Home Forums Discussions Problems a tad cautious

Ok here it is. I haven't downloaded AC yet, although I have staff begging me to get rid of the Medisoft PM and my husband (the $man) saying lets try the x-link. I think for the price of the x-link we can switch data to the AC and still pay staff less than x-link.

I have been thru the demo a dozen times, and really haven't seen a lot regarding dealing with 4 or more complex issues being dealt with in one visit. Also I am an independent Family Nurse Practitioner and I while I don't see any reason why I can't use the program, has anyone heard of any issues specific to NP's?

Is anyone having problems with the escript? Also LabCorp here has a terrible turnaround time getting labs to me as opposed to Quest, and the workers there are cranky.

Our local IPA is trying to assist us with mild pressure towards everyone accepting Greenway, and I hated the demo they did, it was totally without merit.

I think the biggest question is being able to seamlessly stream multiple complex issues being addressed in one visit.

thanks
cindy

We use Medisoft as a separate billing program since I have one person in my office who does all the billing (my wife) - although she has to reenter the billing information since we already owned the program it seemed ridiculous to re-buy other software. It also does not take a tremendous amount of time to enter the insurance information on the other software and since my patients often have more than one type of insurance depending on the visit (MVA, L&I, DOT Physical to employer, private insurance) - it would seem awfully easy to bill the wrong insurance information if it just loaded the information from the chart (one of the 2 on the demographics page).

In regards to using the chart for complicated cases - I use it exclusively in my office except for IME type cases where I dictate very lengthy charts - it works very well even if you have multiple diagnoses and lots of medication changes, orders, etc. I guess the only way it would be different for some is if you do not use standard SOAP - some like to put a diagnosis with the information to address that diagnosis and then move to the next diagnosis. If you do a standard chart note where you just put the Plan and address everything in one place you will do fine - I type very fast so I can do this very quickly in the room with the patient. When patients come back for followup and you just have to review the cc, hpi, update the ROS, update the PE and then make changes to the treatment or scrips it can be done in just a few minutes and then end up with a complete very detailed note. I feel like 99214 and even 99215 can be documented very easily. The one thing I think you need to be careful with is that you update things and scan through each area every visit - I have seen people who just use a template and end up with very long notes, but who also spend only 3-4 minutes with the patient.

The best way is to download the software to one computer and then at the end of the day do a chart on it for one patient (compared to however you currently do it - dictate, etc) and see how long it takes and how it looks. Watching the demo is not really great - you have to try it. Use the complete ROS that comes with it and make the changes you need to - put whatever your standard exam is as a template and then try it a few times.

Cindy, I'm an FNP/GNP in solo practice. I've used AC from day one (August '06). I think my patients are probably as complex as most anyone in FP...lots of illness/problems, little that is in control. In order to know if it will work for you, you've got to download it and try it out.

I agree with Steven regarding the billing with multiple insurances. It's difficult having only a slot for primary and secondary insurances. It just is not enough. Different visits use different insurers.

I started with a billing company, and this was one of the problems in AC...not being able to designate which insurance company a particular bill goes to (at least not when you batch upload). There were other problems/nightmares as well. We are now billing ourselves via Office Ally. Thus...I cannot speak to the x-link and Medisoft. Like others, I'm anxiously awaiting the PM module.

So...no particular issues with this software that is specific to NP's...we are just like everyone else...

Barbara C. Phillips, NP
Aberdeen, WA

We are a practice of 5 NPs and have been using AC since 2003. We have no problems directly r/t NPs and since we only take Medicare/Medicaid, Cash, Check, Credit card and use EZ Claims we have no billing problems. I wish everything in my life worked as well as Amazing Charts