Today, IT capabilities often go untapped. Changes are rampant and IT opportunities are difficult to seize. To stay ahead of the curve and meet the need to reduce expenses and increase revenue, we need to think IT before other expenditures.
View your business with an IT perspective by checking in with staff regularly to learn about their pain points. Note the areas that might need improvement and invite employees to provide solutions. This should be done individually as well as in a group. If an employee has a particular issue to express, that’s no problem, as long as they have a possible solution to offer along with it. It is your job, as a leader of the organization or team, to veer staff in the right direction.
The use of technology can show employees how to make a bigger difference. Don’t get bogged down by unconfirmed orders dating back for months. Segregate the reason for delay by hold reason, and reduce the amount of paperwork getting lost between departments. By implementing mobile delivery devices, confirmation can quickly improve. Make a goal to confirm orders within 48 hours. While this type of IT initiative requires resources and commitment, with it, a company can recoup its financial investment quickly and dramatically improve performance.
The IT department—executives in smaller HME operations—will play an integral part in driving outcomes and solutions. As leaders in the organization, it falls upon management to solve problems by examining how a possible IT solution can provide the answer and/or might work in tandem with other resources to create a solution.
Intake staff using new software qualification solutions can enter a new patient order while the patient waits. In less than 5 minutes, the system knows which questions to ask for qualification purposes. The patient is then able to receive their goods on the spot because the medical necessity was confirmed and backup documentation was provided. A seamless process from order to delivery, this poises a company for the face-to-face requirement. Further, the billing software made it a smooth, all-in-one process.
For many HME companies, a fully operational software solution means that they have multiple, parallel programs running, especially if their business revolves around varied product lines. Of course, this results in expending excess time and effort to a) input the same patient information multiple times, b) collect and distribute data via each program, c) aggregate outcomes to get a big picture view and d) maintain and update several systems. Companies must recognize that an IT initiative will meet the need for better technology without constantly duplicating their efforts.
The future holds improved options for minimizing duplications via software. Finding the right one will require research and trial and error until solutions that mesh the various software products into one contiguous solution become available.
Teach staff to approach problems by asking how software can solve an issue. If a one-person entrepreneurship can accept payment via square.com or an app, we should be able to collect copays and private pays from our customers using new technology.
Some private pay software is currently able to log patients into their accounts so they can pay their bills online. The patient can check status at any time. For those who are savvy enough to use this software, the outcomes are tremendous.
Customers can pay their bills more quickly and efficiently, and stay on top of open balances, removing the need to contact them. As banks now allow clients to photograph an endorsed check on both sides and deposit it directly from an app into their bank account, this will become a next step for HME companies who collect checks upon delivery or in store.
To lead efficiently and better operate your HME business, constantly evaluate your progress and outcomes. Measuring and tracking everything should be easily accessible if your software has the date in the system. New technology from companies like Tableau Software can enable you to create additional efficiencies in your operation, excluding the need for spreadsheets. This can save countless hours and allow staff to focus on their actual work, rather than listing their daily tasks.
The more reliant you are on your software, the more likely you are to focus on your core competency of growing the business and looking for ways to diversify and innovate.
Technological advancements can assist HME providers and the entire health care system worldwide. Managing the use of IT must be paramount to your business. Maximize your IT initiatives this year to relieve the burden, and help you focus your time on searching for your next big HME opportunity.
