Will You Miss Your Paper Patient Records?

There are a variety of reasons that medical facilities and healthcare professionals are hesitant to switch to electronic records. Many individuals who have practiced in the field for years are already familiar with traditional paper records, and while they may be a hassle, many healthcare professionals see paper records as a necessary evil. This article will shed some light on the subject, and prove that paper records can be replaced in a more efficient manner by electronic records.

On the surface it may seem as if paper patient records will be missed, but the facts tell another story.

EMR software implementation will earn physicians incentives from Medicare or Medicaid. Medicare is offering $44,000 worth of incentives to be paid out over 5 years, and Medicaid is offering $63,750 worth of incentives to be paid over 6 years. These incentives are being made available thanks to $20 billion set aside for EMR funding as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Another important note is that the payments are issued for each physician within a practice. This means a practice with 5 doctors could be eligible for a total of $220,000 from Medicare, or $318,750 from Medicaid (physicians must choose on or the other).

EMR software will reduce costs. Charts, paper, and all other non-electronic methods of keeping records are quickly becoming obsolete. Not only will EMR software bring a practice into the 21st century, it will also reduce printing costs substantially.

EMR software saves space and increases organization. Employees work more efficiently, and patients respond in a more positive manner to an organized environment. While paper records have been somewhat reliable for years, they can also create storage and organization problems. EMR software implementation helps to solve these problems.

Physicians will get penalized for not adopting EMR software. Government incentives for EMR adoption begin in January of 2011, and penalties for not adopting EMR software will begin in 2015. The Medicare fee schedule will be reduced by 1% starting in 2015, 2% in 2016, and 3% in 2017. It is evident that the earlier physicians begin using EMR software, the more funds will be available to them.

While doctors often think they will miss paper records, it is usually a smooth transition when planned correctly. Technology is constantly changing, and physicians who implement EMR software and comply with meaningful use standards will enjoy tremendous incentives and a better work environment.

About the Author

Electronic Health Records software is now considered a necessity by most doctors and hospitals. EHR software systems help improve efficiency and increase focus on patient care.

Author (JamieHanson). Submitted on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 Time: 5:23 AM

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