Health information management continues to evolve as the industry changes and new technology becomes more prevalent. Many experts have begun to predict which trends will have the largest impact on the industry as we move into 2016. By 2016, there will be a number of important health IT and reform initiatives in place, including ICD-10 and Stage 3 of Meaningful Use Incentives.
Here are 10 of those trends. Which ones have you already seen in your workplace?
- Business and clinical process leaders will increasingly need to own the HER and other various technologies for these technologies to truly be successful.
- HIM functions will be spread out and embedded throughout organizations, with there being more focus on supporting patient care and population health missions.
- Everyone (or at the very least, a vast majority of people) who works in healthcare will need to have some level of basic competence in Information Management. That’s simply the way the industry is heading at the moment.
- Health systems are going to continue to have to find ways to remain financially viable in an era where there are revenue challenges around every corner. Many health systems will reduce overall costs by around 20 percent to be able to stay afloat. This makes it extremely important for these systems to find ways to operate more efficiently.
- The link between improvements in financial performance and improvements in quality is going to continue to be extremely evident.
- There will be a broader recognition of how important it is to manage the Information/Records Management aspects of digital information through their entire life cycle. Important functions include legal health record, data integrity, privacy, e-discovery and more.
- More people will rely on information and technology to aid in managing their own healthcare and choosing providers who deliver the best care at the best price.
- While many health systems continue to adapt to ICD-10, ICD-11 will be designed and evaluated with planning beginning for implementation in 2020.
- Clinicians will require specific information and tools to be able to anticipate the cost consequences and outcomes of all of their decisions at the point of care.
- Plans for making sweeping payment reforms will coalesce due to outcomes- and risk-based payment pilots and demonstrations under the Affordable Care Act.
About Howell Consulting Group
Howell Consulting Group provides healthcare consulting services to hospital and physician practices nationwide. Our key focus areas are revenue cycle management, health information technology, and revenue cycle billing and collections.
HCGs consultants are highly experienced in all aspects of healthcare financial management. We implement revenue cycle best practices to optimize your receivables performance and maximize your cash flow.
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