Hospital Access Management – March 1, 2018
March 1, 2018
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Patient Access Saves $3 Million Targeting Front-end Data Benchmarks
Patient access has always lacked benchmarking data and key performance indicators focused on the front end of the revenue cycle, but this is changing. Departments are using registration metrics to set productivity expectations, identifying how many full-time employees are needed in registration areas, and determining the hourly cost of a registration.
Action Plans Lead to Productivity Increase
Internal benchmarking data allow one patient access department to improve continuously, assisting staff in creating action plans with the greatest impact on outcomes.
Striving for Perfect Registration Accuracy Sends Strong Message
At Greater Baltimore (MD) Medical Center, patient access leaders confidently report that their department operates at a “99% or better” accuracy rate.
Simple Fix if Legal Name Differs From the One Patient Gives to Registrar
Patient complaints and claims denials stemmed from discrepancies between their preferred and legal names at Ochsner Health System. To address this, a separate field was created for the patient’s preferred name, staff and clinicians know how patients want to be addressed, and the correct name goes on the claim without disturbing the integrity of the medical record.
Was Coverage Lost Due to Illness? Patient Access Can Help
A financial navigation program for hematology and oncology patients ensures ongoing coverage, even if patients become unemployed due to their medical condition.
Nyack Financial Navigators Answer Frequently Asked Questions
Financial navigators at Nyack (NY) Hospital have committed to respond to questions from patients immediately, if possible, or within 24 hours.
Payers Want Evidence That Patient Already Tried First-line Therapy
Increasingly, payers require patients to try and fail “first-line” treatments before payers approve more costly treatments. Include supporting articles from the literature supporting off-label use, and ask physicians to supply statements on why the first-line therapy is not appropriate.
Patient Access Now Dealing With Vendors Instead of Payers
Some payers are now outsourcing the authorization process to third-party vendors for high-tech radiology, infusion, or radiation oncology, which further complicates an already-difficult task for patient access.
HIPAA Allows Choice in Password Security, But Use Caution
Password security for electronic protected health information is a fundamental part of any HIPAA compliance program, but there is no one right way. HIPAA allows a great deal of choice in how to secure data with passwords, but one must choose carefully to ensure the information is protected from both casual snooping and sophisticated hacking.
HIPAA Restricts Some Photography, but Not All
Photography in healthcare settings is difficult to control but could lead to HIPAA violations if not monitored. How much one should try to control people taking pictures and video can be difficult to determine.