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Criterions Patient Portal Benefits

Criterions Patient Portal Benefits

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What is a Patient Portal and How Does It Help Medical Practices?

In today’s digital-first world, convenience is key—especially in healthcare. Patients expect efficient, user-friendly ways to engage with their providers and manage their healthcare journeys. This is where online patient portals come in.

A patient portal is a secure online platform that gives patients 24/7 access to their personal health information, communication tools to interact with their healthcare provider, and various other features to streamline their care. These portals can include access to medical records, appointment scheduling, prescription refill requests, and more. For medical practices, offering a patient portal is no longer just a convenience—it’s a necessity to remain competitive, improve operational efficiency, and foster stronger patient relationships.

 

How Criterions' Patient Portal Enhances the Patient Experience:

The Criterions Patient Portal takes these benefits to the next level with a suite of advanced features designed to optimize the experience for both providers and patients. We're committed to making healthcare more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered which is why our development team has been working hard to provide our customers the latest portal enhancements including:

 

  • Mobile Access: Patients can log into the portal on their mobile devices, making it easy to manage their healthcare on the go. Whether checking lab results or completing forms, they can do so from the convenience of their smartphone or tablet.
  • Document Uploads: Patients can upload various document types directly into the portal, such as insurance cards, referrals, or identification. This eliminates paperwork and ensures that records are readily available for the practice.
  • Electronic Signatures for Consent Forms and Questionnaires: Save time and paper by allowing patients to electronically sign forms before their visits. This ensures compliance and simplifies recordkeeping.
  • Mobile-Friendly Intake Forms: Patients can complete intake forms directly from their mobile devices. This reduces check-in times and ensures accurate data is entered into the system ahead of their appointment.
  • Intake Reminder Emails: Automated email reminders prompt patients to complete forms or documents before their visit, helping practices maintain a steady workflow and reducing administrative follow-up.

Additional Key Features and Capabilities of the Criterions Patient Portal:

  • Schedule Appointments Online

  • Easy Access to Health Information 

  • View Bills and Make Payments Online

  • Update Patient Medical History

  • Check Refills and Prescription Requests 

  • Patients Can Send Message to Healthcare Provider 

 

Click here for more information on how Criterions Patient Portal and Patient Intake Solutions not only benefits your patients, but also can lessen the workload for your staff. If you have any questions or would like a demo of the Patient Portal,  please fill out the form below and we will be in touch shortly!

 

Benefits of Patient Intake Systems

Benefits of Patient Intake Systems

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What is Patient Intake? 

Patient intake is the process of gathering essential information from patients to support their medical care. This includes collecting basic details, like name, date of birth, and contact information, as well as more comprehensive data such as medical history, current symptoms, and insurance information.

This initial interaction shapes the patient’s entire healthcare experience, establishing the groundwork for a strong patient-provider relationship. A smooth, thorough intake process helps ensure that patients feel understood and valued, setting a positive tone for their care journey and supporting more effective treatment outcomes.

 

Here’s how patient intake can improve healthcare workflows, increase data accuracy, and contribute to a more streamlined experience for both patients and providers.

1) Improve Date Accuracy and Reduce Errors

When patient intake is conducted within an EHR system, patient information is entered directly into the digital record, minimizing the need for duplicate data entry. This approach significantly reduces errors that often occur when data is transferred from paper forms to digital records. With direct input, the risk of transcription mistakes decreases, ensuring that providers have accurate, up-to-date information to guide patient care.

 

2) Streamline Workflows and Reduce Administrative Time

Traditional paper-based intake is time-consuming and resource-intensive, requiring staff to collect, review, and manually enter patient information. EHR-integrated intake automates much of this process, saving administrative time and resources. Digital forms can be completed before appointments, allowing staff to focus more on patient care rather than paperwork. This streamlined workflow not only enhances office efficiency but also reduces wait times and helps keep schedules on track.

 

3) Real-Time Access to Patient Information

Digital intake within an EHR system provides healthcare providers with real-time access to important patient information as soon as it’s submitted. This immediacy is critical in fast-moving healthcare settings where providers need quick access to comprehensive patient histories to make informed decisions. Real-time data access can also facilitate better care coordination among multiple providers, as everyone involved in a patient’s care has up-to-date information at their fingertips.

 

4) Enhanced Patient Experience and Satisfaction

A digital intake process provides patients with a convenient and accessible way to submit information before their appointments, often through a patient portal or mobile app. This approach reduces the need for lengthy check-ins and allows patients to complete forms at their own pace, improving overall satisfaction. In addition, patients are less likely to feel rushed, and they have more control over their experience, which helps build a positive relationship with their healthcare provider.

 

This EHR-based intake process is more than just a convenience—it’s a valuable tool that benefits both patients and providers. As healthcare continues to move toward a more digital and patient-centered approach, EHR-based patient intake becomes an essential component for practices looking to improve operational efficiency and quality of care. Adopting digital intake solutions helps healthcare providers meet modern patient expectations, streamline workflows, and, ultimately, provide better care.

Want more information on how the Criterions Patient Intake module works? Fill out the form below and one of our experts will be in touch shortly. 

 

Case Study: Combining Mailed Bills and eBill Notices

Case Study: Combining Mailed Bills and eBill Notices

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Transforming Billing Efficiency with BillFlash

Background

Dr. Sarah Thompson's medical practice, a bustling healthcare provider in downtown Chicago, faced significant challenges in its billing process. With over 2,200 patients of record, managing and delivering invoices was time-consuming, often leading to delayed payments and frustrated patients. Dr. Thompson knew it was time for a change and turned to BillFlash for a solution.

 

The Challenge

Before adopting BillFlash, Dr. Thompson's practice relied solely on traditional mailed bills, which they printed in-house. This approach was not only slow, but costly. The practice's billing team spent countless hours manually preparing and printing invoices, severely impacting office operations every month. Mailing delays meant payments were often overdue, impacting cash flow and creating administrative headaches.

 

The Solution

BillFlash introduced a multi-channel billing approach, combining Mailed Bills with eBill Notices sent via text and email. This innovative solution allowed Dr. Thompson's practice to streamline its billing process, ensuring patients received their invoices promptly through their preferred channels. BillFlash integrated seamlessly with its practice management software, requiring minimal staff training and causing no disruption to the practice's daily operations. Now, with just a few clicks, the billing staff can quickly review, approve, and send billing notices.

 

Implementation

The implementation process was straightforward and efficient, thanks to the comprehensive support provided by BillFlash's Onboarding Success team. They guided the practice through every step, ensuring a smooth transition. With its new multi-channel billing approach, patients began receiving eBill Notices via email and text messages in addition to the traditional mailed bills, which led to impressive results for Dr. Thompson and her staff.

 

Results

Within the first three months, the practice saw a 31% reduction in patient billing-related inquiries. The timely delivery Mailed Bills in conjunction with eBill Notices improved the payment cycle significantly, reducing the average payment time by nearly 44%. The billing team also reported a significant decrease in time spent on billing tasks, allowing them to focus more on patient care and other critical functions.

 

BillFlash: Billing Made Better

Dr. Thompson couldn't be happier with the results, stating, "BillFlash has completely transformed our billing process. I highly recommend it to any practice looking to improve their billing system."

 

Discover the benefits of a multi-channel billing approach with BillFlash— click here to learn more about BillFlash or fill out our form below!

 

What is Practice Management Software?

What is Practice Management Software?

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What is Practice Management Software?

Practice management involves the decisions, actions and resources that ensure the day-to-day operations of your medical practice. Managing a healthcare practice can be arduous and time-consuming. In a single day, physicians and office staff may deal with administrative, regulatory, financial and technological tasks — on top of making sure patients get the best care possible. Practice Management Software helps manage your practice, patients, and is important with increasing workflow and patient engagement, but most importantly will help your office get paid.

Criterions cloud-based electronic health record comes fully integrated with practice management software you need to keep your office running efficiently. Whether you use a billing service or manage billing in-house, our EHR helps you receive payment faster.

Billing is streamlined with our electronic superbill, and our billing partners offer the best cloud-based billing solutions that can integrate directly with your EHR workflows. Intuitive charting, connections to labs and imaging centers, referrals, prescribing, document management, reporting, communication, and eligibility checks- Criterions does all this and more.

 

A few benefits of a cloud-based Practice Management Software includes:

 Help patients find your services and book appointments online

  • Patients can search for and book appointments online from your Criterions Patient Portal.
  • Once a patient books an appointment, automatic email or text reminders are sent to them to help reduce missed appointments and reduce the time your staff has to spend on the phone.

Check insurance eligibility for patients directly from your EHR

  • Get paid for the appointments you schedule with patient health insurance verification that includes real-time connections to over 300 payers, and automated eligibility checks before a scheduled appointment.

Certified for PQRS and Meaningful Use to help you avoid penalties

  • The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) offer EHR incentive payments for those who can attest to improving patient care with their Meaningful Use and PQRS programs — and payment penalties to those who cannot — if you are an eligible provider but haven't started participating in those programs.
  • To manage and report on criteria performance, Criterions has developed certified PQRS and Meaningful Use dashboards and reports.

Simplify your billing and increase revenue

  • Medical billing management and increasing revenue can be a challenge for any practice, but our cloud-based EHR and PM streamlines all these tasks so you can get paid faster and grow your practice.

 

 

Click here for more information on how Criterions Medical Practice Management Software makes delivering patient care easier for you and your staff, or please fill out the form below and a team member will be in touch shortly. 

 

Features of Modern Cloud-Based Practice Management Software

Features of Modern Cloud-Based Practice Management Software

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In today's digital healthcare landscape, the integration of electronic health records (EHR) with practice management software is essential for efficient clinic operations. Modern practices are turning to cloud-based solutions that offer advanced functionalities to streamline workflows and enhance patient care. Let's explore the essential features of modern cloud-based practice management software.

1. Cloud-Based Infrastructure

Cloud-based practice management software allows practitioners and staff to securely access patient information, scheduling tools, and billing systems from any location with internet connectivity. This not only enhances operational efficiency by eliminating geographical constraints but also ensures robust data security through encrypted connections and redundant backups. The scalability of cloud solutions accommodates the evolving needs of healthcare practices, making it an indispensable feature in today's digital healthcare world.

2. Seamless EHR Integration

Seamless integration with electronic health records (EHR) is paramount in modern practice management software. This integration enables healthcare providers to access patient records directly within the management system, streamlining documentation and improving accuracy. By synchronizing EHR data with practice management functionalities, clinics can efficiently manage appointments, billing, and patient care, ultimately enhancing workflow efficiency and quality of service.

3. Patient Scheduling and Appointment Management

Patient scheduling and appointment management are essential features of modern practice management software. These systems offer robust tools for online appointment booking, automated reminders, and calendar management, facilitating seamless coordination and reducing no-shows. By empowering patients to schedule appointments conveniently and allowing providers to optimize their schedules, these functionalities contribute to improved clinic efficiency and patient satisfaction.

4. Billing and Revenue Cycle Management

Billing and revenue cycle management are critical components of modern practice management software. These systems provide comprehensive solutions for claims processing, insurance verification, and revenue tracking, optimizing financial operations for healthcare practices. By automating billing tasks and ensuring accurate coding, practice management software helps streamline revenue cycles and improve overall financial performance.

5. Patient Portal and Engagement Tools

Patient portals and engagement tools are integral features of modern practice management software. These tools empower patients with secure access to their medical records, appointment scheduling, and online bill payment options. By enhancing patient engagement and convenience, practice management software fosters stronger patient-provider relationships and improves overall patient satisfaction and outcomes.

6. Reporting and Analytics

Reporting and analytics capabilities are essential in modern practice management software. These tools provide valuable insights into practice performance, financial trends, and patient outcomes, enabling data-driven decision-making. By leveraging robust reporting features, healthcare providers can optimize operations, identify areas for improvement, and ultimately enhance the quality of care delivered to patients.

7. Task and Workflow Automation

Task and workflow automation enable healthcare providers to streamline administrative tasks such as task assignment, prescription refills, and referral management. By automating routine workflows, practice management software helps optimize operational efficiency, reduce errors, and free up time for providers to focus on patient care.

8. HIPAA Compliance and Security

HIPAA compliant and secure systems incorporate robust security measures including data encryption, role-based access controls, and audit logs to ensure patient data privacy and regulatory compliance. By prioritizing HIPAA compliance, practice management software helps healthcare organizations safeguard sensitive information and maintain trust with patients. You can find the latest updates on HIPAA Compliance and Security by visiting the American Medical Association's website here. 

Criterions practice management software goes beyond basic functionalities to empower our customers with advanced tools for enhanced patient care and operational efficiency. By leveraging our cloud-based practice management software that's integrated seamlessly with our electronic health record software, clinics can optimize workflows and focus on delivering quality care to their patients.

 

Criterions includes various features of modern cloud-based practice management software that can jumpstart your practice today. Click here to learn more about our practice management system or fill out the form below and we'll be in touch soon!

The Cost of Neglecting Text Appointment Reminders

The Cost of Neglecting Text Appointment Reminders

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In today's fast-paced world, missed appointments can be a significant headache for medical practices. Simple solutions like text appointment reminders have emerged as effective tools for reducing no-shows. They offer flexibility by allowing patients to manage their healthcare appointments on the go. Whether they're at work, running errands, or attending to family matters, patients can easily respond to reminders and make necessary adjustments to their schedules. In this blog, we'll explore the tangible costs associated with not utilizing text appointment reminders in medical practices.

Missed Appointments: A Costly Conundrum

According to the National Institute of Health, the average cost of a no-show visit in the United States is around $200. If you could prevent just one no-show visit per provider each week, you would be increasing your monthly revenues by $800 per provider.

Imagine if you could prevent one no-show per week for each provider at your practice for a full year. That’s an additional $9,600 per provider of revenue your practice could collect!

Administrative Overhead: Time is Money

Manual outreach is not without its hardships. Many patients don’t answer the phone or listen to voicemails. Most patients prefer to communicate via text and manually calling is more expensive than you might think.

Texting patient appointment reminders can increase attendance rate while saving your staff valuable time by eliminating the need to send additional reminders, place reminder calls, or reschedule missed appointments.

Patient Satisfaction: A Critical Component

Instant Access to Information: Patients receive automated text reminders shortly after scheduling their appointments. This provides them with immediate confirmation of their appointment details, including the date, time, location, and any necessary preparation instructions.

Ease of Communication: Text reminders often include features that allow patients to confirm, reschedule, or cancel appointments with a simple reply. This two-way communication stream provides patients with a convenient way to manage their appointments without having to make phone calls or visit the practice's website.

Reduced No-Show Rates: By receiving timely reminders, patients are less likely to forget about their appointments or double-book themselves. This reduction in no-show rates not only benefits the practice financially but also ensures that appointment slots are utilized efficiently, reducing wait times for other patients.

The Solution: Text Appointment Reminders

By recognizing the hidden costs associated with missed appointments and administrative overhead, medical practices can make informed decisions to enhance their operations and prioritize patient care. With Criterions text appointment reminders, not only can you reduce costs but also improve overall efficiency, patient satisfaction, and increase your revenue.

 

Fill out our contact form below to learn more about Criterions integrated text appointment reminders and how it can help your practice today!

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