Articles Tagged With:
-
Better Early Financial Clearance Reduces Surprise Bill Incidents
In 2014, New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System instituted a preservice financial collection process that includes coinsurance in price estimates. As a result, more than 90% of accounts are financially cleared ahead of time, either through full payment, a payment plan, payment at the time of service, or financial assistance.
-
For ‘Savvy’ Registrars, Transparency Part of Narrative
Patient access employees interact with patients often for routine inquires, to schedule appointments, and at the time of registration. For each encounter, price transparency is part of the focus at Oklahoma City-based Integris Health.
-
Educate Registrars Well; In Turn, They Will Teach Patients
When a man found a surprise bill for more than $5,000 in his mailbox weeks after successful surgery, he did not have to wonder who to call and complain to. After all, he was on the hospital’s patient and family advisory committee.
-
What Is Coinsurance? Many Have No Clue
Many people do not understand the meaning of basic terms such as “copay” or “deductible.” This soon becomes apparent when registrars try to talk to patients about their bills. Patient access employees need two things to talk about money with patients: empathy and training.
-
More Transparency Coming Soon; Posting of Contracted Prices Possible
The new requirement to post charges online is only the first step of an ongoing process, according to CMS. Simply posting prices online is not enough; patients need the right information at the right time.
-
Some Who Pay Chargemaster Prices Are Suing
Often, chargemaster prices do not reflect the amount patients actually pay for services rendered. Now, some consumers are using the legal system to get to the bottom of the issue.
-
Posted Prices: For Revenue Cycle, Headaches — and Opportunity
Posting charges for hospital services online, as hospitals are now required, sounds like a fairly simple job for IT. The aftermath is what is complicated.
-
Transient Ischemic Attack
Recent research on transient ischemic attacks (TIA) has changed how emergency medicine providers evaluate and manage this sometimes difficult diagnosis. This article provides readers with current information and relevant studies pertaining to TIAs.
-
Episode 15: Physician Burnout, or 'Misery Not Otherwise Specified'
Physician burnout seems to be a national healthcare emergency. A recent survey of 15,000 practicing physicians showed that 42% reported feeling burned out. But what exactly is burnout, and what are its root causes? Today’s guest, Thomas Schwenk, MD, is encouraging providers and researchers to think more deeply about these fundamental questions. -
Is There RBBB, Acute Ischemia, or Both?
The ECG in the figure was obtained from a 35-year-old man with a 20-year history of smoking. He presented to the ED with new-onset chest discomfort. He was hemodynamically stable at the time this tracing was obtained. How would one interpret his ECG? Is there right bundle branch block (RBBB)? Is there evidence of acute posterior ischemia or infarction?