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BRINGING EVERYONE IN ON TESTING PROCEDURES CAN QUELL FEAR OF CHANGE
Take an incremental approach to ICD-10
By Bill Kekevian, Senior Associate Editor
■ Every medical billing office in the country is retooling in preparation for the impending ICD-10 update. (See “Where to Being With ICD-10” page 24.) The process means updating forms, processes and educating staff. For staffers already suffering whiplash from a host of other regulatory updates, the transition can be disheartening. That’s where expert leadership skills come in, says Julia Lee, JD, executive director Ophthalmic Partners of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Ms. Lee suggests implementing each of the following five points about a month at a time to ease in to the switch to ICD-10:
1. Implement any necessary IT and software upgrades. (Work with your vendor).
2. Make available ICD-10 books and other resources.
3. Identify most-used ICD-9 codes.
4. Map ICD-9 to ICD-10 codes. (This won’t be a 1 to 1 translation. It’s more like 1 to 3.)
5. Look ahead at visits booked after October 1st and prepare for those encounters by identifying the ICD-10 codes likely to be used. This way, you’re not just practicing in the abstract, but with real patients.
At her practice, the team took a two-pronged approach. The first was to update their computer operating systems, checking in with payers to see who is offering early testing or even acceptance of ICD-10 codes and updating their practice management software.
“The first thing you want to do there is make sure you’re on a version of your software that can capture and transmit ICD-10 claim data. For example, Ophthalmic Partners of Pennsylvania uses NextGen, which is ICD-10 compatible. Then, identify payers who can accept and process it. You’ll find a number of larger payers who will accept claims in ICD-10 in earlier than October,” Ms. Lee says.
The second prong was to prepare her organization for the change psychologically. “We made a top 20 list of most frequent codes for each doctor. That ended up capturing about 95% of codes used daily. My business manager looked back about two years worth of claims and next to each of the top 20 broke down the kinds of codes used,” she says. “People just want to know that, at the management level you are actively working on it. You have to try to instill a sense of trust and confidence that we’re staying on top of it. When you’re calm and confident, the staff is too.” She says breaking down the transition into incremental steps can help make it manageable. “A systemic approach goes a long way toward calming fears,” she says.
IN BRIEF
Topcon launches online training
■ Topcon Medical Systems has announced a launch of the ‘Topcon Online University’ training system. The training utilizes a combination of narrated videos, step-by-step instructions and graphics.
Bill proposes SGR replacement
■ Legislation proposed by Congress aims to repeal the Medicare standards of growth rate formula and replace it with a system that would consolidate the PQRS, VBPM, EHR and Meaningful Use Incentive programs.
Prevent Blindness name change
■ To better align with the association’s mission, Prevent Blindness America, whose aim is to increase the role of vision care in public health research, has simplified its moniker to simply, ‘Prevent Blindness.’
ASCRS 2014 - BOSTON
Silent Auction aids victims of bombing
By Bill Kekevian, Senior Associate Editor
■ EyeTechs President (and Ophthalmic Professional editor), Jane Shuman, COT, COE, OCS, had been looking for a way to use her resources in ophthalmology to benefit the city she calls home ever since last year’s grisly bombings at the Boston Marathon left 3 dead and approximately 264 wounded. With this year’s ASCRS meeting being held in Boston, she finally got that chance.
“Even a year later, the bombing has left Boston a different kind of city. There’s more pulling together. We’re more aware that anything can happen, even in our own backyard,” Ms. Shuman says. The Monday, April 28th, event she planned will benefit The One Fund Boston, which contributes to the ongoing medical costs of the many wounded.
The event will be at the Whiskey Priest on Northern Avenue from 6:00-11:00 pm. Both the $20 door charge and a silent auction (which includes an item from the Boston Red Sox) will compensate The One Fund. The event will also feature live music by The Common End.
“I’m really excited about being able to give back,” Ms. Shuman says. People should bring their entire staff. If they can’t make it, they can make a contribution on my website: http://eyetechs.com.”
5 LINKS TO IMPROVED PATIENT CARE
Cataract prevention tips to share with patients
By Bill Kekevian, Senior Associate Editor
■ Cataract extraction is a common surgical procedure that should neither threaten patients’ health nor break their banks. However, in this era of preventive health care, the key to disease management is to stop it before it develops. Here are five simple preventative measures you can pass on to patients that may help them ward off cataracts.
1) Stop Smoking – People who smoked 15 or more cigarettes per day were associated with a 42% greater likelihood of seeking cataract surgery within 12 years, according to a Swedish study recently published in JAMA. Even 20 years after quitting, the study shows the risk of developing cataracts is still 21% greater than that of someone who never smoked. Cigarette smoke contains cadmium, a toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in cataractous lenses and is thought to contribute to cataract formation.
“Smoking cessation seems to decrease the risk of cataract extraction with time, although the risk persists for decades. The higher the intensity of smoking, the longer it takes for the increased risk to decline,” the study’s conclusion reads.
2) Sunglasses use – Any ultraviolet-blocking sunglasses can protect the eye against harsh sunlight that may be linked to cataract development. Advise patients at risk to don a pair when visiting the beach or otherwise spending time outdoors. The AAO advises this applies to winter weather too, especially while participating in winter sports at high altitudes.
3) Take Your Vitamins – Long-term multi-vitamin use may be useful in decreasing the risk of cataracts in men, according to a study published December 2013.
4) Know if you’re at risk – Patients suffering from diabetes should have their eyes tested regularly for diabetic retinopathy. However, they should also be aware that their condition puts them at a substantially higher risk of developing cataracts as well.
5) Go Green – According to a recent study published in JAMA, antioxidants intake can decrease the chance of cataract development. Foods high in antioxidants include kale, spinach, artichokes, and blueberries.
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