Ready, Set Goals! Develop a Game Plan for 2011

The new year is fast approaching with just 30 days left and if you haven't done so already, the time is now to develop a game plan for your organization. In the ever changing industry of health care, it is important that you review your office processes to identify areas and ways to improve performance and productivity.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when setting your 2011 goals.

• Go Paperless

CMS is offering incentives for health care providers who become meaningful EHR users. If you haven't done so already, you can improve the way your office handles health information and benefit from it by converting your paper-based record keeping system to an electronic health record.

• Maximize your insurance reimbursements

Look for ways you can streamline your revenue cycle. A close look at your current process can reveal an opportunity for improvement.

• Create a budget

Begin by reviewing your financial reports from 2010. A careful analysis of your finances can help you identify areas where you can cut costs or invest in new technology to improve patient care.

• Evaluate your managed care contracts

It may be time to re-negotiate your managed care contracts. This process involves considering many different aspects including the current market, financial data, etc.

• Motivate your medical office staff

No matter how well developed your plans are for the improvement of your organization, they cannot be implemented properly without the help of your staff. Your team needs to be just as much involved in the success of your organization as you are.

• Stay up-to-date on credentialing

Quality patient care is the basis of your entire organization. Be sure that all staff in your organization is current on any licensing or certifications required for their job function.