Actually I was not necessarily saying do away with the PM. What I am saying is you must first shore up your foundation before trying to get bigger or taller. Continue to IMPROVE the thing you already do best (not just add cool or useless stuff. Paperport, for instance, took a perfectly good version 9 and crapped it up in V12 with "tweaks" which have threatened its functionality). When that is secure, then, if needed, look for ways to climb higher. I personally do think, however, the quest for a new PM was a mistake. If partnering with UPDOCs and partnering with Lab Corp and partnering with others was the right move for AC then why not partner with a billing company that is already doing it right? Why try to re-invent the wheel? Now, in fact, I DO have a problem with AC partnering with UPDOCs in order to achieve a federally mandated patient portal for health information. I would much rather see AC make that an integral part of THEIR program and not have to pay for another piece of software, the most of which I would not use.
I really like the idea of being able to buy a program in modules. I could dispense with all the MU and reporting parts, and pay for the parts I do use (like UpDox). My gripe is all the bells and whistles that AC has tacked on.
Originally Posted by Bert
I know AC doesn't want to hear this over and over, but v7 was rather shortsighted. You simply cannot have a hiccup in a practice management program. I just don't see how AC thought it was a good idea except to bring on more customers. I think the customers lost would have been other customers gained.
But, Bert, remember there were numerous posts here from physicians who felt it was mandatory that AC have practice management in order to stay competitive. Whom are they supposed to believe?
David Grauman MD Department of Medicine Commonwealth Health Center Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands
