One phrase we hear all of the time from agencies we work with is "I don't know how we use to manage our agency before we implemented MediSked Connect."  And while it's always nice to feel needed, the real message is: For our agency to be around in 10 - 20 years, we HAD to move to electronic records.  There are signs and trends in our industry that point to the need for computer systems for provider agencies.  Some of them include:

Over the years, we've found that the education on Agency Management Platforms is most often side-tracked by two words - Meaningful Use.  These two words are very misleading to DD providers as they search for an all-in-one electronic record solution.  It's a carrot that most DD providers will never get, reimbursement on their software platform (Certified EHRs and EMRs) from CMS.  An incentive to get PCPs, Hospitals and CAHs into the 21st Century.  But, CMS has ignored HCBS services in meaningful use as the requirement necessary to receive payments don't match the types of services or professionals that are usually present at provider agencies.  Unfortunately, we see DD providers investing in certified EHRs and EMRs only to find out later that they will never receive reimbursement on their software from CMS.  Remember, the target population for meaningful use is medical professionals.  Therefore, the requirements are very much driven by medical services, workflows and qualified medical professionals.  To learn more about meaningful use requirements, check out their website here: http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Legislation/EHRIncentivePrograms/Meaningful_Use.html 

We have a saying around MediSked that goes:

"We don't have patience for software that calls people patients."   

Too often we see provider agencies evaluating medical or clinical software to implement as their agency wide solution for electronic records.  In almost every case, a provider that implements a clinical EHR to manage their electronic records, workflows, and billing is regretting that choice later on.  You don't provide medical services, or in some cases, even behavorial health services, so why look at software that is certified for managing those types of services?  You shouldn't and here's 4 reasons why.