Positive cost containment can begin with not paying for down time. Administrative resources dedicated to case and claim processing sit on your books as solid, steady expense while the processing pipeline swings dramatically. Paying overtime when backlogs occur will definitely impact the monthly administrative budgets. A number of other factors also contribute to these swings.
Many hospitals are currently asking themselves, "How can we improve our revenue cycle in 2015?" This topic is also one many C-suite executives are facing in 2015, which is proving to be another year of vast changes. Financial departments will have to stay on top of contract management, as well as planning for shifts in how payments are received. Today, we've put together a list of 5 ways healthcare providers can reboot their revenue cycles and stay ahead of those changes that impact the bottom line.
Providers are beginning to bridge the gap between medical and mental care, forming partnerships aimed at improving patients’ physical and mental health, and reducing costs at the same time. Such holistic projects are underway in numerous states, including California, New York, Washington, and Florida.
You know your reimbursement process needs attention when the response to an adverse determination is to resend the exact same paperwork through the pipeline. In a few cases, the ROI on a resend appears reasonable, but peel back the band-aid and you will find a process needing attention. Understanding data management is denial management begins the healing process.
Across the country more and more workers compensation organizations are utilizing Workers Compensation Independent Medical Reviews to keep claims on track, and to decrease unnecessary expenditures as they relate to legal proceedings. When choosing an independent medical review network ask if they offer delegation for workers compensation medical reviews. Delegation provides an opportunity for significantly lower administration expenses wile increasing the quality of reviews.
Any serious discussion of patient care and cost containment must include a discussion about utilization review and management. Sometimes these two terms are used interchangeably, while their meanings and processes are quite different in reality.
Understanding and determining medical necessity criteria challenges can be very complex for physicians, clinicians, coders, and billers.
Medical Necessity and Levels of Care (LOC) criteria are interdependent sets of objective and evidence-based health guidelines used to standardize coverage determinations, promote evidence-based practices, and support a patient’s recovery and well-being. Being such, LOC application, documentation, and accuracy plays a pivotal role in care and reimbursement.
Last year, we published a blog about Washington State's IRO Transparency Project. As the ACA evolves into the next phase of healthcare, states continue using tools and resources developed over the past five years. BHM's continues in its role as a leader in IRO services with an update on Washington's project.
Whatever the title, Medical Director, CMO, or similar, the responsibilities loom large with little relief in sight. Burnout, recruitment, and retention might be a larger concern than medical necessity criteria, case shaping, and utilization management. The end of the ACA won't likely make things easier. With that in mind, here are 5 time-saving tips for medical directors.