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I've just downloaded AC onto my new PC and am starting to set up for my practice. I have a part-time technician who sets up patients for a brief computerized neuropsychological test. The appointments are separate from my (or my nurse practitioner's) patient visits. Sometimes I will add a patient to the test schedule and run it myself. How should I set up a schedule for this testing? Do I need to list the tech as a User? If so, does the level of access determine if she shows up as a provider for purposes of setting up a schedule? Or is there another way?

Yes, he or she would need to be at a provider level to have a schedule. Since he or she would not actually be a provider yet you need a separate schedule, the best approach would be to contact AC and explain the situation. At least this is how I understand it. Since I don't use the scheduler, I could be way off base.

Two parts to the question: the legal and the behavioral.
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
The legal question is whether or not you need to pay for an additional provider. That is between you and AC, but I certainly think that you can make the case that this is a part-time provider with a limited schedule, who presumably won't even be generating notes (i.e., essentially just using the scheduler), so you shouldn't have to pay for a license and support for them.

The second issue is how to set it up. AC will let you set up as many users as you like, even if they are not true providers. So you can create a user called "Neuropsych Test" and use it to schedule patients. The user must be at a provider level to have a schedule.

Jon, the only problem with that is as soon as you put him at NP/Medical Student level, he is looked at as a provider, and it will show up on your Account Page. I agree, he shouldn't have to pay for a separate license.

My definition of a provider is whether or not they are seeing patients and generating bills. In this situation, it seems the same as an MA doing an EKG for the doctor.

So, I completely agree with you.

Thanks for the info. The tech is certainly not a provider. Bert is right that this is like a MA doing EKGs, except for the fact that we schedule this testing. In fact, anyone in the office - secretary, NP, MD - could set up a patient for the testing (Quotient ADHD System), time permitting. I am the only one who interprets the results and the billing is under my provider number. It would be cumbersome to force these patients into my schedule so I hope AC has a solution. I have a couple of other issues about the installation so this goes onto the list.

Jeff,
I think your answer might have gotten lost in the discussion about paying for providers.
Of course you should feel free to talk to AC support about this, but you don't need to wait; simply go to Admin Options and set up a new user, (e.g. "Testing") and you are ready to schedule.

I have talked with Jon at AC about this - he has no intention of you paying for a 'provider' just to have them be on the schedule - - he said that they would work on this. For now there should not be a problem making thema provider even though you have not paid for an extra 'provider'.

Jon,

The only thing I know of the schedule is what I have seen when I installl and it asks if you want to set one up and, if so, do you want to set one up for each provider.

Can you really set up a schedule for just a "user." I would think they would have to be providers, which is where the permission would come from.

Problem solved. Spoke with Darryl about this and a couple of other things. I can set up a phantom provider - with a name like Dr. ADHD Test or something more catchy. Then I can set up a schedule for the testing.

Awesome. And, it's good for AC to get some kudos once in awhile.

Same issue comes up when you need MAs and nurses to be able to ePrescribe.

****
Oh, and what do we want for helping you, you ask? Hmmm...maybe we can pick your brain on neurology and attorney issues. Could use some legal advice that is less than $185.00.

And, where else could you find an EMR group and board so helpful to an attorney?

I am currently at a conference where AC was set up - talked with Jon and he says the newest version of AC will have ability of MA/nurse to do refills for you.

Glad to hear that AC was reasonable (as expected) about this.

Bert,
In response to your question, "Can you really set up a schedule for just a "user." I would think they would have to be providers"...

I suppose it is a matter of semantics, but you certainly can. For example, we have a "Dr. Recall" which we use to record the patients who are to get the letters we want to send in the future for 3-5-10 year colonoscopy follow-ups. The "doctor" does have to be at a provider level, but is not a real "provider". Another example was setting up our student who worked as a bulk scanner during our conversion to AC. He was set up as a high level provider so that all of the charts did not need to be signed-off.

Exactly. A user would have to be at a provider level to do the above plus have a schedule. So, you would have to talk with AC about licensing. Now, I agree you could just go ahead and do it.

I certainly did.

Bert:

FYI I am admitted to the bar in NY, MA, and RI but am not actively practicing. I'm happy to answer medicolegal questions if I can. I've done some lecturing and writing in this area. Before you ask, the MD came first (Rush Medical, 1981). Went to law school at night starting in 1993 when the first and only law school opened in Rhode Island.

Where did you get $185? For the little legal work I did on the side - mostly helping MD's with hospital staff issues, disciplinary complaints, and employment contracts - I charged a lot more than that!

"Where did you get $185?"

You are near the Boston area. We are in Maine. That is what the GOOD lawyers charge.

Set it up as a Nursing Visit. We schedule our nurses all the time. They show up on the schedule. They are often for PFT's , Allergy shots, EKGs, and Vaccinations.