Thursday, June 24, 2010

Electronic Health record

What is Electronic Health Records (EHR)

An Electronic Health Record (EHR) is an electronic version of a patients medical history, that is maintained by the provider over time, and may include all of the key administrative clinical data relevant to that persons care under a particular provider, including demographics, progress notes, problems, medications, vital signs, past medical history, immunizations, laboratory data and radiology reports   The EHR automates access to information and has the potential to streamline the clinician's workflow.  The EHR also has the ability to support other care-related activities directly or indirectly through various interfaces, including evidence-based decision support, quality management, and outcomes reporting.

EHRs are the inevitable next step in the continued progress of healthcare that can strengthen the relationship between patients and clinicians.  The data, and the timeliness and availability of it, will enable providers to make better decisions and provide better care.
For example, the EHR can improve patient care by:
  • Reducing the incidence of medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records.
  • Making the health information available, reducing duplication of tests, reducing delays in treatment, and patients well informed to take better decisions.
  • Reducing medical error by improving the accuracy and clarity of medical records.

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Medicare physician fee schedule - Quick overview

Medicare Part B pays for physician services based on the PFS, which lists the more than 7,400 unique
covered services and their payment rates. Physicians’ services include the following:

* Office visits;
* Surgical procedures;
* Anesthesia services; and
* A range of other diagnostic and therapeutic services.


Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payment Rates

Payment rates for an individual service are based on
three components:
1) Relative Value Units (RVU)
2) Conversion Factor (CF)
3) Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCI)


Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Payment Rates Formula


The Medicare PFS payment rates formula is shown below:

[(Work RVU x Work GPCI) + (PE RVU x PE GPCI) +
(MP RVU x MP GPCI)] x CF

Medicare fee schedule download