ski? There’s an ICD-10 code for that. Have an unfortunate encounter with a parrot? ICD-10 has not one but nine codes to categorize parrot-related injuries (“W61.01” refers to being “bitten by a parrot” while W61.02 denotes being “struck by a parrot.”)

Right now, the medical billing world uses the ninth edition of the ICD, or ICD-9, which has about 18,000 codes. When it flips to ICD-10, that number will swell to 140,000 billing codes. The federal government was initially set to require the health-care industry to switch to ICD-10 by Oct. 1, 2013. But after intense lobbying, especially from the American Medical Association, Health and Human Services announced this week that it would delay implementation.

ICD-10 has come under a lot of criticism, especially from industry, as what’s wrong with American health care: It’s overly bureaucratic and too aggressively regulated. “Every hour spent treating a patient in America creates at least 30 minutes of paperwork, and often a whole hour,” the Economist bemoans of the ICD-10 system in a recent article. It is most certainly true that American doctors spend a lot more time on paperwork and billing than their counterparts abroad, who work in government-financed health-care systems.

But ICD-10 isn’t without advocates: There’s a reason, after all, that the Obama administration thinks it’s important to implement. And that mostly has to do with the plus side of granularity: being able to understand, at an incredibly detailed level, what care Americans are seeking.

“For the most part, those ICD-10 codes exist because a constituency of health-care professionals wants to access that data,” Carl Natale writes for Government Health IT Watch. More data on how Americans use health care could presumably create a more nuanced, and informative, portrait of who uses what care, and the country can best use a set of limited health-care resources.

Do we need a medical billing system with nine codes for encounters with parrots? I’m not nearly expert enough on avian injuries to know. There is, however, an interesting debate here about what the future of health-care technology looks like in America, and what tradeoffs need to be made between granularity and bureaucracy.

Article source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/parrot-injuries-and-other-tales-from-the-annals-of-medical-billing/2012/02/17/gIQAHUa0JR_blog.html?wprss=rss_policy