2. It seems the healthcare industry is due for
another round of dramatic changes. Here is
what practices can expect to see more and
less of in 2014.
3. MORE:
Patients. In General.
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is projected to add 32
million patients to the healthcare system this year.
Still, 48% of physicians lack the resources necessary to treat
new patients. In response, practices may have to hire
physician assistants, adopt health IT software or outsource
billing to handle the patient influx.
4. MORE:
Certified mHealth Apps
With the number of mobile health apps increasing rapidly,
the FDA has decided to step in and mandate certification
for certain types.
While it hopes to one day regulate all health apps, the FDA
is starting with apps used for monitoring critical care symp-
tons and regulating drug delivery.
5. MORE:
Patient Portal Usage
Meaningful Use Stage 2’s requirement that 5% of unique
patients must access their health information online means
patient portals will become more important than ever.
Eligible providers must spend time educating patients. But
first, doctors must first become familiar with the back end
of the patient portal, so they discuss it properly.
6. LESS:
MU Stage 2 Vendors
As a result of Meaningful Use Stage 2’s stringent criteria,
many EHR vendors are having difficulty getting certified by
the ONC.
Expect to see a drop in EHRs that help practices qualify for
the next phase of incentive payments.
7. LESS:
Coding Ambiguity
ICD-10’s 155,000 CM and PCS codes will provide payers
with more detailed diagnosis and treatment codes for
medical services rendered.
Once your staff gets the hang of the new coding set, this
should, in theory, result in higher, more accurate reimburse-
ments for your practice.
8. LESS:
Medical inflation
In a show against historical trends, medical inflation in 2014
will drop even lower than in 2013.
Healthcare consolidation, new models for delivering care,
and components of the Affordable Care Act should slow
inflation as consumers, employers and the US government
look for ways to cut medical costs.
9. BOTTOM
LINE:
Medicine is evolving rapidly. Technology is taking hold of
the reins and forcing providers to adapt or recede.
Will you get left behind?
