Practice Technology

In today’s era of smart phones and tablets, the question is no longer whether physicians and their staff members should send text messages containing protected health information, but rather what is the safest way to do so.

Medical Economics collected hundreds of comments from physicians about electronic health record (EHR) systems. While respondents noted the benefits EHRs provide in functions such as e-prescribing and mobile applications, they say cumbersome systems have drained cash from their practices, and worsened patient care because of inefficiencies.

Probably the least understood and greatest exposure and risk for practices attesting to Meaningful Use (MU) is the need to complete a security risk analysis.

Like it or not, ICD-10-CM is coming in October, which means medical practices are going to have to code and document their physicians’ patient encounters with more detail and complexity, or they won’t get paid. To help physicians prepare, we highlight some examples of ICD-10-CM coding in action.

Why a national outcry from physicians on EHR cost, functionality, and customer satisfaction will shake the health information technology sector

Physicians, consultants, and vendors offer real-world advice on getting your EHR up and running.

Use the experience your practice gained during its first EHR implementation to make your new system work for you.

So, what’s really driving physician dissatisfaction with EHRs? These data tables guide you through the results of the exclusive Medical Economics survey.

When calling patients about appointments, tests and other information, practices must comply with the rules in the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

Factors to consider when purchasing an electronic health record system for your practice.

A recent study confirms that because physicians spend so much time looking at EHRs, they miss out on nonverbal communication cues from patients.

CCHIT aims to refocus its mission on global health IT efforts

More doctors are using electronic health records, but the growth is faster in some states and practice sizes than others.

President Barack Obama skimmed the surface of the Affordable Care Act during his sixth State of the Union speech, while physicians, nurses, educators, and thought leaders in the healthcare industry weighed in on the country's challenges.

Elderly or chronically ill patients may want family and friends to have access to their health records, but physicians’ offices run into the legal problem of keeping those records secure.

The federal government has spent about $5.8 billion through the Meaningful Use program to encourage doctors to buy and use electronic health records in their practices. What have physicians, their patients, and taxpayers gotten for that money so far?

Are you confused about when to start using ICD-10 codes or how to prepare for the CMS claims testing week? Our coding expert, Renee Stantz, has the answers.

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.