Healthcare Management Software Key Terms
Learn the key terms related to healthcare management software to understand its benefits
Healthcare management software is used by hospitals, pharmacies, and healthcare facilities of all sizes. Healthcare management software programs organize and manage all aspects of care, including patient appointment scheduling and billing, incident reports and records, and hospital administrative duties. Understand the basics of these key terms to learn the advantages of healthcare management software.
Electronic claim submission
Electronic claim submission or filing is an online process commonly found in healthcare management software. Electronic claim submission allows claims to be automatically submitted from the facility to a patient's medical insurance company and receive notification of billing.
Try: National Government Services explains how electronic claim submission simplifies the filing process by eliminating paperwork and cutting down on filing time.
Patient tracking system
A patient tracking system is a function performed by most healthcare management software that tracks a patient's movements and scheduled appointments and procedures. This helps ensure quality care and safety for each patient in a facility.
Try: The California Healthcare Foundation explains how the implementation of patient tracking software improves the overall patient experience in a healthcare facility.
Electronic medical records
Electronic medical records, or EMR, are the online replacement of paper patient charts. EMR contain patient health histories, statistics, medical details, and other vital health information online instead of in a physical chart, saving physicians time, space and money.
Try: Open Clinical explains the implementation of electronic medical records in healthcare facilities and hospitals and discusses its advantages.
HIPAA
HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, is a federal regulation governing how and when an individual's personal medical facts and history can be distributed. Healthcare management software helps enforce these standards by eliminating the need for paper charts.
Try: HHS.gov provides an overview of HIPAA and explains its purpose in protecting a patient's medical information and rights.
PHI
PHI, or protected health information, is any information in a patient's medical records pertaining to medical conditions or diagnoses. Other personal information like addresses and birthdates are not considered PHI because they don't directly relate to the individual's medical condition.
Try: The University of California at San Francisco clarifies what is and is not considered PHI in this document by the Committee on Human Research.
Patient statement
A patient statement lists the services received, the payment made by an insurance company, and the copay or cost responsibility. This document is often processed or started by healthcare management software.
Try: Stanford Hospital and Clinics defines the different types of patient statements and explains how the insurance billing process works via healthcare management software.
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