Fall 2009

Realize financial savings 
through electronic adoption

There are real financial gains to be realized for acquiring and using electronic health records (EHRs) and other electronic tools. As seen in recent headlines, federal stimulus incentives will be offering physicians up to $44,000 over five years for the adoption of EHR and other electronic tools. But even if you are not yet ready for a full-blown recalibration of your practice, you can take smaller steps that can result in sizeable financial savings and position your practice for larger future change. Here's how:

1) Run the numbers. There are industry calculating tools on the internet that allow you to compare costs of your current manual processes with more streamlined electronic processes. You'll find exactly how much money you can save on postage, envelopes, labor and paper—even the time and fuel it takes to drive to the bank to make manual deposits—simply by using electronic tools. To get started, visit www.ushealthcareindex.com or access the Savings Calculator at http://www.emdeon.com/support/document_library.php.

2) Start slow and at no cost to you. Rome wasn't built in a day. Ease into making the larger-scale change to EHRs by accessing administrative, financial and clinical tools that are simple to use and easily accessible now, at no cost. Check out the menu of electronic self-service tools Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. (BCBSF) offers providers through the Availity^®1 Health Information Network by visiting our website, www.bcbsfl.com, clicking on Physicians & Providers, Online Services, then e-Capabilities & Health Information Technology. Start using one or two, then escalate to using them all. This will allow you to pocket the extra cash. Visit www.availity.com or call (800) 282-4548 (AVAILITY) for more information.

3) Develop a technology-savvy staff. Financial incentives offered to electronic users today will turn into financial penalties for non-users tomorrow. Your staff will be key to realizing big returns for your practice. So help them become technology-savvy now by incorporating electronic tools in day-to-day processes. Your staff can learn how to use most tools in an afternoon and be that much more "tech-y" when it's time for larger-scale change. To learn more about stimulus money physicians can earn under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, click here.