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This week's action items.
Ambulatory Management Pulse Call: New Revenue Cycle Workflow for Elective COVID-19 Testing
Thursday, 11/5 12:00 PM

On Monday, November 9th, MGB will move forward with implementing a new revenue cycle workflow for elective COVID testing. Elective tests are defined as COVID-19 tests for asymptomatic patients with no known exposure, for travel and to avoid quarantine.

Under this new guideline, MGB will now charge patients for elective testing, which may not be covered by most insurances (exceptions are Medicare, Unicare, and Federal Blue Cross). Providers will inform patients of the charge at the time of ordering elective testing. MGB employees and contractors are excluded from this workflow.

  • PROVIDER CHANGE:  The COVID-19 test order will change as shown below on Wednesday 11/4. The current “provider discretion” and “travel screen” indications will be consolidated into a single “elective, travel and other non-medical” testing indication, with a reminder that this testing will likely not be covered by the patient’s insurance. 

(corrected Screen shot below)
  • SCHEDULER CHANGE:  Schedulers will be responsible for informing patients of these costs and encourage those with Patient Gateway to pay prior to their testing appointment by using the eCheck-in feature. If payment is not made in advance of the visit, and insurance does not cover the cost, the patient will be billed.  

! Action Items:
  • Click here to register for the pulse call
  • Workflow overview and tip sheets will be reviewed and distributed
  • Share this information with your schedulers

Elevator Etiquette


As a reminder for our patients and staff, these signs were posted in our elevators this week, outlining proper elevator etiquette. Please remember that ideally there should be a maximum of seven people in an elevator at any one time. Remember hand hygiene before and after exiting the elevator.

PILOT PROJECT: Yawkey Building Emergency Response
 

A pilot project to expand the coverage of the Adult Rapid Response Team to include ADULT medical emergencies in the Yawkey building has been approved. 

Beginning November 9th, when calling 6-3333 for an adult medical emergency, practices in Yawkey are to request the Rapid Response Team.  (If a staff member states they are calling for an adult Medical Emergency in Yawkey, the operator will send the Rapid Response Team).  

The Rapid Response team members will include a Medical Senior Resident, a Clinical Nursing Supervisor, a Yawkey Pharmacist and Police & Security.  Coverage will be 7 days/week until closing hours. 

Key Points:

  • Yawkey practices will continue to call 6-3333 for adult medical emergencies. The Adult Rapid Response Team will respond.
  • Local Response is unchanged. Local Yawkey practice staff are still expected to provide a BLS response and manage low level emergencies. 
  • The Rapid Response team will continue current practice of a Scoop and Run philosophy of rapid triage and transfer to ED as appropriate. A low threshold for activating the Code Team as needed will continue.
  • The Adult Code Team will still respond for codes, providing a second tier ACLS response and the Scoop and Run philosophy.
  • There is no change at this time for Pediatric emergency response in the Yawkey building. 
  • The pilot project will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. 

This is a pilot project and does not apply to other ambulatory practices outside of the Yawkey building at this time.

Patient Experience Updates


Please click here for this week's Patient Experience Huddle Message.

What are MGH Patients Saying about Ambulatory Care? Each week we'll highlight some feedback directly from our patients.

"I was very impressed that the whole staff was so careful and thoughtful in dealing with the extra work involved in COVID restrictions. I felt safe and I felt that the staff was also safe. Thank you so much for continuing your wonderful work to help patients not only stay healthy but get even healthier.”

“As always, my son’s doctor, receptionist and nurses were respectful, professional and listen[ed] and answered our questions and concerns. Also, safety protocols of COVID are followed.”

Ambulatory Operations & Services
Career Opportunities

We're hiring! Please click a link below to view job descriptions for open positions.

Ambulatory Management: 

Capacity Management:

Patient Access Center

Per Diem Scheduling Staff: Opportunity for existing hourly or salaried MGH employees to earn additional funds scheduling patients in the evenings and on weekends. All employees must have existing Cadence access.

Clinical Updates
Joint Commission Preparation

We are actively working within a focused group to prepare for the Joint Commission official survey. More details to come within next week. Please continue using the checklists and webinars to help prepare your practice.

Powered Air Purifying Respirator (PAPR)s in Ambulatory Environments

PAPRs are approved PPE but only for very limited use in ambulatory settings, where there is no alternative (N95 fit testing unsuccessful and employee workflow cannot be altered).

All PAPR requests will be managed centrally and approved by a panel, lead by the Ambulatory Clinical Operations team.


Contact Ambulatory Management, Clinical Operations with any questions.
View Key Practice Metrics on the Ambulatory Dashboard


Visit the Ambulatory Dashboard to see how your practice is performing on important initiatives including enrolling patients in Partners Patient Gateway and Virtual Visits.

If you don't have access to the Ambulatory Dashboard, you may request access by clicking here.
Ambulatory Management News Issue_38_20201103
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