We recently received a question in our Medisoft and Medical Billing Google Group about all the defects in Version 16 (V16) of Medisoft.  Here was my response:

V16 was a very clean release as is V17.    The reason many are having difficulties with V16 and V17 is because in order for Medisoft to prepare for the ANSI 5010 they needed to revamp the PINS fields along with many others such as the Diagnoses, Transaction Entry and Claims Management.

V16 started off the changes with changing the PINS and claim forms. Once installing V16, the user can go to Help in Medisoft and it defaults to "What's new in this version" along with complete information on what needs to be changed within Medisoft in order to begin utilizing V16.  The ANSI 5010 required new fields in the PINS area.  Also, many providers contracted inconsistently with insurance carries such as contracting as a Group with Medicare and an Individual with BCBS.  V16 allows for the flexibility to bill with varying contracts.

In conclusion, with ALL updates of Medisoft, read the "What's New" section first.  In V16, it tells you to update the Practice, Provider and Claim form used prior to creating or sending claims.  About a year ago, I created a video showing how to update these.  I was going to post it to You Tube, but never did.  If anyone is interested, please let me know and I will get it done.

Best.
Bonnie J. Flom
Billing Buddies - Ph: 763-546-2455

 

      Many clients have asked how to change the chart number in Medisoft.  This is something we review in our Intensive Medisoft Training Webinar series.  Below are the instructions.

1)    1)  ALWAYS backup your data first.

2)    2)  Open My Computer

3)    3)  Double Click on the C-Drive

4)    4)  Search for Mediutils.exe

a.     It might be in C:\Program Files\Medisoft\Bin    or in

b.     C:\Medisoft\Bin

*** It depends upon your operating system. ***

5)     5)  Double click on Mediutils.exe

6)     6)   Select your Practice and Sign In

7)    7)   Select Power Tools on the Left Side

8)    You will now see the mini-program to change chart numbers.

 

Have fun!

Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS
Billing Buddies - 763-546-2455

       Our next training class begins December 2nd, 2010.  We have a 6 week/12 hour intensive training going through January 13th.  (No Class on December 23, 2010.) There will be six, 2-hour training sessions and a book is included.  Here are some of the topics covered:

• The three patient parties that may be affected by every patient visit; patient, guarantor and insured.  The proper way to enter these into Medisoft.  (Are you sending statements to minors?)
• Proper billing for contract versus non-contract (courtesy billing) payers.
• Learn how to bill patient only when the he/she owes the balance.
• How to print labels for patients who have failed to return for appointments.
• Managing insurance balances and how to handle contract insurance versus non-contract insurance.  (This will save hours of follow-up time!)
• Using the Collection List to automate your follow-up process.  And, it's all paperless!  (This process allows you to do an even amount of accounts each day.)
• How to create a good backup system.  Protect your data!
• The importance of File Maintenance and how/when to run it.
• All this plus we review the details of all the tasks you should (even if you don't know you should) do on a daily basis. 
     
    To sign up, print and fax back our training form.  We will send you a manual via Priority Mail.  Please register 3 business days prior to start of the class.  Thank you.
 
Happy Billing and Charting,

Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS
Bonnie J. Flom; Author of Mastering Medisoft
President of the Minnesota AMBA Chapter
Billing Buddies - Ph: 888.322.2455 or 763.546.2455

Many of you remember the scramble that everyone made in 2006-2007 to get compliant with the NPI numbers.   Well, all of us are facing it again with the ANSI 5010 format coming.  Medicare will start accepting live claims in the 5010 format as of 1/1/11.  All payers, providers and clearinghouse must be using it by 1/1/12.

Medicare changed their timely filing definition for claims with dates of service beginning January 1, 2010.  Claims that are over one calendar year will now be rejected.  For the complete information on this and how transitional claims will be handled view CMS's article:
 
http://www.cms.gov/prospmedicarefeesvcpmtgen/downloads/Health_Reform_Timely_Filing_Provider_Notice.pdf

Also, myself and Teresa from our office are going to Atlanta this week for the Medisoft V17 Conference.  We will give up a complete update upon our return.

Happy Billing an Charting,
Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS
Author of Mastering Medisoft
President of Minnesota AMBA Chapter
Billing Buddies
Ph:  763-546-2455

 “A surgeon must cut to cure” is what Joey Borane, our Medisoft trainer said ashe was doing file repair a dozen years or so ago.  It was a harshstatement that stuck with me and I have thought about it many times since asperforming the must needed task of fixing data.  And, just like surgery,as I attempt to restore the data back to its original form I realize it willnever be exactly like it was for it was damaged. However, it will be morefunctional.

    Now, I see the same process repeat itself in the adoptionof EHR.  It’s a painstaking process that is much needed, but will hurtwhile the recovery process is under way.   When a prospective clientcalls and inquires about EHR, I now imagine a surgeon going into surgery andknowing that the patient won’t feel better or even be able to perform somebasic tasks for 4-6 weeks.  Tasks the patient may have been able toperform moments before surgery.  However, the surgeon sees the big pictureand knows that it’s for the best.   And, as the surgeon follows upwith the patient in the weeks to come, he/she knows that eventually, thepatient will be thankful for the pain endured in the transition to a betterlife.

    EHR is has been thrust upon and when we all get to theother side, our hope is to have a better healthcare system.  One in whichpatients aren’t subject to multiple tests that aren’t necessary and recordsthat are readily available when needed.  In the meantime, it’s our job todo our part and pull together and to realize there isn’t an easy way throughsurgery.  Surgery is still surgery.

    If you are one of the many holding off on EHR, now is thecall to action.  The first of the year is when you can start showingmeaningful use for May 2011’s payment.  You would need to have a productinstalled and training done by at least by December 1st.  Are you ready tostart a new and better life?  Give us a call to schedule a demo and get aquote.   To get started right now, go to http://billingbuddies.vpweb.com/EHR---Spring-Charts.htmland view our online demo at our phone number is 888-322-2455 or763-546-2455.   Bonus:  Order before November 5th and get a free4 pack of Medisoft support and a free Medisoft 6 week training class series.

 

HappyBilling and Charting,

BonnieJ. Flom, CMRS

BonnieJ. Flom; Author of Mastering Medisoft

Billing Buddies - Ph: 888.322.2455 or 763.546.2455

Many times, I get emails or calls from users asking about where to enter items to go to certain Loops and Segments of the claim form.  This is another "teach a man to fish" tip:

Anytime you want to put something in Medisoft to go to the ANSI 837 claim and you don’t know where to put it, all you need to do is go to Help in Medisoft, click on the Index and type the Loop you want to look up.  In the right window pane, there is a crosswalk to tell you where the corresponding field is in Medisoft.

Remember:  Next Intensive Medisoft Training Class starts November 5, 2010 at 1:00 pm CST.  Cost is $399, but Google group members get $100 off. So, if you aren't a member, email me to get an invitation.
To get a sign up form, email bonnie@billingbuddies.com.

Happy Billing and Charting,
Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS
Author of Mastering Medisoft
President of Minnesota AMBA Chapter
Ph:  763-546-2455

One more reminder for January 1st; the First EHR Entitlement period begins.  Here's how it works for most providers:

 

1)  The doctor begins meaningful use on January 1st, 2011.

2)  March 31, 2011 the doctor qualifies for his/her entitlement check by showing 90 days of continuous use. 

3)  The doctor submits paper work to get up to $18,000 of Stimulus money.  (The amount is determined by multiplying the Medicare allowed during the 90 day period times 4 and times 75%.)

4)  First Stimulus check comes in May 2011.  (We are helping our providers get and complete the paper work needed to receive the check.)

 

    Want to see a demo?  Sign up at:  http://www.springmedical.com/InternetDocDemo.html

 

    Want more EHR Info?  See:  http://www.cms.gov/EHRIncentivePrograms/

 

    Want a quote?  Email:  bonnie@billingbuddies.com

 

    FYI - The most common quote is a 2 user system and starts around $5600 depending upon options to sync with your practice management system.

 

 

Happy Billing and Charting,

Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS

Bonnie J. Flom; Author of Mastering Medisoft

President of the Minnesota AMBA Chapter

Billing Buddies - PH: 888.322.2455 or 763.546.2455

     Greetings!  Two items I would like to share with today; Zip plus 4 and our next training classes beginning on November 5th.
     First of all, I was in Las Vegas at the national American Medical Billing Association's (AMBA) conference.  The presenters did a great job educating us on the changes to come.  The most startling change is that zip codes will be required to have the plus four (or 9 digit zip codes) in the ANSI 5010 format.  At Billing Buddies, we will start sending our claims that way though V17 of Medisoft on the first of the year.  We all have 12 months to complete the testing process with our practice management software, clearinghouses, and payers before that "drop dead date of January 1, 2012".  So, what does this mean?  Every where on the claim form where there is a zip code (insurance address, patient address, insured address, referring provider address, provider address, practice address, facility address - plus more) we need to submit the 9 digit zip code.  Many of us don't know our own 9 digit zip code.  These can be looked up at USPS.com, but that will be very time consuming.  Also, this may be a repeat of the dreaded NPI days when many waited too long.  What should you do?
   
     1.  Start updating your database on all new and edited patients/insured accounts.
     2.  Make a plan on how you office will update all the other affected fields.
    3. Make sure that you are on V16 of Medisoft.  (There were huge changes to the PINS fields that will also be on the ASNI 5010.) 
     4.  Prepare to upgrade to V17 of Medisoft right around the first of the year so you can begin transitioning into the ANSI 5010.
 
    If you aren't on V16 of Medisoft, there are many promotions going on right now.  Also, the pricing is already available for V17 of Medisoft.  We can help you compare upgrading one or two versions at time and see what will give you the best price.  If you are purchasing an update for versions 12 or older and need to purchase a "New" version, there is a Price Protection Plan out there where you only pay the difference in price between the two programs; essentially, you purchase V17 and get V16 for free.  Email me at bonnie@billingbuddies.com with your current version (example: V12 Advanced or V11 Basic) and put Medisoft in the subject line.  We will compare the pricing for you and get you the best deal.
 
     Finally, our next 6 week/12 hour training session will begin on Friday, November 5 and continue through December 17th.  (We will take the week of Thanksgiving off.)  Classes will be held every Friday from 1:00 - 3:00 pm CST.  We will review the proper way to do the daily activities in Medisoft with an emphasis on how to do follow-up properly, proofing work properly and making sure the basic tasks that are done right; payment posting, sending claims and statements are done so your data will manage itself instead of you managing lots of paper.  Class fee of $399  includes webinar links and a Medsoft National Training Institute (MNTI) manual.  To receive an enrollment form; email bonnie@billingbuddies.com with Training Class in the subject line.
 
 
Happy Billing and Charting,
Bonnie J. Flom, CMRS
Bonnie J. Flom; Author of Mastering Medisoft
President of the Minnesota AMBA Chapter
Billing Buddies - PH: 888.322.2455 or 763.546.2455

Many of you have asked for a training class.  You got it! Starting September 17th we have a 12 week intensive training going through October 29th.  There will be six, 2-hour training sessions and a book is included.  Here are some of the topics covered:

• The three patient parties that may be affected by every patient visit; patient, guarantor and insured.  The proper way to enter these into Medisoft.  (Are you sending statements to minors?)
• Managing insurance balances and how to handle contract insurance versus non-contract insurance.  (This will save hours of follow-up time!)
• Using the Collection List to automate your follow-up process.  And, it's all paperless!  (This process allows you to do an even amount of accounts each day.)
• How to create a good backup system.  Protect your data!
• The importance of File Maintenance and how/when to run it.
• All this plus we review the details of all the tasks you should (even if you don't know you should) do on a daily basis. 

     To sign up, print and fax back page 4 of our Fall  Newsletter.  Our Fall Newsletter is hot off the press and can be view at www.billingbuddies.com.