Industry leaders talk about the impact this market is having on the industry
by Graham Miller

Universal Software Solutions, Inc.

Phil Deschaine, Sales Executive www.universalss.com

Tell us about your company.

DESCHAINE: Universal Software Solutions provides our Healthcare Data Management System (HDMS). HDMS stands out due to its expanding features, integrated mobile modules and overall stability during the last 15 years.

How are market trends evolving?

DESCHAINE: HME providers have to be more efficient providers of products and services at lower rates. Our mobile services speed up deliveries, increase customer satisfaction and streamline billing confirmations.

How do you meet the needs of your customers in this ever-changing reimbursement environment?

DESCHAINE: In 2016, Universal Software will be adding new a billing worksheet tool to enable claims to be worked more efficiently and quickly.

How will your company continue to be successful in the coming year?

DESCHAINE: We plan on releasing two new mobile services: HDMS Mobile Orders and HDMS Mobile Clinical modules. These new mobile solutions will enable HMEs to capture more business in the field where their customers actually are.

What are the primary issues that impact health care providers in the industry? How are your products helping them meet those challenges?

DESCHAINE: Two big challenges impacting our providers are reduced reimbursements and higher regulatory requirements. HDMS’s robust billing engine enables our providers to submit claims without having to touch them again and again, which causes profit loss.

What advice do you have for 2016?

DESCHAINE: The most important thing providers can do to increase revenue and stay competitive in 2016 is create fully qualified orders that get paid the first time they are submitted, and provide the highest level of customer service.

Mediware Information Systems, Inc.

Kimberly Commito, Director of Product Management, Homecare Solutions Division www.mediware.com

What is your company known for in the billing services market?

Commito: Our solutions offer workflow management in many areas, ensuring our customers are using integration and automation of the patient care and billing processes.

How are new technologies impacting your industry overall?

Commito: Technology that automates the collection of vital data and ensures that reimbursement is not delayed will become more prominent.

How do your systems help keep your clients on track?

Commito: Automating the management of required documentation, as it relates to reimbursement requirements, is key. In addition, the collection of key data to manage and maintain a continued focus on process improvement in day-to-day operations is essential.

What is one way your company plans to stay competitive in 2016?

Commito: Our new product, CareTend, is being developed with automation and integration in mind. We support documentation management and recognize billing requirements and reimbursement from an industry perspective.

How do you plan to meet the challenges of today’s health care environment?

Commito: Software solutions should weave the revenue cycle management continuum into the day-to-day activities you perform, collecting data that can be analyzed and utilized to identify continued improvements in patient care and reimbursement management.

What is one thing that health care providers can do to improve in 2016?

Commito: Manage your data appropriately and monitor the success of your services and products in relation to customer satisfaction and cost control.

Computers Unlimited

Dan Greyn, System Sales www.cu.net

What kind of services do you offer?

GREYN: Computers Unlimited is a privately held company that offers a complete software system, TIMS Software, to our clients—it supports them from intake, to ongoing patient information, to billing, to reimbursement.

What trends are you seeing in the software and billing services industry this year?

GREYN: HME providers should start working more automation into their workflows, so that all the steps they go through have fewer touches.

How do you help HMEs meet the challenges in their industries?

GREYN: By going electronic and becoming more efficient, these businesses get leaner, more adept to handle policy changes and industry challenges and become more effective overall.

How do you help your clients become more successful in their business practices?

GREYN: We have incorporated inbound document routing into our TIMS Software. As a patient moves through your workflow, documents and tasks related to that patient’s care and billing are automatically routed through the system to the next necessary stage.

How important is customer service to your business model?

GREYN: We offer 24/7 help desk coverage in addition to a help desk during normal business hours. We truly value our customers, and we believe that our business goes well beyond the sale of our product in the form of great support.

What is one thing that health care providers can do to improve their businesses in 2016?

GREYN: There are a couple of things that will help any HME become more successful, including electronic documentation, incorporating automation into their business’s workflow and careful monitoring of their inventory.

Brightree

Rob Boeye, Executive Vice President, HME www.brightree.com

Tell us about your company. In what areas do you specialize?

BOEYE: Our integrated platform increases efficiency, streamlines business operations and helps providers stay in compliance.

How are market trends evolving?

BOEYE: The ability to share healthcare data across the care continuum is key. Healthcare organizations are attempting to communicate better and share information to improve patient outcomes and eliminate unnecessary costs.

How do you meet the needs of your customers in this ever-changing reimbursement environment?

BOEYE: With Brightree, providers will be able to connect directly with referral sources. We are an integral member of the coalition to finally provide customers with a common EMR across the whole health care continuum.

How will your company continue to be successful in the coming year?

BOEYE: We have aggressive product development plans to enable HME providers to continue to increase efficiency, streamline operations, provide seamless connections to referral sources and improve patient outcomes.

What advice do you have for HME and other health care providers in 2016?

BOEYE: It is imperative to automate and streamline processes to survive and remain profitable.