Treatment plans are an often-overlooked element of quality mental health treatment. Some providers see them as inefficient busywork, a necessary evil to meet compliance standards. However, treatment plans in counseling have value far beyond compliance. They can actually enhance patient care and benefit a practice’s efficiency.
Understanding Treatment Plans in Counseling
A treatment plan is a document that records a patient’s current mental health status and lays out goals for the outcome
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Health IT & Digital Health-Opinion | Op-Eds | Guest Columns | Analysis, Insights - HIT Consultant
Navigating the Murky Waters of Healthcare Billing
The traditional fee-for-service healthcare model, which reimburses providers based solely on the quantity of services delivered, is undergoing a much-needed transformation. The choice now is of value-based care initiatives, that are more focused on improved patient outcomes and preventive care, rather than simply paying for services rendered.
At the core of this change is a fundamental realignment of the mission, processes, metrics, and cultural values for healthcare providers and clients,
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The MedTech Renaissance Is Here. How Can Organizations Meet The Moment?
The healthcare industry rose to the occasion at the outset of global healthcare challenges beginning in 2020. Around the world, hospitals, outpatient facilities, MedTech organizations, and research firms embraced digital tools and communication out of necessity.
But once the worst was over, it became clear that this new, digital-first model of healthcare was here to stay. Both patients and providers enjoyed the convenience of virtual appointments for routine care. Digital tools unlocked
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AI’s Advantages to Overcoming Revenue Cycle Management Challenges for Providers
Healthcare providers face staffing shortages, increasing regulatory requirements, and pressure to reduce costs while delivering effective care. Compounding provider problems are payor policy, behavior changes and ongoing fee schedule cuts that compress revenue, as well as mounting denials and additional documentation requests from payors.
Coding, claim processing, and the collective revenue cycle management (RCM) tasks required to ensure appropriate reimbursement for billable service are all
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Penalizing Hospitals Won’t Stop Ransomware: Why Collaboration, Not Fines, is Key to Healthcare Cybersecurity
The recent $50 million initiative announced by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) can’t hurt in the ongoing battle against ransomware in the healthcare sector.
This investment is aimed at strengthening the cybersecurity defenses of hospitals nationwide, protecting sensitive patient data, and enhancing the resilience of healthcare systems against cyber threats. However, I must emphasize that while $50 million is a step in the right direction, it is merely a drop in
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Gen Z Falling Behind on Cancer Screenings: Phone Anxiety and Lack of Awareness Cited
What You Should Know:
- A recent survey by the Prevent Cancer Foundation reveals a concerning trend among Gen Z (ages 21-27) – they are significantly lagging behind older generations in getting routine cancer screenings.
- This lag can potentially have serious health consequences, as early detection is crucial for successful cancer treatment.
Phone Anxiety and Knowledge Gaps Hinder Screenings
The survey highlights two key factors impacting Gen Z's screening rates: phone
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The CMS Final Rule’s Impact on Healthcare Communication
As healthcare continues its digital transformation, ensuring clear, accessible communication with patients remains crucial. This is especially important for a diverse population with varying language needs and accessibility requirements. The recent Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Final Rule reflects this commitment to inclusivity by establishing stricter guidelines for Medicare Advantage and Part D payers regarding patient communication accessibility and language
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The Importance of Accurate Patient Matching for AI Projects
Famous artificial intelligence (AI) errors such as a Google search recommendation to put glue on a pizza to keep the cheese from falling off may cause a smile. However, when AI is mentioned in conjunction with healthcare, the stakes become serious — quickly since ‘hallucinations’ are not an option in healthcare!
But make no mistake: AI is infiltrating healthcare, from both clinical and operational angles. Estimates show the global AI healthcare market growing by 1,600% during the decade, from
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The Importance of Between-Visits Appointments and Mental Health
The causes and effects of America’s mental health crisis are well-documented. Easing access to necessary clinical help has not grown in tandem.
A study by the National Council for Mental Well-Being reveals that mental health services in the U.S. are insufficient despite more than half of Americans (56 percent) seeking help, with limited options and long waits becoming the norm. In some ways, meeting patients where they are is optimized, thanks to telehealth tools such as Zoom
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Upgrade Hospital Cybersecurity with Passwordless, Phishing-Resistant MFA
In February 2024, the Change Healthcare ransomware attack shut down healthcare billing and authorization systems for providers across the nation, substantially impacting business systems, finances and patient care. United HealthGroup, the parent company of Change Healthcare, estimates that losses so far have topped $872 million, including a $22 million ransom payment and other direct and indirect costs related to the event. The attack also exposed some 124 million patient records, spurring a
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