We have to understand “Contracts”

A Contract is a voluntary, deliberate, and legally binding agreement between two or more parties, mostly, between a party that supplies and the other that receives. Here, we are discussing the basics of the contract between any HealthCare IT organization and a provider. To understand this in lame language, I would like to use the example of a cellular device. You enter into a contract with a service provider; however, you are not contracted to the cell phone because the hardware can be upgraded or downgraded anytime. However, the service is necessary to allow the device to function and will not have the flexibility of change within the contract duration. The reason is very simple here if your cell phone stops working at any point of the contract or is damaged for any reason, you are not going to carry it for 2 years until your contract ends. When it comes to the service of the device, many people are continuously working aggressively and competitively to provide you network access wherever you go, so a contract will solidify the employment opportunities within an organization and in essence, create a better future for its customers and employees.

When iPatientCare started thinking from a Provider’s point of view, we decided to stick to this same pattern, irrespective of the business models of our competitors. We avoid a strict contract clause for our Physician-Clients providing the flexibility for a true partnership and growth. Subsequently, it worked for us! Forget a 3-year or a 5-year contract; our Physician-clients are dedicated and pleased to have been using our Technology product and services for over ten years and counting, without any contract.

Here’s why!

iPatientCare always thought everything from a Physician’s perspective. The Doctors spent their entire lives learning the anatomy of the human body and practicing enough to keep themselves up to date in the medical field. Just as we are dependent on them for all our health-related issues, they are also dependent on Healthcare IT companies for software-related concerns. They have a world around their own profession, and we understand that it is too difficult for them to explore an in-depth technology like an EHR. Here is the normal Sales flow between any EHR Vendor and a Physician.

Product Demonstration -> Questions Answered -> Negotiate Pricing -> Sign the Contract

At iPatientCare, we too follow the same sales flow, except we never ask any Doctor to sign any contract with us. EHR and PMS are technology products and are custom built as per the doctor’s requirements. We understand that they would not be able to experience all of the benefits of an EHR with one or two demonstrations. We offer a no-obligation 15-day trial to utilize our EHR. Although we know that Doctors will only be able to see or use the “creamy” layer of any EHR, they are able to take an advantage of this experience to better understand the characteristics and decide whether or not it is beneficial to their current and future workflow.

When we try to have a conversation with some Doctors, who are not our Physician-Clients, they tell us about the limitations of the product they are using currently. These Physicians go back to their EHR vendors and request changes or enhancements that are customized to their practice requirements. Few customizations do help them; however, most of the time, they do not get all of the required help. Maybe, for a long stretch, the Physicians do get help from their EHR Companies and they sometimes are not satisfied with the results. Another huge drawback is encountered with the numerous amount of bugs within the system. A “technical” bug occasionally is fine; however, it is an inconvenience for a doctor to have to address numerous tickets almost every day.

With Technology going beyond expertise, even the levels of problems are going beyond. There are unforeseen problems, that the providers are going through. They entrust a technology partner for years and when they decide to get into their contract routine; they wake up to news like this. With providers constantly thinking about how to better serve their patients and keeping abreast with the latest technology changes, they sometimes detach from their EHR vendors, and they get to know of news like these.

“We come unbidden into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we forget, is the common lot. I grew up and I found my purpose and it was to become a physician. My intent wasn’t to save the world as much as to heal myself. Few doctors will admit this, certainly not young ones, but subconsciously, in entering the profession, we must believe that ministering to others will heal our woundedness. And it can. but it can also deepen the wound.”

― Abraham Verghese, Cutting for Stone

Providers understand responsibility better than privilege and practice accountability better than business. It is very important to understand that providers have an ethical duty to follow the practice and standards of care. Providers keenly believe that healthcare isn’t defined by the four walls in which it’s practiced; instead, it’s defined by the people for whom and by whom it is delivered. I guess We, the HealthCare IT Organizations, are defined as “By Whom”. And, this is a calling for us to serve our healthcare providers.

In my previous article, I wrote about Physician Burnout, which explains the lack of time the Physician has even to meet his own family. Physicians are the only kind of professionals on Earth, who do not have a target-based job; yet are always on their toes at work. All of this multiplies when you’re a clinic owner. Would you have that kind of time to hire an attorney, or take rounds in the court every month, only because you want to change your EHR? Or, would you just prefer to wait for your contract to expire and sacrifice the quality of your data?

Many clients are willing to stay with iPatientCare because of its “No Contract” business model. They have a clear idea that in the long run if there is no balance between them and iPatientCare then they could walk out without any hassle. However, this happens very rarely, since we take maximum efforts from our end to help our Physician Clients. We removed the Fear from them because we are confident enough to deliver and exceed their expectations. It takes a lot of courage to run this business model, and this is what our Physician-Clients love about iPatientCare. We have taken their frustrations and challenges into consideration and answered them with a technological solution.

The way that iPatientCare works are simple. We do not have a contract clause for our Physician-Clients. We ask our clients to give us a 90-day notice period if they decide to discontinue services with iPatientCare. When it comes to the RCM Services from iPatientCare, we ask our Physician Clients to sign a bond for at least 1 year due to the necessary time for addressing receivables and other necessary items to ensure a seamless process. iPatientCare offers an array of options and a team of dedicated and experienced professionals to our clients to ensure that not only do we form a partnership but that we grow your revenues and portfolio as well.

Come be a part of our “No Contract” clause at iPatientCare, Inc. Contact us today!

Visit our Website for more information, www.ipatientcare.com

About the author

Sijo George is iPatientCare’s Account Manager for most practices and is proficient in navigation through sales and marketing processes. He is an expert in demonstrating iPatientCare technology products like Electronic Health Records, Medical Billing Software, and Patient Engagement. His deep insight into iPatientCare services like Revenue Cycle Management and MACRA has been an asset for iPatientCare Customers. Sijo has evolved as a one-point contact for most iPatientCare customers, related to any projects entrusted by them. He moves along with the Physicians from the inception till submission. One of the key factors, most iPatientCare clients like about Sijo is that he is easily approachable and empathetic with the Physicians. Sijo is also professional in translating the Technological language of the products into a clear usability word the Physicians.

With EPCS, practitioners can avoid the pitfalls of paper-based prescribing processes and do much more…

On June 1, 2010, the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Interim Final Rule titled “Electronic Prescriptions for Controlled Substances” became effective. More than 5 years later, the adoption of EPCS by Vermont in August 2015, marks the last milestone on the pathway to embrace rules that allow e-prescriptions for controlled drugs; making EPCS legal nationwide.

Remarkable efforts to progress towards EPCS adoption accompanied with the implementation of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP) registries at state-level, demonstrate the nation’s commitment to improve patient safety. In the long run, EPCS shall help achieve significant health improvements for the population and put a halt to the prescription drug abuse epidemic which at present plagues our nation. In 2014 alone, there were more deaths reported from prescription drug abuse than cocaine and heroin combined.

Despite the initial challenges, EPCS has finally received the acknowledgment it deserves and its adoption is steadily attaining momentum. Combining e-prescriptions for controlled substances in the same flow as non-controlled substances has made the e-prescribing model complete in the true sense; thereby establishing e-prescribing as one of the most successful healthcare standards.

On March 13, 2015, iPatientCare successfully integrated EPCS into its EHR’s existing e-prescribing framework and stood up to the challenge by demonstrating compliance with all intricate norms set by the DEA, including third-party certifications and adherence to specific technology standards. Practitioners across the nation, can now use iPatientCare EHR to prescribe controlled substances electronically and route them to pharmacies via the Surescripts e-prescribing network.

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It is simple, it is good

Secure messaging tool can be termed as a ‘software application that provides in-house quick messaging service with customizable security options and variety of additional features that assist in maintaining comfortable communication.

Messaging tool is not complicated yet resourceful. One can operate it easily and can exchange information with others.

How it can be helpful for the medical facilities?

In the health care practices, most of the in-house procedures can only be accomplished if there is proper communication between the physicians and other departments. Messaging software can act as an effective medium to share and exchange variety of information. It also has multi-level security options and hence, confidentiality can also be maintained. In addition, a doctor can save his lots of time which usually gets wasted in reaching the other departments for important concerns.

Messaging App – As a Replacement

In a health care facility, distinct mediums, like – Phone, Fax, Mail and others are used to transmit or share different sort of information and documents. Messaging tool can be a replacement for all such mediums as it has variety of features to deal with types of documents and information. In addition, one also need not to worry about the data loss and mismanagement as the format and ingredients of the information, reports and documents will remain same throughout the sharing & transmission services.

Integrate with EHR for best results

When it comes to technical terms of medical practices, then EHR is their life line without any doubt as it has significance in every single process that took place there. Integrating EHR with messaging software can increase significantly increase the productivity of the medical facilities. The documents, files and reports in EHR system can be send through the messaging tool wherever required. Integration will make the in-house procedures streamlined and will save valuable time and money of the practices.

Messaging software replicates 24×7 availability factor which remains the primary need and goal of the medical industry.

iPatientCare a pioneer in mHealth and cloud based ambulatory EHR, provides top-notch EHR-messaging tool integration plus training services centralized on the workflows and requirements of the medical practices. To get in touch with us or to know more about our services, call us at 800.741.0981 or write to us at sales@iPatientCare.com We assure you to satisfy your practice needs through wide range of services, we offer.

The improved electronic prescription tool enables physicians to draft and renew prescription orders. Documenting drug and allergy interactions, this improved app works proactively to ensure patient safety. Each prescription is recorded and may be recalled along with other clinical notes for a specific patient. Not only the app helps to ensure patient safety but also enhances the productivity and expedites the workflow. The eRx process designed as per the internal flow in every provider’s office ensures quality and accuracy in the prescriptions. The intuitive touch screen based interface makes it easy for providers to prescribe right from the point-of-care.

To ensure providers an effective ePrescribing functionality, iPatientCare has thoroughly tested it. Created with a main aim to prevent harm to patients, it helps bring down medication errors. iPatientCare’s iPad EHR facilitates providers with improved ability to ensure that the right patient is administered the right medication in the right dosage and through the right route with no additional investment of time. This ePrescribing feature has taken the level of patient care to new heights.

What is Patient Kiosk?

Patient kiosk is tabloid and phone based software application that assists patients to do self check-in and also edit their basic demographic details, if required. Reducing the task of front-desk staff, it ensures more patient engagement in their health. The front desk staff in quick and secure check-in. The application is made dynamic enough to hold a variety of inputs, and to modify and save them. In addition, Patient Kiosk is customizable which offers the flexibility to turn it as per the requirements.

Why Patient Kiosk?

Patient kiosk can be helpful in variety of ways. It is beneficial for both the parties i.e. the health care facility and patients.

Benefits to the health care providers:

Easy input method – Patient Kiosk provides the facility to navigate it through touch screen, which ensures appropriate and swift data entry.

Security – Patient kiosk supports palm identification feature, which ensures the required security of the crucial and confidential data.

Quick View – The care providers can have quick view of the required patient information and summary within couple of tabs on the screen.

Smart Payment Gateway – The patient side can make the payment through credit or debit card as the swipe facility is available in the application.

No Language Barrier – The application is available in multiple language, which will be a helping hand for the non-English speakers.

Benefits to the health care facilities:

Portable integration – Patient Kiosk helps in completing the patient check-in procedure. In addition, you can even use it from multiple location, if installed.

Integration with EHR – Patient Kiosk can be securely integrated with EHR to maintain proper information flow.

Rush free environment – No more long queues at front desk and no more wait in the waiting room.

Centralized Access to All Kiosks – As the kiosks are integrated with EHR.So information entered through each Kiosk can be collated in a single EHR. Each can be viewed whenever required.

Easy Billing Procedure – Patient billing account information can be viewed through kiosk and hence, easy billing structure can be maintained.

Patient kiosks can be considered as the new step taken to streamline and simplify the patient registration procedure. However, there is a lot of room for its further advancement and simplification. As of now, it has cleared the primary obstacles, and can move in depth to clear the root problems existing in previous or existing versions.