Practice Management Seminars/CEUs

Upcoming Seminars/Webinars

Electronic Health Records - New Introductory Webinar - FREE

EHR Best Practice Series: Learn Best Practices for Selecting, Implementing, and Optimizing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) System

HIPAA: Achieving Compliance with NEW Requirements

E-Prescribing & Medicare PQRI Registries - 90-Minute Webinar

Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs): Understanding and Defending Against Audits - 90-Minute Webinar

Additional practice management events can be found at the Washington State Medical Group Managers Association (WSMGMA) website's events page

Electronic Health Records - New Free Introductory Webinar

The WSMA is committed to helping physicians' practices successfully adopt EHRs. The EHR Best Practice Series™ is a nationally recognized education program, endorsed by many state medical associations, to help smaller practices learn best practices for Electronic Health Records (EHR) systems. To register for the free webinar training session, log on to www.ehrbestpractice.com/register/regWebinar_WSMA.php, then click on the Training Programs menu, and register for either of the standard programs: How to Best Select an EHR or E-Prescribing Best Practices.

Be sure to use the following promotion code when registering: 57MHSX. This free offer is valid through June 30, 2010. Each registered attendee for the How to Best Select an EHR standard training program will receive a copy of the EHR Selection Handbook.

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Learn Best Practices for Selecting, Implementing, and Optimizing an Electronic Health Record (EHR) System

How can you plan for a successful EHR Implementation? With federal "Meaningful Use" starting in 2011, what are the EHR requirements needed for reimbursement? There are more than 250 EHR vendors in the market, how do you determine which product is the best fit for your practice and budget?

Maxwell IT, the producer of the EHR Best Practice Series(TM) is a nationally recognized HER consulting company that provides education, self-help resources and vendor analysis through state medical associations. The seminars are designed to be vendor-neutral in content and are discounted for members and staff thanks to our sponsors. For a list of sponsors, click here. [PDF]

BASIC COURSE
Best Practices for EHR Selection & Implementation

Session One: EHR101- Lessons Learned from a Practice Implementation
Objective: Provide real-life perspective of what it takes to implement an EHR. Discuss short and long-term benefits (ROI), change management issues. Provide overview of EHR applied to physician and administrator's daily routine.

Session Two: Best Practices for Selection and Implementation
Objective: Present overview of recommended selection criteria and methodology to identify potential vendors. Learn how to build a 5-year budget model that calculates all direct and indirect costs associated with purchase, as well as cost savings, and how to compare vendors.

Session Three: Physician Office Lab/Selection Handbook
Objective: Provide attendees with an opportunity to experience technology first-hand. Create an environment for physicians and administrators to speak to experts directly and share their own experience. Each attendee will receive an EHR Selecti on Handbook, a planning kit to help kick-start their own process.

Cost: $20 per attendee for WSMA members and staff, $40 per non-members and staff.
Note: Registrant's information will be shared with sponsors.

ADVANCED COURSE
Best Practices for EHR Project Management & Workflow Redesign
How can you successfully configure your EHR to make electronic charting faster than paper? It is estimated that less than 20% of Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems get fully implemented. Once the practice has gone live on the system common challenges include: budget overrides, low user adoption rates, incomplete project plans, and partially configured systems. Learn best practices to successfully implement or re-optimize an EHR.

Topics will include:

An introduction to Internal Project Management, learn how to:

Build an internal implementation team and review what is expected from the vendor team vs. your practice's team
Review vendor contract agreements to outline objectives and the requirements
Identify key risk areas for scope of implementation
Develop a budget, an internal project plan, and a team to align with your practice objectives

An introduction to Internal Process Design, learn how to:

Analyze and identify failure points in current processes
Align new processes to healthcare technology standards and best practices
Analyze staff and resource requirements necessary to execute new processes
This hands-on workshop is limited to 35 registrations and will provide you with actual tools to begin designing your practice

This hands-on workshop is limited to 35 registrations and will provide you with actual tools to begin designing your practice to successfully implement an EHR. There will be NO vendors or exhibit tables at this workshop.

Cost: $229 per att endee for WSMA members and staff, $300 per non-members and staff.
Note: Registrant's information will be shared with sponsors.

Speakers and Trainers: Maxwell IT has an experienced team of speakers/trainers comprised of physicians, administrators and technology project managers. Courses are usually taught by one to two trainers. Click here to download biographies [PDF].

BASIC COURSE SCHEDULE
Cost: $20 per WSMA members and staff, $40 per non-member and staff.

(no Basic Courses scheduled at this time)

ADVANCED COURSE SCHEDULE
Cost: $229 per WSMA members and staff, $300 per non-member and staff.

March 20
8 am - Noon
Providence St. Peter Hospital, 2nd Floor, Rooms 200 - 202
The Gallery, 2nd floor across from cafeteria
413 Lilly Rd • Olympia, Washington 98506
• Light breakfast provided

April 24
8 am - Noon
Northwest Physicians Network
708 Broadway, Suite 400 • Tacoma, WA 98402
• Light breakfast provided

We recommend that you pre-register early, as class size is limited. Advanced course class size is limited to 35 attendees.

Questions? Contact Jenelle Dalit by phone at 1(800) 552-0612 or jcd@wsma.org

HIPAA: Achieving Compliance with NEW Requirements

Register now for this important and timely seminar! Failure to comply with HIPAA requirements can place physicians and their practices at potential risk of violating federal law and incurring substantial financial penalties.

The maximum HIPAA civil monetary penalty for improper disclosure of Protected Health Information (PHI) was raised from $25,000 to $1.5 million. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act imposed many changes to federal HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules. Washington State laws also have been amended in recent years—is your practice in compliance?

This seminar will instruct you on the specific actions needed to achieve compliance with the HIPAA Privacy standards and will guide you in achieving compliance with HIPAA Security rules.

We will guide you through these important issues:

NEW! 2010 HIPAA Changes due to recent Regulations
New "Accounting of Disclosure" Obligations
HIPAA Breach Notification Requirements and Safe Harbor Standards
- When are you required to post breach notice on your Practices' home web page?
- When are you required to issue a media release for publication of the breach?
- New Annual Government Breach Requirements
Changes in Washington Laws affecting Covered Entities and Business Associates
Comparison of HIPAA breach notification requirements with State Law
Use and Disclosure of Authorizations: When do you need one? Do they expire?
Understanding the Various HIPAA Forms: What are your responsibilities?
Office of Civil Rights (OCR): Are you at risk for an OCR audit? Responding to audits and complaints.
Sample Scenarios: What should you do in these situations?
- Employee looks up friends PHI to offer assistance to friend.
- Employee accidentally accesses PHI of wrong patient.

IMPORTANT BENEFIT: In conjunction with this seminar, the WSMA has partnered with Physicians Insurance to provide WSMA members and their practice staff with access to sample forms and policies needed by your practice. These materials, prepared by Physicians Insurance, are compliant with Washington state and federal HIPAA regulations, and are available either on the WSMA Practice Resource Center website under "Practice Operations" (password protected), or through Physicians Insurance (www.phyins.com) in the "Risk Management" section.

Presenter
Stephen D. Rose, J.D., M.B.A., is the chair of the Garvey Schubert Barer Health Law Department. Stephen has more than 25 years experience representing clients in the healthcare industry. His practice focuses on HIPAA, Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement, defending healthcare providers during and after government audits, and developing and implementing corporate compliance plans. He has been one of the educators for WSMA since the HIPAA Privacy Rules were first issued and has defended numerous healthcare providers during HIPAA investigations and audits by the Office for Civil Rights (OCR).

Physicians, practice managers and administrative staff who are responsible for health insurance claims and the use of medical records and protected health information should participate in this important program.

Tuition
WSMA and WSMGMA members can attend for $149 per person, and may sponsor staff in the same practice for the member rate. Three or more members or sponsored staff from the same practice may register for a group discount of $129 per person.

Non-members: Please call for pricing.

Cancellations received within five full business days prior to the seminar receive a full refund. Cancellations thereafter receive a refund less a $50 cancellation fee. Space is limited, so register early.

Seminars run from 12:30 - 4:30 pm.
Check in and on-site registration begins 1/2 hour before start time.

Tacoma
Tuesday, March 16
Best Western Tacoma Dome
2611 East E Street
Tacoma, WA 98421

Questions? Contact Jenelle Dalit by phone at 1(800) 552-0612 or jcd@wsma.org

E-Prescribing & Medicare PQRI Registries -- 90-minute webinar

The Medicare program has taken the lead in promoting electronic “solutions,” and e-prescribing and the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) are on the cutting edge. Get the details on why your practice should consider participating, and what it would take to get started with these initiatives. We’ll also cover important changes to PQRI, which could generate additional revenue for your practice.

You will learn:
E-Prescribing:

Overview of e-prescribing standards
E-prescribing incentives and e-prescribing measures.
Steps to consider before implementation of e-prescribing

Medicare PQRI Registries:

What’s new for 2010 PQRI program
Comparing claims based and registry PQRI reporting
How complicated is a registry option and what are the benefits?
How to begin using PQRI registries to your advantage

Presenter
Bob Perna, FACMPE is the Director of Health Care Economics for the Washington State Medical Association (WSMA). He has 40 years' experience in the health care industry, is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Practice Managers (ACMPE), and is board certified as a Certified Medical Practice Executive (CMPE) through the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Date & Time
Thursday, April 7, 2010 - 12:00 - 1:30 pm PT

Tuition
Now offering a special discounted price! WSMA and WSMGMA members can attend for a price of $89. One registration fee per phone line lets your entire staff listen in. Non-members: Call for pricing.

Questions? Contact Jenelle Dalit by phone at 1(800) 552-0612 or jcd@wsma.org

Medicare Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs): Understanding and Defending Against Audits

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established permanent Recovery Audit Contractors (RACs), designed to safeguard the Medicare Trust Fund through audits of submitted claims. Physicians and practice administrative staff need to understand the risks posed by RAC audits and take proactive steps to achieve compliance and reduce exposure.

RACs will focus on physicians, hospitals and other entities that submit claims for Medicare covered services. Practices need to be prepared to comply with RAC audits within the established timeframes and to defend against allegations of improper billing.

You will learn:

Overview of RACs, their mission and functions.
RAC activities that will impact physicians’ practices.
How RAC audits work; Preparing for a RAC Audit.
Specific issues under review by RACs.
Automated vs. Complex Reviews: How these differ and will affect practices.
Navigating and Appealing a RAC overpayment finding.

Date & Time
Wednesday, April 21, 2010 - 12:00 - 1:30 pm PT

Questions? Contact Jenelle Dalit by phone at 1(800) 552-0612 or jcd@wsma.org