A chronic care management company supports clinics that care for patients with long-term conditions. Over two-thirds of Americans live with one or more chronic diseases. Clinics need a way to support these patients beyond regular visits. These programs also help clinics earn extra income through Medicare reimbursements. But setting up such a program in-house takes time and staff. This is exactly why many clinics opt for virtual chronic care services.
This blog shows how to choose the right company. It covers CMS rules, patient support, technology use, pricing, data reporting, and staff training.
Table of Contents
1. Follow CMS Rules and Avoid Billing Issues
A chronic care management company must follow CMS rules. These rules protect patients and providers. They include checking patient eligibility and getting the patient’s consent. They also require that care activities are recorded and tracked.
CMS says that consent is needed before you bill for any service. Some practices fail to do this. That can lead to audits or even repayment of funds. One audit report showed many cases where payments were made by mistake. These cases happened when clinics skipped required steps. To avoid this, companys must use software that checks every step.
Ask the company if their staff is trained on CMS rules. Ask if they hold certifications such as HIPAA. A good company will also stay up to date with any changes in chronic care management codes. This helps you avoid mistakes in billing. It also makes sure that payments are safe from review.
2. Help Patients Stay Involved Between Visits
A chronic care management program must help patients stay active in their care. Many patients forget medications or skip care steps. That leads to poor results. A good program uses digital tools to stay in contact with patients.
Some tools send reminders by phone or text. Others collect data from devices at home. This helps your team learn if a patient is at risk. It also lets you act before the problem gets worse. Some tools ask simple questions to see if the patient is doing well.
Your company should offer calls, messages, and portals. They should also create care plans that fit the patient’s needs. These plans must be clear and easy to follow. CareVMA Health uses virtual assistants who follow a set schedule to check in with patients and deliver the best virtual chronic care management services.
3. Use the Right Technology with Your EMR System
A chronic care management company should have software that works with your EMR system. This means staff can use one system to manage all records. There is no need to enter the same data twice.
Some companys let staff add notes to patient charts in real time. This keeps doctors informed. It also helps care teams work together. Doctors can see updates right away. companys should also help set up the system.
Your platform should include virtual visits. It must support remote care management and show who is at higher risk. It must let staff view charts from any location. CareVMA Health links to the most common EMR systems. This helps doctors stay informed
4. Know the Cost and Return
Before signing a contract, ask the chronic care management company for a full price list. They should explain every charge. That includes setup fees and monthly fees. Ask if they charge extra for phone calls or support lines.
Some companies use a per-patient monthly fee. Others may offer software plans. You need to know what is covered. You also need to know if there are exit fees. A company must also explain how much income you may earn.
A good company will help track this income. They will also compare it with their charges. CareVMA Health shows all pricing before you start. Their service plans explain each item. There are no extra fees. This helps clinics plan and stay within budget.
5. Use Reports to Track Progress
You must track how your chronic care management program is doing. Reports show whether patients are getting better. They also show how much money the program earns. A virtual assistant provider should give you reports on patient visits and calls.
They should show how often patients follow care plans. They should also report on emergency visits and hospital stays. Some systems use data to find which patients need care soon. They may show if a patient missed calls or had abnormal device results. This helps nurses act before the problem grows worse.
Reports also help plan staff tasks. You can decide which patients need more time and which ones are stable. Ask if the company gives live reports or custom data views. CareVMA Health sends monthly summaries. They also show your return and track what is working.
6. Ask About Setup Help and Ongoing Support
A new program means change. A chronic care management company must guide your staff through each step. Ask if they provide training. Ask if they help with patient sign-up and software setup.
The company should offer help from a dedicated staff member. This person should know how to explain the whole process. They must answer questions and show how to track results. Also, ask if the assistants are aware of chronic care management codes that help with billing and claims. Many companies now offer 24/7 support.
CareVMA Health offers full support for staff and patients. They manage claims day and night. They also follow up on denied claims. This means your staff can focus on seeing patients. Their team also explains how to enroll patients and pull the right data. They walk you through every step of the process.
7. Why Many Clinics Choose CareVMA Health
Many clinics choose CareVMA Health for their chronic care management program. Their team checks CMS rules and helps you follow them. They also use virtual chronic care management assistants who speak with patients at the right time.
Their software links to your EMR. This lets doctors and care staff share records. The company’s billing team handles payments and appeals every day and night. Their staff also keeps care plans up to date. They contact patients and help them follow care steps.
They also provide monthly reports. These show how the program is helping patients and how much income is coming in. This helps clinic leaders make smart decisions. CareVMA Health supports remote care management with tools and trained staff. Clinics can trust that patients will get support and care between visits.
Conclusion
Choosing a Chronic care management company is an important choice. It affects how well your patients do. It also affects how your clinic earns income from Medicare. You should ask each company about CMS rules. You should check how they contact patients and how their system works with your EMR. You should also ask about costs, reports, and training.
If you want stress-free chronic care management for your patients, book an appointment with CareVMA Health to get help in each of these areas. Their services allow your team to focus on care while they manage the program.
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