SMED-7972

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis.  Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis.  Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis.  Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Duis ac felis vitae lacus scelerisque maximus nec vel risus. Mauris porttitor tempus metus, vitae scelerisque est efficitur sit amet. Duis ullamcorper dui sed augue feugiat maximus. Etiam et dolor ultricies, fringilla velit id, iaculis elit. Etiam mattis ante nec sem efficitur malesuada. Vestibulum et hendrerit tortor. Quisque molestie pellentesque tortor vitae efficitur. Pellentesque sit amet nunc ac risus efficitur sagittis vel feugiat orci. 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Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Heading 2 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Heading 3 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Heading 4 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipiscing elit. Quisque faucibus ex sapien vitae pellentesque sem placerat. In id cursus mi pretium tellus duis convallis. Tempus leo eu aenean sed diam urna tempor. Pulvinar vivamus fringilla lacus nec metus bibendum egestas. Iaculis massa nisl malesuada lacinia integer nunc posuere. Ut hendrerit semper vel class aptent taciti sociosqu. Ad litora torquent per conubia nostra inceptos himenaeos. Related Posts How to test the Yoast Blocks Just add them to any page/post and it should work as expected How to test the Yoast Blocks Just add them to any page/post and it should work as expected What is a Yoast block? Just a SEO-based block that was configured by the Yoast team What is a Yoast block? Just a SEO-based block that was configured by the Yoast team This is a classic block test, we are testing different features and there baseline functionalities. Does this work? What about this? Can I make a list? List Item 1 List Item 2 List Item 3 What about ordered? Item Item Item This is pretty cool This is even better What about this?

Making it as easy for patients to book and attend appointments will be critical during flu season. See how healthcare providers can prepare.

Discover how Experian Health’s solutions can help providers can find unidentified insurance coverage and reduce bad debt.

Discover 6 effective, data-driven revenue cycle management strategies that can help healthcare providers increase cashflow.

Discover three areas where automation can help ease the burden of the healthcare staffing crisis while creating better patient experiences.

Learn more about health insurance eligibility verification software and how it accelerates eligibility verifications, reduces denials and and much more.

Learn how to proactively verify insurance eligibility to maintain cash flow and help patients navigate as the COVID-19 public health emergency ends.

With the Appropriate Use Criteria program slated to go into effect in 2023, healthcare providers shoud implement new alerts for prior authorizations.

COVID-19 provided an unexpected use case for patient portals. In a matter of weeks, the benefits of remote patient access were undeniable. Patient portals allowed patients to schedule, register and pay for care from the comfort and safety of home. Now, as the latest omicron sub-variant triggers another surge in case numbers, providers are again reminded of the value in making digital channels available to minimize face-to-face interaction. With staffing shortages continuing and patient numbers rising, it’s worth recapping the benefits of patient portals. Why should healthcare providers prioritize patient portals? Here are 7 reasons: 1. Patient portals can be used to communicate safely with patients as Covid-19 cases rise Health officials may be cautious about reinstating extreme measures in response to the latest wave of infections. However, they can’t afford to be complacent about an uptick in hospital admissions. Patient portals can mitigate the risks associated with increasing foot traffic by allowing patients to schedule and register for care without attending in person. Completing paperwork from home eliminates the need for patients to share clipboards or sit in stuffy waiting rooms, while online scheduling platforms enable staff to manage the flow of patients safely and efficiently. Remote patient monitoring, secure messaging and online prescription refill requests can also be managed via portals, further reducing the need for in-person visits. 2. They can ease pressure on understaffed teams Providers need to find efficient ways to handle the administrative workload that comes with higher patient volumes. It’s even tougher given increasing retirement and resignation figures. More nurses are embracing the occupational benefits of remote and virtual care and are opting to switch from high-stress facilities to telehealth positions. While this speaks to the growth and impact of remote healthcare, it leaves a gap to be filled in hospitals. Patient portals can alleviate some of the burdens by reducing the need for staff input at various points in the patient journey. For example, online scheduling reduces the number of calls to call centers. Pre-filled data and automated registration can reduce the risk of errors during patient intake, which are time-consuming to fix. Portals can also be used to help patients navigate the payments process, speeding up collections and reducing the time staff spend chasing payments. 3. Patient portals can address inefficient patient access workflows Because patient portals are tethered to the patient’s electronic health record (EHR), they provide a hub for every piece of data relating to the patient. Patients can access that golden record at any time. They get an engaging and transparent experience, and are less likely to call up to ask questions – they already have the answers. They can also check data to make sure that it’s accurate, which helps avoid the delays and misunderstandings that cause friction for patient access teams. It’s important to ensure that the portal itself doesn’t introduce friction. Patients need to be able to enroll in the portal without too much trouble. Automating the patient enrollment process and implementing a multi-layered identity-proofing solution can create a secure and efficient way for patients to get the most out of their portal, without compromising safety or efficiency. 4. To improve patient engagement and meet consumer expectations One of the biggest reasons to invest in patient portals is because patients say they want them. Research from Experian Health and PYMNTS found that 44.1% of patients have obtained test results through patient portals, while 18% used patient portals to fill out forms for their most recent healthcare visit. Overall, two-thirds said they use patient portals. Beyond offering a convenient patient experience, this is also a matter of patient loyalty and retention: 61% of patients say they’d consider switching providers to one that offered a patient portal, which could have a significant impact on revenue. 5. They can boost revenue by offering easy ways to pay Experian and PYMNTS research shows that around a fifth of patients uses their portal to make payments. Unfortunately, 16% of those patients said they’d faced difficulty viewing invoices, setting up payment plans and making payments through their portal, which suggests some room for improvement. Experian Health’s Patient Payment Solutions solves these challenges. A range of self-service, mobile-optimized tools simplify the patient financial journey by giving patients upfront pricing estimates, personalized payment plans and easy ways to pay. 6. Using patient portals can improve health outcomes (especially for “frequent flyers”) Patient portals also play an important role in promoting better health outcomes for patients. Research shows that when patients have access to their medical information, they feel empowered and prepared to speak to their doctor and adhere to care strategies. Multiple providers can engage with the patient through the same platform, and see what other treatments are being prescribed. This helps improve communication between the patient and provider and helps improve care management. It’s especially useful for older patients and those with chronic conditions. In this way, portals support effective care coordination, helping value-based care providers achieve their goals of reducing healthcare costs, promoting population health and closing the gaps in care that have widened over the last few years. 7. Patient portals can support compliance with price transparency regulations Finally, portals offer a route to ensuring compliance with new regulatory requirements around price transparency. The No Surprises Act and hospital price transparency rule call on providers to give patients accurate, upfront cost estimates so they can plan for their financial responsibility more easily. Patient Payment Estimates can be delivered in several ways, including through patient portals. And as noted, once the patient has their estimate, they can also be directed to easy and convenient payment methods, including through their portal. Whether it’s a surge in COVID-19 cases, rising inflation, or labor shortages, providers must find ways to build resilience, stay competitive, and continue to offer patients the flexible and transparent healthcare experience they desire. Patient portals should be part of the plan to open the digital front door. Contact us to find out how Experian Health helps healthcare organizations deliver a reliable and secure patient portal experience.

Discover how Dayton’s Children Hospital used PatientDial to boost collection rates and streamline patient communications.

To ensure the patient’s financial journey goes ahead without a hitch, follow this 10-step healthcare revenue cycle flowchart.

Healthcare revenue cycle challenges exist at every stage of the patient journey. Discover the top 7 and strategies to overcome them.

A hundred years ago, the Spanish flu pandemic led to a revolution in public health. Healthcare systems were overhauled, national health surveys were launched, and cross-border cooperation laid the groundwork for what later became the World Health Organization. Now, with everything from grocery shopping to the global economy upended as a result of COVID-19, thoughts inevitably turn to the legacy of the current pandemic. As healthcare providers struggle to reorganize services, staffing and revenue cycles, change is being forced at a blistering pace. Adjusting is tough, but it’s also accelerating technology trends that healthcare has been slow to leverage until now. Could the coronavirus pandemic bring the future of healthcare to us sooner than expected, just like what happened in the years following 1918? What more can providers do to prepare for  challenges in the new normal? Here to stay: telehealth and virtual care Necessity drives innovation – and one key example now is the telehealth explosion. Only a few months ago, remote healthcare was a business choice, selected for being more cost-effective and more convenient for patients, and for reducing the service-load on busy physicians, compared to traditional face-to-face care. Today, it’s an operational essential in preventing the spread of the coronavirus, giving patients a safe way to speak to their doctor without leaving their homes. Relaxed regulations, clearer payment rules and a hundreds of millions of federal cash injection are giving the roll-out a helping hand. Not only is this promoting better patient care and mitigating some of the revenue loss from reduced patient visits, it’s giving providers an unexpected opportunity to conduct a large-scale experiment in the use of telemedicine that would otherwise have been impossible. And it’s working. Patients, physicians and providers are getting used to the benefits of virtual care. Telehealth and self-service patient engagement will likely become the norm once the pandemic settles. Future-proofing healthcare services for a post-pandemic world Even though COVID-19 is far from over, now is the time to plan ahead for managing the pandemic fallout and to protect against future risks. As leading trends forecaster Mary Meeker suggests in her coronavirus trends report, what we really need to prepare for the aftershocks of COVID-19 is better integration of healthcare and technology. We already have the tools at our fingertips – and telehealth is just the start. Where are the gaps? Improving contact tracing and syndromic surveillance The medical community highlights contact tracing as essential for getting a handle on the spread of the coronavirus and potential future outbreaks. Unfortunately, we don’t yet have a system of universal patient identification, which could aid disease tracking by monitoring patient interactions with different touchpoints across multiple health services and generally aiding more accurate patient records. Still, many providers are turning to universal identity managers to track healthcare interactions and share accurate patient information safely and securely within their own networks. Prioritizing data protection and security With the surge in remote care and mobile health, keeping patient data safe through robust identity protection and matching is even more important. A tool such as Precise ID can give providers reassurance that only patients engage with  their information – whether on their phones or visiting a provider’s health portal – without  creating long wait times or adding complexity to the sign-up process. Strengthening the revenue cycle Estimates suggest health systems could lose an average of $2,800 per COVID-19 case, with many losing up to $10,000, if payers do not raise reimbursement premiums. Ceasing revenue-generating services to accommodate COVID-19 cases only compounds the financial strain on the healthcare system. With revenue cycles at breaking point, there is no room for inaccurate coding or claim denials. To help hospitals and healthcare organizations stay on top of rapidly changing payer policies, Experian Health is offering free access to COVID-19 and telehealth payer policy alerts, so providers can avoid delayed payments and costly claim denials. While the 1918 pandemic led to a complete revolution in our understanding of public health, the legacy of this virus may be more of an evolution – accelerating technological progress already moving forward. The organizations that adapt the quickest to the new normal will be most likely to survive. Find out more about the free resources and support available through Experian Health’s COVID-19 Resource Center to help your organization tackled the most pressing COVID-19 concerns. 

There is no doubt the healthcare industry has taken a financial beating as a result of COVID-19. But there is a glimmer of hope for providers. Several new announcements were recently made attached to the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, specifically around reimbursements attached to COVID care for the uninsured. The financial stimulus, intended to stabilize hospital finances as providers face short-term revenue reductions due to the cessation of non-urgent procedures and the increased costs for personal protective equipment, has earmarked  a portion of the $100B established for CARES to reimburse healthcare providers at Medicare rates for the treatment of uninsured COVID patients. The guidance does not indicate specifically how much money will be set aside to reimburse these claims. The big question? How long will the funds last and how quickly will providers act? With both unemployment, translating into more uninsured individuals, and COVID cases on the rise, the dollars could be exhausted quickly. A recent study by Kaiser estimates the total payments to hospitals for treating uninsured patients under the Trump administration policy would range from $13.9B to $41.8B. While Medicare payments are about half of what private insurers pay on average for the same diagnoses, estimates surrounding COVID care can be in excess of $50k for those severe cases where struggling patients spend weeks in the intensive care unit on a ventilator. Bottom line, it’s likely the funds will be distributed quickly, especially when factoring in unemployment skyrocketing. As of April 30, more than 30M Americans have filed jobless claims amid the coronavirus outbreak. The all-new portal opened on April 27 for sign-ups, and providers can begin submitting claims electronically on May 6. Healthcare providers who have conducted COVID-19 testing of uninsured individuals or provided treatment to uninsured individuals with a COVID-19 diagnosis on or after February 4, 2020 can request claims reimbursement through the program electronically and will be reimbursed at Medicare rates, subject to available funding. A complete list of FAQs regarding the CARES Act and reimbursements are accessible on the Health Resources & Services Administration website. But what other tips and considerations should providers contemplate as they attempt to get their fair share? Here are three actions to optimize a provider’s chances of claiming reimbursements for the uninsured. Automate the insurance check. Providers must attest that they have checked for healthcare coverage eligibility and confirm the patient is uninsured. If they fail to check, they may be denied. Providers must verify that the patient does not have coverage such as individual, employer-sponsored, Medicare or Medicaid coverage, or any other payer options that will reimburse for the COVID-19 testing and/or care of that patient. There are ways to automate this step, completing a second eligibility check to attest that the patients have no coverage before providers submit claims to the government. Scan for the social security number (SSN), if possible. While there may be instances where COVID patients entered a facility and were quickly admitted with no formal registration process, the CARES Act states an SSN and state of residence, or state identification/driver’s license is needed to verify patient eligibility. If these pieces of information are not captured, providers need to attest that they have attempted to capture this information before submitting a claim. The patient may be long gone, but there are still ways to attempt to retrieve a patient’s SSN after they have exited the healthcare facility. Providers should know that claims submitted without an SSN and state of residence, or state identification/driver’s license may take longer to verify for patient eligibility. Again, with the possibility that these funds could quickly be exhausted, it is in the provider’s best interest to submit claims that are as clean and validated as possible. Act fast. Recall the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) — a coronavirus relief fund for small businesses that was also established under CARES? The $350B allocated by the bill was quickly depleted in days. While these funds were going to individuals in entirely different industries, there is no concrete projections on how long healthcare providers can expect the $1B fund to cover reimbursements for the uninsured. So, providers need to act now, and fast, by tapping into automation and auditing solutions that will optimize their chances of securing their fair share.

The novel coronavirus pandemic crisis of 2020 has plunged the healthcare system, and frankly the whole economy, into a dark place. It will take time, and likely a lot of time, to overcome what may end up being several months of a national shut down. Eventually people will re-emerge from isolation, business will resume a new normal, and healthcare providers will turn their attention to the revenue generating services that they temporarily halted, as well as the patients who delayed care for a myriad of conditions. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently published “phase one” re-opening recommendations that recognized in some areas the possibility of non-COVID-19 care is already being considered. There will be an overflow of pent-up demand and provider organizations need to position themselves now to be ready. One consideration, with many health systems now feeling the squeeze and not being able to re-deploy staff to serve in the crisis, is to use some of those resources and prepare for the next phase.  Here are few strategies to get ahead of the curve, if you will, as it flattens: Reschedule appointments – Literally hundreds of appointments– for some providers, thousands – that had been cancelled or delayed will require rescheduling. Deploying an omni-channel scheduling platform now can relieve the pressure of that future volume in several ways: Online scheduling can guide patients to the right care with rules automation, allowing patients to accurately self-book and reducing call center volume.Enable patient scheduling via automated outreach messages sent via text message or IVR. (For example, you can target all those who need to reschedule, reaching them via text campaigns and reducing call center workload).Reduce training time with a call center scheduling solution. Agents (such as temps hired to handle the influx of appointments) can be trained in a matter of hours to schedule and book appointments accurately.Harden your telehealth offering – This crisis has shown the necessity for virtual visit technology during a pandemic; however, its value won’t disappear as the crisis fades. Telehealth is destined to become a staple of healthcare delivery. Restrictions have been lifted and the technology has proven practical, convenient and efficient, paving the way for broad acceptance. But what are the digital complements that can be paired with telehealth to harden the solution and make the offering a robust tool into the future? While many providers are now able to offer this type of virtual care, scheduling across a variety of specialties has become a challenge. A  tool that guides patients and call center agents to the right provider across all services, including telehealth, is going to be critical in the months ahead to maintaining scheduling efficiency and delivering an optimal patient experience.Establish your digital front door – Patients aren’t going to want only clinical telehealth options; the whole spectrum of patient-provider interaction is shifting. Scheduling, registration, payments – all these are going to see increased demand for digital self-service. This gets patients out of the waiting room and removes the need to swipe or insert a credit card or use a POS kiosk. Patients, who are consumers, want to use their mobile devices and they will form lasting opinions of those services enabling – or restricting – their ability to do that.Collections optimization – Right now the focus is on caring for patients, as it should be; however, in order to continue operating, providers must collect for the services rendered. Putting in systems that automate collections processes and reduce the human resources necessary to bring in revenue will to be key to capitalizing on the rush of non-COVID-19 care that will soon be required. These are just a few of the ways that healthcare providers can deploy digital technology to prepare and turn this looming challenge into opportunity. The reality is that managing patient engagement and collections through this next phase is critical to the U.S. healthcare ecosystem’s recovery. Organizations that emerge stronger will be those that prepare now and are ready when the time comes. Find out more about patient engagement solutions that can help you respond now and prepare for the future.

From the moment a patient is admitted, automation strategies can help devise payment plans, find missing coverage, or screen for financial assistance and charity eligibility.

During this time when the whole world is wrestling with the Covid-19 crisis, planning for the future is difficult. However, there is no question that as the nation emerges from its stay-at-home status, there will be huge release of pent-up demand – especially for healthcare. Health systems have streamlined their operations to deal with the influx of COVID-19 testing and treatments. As a result, any non-emergent care or care unrelated to COVID-19 has been heavily gated, if not canceled entirely. This of course includes preventative care, non-critical regular screenings, and other services related to care gaps. Once the patient flow moves out of crisis mode, these services will certainly resume – and they will resume in earnest. This increased demand for services, coupled with the time lost to meet quality metrics, will place a real burden on member services and quality teams as they work to ensure missed preventative care, screenings, and other care related to care gaps are being sought and coordinated. It is possible to make small moves now to strategically prepare for what’s coming, so that when the crisis subsides organizations can be well positioned to serve their members. Here are a few key things payers can do to get ready: Get your data and strategy in order – Now is the time to use data to better understand your members and fill in any gaps you may have. For example, it is going to be essential to understand geographies and associated provider groups where care gap non-compliance is likely to be highest, so you can strategically focus on those areas. Also, understanding what the best channel of communication is and ensuring that you have accurate contact info for those members is critical. Fundamentally, plans will need data that can help them identify who to target and can supply needed, accurate contact info.Understand your members’ SDOH barriers – Understanding your members’ social determinants of health (SDOH) barriers will be more important than ever. One of the unfortunate byproducts of this COVID-19 crisis is the economic damage. As a result, there will undoubtedly be critical gaps, like transportation, that will affect your members’ ability to access care and thus need to be accounted for. Likewise, with the downturn in the economy, additional social determinants will be on the rise, like food insecurity, housing insecurity, and access to medications. These should also factor into your overall plan – and thankfully there are increasing ways to identify and track SDOH.Implement digital tools now – Ensure your member engagement strategy is fully informed and your teams are ready to efficiently execute. While data can round out any information gaps that may exist for you – contact info, SDOH gaps, etc. – tools that can provide quick, convenient access to services will be needed to take action. For example, enabling your member engagement team with a digital scheduling platform that allows them to book appointments with providers without calling the provider, is a proven way to accelerate member engagement and close gaps in care. This type of digital engagement not only provides an efficiency gain, it also greatly improves the member experience as call times are shorter and members are given greater access to care. In times like this current pandemic it can be hard to think about much else beyond the here and now, and especially hard to picture a brighter future. But prudence would dictate that taking a little time now to prepare can make a big difference when things do start to open back up. Find out more about data driven solutions for member engagement.

With many hospitals already operating at slim margins amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the consequences of a rise in uncompensated care could be significant.

As most Americans stay home to limit the spread of coronavirus, consumers and providers are showing more interest in patient portals and telehealth programs.

In the case of COVID-19, providers are considering SDOH to flag particular data fields in an attempt to identify patients with access to care challenges.

With patient portal adoption on the rise, healthcare organizations must consider the right steps to take in order to protect patient identities.

Health systems and medical groups are starting to leverage new ways to schedule and prioritize patient testing amidst COVID-19.

Finding missing coverage is a challenge for most healthcare providers, but with the right discovery strategy, it’s possible reduce bad debt.

Universal patient identifiers are an integral part of that goal. Patient Safety Awareness Week is the perfect time to convey that message.