Technology

Beginning this spring, it will be easier for insurance companies, patients, and watchdogs to get payment information about individual physicians due to a policy change by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

As the October 1, 2014 deadline nears for the implementation of ICD-10, a new survey shows that physicians and health plans may be largely unprepared for the disruption that change will bring to their cash flow.

Cloning notes in electronic health records (EHRs) has drawn criticism from a top government report, calling the practice fraud. However, those in the medical field have complained for years that a lack of time and poorly designed systems are the real reasons for billing mistakes.

Additional information regarding the Medical Economics Top 100 EHR list

January represents an opportune time to motivate patients to change behaviors and adopt healthier lifestyles. Here are five wellness apps physicians can recommend.

With so many changes in healthcare this year, it is no surprise that our top 10 Facebook stories range from medical schools to marijuana.

A reader writes that today's physicans are subject to so many government requirements that they can no longer practice in the way that best suits patients.

A reader questions the methodology used to compile the Medical Economics Top 100 EHR list.

Why the major challenges of 2014 are also opportunities for primary care

If you're concerned that your vendor won't be ready for the ICD-10 updates by Oct. 1, 2014, here are some questions you need to ask

A Georgia specialist finds it hard to jot life details about patients on stagnant EHR fields

The healthcare market is behind in its preparation for ICD-10, according to a new WEDI survey, and it could result in major payment slowdowns next October. Here’s why.

Many physicians are already accustomed to using social media to build valuable career connections, which may lead to future job opportunities. But now, one social media site is taking steps to bring the jobs directly to physicians.

The number of patients – and even physicians – who are “symptom searching” online continues to increase.

For physicians, blogs can be valuable tools to promote their practice or to help boost their careers.

An Oklahoma family physician explains how a high-volume practice uses its EHR system

There are times when a practice needs to order supplies for patients through a Durable Medical Equipment (DME) provider. But there has been some recent changes to these rules.

Whether they like it or not, physicians are in the public space. Physician and social media pro Dr. Bryan Vartabedian says it’s important that physicians shape their own online conversation, rather than letting others shape it for them. Here are three tips to get started.

U.S. physicians have more problems dealing with insurance companies than their counterparts

Timelines were extended today to meet Meaningful Use (MU) 2 and 3 electronic health record (EHR) incentives, report two top officials from the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

A systematic review of studies of patient portals finds insufficient evidence that they improve health outcomes or utilization, or lower costs.

More tech-savvy seniors want access to healthcare via smartphones, tablets and other web devices.

Most primary care physicians love their work, but they are clearly frustrated about their income and the increasing compliance challenges associated with payers and government initiatives, according to results from the 85th annual Medical Economics 2013 Exclusive Continuing Study

Actress Angelina Jolie made headlines around the world last May when she wrote an op-ed in The New York Times describing how she elected to have a preventive double mastectomy based on the results of genetic tests. Her decision cast genetic and genomic testing into the spotlight, and widescale product development may soon fuel new patient inquiries-a lot of them.

Most primary care physicians use electronic health records, but others say they are opting out for good

Entering into a relationship with an electronic health records vendor is like entering into a marriage. You need to select a partner with whom you can get along and trust, communicate openly, and who will have your back when times get tough.

Our office is starting to do a monthly audit of our physician charts. We’re going to be looking at documentation and coding to make sure they are on the right track. When we’re conducting these audits, do we have to use either 1995 or 1997 guidelines or can we combine the two?

A look at primary care physician EHR use, costs and Meaningful Use readiness, using data from the 85th annual Medical Economics 2013 Exclusive Continuing Study, which collected responses from physicians about their professional life.

Since the 16-day government shutdown in October, the Office of the National Coordinator (ONC) for Health Information Technology reports that 13 complete electronic health record (EHR) systems have been added to the ranks of those achieving 2014 edition certification for Meaningful Use.

The healthcare system has the resources to meet much of the demand for primary care services, but tapping into those resources will require structural changes.