I would like to kick this series off by explaining what, when, who and why is affected by our project management efforts when implementing and/or deploying NextGen’s EPM. Also, please keep in mind that this represents a very high level overview and as the series progresses, more granular detail will be made available.
The ‘what’ of course is NextGen’s electronic practice management module which is one of the main software components in the NextGen suite of offerings. This practice management application allows clients to electronically check-in, check-out, schedule and perform billing and business functionalities for the patient and client alike.
The ‘when’ can occur days to months in advance for scheduling an appointment to the day of presentation at check-in. The ‘when’ can also serve the billing departments by using other NextGen features such as RTS, Real-time Transaction Server and BBP, Background Business Processor to verify eligibility, referrals, claims processing and monitor the stream of revenue cycle management.
The ‘who’ are simply the clients and patients served by using a modern suite of applications, such as NextGen’s EPM in order to better obtain demographic data, and allow for reporting measures which may be reimbursable through the ARRA stimulus funding. Meeting ‘meaningful use’ is a big buzz phrase these days and rightfully so. The client’s investment in an electronic practice management solution and/or electronic health record solution provides the ability to help integrate the patient’s overall data for better care and a more seamless set of processes in order to be paid for services rendered. It also allows for the providers and organizations to recapture some capital expenditures by first attesting to meaningful use of criteria and then reporting on the criteria going forward for stimulus reimbursements. (Please see more detail regarding Medicare and Medicaid requirements by visiting www.cms.gov.)
The ‘why’ is obvious……….health care integration in many forms is taking place and will continue to become more and more interrelated for better care of the patient and to stream-line business functions.
Project management professionals must recognize the what, when, who and why and be capable of acting upon the variables that affect their relationships. We here at Santa Rosa Consulting pride ourselves on being able to meet and/or exceed that commitment. There are many tools and techniques available to PMs in order to perform their duties. These include, but are not limited to:
- Infrastructure site assessments;
- Clinical workflow analysis;
- Training;
- Testing;
- Go versus no-go decision trees and diagrams;
- Managing stakeholders expectations;
- Organizational structure influences on the project(s);
- Leading, communicating, negotiating, problem solving and influencing the organization;
- Social, economic and environmental influences.
As I continue this series, I will delve more into the ‘detail’ of system configuration through go-live endeavors that are needed in order to accomplish a successful NextGen Electronic Practice Management implementation. At Santa Rosa Consulting, we strive for excellence each and every day and welcome your input in accomplishing same.