Tue, 14 May 2024 06:41:06 -0700WeeblyMon, 25 Apr 2011 00:27:21 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/update-to-ehr-installationThe installation and training stage of our process is pretty much complete.  Now we are customizing the program to better fit the practice.  There were a few issues but the software's customer service department lived up to its reputation!   When you call tech service you actually get a real human and they log in and deal with your issue in real time.    The weakest part of the software is its scanning component which we knew from the beginning. Its billing and electronic ordering is better than expected.  One of the features that is making a big improvement in office functioning is the inventory management section. Remember, this is an Optometric practice and there are quite large numbers of frames and contact lens to keep track of.  Not having to do manual inventories is a blessing! Now if we can just get a replacement employee hired to replace the one we lost at the beginning of our conversion, all will be great.   More later.
plk]]>Sun, 28 Nov 2010 01:50:04 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/ehr-going-liveWe are finnally ready to go live with the EHR at the office I am currently consulting with.  What fun, picking software and setting up equipment.  Now training!  The staff is doing great and has kept up with their "home-work" so the set up period has gone very well.  We meet our trainer next week and I think everyone is very up.  What fun....and they pay me to do this!   I will update in two weeks.]]>Wed, 07 Jul 2010 01:13:56 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/time-to-review-the-1st-six-monthsNow that Medicare has decided to start paying again and has given physicians a 2.2% raise,  it is time for our attention to turn to other things.  July is the half way mark in the year and for most, if your financial year starts in January, it is a good time to see how your business is doing.  Printing out your productivity reports and budget reports will give you an idea of where your business stands and should be done at least semi-annually if not quarterly.  Most practice management software programs will produce productivity reports that break out where your revenue is coming from and who is producing it.   Your budget/expense reports are equally important and any accounts payable program should be able to print out the reports.  I have used a number of different accounting programs over the years and by far my favorite is Quickbooks(I have no financial interest in any software).  The only problem I find is that offices do not run these reports on a regular basis.  Some of the time the doctors forget to ask to have the reports printed, after all you are busy seeing patients and generating charges, or some do not want to ask their staff to generate the reports because they do not want them to know that much about the practice.   Both are understandable excuses but one should find a way to get the information anyway.  This would be an excellent time to have a consultant come, yes you can have someone who comes in just two or four times a year, and get the information for you to review.  It would also give you the opportunity to have an outside party make a review of your receivables and payables just to make sure that all is well in your business office.  When staff knows that someone is looking they always try a little harder.    If by chance you have not had time to have a budget set up for your business then your accountant or your consultant could assist in getting one in place.  ]]>Sat, 19 Jun 2010 03:00:49 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/oh-we-changed-our-mindsWhat a farce! So today the Senate changes its mind and passes a 6 month temporary delay to the scheduled medicare fee reduction and to make you forget that you have not been paid since June 1st they propose a raise of 2.2%.  This measure still has to pass the house so do not get your hopes too high!]]>Fri, 18 Jun 2010 01:48:08 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/wow-what-a-dayJust read the news, "Senate Rejects "Doc Fix," Medicare fees cut 21%.  At least this means that CMS will start processing claims again even if it is at the lower rate.  I know in our small office some money is better than no money.  Seriously, I wonder what this will do to small, rural, heavily medicare populated practices.  With a medicare population of 50 to 60% it is going to be very difficult to live with a 21% reduction particularly when your other main source of insurance is medicaid!  The long term consequences could be very negative.  I believe that we need to continue to pressure our Senators and Representatives to revisit this issue, and to do it soon.   I have been encouraging patients as well as medical staff to contact their respective elected representatives and tell them exactly how this is going to impact their lives. Hopefully, with continued pressure some relief can come.  In the mean time, now is the time to revisit our budgets. ]]>Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:53:38 GMThttp://knaussconsulting.us/healthcare-stuff/the-startI have spent the last 20 years managing medical offices, keeping them running and making them as efficient as possibe in our every changing world.  When I started there was no way to know what to do so you "learned" from the "old-timers."  I learned more insurance information from Mary at Dr. S's office than I imagined and it has stayed with me even now.  So the purpose of this blog is to pass on information concerning managing a medical office to others.  If you find yourself in need of more information, contact me for a "Practice" consult.  ]]>