Credit card options made available for physicians
An Irvine, Calif.-based information vendor has updated its database of more than 600,000 physician offices to include information on their credit card options. The resource, provided by SK&A Information Services, allows users to see which physician offices accept which cards. Additionally, the Physician Office Credit Card Acceptance Data file lists the 30 percent of physician offices that do not accept credit cards. SK&A said this data creates a marketing opportunity for banks and lenders offering patient financing solutions.
Two states adopt standard provider credential tool
Rhode Island and Vermont have joined several other states in adopting a universal provider credentialing tool intended to streamline administrative processes and save money. CAQH’s Universal Credentialing Datasource, which offers online access to credentialing information such as the National Provider Identifier, is available to providers, health plans and hospitals. CAQH estimates that the administrative burden eliminated by the tool results in savings of up to $57 million annually.
JPmorgan acquires HIPAA compliance vendor
In a move expected to facilitate automated payment and reimbursement processes for providers and reduce administrative costs, JPMorgan Chase & Co. has acquired FisaCure, Inc., a vendor of electronic remittance services for Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) compliance. In a press release, JPMorgan Chase said the acquisition will leverage providers’ management of accounts payables and receivables, while the combination of the companies’ services will address problems associated with transactions, coding standards and data posting in practice management systems.
Cincy nursing managers automate HR processes
Nurses and nursing managers at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center have reported spending more time with patients by using an administrative tool that reduces paperwork and automates human resources processes. Perceptive Software’s ImageNow and WebNow systems manage records and staff shifts at the growing hospital and can be accessed from any location.