While discussing billing software issues with one of our clients, I was able to get his perspective on including billing in meaningful use (MU) rules for EHR implementation. I feel that his support of the benefits of the integration of billing in the MU rules of EHR hit the nail on the head.

We agreed that a continuous stream of revenue is one of the most important factors for Independent Physician Associations (IPA) and small practices to sustain their medical practices and provide optimum medical services. The benefits of the integration of billing in the MU rules of EHR would be great. This may improve medical claims preparation by automatically populating patient diagnosis and services codes in a claim form. Now it takes a click of a mouse to send the bill electronically to the designated payers.

It would also be easier to retrieve patient medical records to work with rejected claims. Accurate and timely claims preparation and submission expedite claims processing and reimbursements for doctors. The best part is that the CMS EHR reporting requirements to qualify for the ARRA incentives will also be met through an integrated EHR! I’m sure those who read that last sentence are very excited! If one of our clients feels this way, I am sure many more of you are thinking the same way.

This sounds great for IPAs and small practices, but does it seem practical given the workflow of supporting staff in clinical settings? How can we address the challenges of training support staff without impeding the workflow of a clinic?

We want to hear some of your experiences and challenges in implementing healthcare technologies that range from electronic prescribing to electronic medical records.