Published January 17, 2012

Shout, Speak or Ponder

MGMA’s “Top 10 Government Issues for Practice Executives to Watch in 2012”

Too often we glance at email alerts and news briefs and do not consider their significance. In defense of us all, the volume of information we receive each day via e-mail is staggering. A 2010 estimate by The Radicati Group put this number at nearly 300 billion e-mails per day worldwide. A number of e-mails this time of year in the healthcare industry are lists of top issues for the coming year.

Which of these e-mails should have your attention? At PYA we believe the following list is one to note:

Top 10 Government Issues for Practice Executives to Watch in 2012

1. Medicare payments remain in flux

2. Version 5010 transition

3. E-prescribing penalties begin in 2012

4. Countdown to ICD-10

5. 2012 elections

6. Continued emphasis on compliance

7. Supreme Court hearing on ACA

8. CMS explores alternative payment models

9. Site of service payment differentials

10. Continuation of EHR meaningful use incentives

If we truly ponder this list, a response is required. A response is a conscious decision, and a decision is a statement of action. Not all action is productive, so prioritization should accompany our action as leaders.

While all ten of these issues are important, the following classifies and suggests some order of importance to this list:

Shout List If this list of issues is not already yesterday s conversation, this list demands immediate action by a physician practice

1. Version 5010 transition deadline was January 1, 2012

2. E-prescribing penalties begin in 2012 penalties begin this year without an approved hardship exemption

3. Countdown to ICD-10 this new code set is vastly more complex, and requires transition from ICD-9 by October 1, 2013

4. EHR meaningful use incentives continue 2012 is the last year to begin participating in order to earn maximum incentive payment amounts

Speak List This list of issues should currently have a physician practice s full attention thus, provoking action in operations, finance, and planning initiatives

5. Medicare payments remain in flux uncertainty remains in 2012 with the current two-month payment fix expiring on February 29, 2012

6. Continued emphasis on compliance focus remains on curtailing fraud, waste and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid

7. CMS explores alternative payment models emphasis continues to be placed on reimbursement reform from fee-for-service to value

Ponder Some More List This list of issues may be on-the-radar, but it demands less attention due to prioritization of those above

8. 2012 elections

9. Supreme Court hearing on ACA

10. Focus on site of service payment differentials

Attention to matters most critical to organizational success is always a challenge, and this list is much longer than MGMA s top ten government issues. Therefore, consider the following:

· Are you shouting where you need to?

· Are you speaking-of issues important to your future?

Most importantly, do not stop pondering (and responding)

If you would like additional information on this list or other matters impacting physician practice performance success, please contact the expert listed below at PYA, (800) 270-9629.

Recommended Links:
Visit The Healthcare Loop for information you want, the way you want it, on Healthcare Reform
Visit PYA’s Healthcare Blog for Healthcare industry insight
Follow us on Twitter @PYA_healthcare 
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