Proactive Patients Seeking Healthcare Information Prefer Surfing The Web Over Turning Pages In A Reference Book

A new study, from the University of California, Davis shows that patients prefer using the internet to obtain healthcare information over asking friends or using reference books. This study, based on a survey of over 500 people, magnified the desire of patients to be proactive in managing their health. “The Internet has become a mainstream source of information about health and other issues,” said Xinyi Hu, who co-authored the study as part of her master's thesis in communication. “Many people go online to get information when they anticipate a challenge in their life. It makes sense that they would do the same when dealing with a health issue.”

Furthermore, the study pointed out that proactive patients do not mistrust their doctors; they simply want to gain personal control over their health. "The study revealed that patients are not turning to the Internet out of any doubt; more likely, Internet users are curious information seekers who are just trying to learn as much as they can before their appointment”, said co-author Richard L. Kravitz, a UC Davis Health System professor of internal medicine and study co-author.

The basic value of PHR platform is to embrace the patient-specific clinical information quickly, accurately, reasonably, and safely. We anticipate that many other medical institutions will probably face challenges, but the proactive approach with open and constant communication between the patients and doctors provides safe information which overcomes many inevitable issues that arise timely. Proactive approach for an individual clinical data is a very new conduct. It will take time to become common with substantial progress.

Seeing as this, PHR is an easy gateway in providing personal online portal from which patients can record, track and even save their important health related information at one secure online place. They can easily manage their personal health records like demographic information, appointment history, lab-test results, payment reports, outstanding balances and claim history, available 24/7 from any Internet-ready computer. Level of trust between a doctor and a patient gets more compact since online information-seeking is higher among the patients who get all the information from internet, recent survey (2012).

Almost 70% of the study subjects reported they were planning to ask their doctor questions about the information they found on the internet, and about 40 percent said they had printed out information to take with them to discuss with their doctors. More than 50 percent of subjects said they intended to make at least one request of their doctor on the basis of Internet information, recent survey (2012).

In February 2011, there were more than 12,000 groups listed in the support category of Yahoo! Groups Health and Wellness directory. Only 9% of Americans and 37% of patients with continual disease have participated in online support groups, so the doctors need to be attentive and alert to provide the same degree of reassurance, their patients expects from them, (2012). Moreover, majority patients feel much comfortable to get any sort of online information from their doctors. This has also developed trust and confidence among the patients, who prefer online health solutions. 

Personal Health Records (PHR) 

Aetna second quarter faced 15% decline in its profits

Aetna, Inc. is an American health insurance company. It provides its customers with traditional and consumer-directed healthcare benefits with products and related services such as medical, pharmaceutical, dental, behavioral health, group life, and disability plans. Aetna is in collaboration with an ACO to improve care management and fix payment models, said Internet search.

Recently Aetna announced second-quarter 2012 results with the earnings of $452.0 million, or $1.31 per share compared to the $1.35 per share reported in the second quarter of 2011. Favorable before-tax prior-period reserve development in the second quarters of 2012 and 2011 was approximately $38 million and $188 million, respectively. Excluding the after-tax impact, operating earnings were $427.9 million and $401.5 million in the second quarters of 2012 and 2011, respectively, and improved in 2012 mainly due to higher underwriting margins and increased membership in our Medicare business.

Summary of Aetna’s Second-Quarter 2012 Results

1. Total medical benefit ratio was 82.4 % in the second quarter 2012
2. Medical membership totaled 18.0 million members at June 30, 2012
3. Aetna now projects full-year 2012 operating earnings per share to be $5.00 to $5.10

Major reason for the 15% downfall in the second-quarter earnings was of a smaller benefit from surplus money set aside to cover earlier patient claims, said Online Business news. Aetna's overall performance is based on sustained execution on the fundamentals where memberships and revenues are rising rapidly with projecting latest medical cost trends on top.

White House proudly acclaimed Bloomfield's Cigna Corp. for its care-centric efforts

Cigna is a prominent name among health insurance companies. It is a recognized entity in providing administrative services, to approximately 80 percent of its clients, said Internet search. Cigna endures key footprints in the Phoenix, Arizona with the collaboration of a full-service staff-model HMO with satellite clinics throughout the state too. Bloomfield's Cigna Corp. care-centric efforts for all Americans were immensely prized. It is contributing to serve millions of people with advance health concerns, welfare and sense of safety. Cigna core competencies involve:

1. Health care concerns with improved strategies and services
2. Advanced well-being programs
3. Proven health records
4.  Targeting the needs of customers, clients and partners

Cigna is one of the nine organizations that U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin accepted for care-centric efforts to reduce health care disparities during a roundtable at the White House, recently. The event was done by the Department of Health and Human Services, the White House Business Council and the National Business Group on Health. Cigna's M.D. namely Christina Stasiuk accepted the Surgeon General's Medallion on behalf of Cigna and its Health Disparities Council, including council co-chair Peggy Payne and council lead Brooke Tomblin, said Internet search.

Health disparities result from multiple factors, including, communications barriers, poverty, cultural beliefs, environmental threats, medical bias, inadequate access to health care, individual and behavioral factors and even educational inequalities. This big achievement encouraged Cigna to continue their efforts more vigorously. Award was given in the credit of winning exceptional achievements that upgraded the public health service. In future, Cigna will work to remove cultural, linguistic and other barriers, connecting people to meaningful health information and studying new ways to engage people in health improvement, reflecting true commitment with diversity and enclosure.[1]

[1]http://newsroom.cigna.com/NewsReleases/cigna-honored-at-white-house-for-efforts-to-reduce-health-care-disparities.htm

                                               

New Platforms in Healthcare Technology

Health information technology is not less than a boom in the field of healthcare. Health technology significantly improves the quality of healthcare, increases patient satisfaction and safety, reduces number of medical errors, and also fortifies the interaction between patients and healthcare providers. In a 2010 survey titled Technology, medical tests 'changing the face of health care', Amy Bernstein, the report's lead author, a health scientist for the National Center for Health Statistics said that, “Technologies can be very helpful, there are newer and better technologies all the time, and they're changing the face of health care and practice patterns". To markup the value of E-Care Management, health information technology plays a vital role in improving healthcare delivery in America.

This aid has a repertoire of offerings to help patients and doctors to critically analyze more in the field of medicine. However, with the rapid increase in usage of Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), the creation of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), and the rise of health information exchanges, the delivery of medical care became more trouble-free, study said. The following technologies are also considered to be a part of health technology, study said:

1. Drugs: e.g., antibiotics, ACE inhibitors, aspirin, beta-blockers, antibiotics,
2. Biologics: gene therapies, antibodies
3. Devices: e.g., pacemakers, CT scanners
4. Diagnostic tests: e.g. DNA fecal test for colorectal cancer, genome sequencing
5. Medical and surgical procedures: e.g., psychotherapy, coronary angiography
6. Support systems: e.g., electronic patient record systems, telemedicine systems,
7. Organizational and managerial systems: e.g., cholesterol management program, billing and accounting.

All above stated paradigms are unique contribution in healthcare IT, since they can easily:

• Prevent
• Screen
• Diagnose
• Treat
• Rehabilitate 
• Assist to reduce errors

This is not the end, there's still room for improvement, says Lloyd Michener, director of the Duke Center for Community Research. "It's a call for accelerated efforts that will build partnerships between academic medical centers and public health groups in order to address some of our persistent health issues”, stated in a survey. More progress in medical technologies will endeavor better healthcare delivery with improved life expectancy and quality of life.

Web-based Healthcare solutions’ built for your practice

Recent web-based healthcare solutions’ are exclusively built for development, conversion ongoing support of healthcare information systems with a continuum of care. Millions of doctors and physicians profoundly admire advanced healthcare solutions, which has driven success in their businesses.

Web based solutions are available anytime from any corner of the world since these modules are computerized and connected with internet. This is a useful technique to overcome hectic lifestyle of doctors and patients. It improves medical outcomes with limited access of time. Now they can embrace a broad spectrum of medical applications very easily. Majority states believe that the general estimate of telehealth services in U.S. and Europe will grow from $3 billion in 2009 to nearly $8 billion by 2012.

With Healthcare Solutions you will gain:

1.  A completely Integrated, web-based solution
2. Confirmed and validated feedback
3.  An intuitive, user-friendly interface
4. An advanced database with multidisciplinary operations
5. Expert support services with relevant information

Benefits of Health care law – A Medical Revolution

Health care law is formed to provide medical facilities to those who deserve. The health care law is successively working to promote wellness programs and strategies. No cost is involved by the patient and to support community health centers.

There are even some essential healthcare benefits for women under Obamacare. The benefits includes contraceptives, breast-feeding supplies and screenings for gestational diabetes, sexually transmitted infections and domestic violence, as well as routine check-ups for breast and pelvic exams, Pap tests and prenatal care. Recent survey found that estimated 47 million women are indulged with healthcare plans with other benefits & privileges. Before the implementation of healthcare law, many women were unaware and discouraged to get basic preventive services.

Now majority insurance companies are said to practice clear terms and conditions to describe their healthcare plans in beginning of 2012. Expectedly in 2013, states will initiate online marketplaces, where you will be able to compare the perks of healthcare plans equally. And in 2014, all healthcare plans will provide at least a minimum package of services, known as “essential health benefits”. We must predominantly focus on the below listed benefits: 

• Patient services
• Emergency services
• Maternity and newborn care
• Mental health and disorder services
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitative services
• Wellness programs and chronic disease management

Under the law, every state is under a certain check or observation. Healthcare law aims to govern a complete set of medical benefits and costs. Such benefits also retain the confidence of women avail medical service like free screening, pregnancy-related benefits and other supporting operations. Regardless, majority agree that to ensure quality of result, latest healthcare practices should be entertained.

Obama Care

How to achieve secure pregnancy?

With the endeavor of new and latest trends in medicine, obstetrician/gynecologist (Ob-Gyn) became safer and successful. Medical professionals are dedicated to provide care for both pregnant and non-pregnant patients with up-to-date medical care. Ob-gyn provides preventive care to women with specific expertise in pregnancy, childbirth, and disorders of the reproductive systems. OB/GYNs pursue comprehensive knowledge to undergo unique practices with zero percent error.

Previous year, medical data revealed that 93 million people in the United States are obese, majority is of women and a considerable proportion of them are pregnant. Obesity is one of the most problematic issues during pregnancy since it increases the risk of heart diseases, cancer, heart attack, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, Sleep Apnea, Joint Problems and many other OB/GYN problems. It also increases many risks for Breast Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Uterine Cancer, with chances of infertility and complications of pregnancy. Complications can be like:

• Fetus may be larger in size and predisposed to Diabetes
• More chance of cesarean section is there with more difficulties such as hemorrhage, infections and blood clots
• Birth control may be less successful
• Urinary incontinence directly increases as the weight increases.

It won’t be wrong to say that to control pregnancies disorders; women should follow a proper diet chart. Putting up an example, a survey done in 2011 developed a food pyramid, more easy approach “My Plate” was carried out to acknowledge healthy eating. It made the diet simpler for the Americans, half of the plate was of fruits and vegetables and the other half was of whole grains and protein. This division was done into color codes like red for fruit, green for vegetables, brown for grains and purple for protein. The basic purpose was to make the health chart easy and simple for the Americans and to reduce severe pregnancy issues. Secondly, obese women are five times more likely to develop endometrial cancer.

WHAT PREGNANT WOMEN SHOULD DO?

1. Eat healthfully
2. Go for fresh fruits and vegetables and eat real food
3. Stay away from junk Food
4. Always keep a healthy snack, if you feel hungry
5. Avoid carbonated drinks
6. Exercise regularly, keep moving and walk around.
7. Weigh yourself weekly, if you are losing, keep it up, If you are maintaining a healthy weight, keep it up and
8. If you are gaining, reduce the fattening food items from your diet.

New research and development is also carried to improve the quality of pregnant obese women, with minimum number of risks. 

Prefer Fresh Fruits & Vegetables during Pregnancy

Electronic Health Record: For Efficient and Error-free Practice Management

To provide better and more efficient medical care, doctors need to have access to information about their patients. A provider can better treat the patient if he or she has access to the patient’s medical history, demographics, lab results, clinical reports and other relevant data. Real-time access to all this information prevents errors and results in accurate diagnosis, better treatment and improved patient outcomes.

The question is how a provider could get all this information at a single centralized place. The answer is Electronic Health Records (EHR). EHR is a comprehensive healthcare system that provides a complete solution for a medical practice. It helps practices improve their services and double their revenues. Moreover, practices that make meaningful use of EHR also become eligible to earn a meaningful use bonus from Medicare or Medicaid. With the e-prescription feature, the EHR allows the provider to send prescriptions directly to the drug store. Similarly, the lab connectivity feature allows the provider to access lab results and reports directly on his or her computer system. With quick access to a patient’s data, a provider can accurately diagnose the disease and treat the patient in a better way.

One of the convincing features of EHR is that it handles all the data electronically, thereby reducing errors. It ensures smooth, efficient and error-free operations. Once the data about the patient is stored in the EHR, the doctor can always retrieve that patient’s medical data even if the patient is not present or is unconscious. This is really helpful in emergency situations when providers have to take prompt action for an unconscious patient.

Electronic Health Records (EHR)

Can’t do it in real life? Let’s go with Online Patient Engagement

Donald Berwick, administrator of Centers of Medicare and Medicaid, predicted patient engagement to be one of the top concerns in 2011. Healthcare IT companies and EHR vendors are modifying existing products and introducing new products for online patient engagement. Patients are seeking such a system where they can have instant access to their medical records and history.  

According to recent surveys, most of the patients are seeking providers and practices that provide online access to patient data. The 2012 survey conducted by HealthLeaders Media demonstrated that only one in five practices is providing patients with advanced online patient portals with basic features.

Now patients are expecting quite more. They are losing patience with practices and providers who fail to deliver their expectations. 

The practices need to carve out a strategy to engage patients online. Using social media to enhance patient’s online experience is also a good idea. Healthcare companies should also appoint such innovative applications where patients can update their information and providers can respond them promptly and easily. This is an opportunity as well as challenge for Healthcare IT companies to do something about online patient engagement and to keep the patients and practices happy.

Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS)

Get Paid Faster up to $44000 with EHR Incentive Program

Electronic Health Record allows practices and providers to maintain an electronic record of patient’s information. The capabilities of EHR extend far beyond just maintaining electronic records. EHR features such as e-prescription, lab connectivity, drug interactions, automatic alerts, online patient engagement, etc. are making significant contribution in transforming healthcare industry. 

These programs have promised to reward providers and practices on demonstrating meaningful use of EHR. Medicare promises to give $44,000 and Medicaid promises to give $63,750 to the providers who will demonstrate meaningful use of EHR. Ensure your participation in EHR incentive program to earn meaningful use bonus. Following is the eligibility criteria for providers to participate in EHR incentive programs:

Eligible professionals under the Medicare EHR Incentive Program include	Eligible professionals under the Medicaid EHR Incentive Program include
Doctor of medicine or osteopathy	Physicians (primarily doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy)
Doctor of dental surgery or dental medicine	Nurse practitioner
Doctor of podiatry	Certified nurse-midwife
Doctor of optometry	Dentist
Chiropractor	Physician assistant who furnishes services in a Federally Qualified Health Center of Rural Health Clinic that is led by a physician assistant

Source: https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/index.html?redirect=/EHRIncentivePrograms/

Flow-chart of EHR

OB/GYN EHR: Another Remarkable Achievement

Science and technological developments have changed the process of examining a patient. The arrival of the OB/GYN EHR has made enormous differences to the efficiency of OB/GYN practices. To gain the full incentive, practitioners should participate in the Medicare incentive program.  Obstetrics is the medical practice for pregnant women and Gynaecology is the medical practice of diagnosing problems with the female reproductive system. An OB/ GYN's job is to screen for certain diseases including cancers of the breasts, cervix, uterus, and vagina and surrounding area. 

Another important part of an OB/GYN's job is to diagnose and treat female reproductive health issues that include sexually transmitted diseases, menstrual issues, diseases of the breasts, uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries, as well as fertility problems, and premenstrual syndrome and menopause related issues. Like other practices, OB/GYNs are supposed to have EHR as mandated by the U.S. government that “every physician should move to Electronic Health Records by 2015”. Therefore it is essential for OB/GYNs to switch to EHR software offered by many companies across the U.S. EHRs for OB/GYNs assist OB/GYN Practitioners in improving the quality of care being provided as well as assist the OB/GYN in building solid relationships with patients. OB/GYN EHR Features generally includes:

• Gynecological History
• Obstetric History
• Antenatal Visit History
• STD Studies
• Non Stress Tests
• RH Antibodies
• Breast Exam
• Pelvic Exam
• Ultrasound
• Mammogram
• X Rays

Along with the above features, OB/GYNs can also have the benefits of customized OB/GYN templates that feature easy-to-use and easy to document pictures for documenting HPIs, causes and treatments. Breast and pelvic exam templates are specialized and modified so physicians can best meet the needs of their patients. Practitioners can also have specialized diagnosis and treatment templates. The customized templates, HPIs and associated treatments of OB/GYN EHR make it possible for every OB/GYN to be documenting charts and submitting claims with efficiency. 

OB/GYN EHR

You’ve got questions?....... We’ve got Practice Management Solution

It provides you with all the tools you need to take your practice to the next level such as viewing detailed patient balance information, submitting claims, detailed ERA reports by payer and check dates of service to have detailed information for each claim. With a suite of such powerful features, you can expect increased revenue, an improved infrastructure, and a well established patient care centre.

Patient’s encounters, handling practice operations, workflow management, and EMR integration are the major challenges to address which, physicians prefer a “Practice Management Software”. This software helps the physicians to record “non-clinical” data or information of the patients. 

It simplifies the outlook of administrative and financial workflow management avoiding the hassle of re-entering patient information. PracticePro is a web-based service, dealing with the day-to-day operations of your medical practice, so that you can gain access to all of your billing information from any Internet-ready computer. 

Powerful features of Practice Management

Accountable Care organization (ACO) – Incorporation of pay-for-performance oriented results.

ACO’s are authorized entities that refer to a group of providers (e.g. physicians, caregivers and hospitals) that works collectively to provide coordinated care to Medicare beneficiaries for minimum period of three years. The key objective to induce ACO is to decrease healthcare expenses, improve care-quality and develop patient commitment. According to a survey, Health and Human Services (HHS) declared 89 fresh ACOs in agreement with CMS, promising to provide quality care to the people associated with Medicare. For more details, go with this page.

      

ACO implementation has now become a necessary action for any physician. To empower primary care and earn patient accountability, the physician had to offer best suited practices to handle cost and sustain quality control. Every physician wants to line up the business with complete care coordination. To succeed as an ACO, providers must apply seamless efficiency to improve medical quality, customer satisfaction and effective performance oriented measures with overall costs reduction. Herewith, physician’s responsibility gets very much critical.  

Following are the types of providers which can participate as a Medicare ACO:

1. Physicians and other professionals in group practice arrangements
2.  Physicians and other professionals in networks of practices
3. Partnerships or joint venture arrangement between hospitals and physicians or other health professionals
4. Other forms the HHS Secretary may determine to be appropriate

US law purposed multi-faceted challenges for the physicians’ to implement new standards for healthcare, reimbursement and information technology. With this fact, majority physicians become more responsible for delivering their services in future.

Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Workflow

Web Electronic Health Record: A Disruptive Technology

A disruptive technology is one that displaces an existing technology by adding more value. EHR is one of the major healthcare disruptive technologies. When EHR came, it replaced all the existing mini healthcare software and provided users with a full-fledge software having numerous functionalities. EHR introduced automation and connectivity in healthcare industry that resulted in efficiency and improved patient care.

Now there comes another disruptive technology in the form of web EHR that will ultimately replace the desktop EHR. Web EHR is the latest innovation and is provided only by few vendors. Web EHR has solved many issues of the desktop EHR. It ensured 24/7 availability. Being web based, it does not require installations and maintenance.  It is also quiet cost effective as it does not require any special hardware or software. With this much value, web EHR is expected to replace desktop EHR. This will bless the healthcare industry with more positive outcomes. 

Desktop EHR & its Applications

Accountable Care Organization and Its Payment Model

Accountable care organizations (ACO’s) are future of USA healthcare system. It is an idea of how USA wants to see its future healthcare system that goes beyond just billing for services to wellness of a defined population. ACO is a group of doctors or coordinated care system under one legal entity i.e. Medicare. It works with the aim of improving health outcomes and reducing healthcare expenditures. Till the time there are about 221 ACOs working across 45 states. ACOs are growing at an exponential rate and providers are quickly moving to be part of an ACO.  After becoming a successful part of an ACO, the physicians will get payments according to one of following methods:

1. Shared savings
2. Advance payments
3. Bundled payments

Most of the ACOs will adopt the policy of advance payments. The success or failure of ACOs depends on how effectively it improves patient care and reduces healthcare expenditure. Let’s see how many ACOs survive in coming years. According to this policy, there are three types of payments that providers can expect by participating in ACO.

•  Fixed payment
• Variable payment depending on number of beneficiaries
• Monthly payment depending on size of ACO.

Basic purpose of its launch is to amplify the providers’ role in joining or establishing an ACO. This paradigm will positively encourage a number of providers to gain the potential benefits of ACO’s, with extensive reduction in administrative expenses & increase in their practice revenues. Pursuing new trends of payment model will help the providers to deliver lower-cost but high-quality health care that will bring a better care coordination system in future.

Internet simplifies a Doctor-Patient Relationship

Information technology era has come up with many dynamic changes. It effectively settles the doctor-patient relationship too. Users generally prefer Internet to seek online health information instead of asking friends and going through reference books, offline sources or even health news reports. Internet is one of the primary concerns that provide all the information about health and related issues. Majority patients go with online searches to handle their medical problems not because they mistrust their doctors, as now they believe that personal control over their illness can be figured out very easily.

Patients will never suffer from any problem, while setting their medical appointments with the doctors. Personal Health records (PHR) is one of the unique contributions that provides patients an online access to get their past and current health information directly from their doctor’s website. With PHR, patients get information about their personal assessments, medications, general allergies, immunizations and procedures too.

PHR is completely free and reliable. Patients can get their personal online portal from which they can record, track and even save their important health related information at one secure online place. With the improved workflow and efficiency of a practice, free technical support is also provided where needed. Patients can easily manage their personal health records like demographic information, appointment history, health records, lab tested results, payment reports, outstanding balances and claim history, available 24/7 from any Internet-ready computer. Level of trust between a doctor and a patient gets more compact since online information-seeking is higher among the patients who get all the information from Internet.

Doctors play a dynamic role in supporting online health challenges. They need to be attentive and alert to provide the same degree of reassurance, their patients expects from them. Direct communication through the patient-doctor communication module and viewing direct comments from the personal providers strengthen a Doctor-patient relationship. Moreover, majority patients feel much comfortable to get any sort of online information from their doctors. This has also developed trust and confidence among the patients, who prefer online health solutions.

PHR allows online scheduling, from which patients can simply schedule their own appointments directly through the practice’s website. An ideal PHR holds an incredible ability, since it can easily get and assess the information from a patient's lab results or monitoring devices; store a patient's remarks about the physical and social environment and link with a doctor’s electronic health record (EHR). PHRs can also make health care more reasonable by urging avoidance and wellness, and by reforming better care delivery.

Personal Health Record (PHR)