Understanding LGBTQ health needs |
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Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (and others), or LGBTQ+, individuals represent all races, ethnicities, social classes, religion and more. However, the lack of appropriate gender identity and sexual orientation questions on state and national surveys make it difficult to truly know the number of LGBTQ+ individuals.
The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion indicates that LGBTQ+ individuals face health disparities associated with "societal stigma, discrimination, and denial of their civil and human rights." Studies also indicate that LGBTQ+ adults are vulnerable to poor physical and mental health.
The good news is that patients with supportive physicians are more likely to be comfortable in asking for care and resources. Providing inclusive care in a practice is an important step in ensuring patients receive quality care.
There are many ways to provide more inclusive care, including these examples:
- Use gender inclusive language on health intake forms (not just Male/Female)
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Post bathroom door signs that welcome all genders
- Place pride symbols in the waiting and exam rooms, especially during Pride month
- Practice cultural humility when providing care
- Get familiar and comfortable with the language of LGBTQ+
According to multiple studies, unconscious bias and other training can help health care providers "develop critical self-awareness of personal implicit or explicit values and behaviors that may contribute to health care disparities. Cultural humility acknowledges the role of power and privilege within the patient-provider dynamic and within the health care system itself."
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Learn correct care management, advanced care planning coding |
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Are you missing out on codes for care management? Wondering if you're coding correctly for advance care planning services? Don't miss this special coding webinar!
Lunch with the Coder:
Coding for Care Management and Advance Care Planning Services
Wednesday, June 29, 2022; 12-1pm
Many healthcare services have multiple codes to document specific types of care. Appropriate coding for care management and advance care planning offers insight for the care team and payers to better understand the patient’s diagnosis and care needs.
Join this webinar and learn how to properly code for:
- chronic and complex chronic care management services
- principal care management services
- psychiatric collaborative care management services
- transitional care management services
- advance care planning
Check out other upcoming education programs here. A reminder that education programs are complimentary and open to TPA members only.
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Prevnar 13 vaccine price dropping soon |
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As a reminder, Atlantic Health Partners provides competitive pricing on many vaccines. Through their vaccine program, all TPA practices receive the same vaccine pricing and terms no matter practice size or specialty, and members are eligible to receive an annual rebate on all vaccine purchases made through Atlantic Health Partners. Learn more about the program and how to save money on Prevnar 13 and other vaccines.
Please note that the Prevnar 20 contract price is not changing at this time.
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Five ways to reduce answering service costs |
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Businesses in every industry are trying to tighten up expenses during this time of rapid inflation and reduced reimbursements. Here are five ways to help reduce answering service costs without affecting the service level to your patients.
1. Use a Voicemail Prescreen Greeting
One recommendation is to add a recorded prescreen message on your answering system. This screens out routine calls and allows the urgent calls to connect to the answering service. Voicemail prescreen can also help weed out the dreaded robocalls!
2. Switch to Secure Text Messaging
Using a secure text messaging app is another cost-saving opportunity. Relaying messages by phone calls is the most expensive way to deliver messages to your providers. Text messaging can save five times the cost of receiving messages via phone call.
3. Use a Web On-Call Scheduler
When you call, email or fax in on-call schedule updates the answering service charges for the time it takes to make the change. A great way to reduce these costs is to use a web on-call calendar schedule software to update on-call status. A web on-call scheduler allows a practice to make on-call changes for multiple staff in seconds and the changes are in real-time. (Click here to see average monthly costs by update method.)
4. Pre-Populate Caller Information
Ask the answering service if their software can store repeat callers' information. The next time a patient calls it can automatically pre-populate common information. This saves money by reducing the call time.
5. Ask for an Answering Service Account Review
Over time, a practice’s information at the answering service becomes out of date. Scheduling time to review the information the service has on record helps ensure accuracy. This will help the service be as efficient as possible and reduce costs.
Source: Ambs Call Center, one of TPA’s Affiliate Partners, is a HIPAA-compliant medical answering service providing a full range of quality services to practices. Contact Aaron Boatin or Ryan Ambs at sales@ambscallcenter.com or (586) 693-3800 to learn more about TPA’s exclusive offers.
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Gain knowledge on improving quality metrics and performance |
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If you have questions about quality programs or are interested in learning ways to improve your quality metrics, don't miss The Physician Alliance's monthly Population Health & Quality webinars. Hosted by TPA staff, these webinars offer opportunities to better understand:
- quality metrics related to chronic conditions
- updates related to BCBSM quality programs and/or initiatives
- performance reporting and performance improvement
The webinars take place at noon on the second Tuesday of the month and are open to The Physician Alliance primary care and specialty care practices participating in the Physician Group Incentive Program (PGIP) through TPA. Visit TPA's website for upcoming dates and to register for a webinar.
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The latest healthcare news |
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Featured Affiliate Partner: OFFICE SUPPLIES & SOLUTIONS: ODP Business Solutions provides The Physician Alliance members with exclusive savings through their discount program. Low pricing is available on many business categories, such as up to 55% off office supplies and cleaning and breakroom items, 10-20% off ink and toner and more!
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