Healthcare professionals are often forced to navigate a complex web of tools and systems just to get the knowledge they need to deliver quality care to their patients. That’s especially true for clinicians in Long-Term and Post-Acute Care (LTPAC) settings, where patients’ medical information is scattered across multiple silos.
In addition to hindering patient care, the lack of a unified electronic health records (EHR) solution can result in billing discrepancies and delayed payment, weighing profitability down. When providers choose a comprehensive EHR system with built-in revenue cycle management (RCM) functionalities, they can improve patient outcomes by fostering health information exchange (HIE), and boost their profitability by streamlining their billing processes at the same time. This article will look at the features LTPAC providers should consider for choosing the right EHR platform, and how the right choice can benefit their clinical documentation and operational efficiency — while improving their financial health.
Whether it's a workforce shortage and care coordination or shifting regulations and financial constraints, LTPAC providers face many unique challenges. That's why generic EHR solutions simply won't do for many LTPAC providers; they lack the interoperability and RCM capabilities needed to elevate their clinical and revenue processes at the same time.
Traditional EHR systems have clunky interfaces and disjointed workflows, while newer platforms offer unneeded features that slow your team down. If they don't choose an EHR solution with functionalities that are tailored to their operations, LTPAC providers risk hamstringing their processes with inadequate tools, or paying for more than they need. Clinical documentation and financial health ought to go hand-in-hand, but few EHR solution providers offer platforms that mesh the two well. That's why they need an established EHR partner that specializes in the LTPAC field.
Healthcare organizations of all kinds rely on a large number of software solutions to perform their processes — and LTPAC providers are no exception. A few tools that LTPAC providers might be using are:
Electronic Medical Records (EMR) software
RCM software
Healthcare Customer Relationship Management (HCRM) software
Telehealth software
Electronic Prescribing software
Medical Imaging Information software
Having to juggle so many tools can present complications on both the clinical and financial side. On clinical side, one of the key difficulties in LTPAC documentation processes is accessing critical patient health information (PHI) that's stored on multiple tools at multiple sites, so interoperable tools that integrate with your broader environment are critical for quality care coordination. On the financial side, too many tools means too many licensing costs, lost productivity due to slow processes, and incomplete information resulting in revenue leaks from inaccurate billing. By using interoperable EHR solutions complete with RCM capabilities, LTPAC providers can streamline their processes, capture revenue they may have missed, and improve their patient care — a win-win for all.
EHR tools that possess RCM integration offer a comprehensive solution to LTPAC provider workflows. They offer many benefits to your facility, such as:
Savings. LTPAC facilities operate on razor-thin margins. Every dollar matters in such a difficult landscape, and if administrators can reduce their licensing costs by consolidating their tools, the savings give that much more room to breathe.
Fewer billing errors. With your clinical documentation and RCM data in the same place, you can create a more seamless workflow for both. That means fewer inconsistencies in your billing and no missing charges, so that you receive proper payment.
Reduced administrative burdens. Clinicians already face a heavy workload. EHR integration solutions let your can spend less time clicking and searching for data, and more time caring for patients.
The right EHR not only enhances profitability and efficiency, but can help improve patient health outcomes as well. One of the strategies for reducing hospital readmissions in LTPAC patients is to improve collaboration between clinicians, since many patients are seen by multiple providers. EHR interoperability solutions facilitate clearer communication between clinicians, reducing communication breakdowns and improving patient care.
Another area in which EHR solutions benefit LTPAC providers is in the transition to value-based care. The Merit-Based Incentives Payment Systems (MIPS) offers higher reimbursement rates to providers that meet certain quality metrics — and stiff penalties to those that don't. Some EHR solutions feature built-in compliance tools to not only simplify reporting, but to offer data-driven insights to reveal areas for improvement. That way, providers are better equipped to meet MIPS compliance requirements, and to qualify for extra incentives.
The market is filled with EHR solutions with all sorts of advanced features, so knowing what you need — and what you don't — can be a challenge. Much of it will vary with your setting, but a few EHR features to look for are:
ONC Certification, to ensure proper security
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) Integration, to easily update patients' prescribing histories
PointClickCare Integration, to share information with other clinicians
MIPS Registry, to compare your performance with MIPS criteria
Revenue Cycle Management, to streamline your billing workflows
Another key feature for your EHR solution is an integrated patient portal that gives residents easy access to their data. Patients will be empowered when they can clearly view their health information, ensuring that all team members are on the same page.
In addition to features, LTPAC providers have several other factors to consider when they choose their EHR solution.
The first step is to evaluate your current workflows to see which features you need the most. Next, take an inventory of your current ecosystem; are any functionalities performing subpar and holding your team down? If you identify any tools with overlapping functionalities, consolidate them by selecting one that meets all your needs.
Another critical factor to consider is support. You'll likely want an EHR provider that see you through onboarding, maintenance, and training, so make sure they offer 24/7 support.
From HIE inconsistencies to difficulties with billing and compliance, LTPAC providers face a host of unique challenges. Generic EHR solutions may lack the specific functionalities needed to help you clear your clinical and financial hurdles, while newer systems boast of many advanced features, only to weigh you down with bells and whistles that do little for your setting. What LTPAC facilities need is an established EHR partner that’s not only familiar with the ins and outs of their setting, but that offers the documentation and RCM capabilities that deliver results.
ChartPath has been serving clinicians in the LTPAC space since 2012, so we understand the challenges you face every day. We’re driven by a vision to improve the post-acute care experience, so our top priority is to maximize your practice’s efficiency and profitability, giving clinicians more time to focus on care. From encounter documentation and coding to billing and full RCM, we’ve made our LTPAC EHR frictionless and easy to use — and when you do need us, we’re here for you with 24/7 support. ChartPath knows what it takes to improve your documentation and RCM processes, so reach out today to see how we can help you.