Blog

Investing in information systems is a costly endeavor and everyone involved asks the same question, “What will the return on investment be?” It’s no different in healthcare, and in the world of meaningful use, ROI is not discussed in terms of dollars but rather value to the organization in how these systems improve their ability to deliver on expectations or…
Read More

The number one goal of our new AARC President is to: “Evaluate the transitional needs to meet the competencies necessary to develop the ‘Respiratory Therapist for 2015 and Beyond,’ based on the expected needs of respiratory care patients, the profession and the evolving health care system.” As I read it, George Gaebler’s goal outlines three essential needs: Transitional needs –…
Read More

About two weeks ago, OARF (Ohio Association of Rehabilitation Facilities) sponsored a CARF 2013 update provided by Christine M. MacDonell, Managing Director of the Medical Rehabilitation Accreditation Area of CARF. In this ’2013 New Standards Review’ and discussion of most frequently cited standards and how to comply with intent, Christine brought greater than 30 years of dedicated passion to the art of providing…
Read More

Respiratory therapists across the nation inaugurated two presidents in 2013; one in Washington, D.C., and the other from Syracuse, N.Y. George Gaebler, MSEd, RRT, FAARC, assumed the role of AARC president, and with little delay outlined his plan to position respiratory therapists to face the “many changes (coming) over the next three to five years due to the Patient Protection…
Read More

Today, I am again reminded how RACs have become the focus of our industry — sort of like driving by looking in the rear view mirror. In the new era of healthcare reform and accountable care, successful IRFs must not only focus upon defending critical dollars from RAC auditors, but also address the entire spectrum of revenue integrity and compliance…
Read More

Earlier this week, CMS clarified that outpatient rehabilitation therapy benefits paid while receiving care at a critical access hospital will apply toward the therapy cap; however, the CAH itself is not required to utilize the therapy cap exception (KX modifier) or manual medical review process. As it pertains to the benefits paid, the physician fee schedule will be used to…
Read More

Having recently returned from a sales meeting where I had the opportunity to discuss meaningful use and accountable care initiatives, I was struck by a sense of disconnect between those who use healthcare information technology and those who sell it. The focus of my discussion was upon the value of patient care as described by the change in the patient’s…
Read More

Somehow 2012 went by quickly and the last we updated the CMS Clarifications on IRF Regulations tool it was mid-July. Since that time there has been several clarifications posted to the CMS website providing further discussion and interpretation from various training calls and submissions to their IRF specialists. Below are three links to those very specific documents; however if you…
Read More

With the first read of Pam Arlotto’s ”Rethinking Return on Investment: The Challenge of Accountable Meaningful Use,” healthcare providers are acquainted with what it will take to transform existing care delivery organizations to patient-centric, high quality, cost-efficient organizations to compete under the proposed Affordable Care Legislation.  Managing value will require a realignment of organizational culture and operations to achieve success. Management of…
Read More

Turns out that an ounce of prevention may cost more than a pound of cure. At least this is the premise of a Reuters article posted earlier this week entitled, “Think Preventive Medicine Will Save Money? Think again.” Holding up the mainstay of preventative care (the annual physical), the article mentions that “a 2012 analysis of 14 large studies found…
Read More