​A&A Rainmaker SBA Answers:



Incentive Programs and Payment Schedule

CMS is making available up to $27 billion in EHR incentive payments, or as much as $44,000 (through Medicare) per eligible health care professional.



How will adopting electronic health records (EHR) improve providers’ business goals?
Adopting electronic health records (EHRs) will help health care providers build a sustainable medical practice. The next generation of health care professionals will expect and demand that their own medical facility have a state-of-the-art information system. Becoming a meaningful user of electronic health records will allow providers who are building their practices to recruit and retain talented young clinicians.

Electronic health records will also help improve the safety and quality of health care for your patients. The meaningful use of electronic health records will help health care providers and hospitals offer higher quality and safer care.

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Does a physician personally have to furnish an Annual Wellness Visit service?

No. An AWV service can be furnished by a:
Physician;
Nurse practitioner (NP), physician assistant (PA), or clinical nurse specialists (CNS); and
Medical professional (including a health educator, registered dietitian, or\ nutrition professional) or a team of medical professionals, who are working under the direct supervision of a physician.

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This means that a physician has flexibility in how he or she provides an AWV service to beneficiaries. A physician can personally furnish the service and bill for it. A physician can bill for the service if it is furnished by an NP, PA, or CNS employed by the practice. A physician can bill for the service furnished by a medical professional or team of professionals employed by the practice if he or she provides direct supervision. Direct supervision means that the physician must be present in the office suite and immediately available to furnish assistance and direction throughout the duration of the AWV service. The physician does not need to be present in the exam room in which the service is performed.
The CMS commitment to this flexibility is evident from its response to a recommendation that the agency designate specifically who can be on the team of professionals and to assign roles for each team member. CMS responded that:
…it is better for the supervising physician to assign specific tasks to qualified team members (as long as they are licensed in the State and working within their state scope of practice). This approach gives the physicians and the team the flexibility needed to address the beneficiary’s particular needs on a particular day. It also empowers the physician to determine whether specific medical professionals (such as occupational therapists) who will be working on his or her wellness team are needed on a particular day. The physician is able to determine the coordination of various team members during the AWV.

Medicare covers all the costs for a one-time, comprehensive “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit during the first 12 months that you have Part B.

Learn what the visit includes and how you can take advantage of this benefit.

Yearly “Wellness” Visits /How often is it covered?
If you’ve had Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly “wellness” visit to develop or update a personalized plan to prevent disease based on your current health and risk factors. This visit is covered once every 12 months.
Who’s eligible?
All people with Medicare. If you got the “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit, you have to wait 12 months before you can get your first yearly “wellness” visit. You don’t need to have a “Welcome to Medicare” visit before your yearly “wellness” visit.
Your costs in Original Medicare
You pay nothing for the yearly “wellness” visit if the doctor or other health care provider accepts assignment. If you get additional tests or services during the same visit that aren’t covered under these preventive benefits, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply.

Why do you need a scanned copy of the Supervising Provider’s signature?

Patient encounter documents must be reviewed by the Supervising Provider and “signed off” electronically.  The encounter needs a logo for the practice and a scanned signature.  Letterhead from the practice can be scanned and sent to us electronically for the logo.  The signature should be in a 3″ by 5″ area with a heavy ink pen.
It is up to the Supervising Provider to decide if they would like to print out a hard copy of the encounter and keep it on file in the event of a Medicare audit.



Health Calculators

Begin planning your healthier tomorrow. Use our convenient library of health calculators to assess your risk for stroke or heart attack, calculate your body mass, or find your target heart rate.

Body Mass Index Calculator
Body mass index (BMI) is an approximate measurement of body fat. BMI is calculated using a person’s height and weight. The higher your BMI, the greater your risk for diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and certain cancers.

10-Year Stroke Risk Calculator
Strokes are the third leading cause of death in the United States, and the number one cause of long-term disability in American adults. If you’re 55-85 years old, this calculator can help you figure out your 10-Year Stroke Risk.

10-Year Heart Risk Calculator
Heart attacks are the leading cause of death for American adults. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to stop this killer in its tracks. You can start by entering your information in the 10-Year Heart Attack Risk Calculator.

Basal Metabolic Rate Calculator
Basal metabolic rate, or BMR, is the number of calories your body needs every day to fuel basic functions like breathing and maintaining a heartbeat. Your body uses this energy around the clock, even when you're sleeping. Everyone’s BMR is different. It’s affected by age, height, weight, and other factors.

Cold or Flu Calculator
Colds and flu share many symptoms, so it can be difficult to tell them apart. But there are some signs that can help you figure out what’s wrong. Use this chart to see what’s ailing you.

Target Heart Rate Calculator
Your target heart rate is a range of beats per minute that you can use to monitor the intensity of your workouts. Staying within your range will help you get the most out of your exercise program while making sure you stay out of harm’s way.





​Doctors, nurses and others learn to better communicate  health-literacy conference.



Important message for patients.

Never leave a doctor or hospital visit without answers to these three questions:

• What's my main problem?

• What do I need to do about it?

• And why is it important for me to do this?

"And bring a friend or family member to office visits,"

"They can help by asking questions, writing down what the health care provider is saying. It's another set of ears in helping to understand."