We typically think of financing when purchasing Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems or other big-ticket items. Have you delayed projects due to lack of resources? Most financing companies can fund projects starting around $3,000.
The average practice can benefit from many less-costly projects such as laboratory interfaces, medical device integration, scanning and document management, or even custom development. If your practice has already implemented EHR, you should start planning to move to the next level. Integrating with labs, medical devices, or other systems can increase efficiency and reduce the workload on your staff.
If you have not yet moved to EHR, you can make the transition easier through scanning and document management. Scanning helps organize your charts so you can import or attach them to your electronic records at a later time. In addition, you can comply with HIPAA regulations by backing up your scanned charts both locally and off site. Backing up paper charts is impractical at best.
Security and HIPAA compliance affects practices regardless of EHR implementation. The HITECH Act, which brings us the meaningful use program, also amended HIPAA law, making it more widely applicable and increasing the penalties for non-compliance. Practices should start with a risk assessment, and then begin improving their security based on the risk assessment findings.
Don’t place important projects on hold indefinitely. If your practice is short on cash, ask your financing company if they can help you out. We have relationships with several financing companies that could fit your needs. Investing in your practice may also provide tax benefits under code 179. Please contact us at info@xlemr.com for more information.