Referrals are generated by the provider during the clinical encounter, eliminating the need to manually fill out paper-based payor forms. The practice generates about 3,600 referrals annually. Using the system, an estimated 7 minutes per referral are saved, for a total of 420 hours per year. Overall turnaround time for a referral has been reduced from one day to within an hour. Additionally, using the reporting tools and the documentation database, the practice has eliminated payor-based denials and can report provider referral patterns for payor utilization requirements.
Typical areas targeted include the pap smears, mammograms, and diabetic eye exams.
Therefore, the practice estimates that it diagnosed and prevented complications in thirty-two patients that otherwise may have gone undetected. Based on these results, the practice has qualified for the maximum quality bonuses provided by this payor. The practice can utilize the system to generate patient letters in the event of drug recalls. Since opening the practice there have been four recalls effecting 45 patients. All patients received letters within one day of the drug recall alerts.