Idaho Eye Center Leverages MedInformatix Practice Management and Electronic Medical Records Solution to Streamline Growing Practice's Claims, Billing and Scheduling Functions

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Since its formation 26 years ago, The Idaho Eye Center's founder Kenneth Turley, M.D., and his associates have always leveraged cutting edge medical technologies toward its charter of treating patients in Southeast Idaho and adjoining states with a full complement of medical and surgical eye services under one roof.

With the 2009 opening of its Rexburg facility, the practice now performs procedures to correct and/or treat a variety of eye disorders at three locations. These include cataract removal; corneal transplants; All-Laser LASIK surgery; laser and keratorefractive procedures for refractive disorders; therapy and microsurgery in the treatment of glaucoma; dry eye, and other inflammations and infections; oculoplastic and neuro-ophthalmic disorders; ocular trauma; and, retinal tears/detachments/disorders, among others.

As its six physicians address and treat patient needs using the newest lasers, tomographer analyzers, corneal topography instruments and other marvels of technology, The Idaho Eye Center's 45-member administrative and support team for the past 10 years has efficiently managed claims, billing and scheduling functions using MedInformatix Inc.'s SQL-based Practice Management (PM) and Electronic Medical Records (EMR) solution.

The sheer number and scope of surgical services that The Idaho Eye Center delivers at its flagship Idaho Falls location, in Pocatello, and at its Rexburg, Idaho facility requires a user friendly, yet powerful PM/EMR solution to ensure that patients receive prompt, efficient service and treatment. With 80 percent of its patients Medicare eligible, the MedInformatix solution is highly essential in helping the practice effectively manage and accelerate billing and improve scheduling efficiencies.

Additionally, its direct Medicare Submission or optional clearinghouse link efficiently handles Medicare vouchers as an electronic remittance tool, and automatically creates custom reports without the need to pull individual records for claims submissions.

The MedInformatix solution has helped The Idaho Eye Center attain compliance with The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)'s mandate requiring healthcare providers by June 30, 2012 to implement the so-called 5010 version of HIPAA electronic transactions standards for claims submission and status, remittance advice, eligibility, and referral authorizations, among others. The practice recently upgraded to MedInformatix' HIPAA-compliant and ONC-certified V7.5 from V6.4, thereby avoiding rejected claims and cash flow interruptions.

The Idaho Eye Center is also working with MedInformatix in leveraging the vendor's EMR module to earn Stage 1 Meaningful Use incentives under the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)' Office of National Coordinator (ONC)'s provision for Health IT under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

While MedInformatix PM/EMR has been and continues to be invaluable in helping The Idaho Eye Center achieve regulatory compliance, it is with electronic patient records, billing and scheduling, as well as everyday business operations where the solution has truly enabled the practice achieve the most efficiencies, said Craig Bates, practice administrator.

"We are a referral-based practice," Bates explained. "A patient will call in to schedule an appointment; once they arrive at our office, our staff will triage, entering information into the system on the type of exam, which doctor will perform it, dilation times, patients' room locations, the exam's outcome and the scheduling of follow up examinations. The MedInformatix solution, particularly the "resource based" practice management module, addresses eight separate elements of each individual patient's office visit.

"The MedInformatix PM/EMR is very easy to use, never breaks and doesn't require a lot of maintenance," Bates continued. "I only call their support team when I can't figure something out, which isn't often because I know SQL. Their support team is highly responsive and available by phone. There's no question we made the right choice working with MedInformatix."

About MedInformatix:  
MedInformatix, Inc. (www.medinformatix.com) is a leading national provider of fully integrated Electronic Health Records.  The products have been built around MedInformatix's 25 years of workflow expertise.  MedInformatix's suite of products is designed on a single database using Microsoft SQL.  Whether the client is a single physician who went live in 1994, a 13-location cardiology practice, the busiest radiology practice in Manhattan, or one of 15 other serviced specialties, MedInformatix accommodates their needs.   MedInformatix can turn the dream of a paperless, integrated practice into a reality.

MedInformatix Version 7.5 is now certified to meet 2011-2012 criteria supporting Stage 1 Meaningful Use requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment act (ARRA) as a Complete EHR by the Drummond Group.

This Complete EHR is 2011/2012 compliant and has been certified by an ONC-ATCB in accordance with the applicable certification criteria adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This certification does not represent an endorsement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or guarantee the receipt of incentive payments."
MedInformatix, October 22, 2010, Version 7.5, 1022201024238, Clinical Quality Measures: NQF0013, NQF0421, NQF0041, NQF0024, NQF0028, NQF0038, NQF0059, NQF0061, NQF0064. Additional software used: TrueCrypt v2.0, email software, spreadsheet software.

SOURCE MedInformatix, Inc.