What can a health care provider do to avoid potential Y2K pitfalls?
There are key steps you can take to become Y2K ready and many excellent sources of information are available to help you. Here are a few steps to consider:
Step 1. Inventory both your hardware and software programs. Identify and prioritize your mission critical items. Anything dependent on a microchip or date entry could be affected. Also, do not forget to identify those businesses you depend on or who depend upon you (Refer to Sample Provider Y2K Readiness Checklist.)
Step 2. Assess the readiness of everything on your list. You can do this by contacting your hardware or software vendor or accessing key information from various Web sites. Also, do not forget your maintenance and service contractors. They can help you decide about readiness, as well as advise on system upgrades and replacement options. In addition, there are many organizations offering services to assess business readiness.
If your particular software program or form is not Y2K ready, you will need to decide whether you should invest in an upgrade or replacement. In making this decision, keep in mind the potential challenges you may face if changes/upgrades are not made, particularly to programs that support your key business processes.
Step 3: Update or replace systems and software programs you decide are important for your business community.
Step 4: Test your existing and newly purchased systems and software. During this process, keep track of your test plans and output in case a problem surfaces later. If you would like to test your interfaces with Medicare, Medicaid, or a managed care organization, call them so that testing can be considered and arranged.
Step 5: Develop business contingency (continuity) plans in the event something may go wrong. Focus on the items that may be a concern for you and your patients. Examples:
• Claims cannot be sent in the appropriate format to an insurer;
• Equipment required by your patients does not function properly;
• Laboratory or diagnostic facilities where you refer patients cannot identify and accurately report to an insurer the dates you submit on your order forms;
• Output from monitoring and reporting equipment are not accurate or complete;
• Electronic remittances from Medicare or Medicaid are not retrievable;
• Accounts receivable systems does not work properly.
• Checks cannot be deposited in your bank or accurately credited; and/or
• Payroll system does not function appropriately.
Source: Health Care Financing Administration
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content