5 Ways Latest Technology Can Make Healthcare Operations More Efficient

In the fast-evolving healthcare landscape, time and precision are paramount. A crucial aspect of our business is streamlining the claims adjudication process for healthcare providers while ensuring the continuity of top-quality patient care, which is a function of accurate reimbursements & optimal medical billing services such as the one offered by Mirra Health Care.

In this blog post, we'll learn how technology reshapes the Medicare Advantage payment landscape. We'll explore how data analytics, coding advancements, EHR & claims data integration, smart analytics, and the impact of telehealth and remote monitoring are leading to advances in healthcare. Let's get started.

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A. Mastering Data Analytics for Accurate & Timely Reimbursement

Accurate prediction of healthcare expenses for Medicare Advantage plan members is essential. At the core of this process lies data analytics technology.

This advanced technology forms the cornerstone of efficient claims adjudication, revolutionizing the healthcare sector, delving deep into vast datasets to provide valuable insights. It identifies patients at risk of future chronic conditions, enabling precise resource allocation and treatment recommendations. It ensures tailored reimbursements that match patients' health needs for present and possible future healthcare.

Beyond risk assessment, it continually aligns reimbursements with care, eliminating guesswork. We are proud to share that Mirra Health Care offers tailored data analytics solutions to empower providers in the dynamic world of Medicare Advantage.

Here’s how Data Analytics does this:

Enhanced Risk Assessment Accuracy

One of the most critical aspects of Medicare Advantage plans is risk assessment. It involves predicting healthcare costs for each patient accurately. Data analytics takes this process to a whole new level of precision.

By analyzing vast datasets, data analytics models can identify trends and patterns in patient data that humans might miss. For instance, it can remember patients at higher risk of developing chronic conditions in the future, helping providers allocate resources and recommend treatments more effectively. This also means that reimbursements can be tailored to the actual health needs of patients, ensuring they receive the care they need when needed.

Informed Ongoing Reimbursement Decisions

Regarding reimbursements, data analytics doesn't just stop at risk assessment. It continually analyzes patient data to ensure reimbursements align with ongoing care.

Imagine a scenario where a patient with a chronic condition receives ongoing care from their healthcare provider. Data analytics tracks every appointment, medication, and treatment, ensuring reimbursements accurately reflect the services rendered. This eliminates the guesswork from reimbursements and ensures that providers are fairly compensated.

Example of Improved Risk-Adjustment Calculations

Let's look at a real-world example of how data analytics can transform risk-adjustment calculations:

A leading Medicare Advantage provider implemented a data analytics solution to enhance their risk assessment accuracy. Analyzing historical patient data, they identified a group of patients at high risk of hospitalization due to chronic conditions.

With this insight, they proactively contacted these patients, offering regular check-ups and medication management. As a result, the rate of hospitalizations among this group decreased significantly, leading to substantial cost savings.

Mirra Health Care is committed to offering cutting-edge solutions that cater to the unique needs of healthcare providers. Our suite of solutions is designed to empower providers with the insights they need for efficient claims adjudication.

B. Streamlined Documentation and Coding with Advanced Tools

Gone are the days of sifting through stacks of paper records and deciphering handwritten notes. Modern healthcare relies on digital inputs and cutting-edge technology to ensure that every service is accurately documented and coded for reimbursement. Here's how:

Enhanced Coding Accuracy

Medical coding is the backbone of healthcare billing. It involves translating complex medical procedures, diagnoses, and services into universal codes. Even a tiny error in coding can lead to claim denials and revenue loss.

Advanced tools powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning have revolutionized this process. These tools can scan electronic health records (EHRs) and identify the correct codes, minimizing human errors.

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Streamlined Billing Processes

Technology not only enhances accuracy but also streamlines billing processes. Automated systems can generate bills and claims in real time, reducing the administrative burden on healthcare providers. This efficiency saves time and reduces the likelihood of billing errors.

Mirra Health Care recognizes the critical role of technology in medical coding and documentation. Our advanced solutions are designed to streamline these processes, ensuring that healthcare providers are reimbursed accurately and save valuable time and resources.

C. Seamless EHR and Claims Data Integration for Comprehensive Insights

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare revolves around obtaining a comprehensive view of a patient's medical history. EHRs are digital records containing a patient's health information, including medical history, diagnoses, medications, and treatment plans. Claims data, on the other hand, holds critical information about the services rendered to patients and the corresponding billing and reimbursement details.

By seamlessly integrating EHRs and claims data, technology bridges the gap between these two vital sources of information. This merger creates a holistic patient profile that healthcare providers can easily access. This comprehensive view empowers providers to make more informed decisions about patient care and treatment while streamlining the claims adjudication process.

Ensuring Efficient Data Exchange

Integrating EHR and claims data might sound complex, but technology has made it remarkably simple. Advanced systems can facilitate the seamless data exchange between EHR systems and claims platforms. This exchange ensures that all relevant patient information is readily available when needed.

Imagine a scenario where a patient's EHR indicates that they received a specific medical procedure. With integrated data, the corresponding claim for that procedure is instantly accessible. This immediate access minimizes delays in billing and reimbursement processes, benefiting both healthcare providers and patients.

Improving Billing Accuracy

Errors in billing can lead to claim denials and financial losses. Integrated data helps prevent these errors by ensuring that claims accurately reflect patient services.

Studies consistently show that healthcare providers integrating EHR and claims data experience significantly fewer billing errors. This translates to faster and more accurate reimbursement, helping providers maintain financial stability.

Mirra’s integration solution seamlessly connects EHR systems and claims platforms, ensuring that healthcare providers can access comprehensive patient profiles without the hassle of manual data retrieval. By linking to our integration solution, healthcare providers can streamline their billing processes, reduce errors, and ultimately enhance the accuracy of payments and reimbursements.

D. Vigilance Against Fraud through Smart Analytics

Healthcare fraud comes in various forms, from phantom billing for services that were never provided to upcoding - billing for a more expensive service than what was performed. These fraudulent practices can have a profound impact on payment accuracy. As fraudsters become more sophisticated, healthcare organizations must employ equally advanced tools to detect and prevent their activities.

The Role of Smart Analytics

Here's how intelligent analytics can safeguard claims adjudication accuracy:

1. Detecting Anomalies: Smart analytics systems are designed to sift through vast datasets, identifying irregular patterns that might indicate fraudulent behavior. For example, if a healthcare provider suddenly bills for an unusually high number of expensive procedures, the system can flag this as a potential red flag for further investigation.
2. Predictive Modeling: These systems utilize predictive modeling to forecast potential fraud. By analyzing historical data, they can pinpoint providers or areas with a higher likelihood of fraudulent activities. This proactive approach allows health plans to allocate resources efficiently and focus on high-risk areas.
3. Real-Time Monitoring: Fraud detection through smart analytics isn't a one-time event. These systems continuously monitor claims and billing activities in real time. Any suspicious activity can trigger an immediate alert, enabling swift action to prevent further fraudulent claims.

Smart Analytics in Action

Consider a real-world example: a healthcare provider submits claims for expensive surgeries that seem excessive for their patient demographics. A smart analytics system detects this anomaly, flagging the claims for closer examination. Upon investigation, it was revealed that these surgeries were never performed, and the provider was attempting to obtain reimbursements fraudulently.

By swiftly addressing these anomalies, health plans can protect their finances and maintain the integrity of their payment processes.

E. Empowering Accurate Assessments through Telehealth and Remote Monitoring

Telehealth

Telehealth, often called telemedicine, leverages digital communication tools to connect patients with healthcare providers. This technology has broken down geographical barriers and provided patients with more accessible access to medical expertise. Here's how it contributes to accurate patient assessments:

• Consistent Data Flow: Through telehealth, patients can regularly communicate with their healthcare providers, sharing vital health data. This continuous flow of information allows providers to assess patients' conditions more accurately, leading to informed decisions about their care.
• Timely Intervention: Telehealth enables real-time monitoring of patients with chronic conditions. For instance, a patient with diabetes can transmit their blood sugar levels to their healthcare provider daily. If levels become problematic, the provider can intervene promptly, preventing complications and costly hospitalizations.
• Enhanced Specialist Access: Patients often require specialized care that may not be available locally. Telehealth bridges this gap, allowing patients to consult with specialists regardless of physical location. This ensures accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring complements telehealth by continuously tracking a patient's health metrics. Here's how it contributes to precision in care:

• Continuous Data Collection: Devices such as wearable sensors and smartphone apps collect a wealth of data, from heart rate to sleep patterns. This constant monitoring ensures healthcare providers have up-to-date information to make informed decisions.
• Early Warning Systems: Remote monitoring systems can be programmed to alert healthcare providers to any concerning changes in a patient's health metrics. For example, if an elderly patient's activity level drops significantly, it could indicate a potential health issue that needs attention.
• Objective Assessment: Objective data from remote monitoring removes the subjectivity from patient assessments. It provides a clear picture of a patient's health trends, enabling more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatment plans.

The Bottom Line

Explore Mirra Health Care's specialized Medicare Advantage in a Box solution and discover how we can elevate your claims processes, Medicare billing services woes, and more. Get in touch with our experts to schedule a demo.