Annual Chart Audits Can Greatly Benefit
HBPC Providers and Practices
About this Article:
 
Regular chart audits can significantly help home-based primary care (HBPC) practices improve their coding accuracy and the quality of their documentation, while also identifying lost revenue due to under-coding or missed billing. In this interview, HCCI’s Brianna Plencner (pictured) discusses how chart audits can also uncover potential compliance issues and ensure documentation and coding practices are current and appropriate.

HCCInsights: Why would an HBPC practice consider using an outside agency to perform a formal chart audit?

Plencner: First, there are many reasons to conduct routine chart audits. Medical practices can use the audit process to educate providers and staff and foster a culture of continuous quality improvement. Expert reviews of patient charts also promote more accurate and complete documentation and maximize the likelihood the practice will receive appropriate reimbursement for the services provided. Because the home-based patient population is complex, the practice’s coding must fully… Read more
HCCI Launches Easier-To-Navigate
Learning Platform
The Home Centered Care Institute (HCCI) recently launched a new learning platform that makes it easier for learners to find, and register for, HCCI’s live workshops and online learning activities.

The new platform, available via the HCCI website , provides access for learners to register for live courses such as Essential Elements of Home-Based Primary Care ™ and Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care ™ and to access HCCI’s catalog of online course s such as the new House Calls 101 (read an interview about the new course). 

For users of HCCI’s previous learning platform, data such as the learner’s purchase history and transcript have been saved and migrated onto the new platform. Previous users will simply need to change their password by following the instructions below:

  • Visit one of the education web pages on the HCCI website, such as Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care™
  • Click the “Log In/Register” button.
  • When the “Log In” window appears, click “Forgot Password” and follow the prompts to reset your password.
  • Once in your account, you can use the navigation on the left side of the screen to view the Catalog or see your previous purchases under My Resources.

To provide feedback or ask technical questions about the new platform, please email info@hccinstitute.org .
Upcoming Events
HCCIntelligence ™ Webinar
Wednesday, February 19, 4 pm-5 pm (Central Time)
What You Should Know About 2020 Coding Updates!

Presenters
  • Brianna Plencner, CPC, CPMA – Manager, Practice Improvement, HCCI
  • Thomas Cornwell, MD – Chief Executive Officer, HCCI
  • Paul Chiang, MD – Senior Medical and Practice Advisor, HCCI

 
HCCIntelligence™ is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice.
HCCI Workshops

SPOTLIGHT:
March 26-27, 2020 - Schaumburg (Chicago), IL
Essential Elements of Home-Based Primary Care™

 If you are relatively new to home-based primary care (HBPC) or still evaluating whether to enter the field, this two-day workshop is designed especially for you.

Based on current recommendations from national experts and taught by HCCI and faculty from across the country who are leaders in HBPC, the course offers clinical providers, practice managers and operations staff the chance to enhance their knowledge, competence and performance in providing optimal HBPC. It also includes interactive, case-based sessions focused on clinical and practice management topics unique to HBPC.
April 23-24, 2020 - Schaumburg (Chicago), IL
Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care™

October 22-24, 2020 - Orlando, FL
American Academy of Home-Care Medicine (AAHCM) Annual Meeting
and Preconference presented by HCCI

November 19-20, 2020 - Schaumburg (Chicago), IL
Advanced Applications of Home-Based Primary Care™

December 3-4, 2020 - Orlando, FL
Essential Elements of Home-Based Primary Care™
Practice Management Tip of the Month:
Optimizing Front Office Operations
House Call programs can become more efficient, drive collaboration and enhance overall effectiveness by optimizing their daily operations. These operations can include managing phone calls, paperwork, record requests and geographic scheduling; confirming appointments and verifying insurance, conducting patient intake and processing referrals, and assisting with practice billing and coding, among other areas.
Here are several tips to help your practice be successful:

  • Develop scripting and decision-tree guides for the front office to follow when speaking with new patients
  • Use real-time eligibility within the Electronic Health Record (EHR) to verify active patients and correct insurance prior to patients being seen
  • Consider using an electronic fax platform with E-Signature capability to streamline orders and paperwork
  • Use clear and concise patient intake and referral checklists to ensure appropriate information is collected in advance and services are explained upon enrollment
  • Define territory zones for each provider and use map-based tools to plan visits and routes
  • Don’t confirm appointments until one week to a few days beforehand to allow for schedule flexibility and ensure patients/caregivers are expecting the provider
  • Explore Health Information Exchange (HIE) options in your area for prompt access to medical records
  • Determine which services may require a review to ensure documentation and coding requirements are met and provide real-time feedback to the providers
  • Taking the time upfront to optimize these operations will prevent task duplication, promote efficiency, and increase patient and team satisfaction.
HCCI In The News

 3 trends behind the growth of house calls and medical care in stores
HCCIntelligence ™ Resource Center
At HCCI, we recognize the numerous challenges that can be encountered by HBPC providers and practice staff and the value of having access to knowledgeable experts and timely guidance. HCCI has developed a number of free resources to help you and your practice through our HCCIntelligence™ Resource Center .
HCCIntelligence™ is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as medical advice.
HCCI education and training initiatives including HCCIntelligence™
are funded in part by a grant from The John A. Hartford Foundation .
Home Centered Care Institute
This email is an advertisement for the Home Centered Care Institute (HCCI). HCCI is passionately committed to its vision of
transforming our nation’s healthcare system by creating universal access to best practice house calls programs,
to ensure that chronically ill, medically complex patients have access to high-quality care in their homes.
Connect with HCCI