Test PHP Upgrade – QA

Did you know that it costs an average of $25 to rework a single claim?  It’s true, according to a recent Health IT News article. The article goes on further to state that as many as 65 percent of denied claims remain unresolved because they are too costly to rectify. These unpaid claims eventually become lost revenue. Experian Health’s Denials Workflow Manager and Enhanced Claim Status solutions are part of an integrated revenue cycle platform for healthcare providers to manage payer billing and payment processes.  Effective management of these processes directly results in improved cash flow, lower days in A/R, and more efficient operations. Clients converting to our integrated claims and denial solution are experiencing a 50% increase in clean claim rates and faster turnaround on cash. Learn more by visiting our Claims Management page or reserve your spot at one or both of our Claims sessions at the upcoming HFMA ANI conference: June 27 | 1:30pm | Manage Denials to Maximize Reimbursement, Revenue and Cash Flow June 28 | 9:45am | Claims Management

Experian Health has launched Coverage Discovery® on demand, which is integrated into Epic’s EMR. We are the first-to-market with this functionality for Epic. In addition to Coverage Discovery’s batch reclassification of uncompensated care by finding previously misidentified patient coverage across both government and commercial payers by using advanced analytics, multiple data sources and a proprietary coverage optimization engine, the “on demand” feature provides Epic clients with additional opportunities to find coverage early in the revenue cycle—reducing additional downstream processes. By adding the on demand option, Experian Health’s clients can now run Coverage Discovery within their Epic workflow, which will help to reduce errors, save time and ultimately improve their revenue cycle. Every dollar found in our proactive, automated Coverage Discovery solution is a dollar that our clients are not spending pursuing patients for payment, paying for expensive collection agencies, or writing off to bad debt. Coverage Discovery is also available via eCare NEXT®, OneSource and Batch for non-Epic users. Coverage Discovery is providing significant results for over 300 Experian Health clients. In 2015, the solution discovered coverage associated with over $1.1 billion in charges. According to Murry Ford, Director, Revenue Strategy at Grady Health System, “Coverage Discovery consistently delivers value to our organization. Since our June 2015 go-live of the batch product and November 2015 go-live of the on demand product, Coverage Discovery has protected $2.3 million in reimbursement, $509,000 of which resulted from Coverage Discovery on demand queries for inpatient admissions over a two month period.” Read our latest press release, which further highlights Grady’s success using this solution.

Welcome Katie Zibelin, Experian Health Marketing’s newest team member. Katie made her Experian debut in August 2015 as an intern where she supported client events, tradeshows and proposal efforts behind the scenes.  Upon securing her advertising degree from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2015–one semester ahead of schedule–Katie joined the team full time this February. In her current role as a Marketing Coordinator, Katie is responsible for tracking projects, managing vendor activities, conducting tradeshow and vendor research, developing new vendor relationships, coordinating and supervising tradeshow activities and communicating programs and events. Katie also serves as the project leader of our 2016 Regional User Conferences. In her first solo performance at our Southeast Regional Conference in New Orleans, Katie received rave reviews for demonstrating project management and event planning maturity and grace under pressure. Fun Fact: Katie is also an accomplished contemporary dancer/performer/instructor. Please do not hesitate to reach out to Katie with questions regarding any of the upcoming Regional User Conferences at Katie.Zibelin@experianhealth.com.

Did you know? In 2015, Experian Health helped nearly 700 provider clients screen over 51 million patients for financial assistance. That’s important for healthcare providers that are ramping up to meet 501r regulation requirements this year. Experian Health’s Patient Financial Clearance automates the financial screening process prior to service or at the point of service, to determine if patients qualify for Medicaid, charity or any assistance program, while auto-enrolling eligible patients. This new solution can help you: Meet 501r regulatory requirements Increase staff productivity by expediting financial assistance decisions Improve point-of-service collections Reduce overall AR days Patient Financial Clearance uses a proven combination of consumer data, patient-provided information and provider policies to automate the screening process and empower patient access staff to be more productive and effective. Help your patients while protecting your bottom line. Contact us today at experianhealth@experian.com or 1 888 661 5657 to find out how Patient Financial Clearance can help you.

Screening for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection On February 5, CMS released a change request to inform contractors that CMS has determined that the evidence is adequate to conclude that screening of HIV infection for all individuals between the ages of 15-65 years is reasonable and necessary for early detection of HIV and is appropriate for individuals entitled to benefits under Part A or enrolled in Part B. Effective date: April 13, 2015 Implementation date: March 7, 2016, for non-shared A/B MAC edits; July 5, 2016 for CWF analysis and design; October 3, 2016, for CWF Coding, Testing and Implementation, MCS, and FISS Implementation; January 3, 2017, for Requirement 9403.04.9 View Transmittal R3461CP View Transmittal R190NCD Screening for Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) testing On February 5, CMS released a change request stating CMS has determined that for dates of service on or after July 9, 2015, evidence is sufficient to add HPV testing under specified conditions. Effective date: July 9, 2015 Implementation date: March 7, 2016, for non-shared MAC edits; July 5, 2016, for CWF analysis and design; October 3, 2016, for CWF Coding, Testing and Implementation, MCS, and FISS Implementation; January 3, 2017, for Requirement BR9434.04.8.2 View Transmittal R3460CP View Transmittal R189NCD Revision to Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS) lab travel allowance editing to include new specimen collection code G0471 On February 5, CMS released a change request updating FISS reason code 32436 to include HCPCS code G0471 in the list of specimen collection fee codes that will allow the travel allowance to be paid on outpatient claims. Effective date: April 1, 2016 Implementation date: July 5, 2016, for claims processed on or after View Transmittal R1619OTN View MLN Matters article MM9471

After five years of ICD-10 classification system code freezes, October 1, 2016 will see the system back on the routine cycle for annual updates. On March 9th and 10th, the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance committee met to review proposals for both ICD-10-CM and ICD-10-PCS. All PCS codes to date that have been approved as new, revised, and deleted have been compiled into a file for review under the Coordination and Maintenance Committee meeting materials. For the October 1, 2016 update, there are currently 75,625 PCS codes for the FY 2017 update, which includes 3,651 new codes and 487 revised code titles. Of the 3,651 new codes, 3,549 are cardiovascular system codes. These relate to unique device values, the addition of bifurcation as a qualifier, and additional specific body parts, as well as congenital cardiac procedures and placement of an intravascular neurostimulator. All of the revised code titles at this time have come from changing the number of coronary artery sites to the number of vessels, and the specification of the descending thoracic aorta. Additional new codes include the expansion of the body part detail in Removal and Revision of lower joints, and the addition of unicondylar knee replacement. The codes presented at this meeting were for implementation in October 2016 and will be added to the already-approved list There were 24 diagnosis proposals on the agenda for discussion such as: Clostridium Difficile: A proposal was presented to expand the code to differentiate recurrent C. difficile  enterocolitis from enterocolitis not specified as recurrent. Congenital sacral dimple: The American Academy of Pediatrics proposed a new congenital code so this condition can be accurately tracked. Myocardial infarction: Specify the types as defined by several professional cardiology organizations. A specific code was proposed for type 2 myocardial infarction due to demand ischemia or ischemic imbalance so that data can be captured. The additional myocardial infarction types (3, 4a, 4b, 4c, 5) would all be assigned to one ICD-10-CM code. There was much discussion on this proposal related to the code proposals as well as the indexing and impact on subsequent myocardial infarctions. This proposal was requested for inclusion in the 10/1/16 addenda. Zika virus was discussed, regarding a new code being created. NCHS/CDC is proposing it for inclusion in the 10/1/16 addenda which would be consistent with the World Health Organization’s ICD-10 update According to CMS, the coding update will be implemented on Oct. 1, 2016, and will include the “backlog of all proposals for changes to the code set proposed via the ICD-10 Coordination and Maintenance Committee process during the partial code freeze, and receiving public support.” The codes are posted on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics website here: ftp://ftp.cdc.gov/pub/Health_Statistics/NCHS/Publications/ICD10CM/2017/NewICD10CMCodes_FY2017.txt Review the Meeting Agenda here: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/icd/topic_packet_03_09_16.pdf

On February 26th, CMS published a One-Time Notification, Transmittal 1630, Change Request 9540. This change request (CR) is the 6th maintenance update of ICD-10 conversions and other coding updates specific to national coverage determinations (NCDs) with   implementation date of July 5, 2016 for all Medicare Contractors The majority of the NCDs included are a result of feedback received from previous ICD-10 NCD CR7818, CR8109, CR8197, CR8691, CR9087, and CR9252. Some are the result of revisions required to other NCD-related CRs released separately. Edits to ICD-10 and other coding updates specific to NCDs will be included in subsequent, quarterly releases as needed. No policy-related changes are included with these updates as any policy-related changes to NCDs continue to be implemented via the current, long-standing NCD process The NCD’s updated per this CR are listed below: NCD20.29 – Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy NCD90.1 – Pharmacogenomic Testing for Warfarin Response NCD110.18 – Aprepitant for Chemotherapy-Induced Emesis NCD150.3 – Bone Mineral Density Studies (See also Medlearn Matters SE 1525 04/12/16) NCD160.18 – Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Treatment of Seizures NCD160.24 – Deep Brain Stimulation for Essential Tremor NCD210.3 – Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests NCD210.14 – Screening for Lung Cancer with Low-Dose CT NCD230.18 – Sacral Nerve Stimulation for Urinary Incontinence NCD260.1 – Adult Liver Transplantation NCD110.4 – Extracorporeal Photopheresis NCD20.33 – Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair NCD220.13 – Percutaneous Image-Guided Breast Biopsy NCD220.4 – Mammograms Read the details of this direction here: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/2016-Transmittals-Items/R1630OTN.html?DLPage=1&DLEntries=10&DLFilter=R1630Otn&DLSort=1&DLSortDir=ascending  

At HHS, we’re working today with an eye on the horizon. We’re committed to building a health care system that provides better care, spends our health care dollars in smarter ways, and puts patients at the center of their care. Our aim is to strengthen health care so that it works for the health of every American. Our vision for this health care system is one where a patient can easily check their own medical record, where a patient’s different clinicians, from pharmacists to nurses to physicians, can more seamlessly work together to keep that patient healthy, and where treatment can easily be tailored to a specific patient’s needs. The key to unlocking that vision of a modern health care system is joining the data revolution that has already transformed so much of our society. Just recently, Secretary Burwell spoke at the 2016 conference of the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society. She spoke about our need to unlock data to bring health care into the 21st century and how the security of patient data is essential to our progress. As she told the audience, “People should be able to easily and securely access their electronic health information and send it to any desired location. They need to be able to understand how their information can be shared and used. And they must be assured that this information will be effectively and safely used to benefit their health and that of their community.” Today, we’re taking a significant step to improve the safety of the data and security of life-saving medical devices across our health care system by announcing the membership of the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force. The members of this Task Force are leaders in government and private industry. They’re innovators in technology and pioneers in health care. They represent organizations of various sizes, and they hail from different parts of the country. Over the next year, these individuals will collectively look across industries and sectors to find the best ways organizations of all types are keeping data and connected medical devices safe and secure. They’ll discuss these ideas among themselves and, in the next year, they’ll report their findings to Congress and the public. They’ll also develop materials to share widely, ensuring every organization that plays a part in our health care system can protect the data that that is part of this system. As President Obama has made clear, cybersecurity is one of the most serious security challenges that our nation faces. So as we look to transform our health care system into one that works better for all Americans, we need to ensure it works safely for all Americans. We need to protect the data at the foundation of our health care system. That’s our commitment here at HHS, and it’s why we’re so excited to launch the Health Care Industry Cybersecurity Task Force.

On March 16, CMS released three special edition MLN Matters articles on submitting claims to MACs for chiropractic services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. Special edition MLN Matters article SE 1601 helps clarify the CMS policy regarding Medicare coverage of chiropractic services and documentation requirements for the beneficiary’s initial visit and subsequent visits to the chiropractor. Special edition MLN Matters article SE 1602 explains the Active Treatment modifier (AT), which was developed to clearly define the difference between active treatment and maintenance treatment. Special edition MLN Matters article SE1603 provides a detailed list of informational/educational resources that can help chiropractors avoid billing errors due to insufficient or inaccurate documentation. Read More: MLN Matters article SE 1601: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1601.pdf MLN Matters article SE 1602: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1602.pdf MLN Matters article SE1603: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Medicare-Learning-Network-MLN/MLNMattersArticles/Downloads/SE1603.pdf

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Duis lorem ligula, fringilla in velit vitae, ullamcorper mollis ante. Integer egestas lacus nec enim gravida, quis bibendum nibh tempor. Maecenas placerat interdum orci ut auctor. Donec congue ante vitae est viverra, malesuada ullamcorper magna varius. Aliquam sit amet tincidunt nunc. Nunc non ligula et sem gravida faucibus. This is a test heading Item 1 Item 2 Item 3 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Marcus Aurelius Row 1 Column 1Row 1 Column 2Row 2 Column 1Row 2 Column 2 Testing Buttons Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. 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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 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.

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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.

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