Physical Therapy Electronic Health Records (EHR) - What Does It Mean For Your Practice?

HITECH Act. Electronic Health Records (EHR). Federal Mandates. Government Incentives. Medicare Compliance. Eligible Professionals. Certified Technology. Paperless Records. $44,000. 2014 Federal Deadline.

You may recognize these terms but what exactly do they mean for your physical therapy practice?

Let's get started by scratching off the terms "Government Incentives", Eligible Professionals" and "$44,000" from our list. Unfortunately, physical therapy practices got the short end of the stick when it comes to receiving any "government incentives" for the successful implementation of an EHR system in their practice. Yes, that would include the "$44,000" figure that you may have heard about. Although PT practices are not eligible to receive these incentives, they are still required to show meaningful use of "certified EHR technology" by the "2014 federal deadline".

Change of this magnitude is never an easy task to handle but when you take a good look and understand this EHR implementation, the benefits of "paperless records" far outweigh the benefits of any paper-based system. How? Greater efficiency, cost savings and improved workflow are just a few items on the long list of benefits that your practice can experience.

Let's use the example of obtaining directions using a set of maps versus using the internet, a GPS or a cell phone. Actually, think about how different things would be without a cell phone. Our daily lives and business operations wouldn't be quite as simple would they? It is the same concept.

It is no revelation that the use of technology has made things easier and allowed us to manage our time better. It is because of these technological advances that we are able to experience greater efficiency, cost savings and improved workflow in both our personal and professional lives.

The implementation of systems is critical to any company's success. Whether it is a system that is as simple as the way in which you collect your employee's timesheets each week or a system that is a little more complex such as the implementation of a new EHR service, every system makes a difference. There is never a single system or person that does it all. Instead, it is the great work of multiple systems and people working together towards a common goal.

Staying Medicare Compliant Is Worth The Cost.

Lastly, let's also not forget about the importance of maintaining your clinics "Medicare compliance". If you want to get paid for your services by the federal government, you have to play by their rules. According to a "federal mandate" via the HITECH Act, healthcare professionals who fail to show meaningful use of "certified EHR technology" by the "2014 federal deadline" will be subject to Medicare reimbursement deductions. For start-up or smaller practices, I understand that some may have a hard time wrapping their arms around the costs associated with implementing an EHR system. Certainly, nobody likes to add additional overhead but I challenge you to keep your eye on the big picture. Do not just focus on the monthly or annual costs of the EHR system. Instead, focus on the benefits that the EHR system will bring you, your practice and your patients and I guarantee that you will come out on top.

Research, Educate, Prepare and Implement.

Although the 2014 deadline seems like a distant date, I highly encourage you to start doing your homework by researching, educating, preparing and implementing an EHR system that you feel is best fit for your practice. The implementation of an EHR system should not be viewed as "another thing that the government is forcing us to do". Instead, think of it as a way to improve your clinics operational efficiency, workflow and bottom line.