WEBINAR: Tactical Solutions Supporting the Challenges of ANOC/EOC Creation-Print-Distribution-Reporting Requirements

Merrill Corporation is hosting a Free Webinar and You're Invited!


Title: Tactical Solutions Supporting the Challenges of ANOC/EOC Creation-Print-Distribution-Reporting Requirements.
Date: Wed, March 28
Time: 1:00pm Central Time
Duration: 1-hour
Cost: FREE!

A streamlined process for the creation, print, distribution and reporting of your ANOC/EOC program is crucial to successfully meeting the regulatory requirements as well as ensuring the integrity of PHI, and minimizing the risk associated with HIPAA violations. 

In this webinar you will:

• Review current technology and manufacturing workflow innovations and best practices associated with ensuring the final product is produced on time and correctly.  We will examine everything from the latest dynamic document creation technology to effective use of the postal intelligent mail barcode.
• Learn how our advanced reporting allows you to track delivery at the piece level.  See how the use of a personalized 2D barcode scan during manufacturing translates into member level reporting. 
• Discover what options are available for a hybrid print and e-fulfillment workflow. 

 
Click below to register for this webinar today!

http://bit.ly/MerrillWebinar328

Mandated Member Communications: A Case Study (Part 2)

Last week, we presented a scenario that, while specific in nature, has commonalities to what a number of organizations in the healthcare communications space may have to deal with when confronted with.the resource-draining, time-consuming process that is the preparation, distributing and reporting of CMS mandated member communications.

A nationally-known insurance company lacked in-house capabilities for managing the creation and distribution of mandated letters for their Medicare members. This resulted in inaccurate mailings, missed deadlines, and poor CMS audit results.

THE SOLUTION:

A web-enabled solution was created that systematically worked with the organization's data and married it to the correct CMS-approved template. The final document was then printed and distributed in one automated process.

This solution provided a chain of custody workflow that was desired by the organization and adhered to all CMS Chapter Two requirements and regulations. Furthermore, the built-in quality assurance processes validated the quality attributes of the letters and delivered 100% integrity management through the utilization of a 2-D bar code driven production process. Additionally, robust tracking – from file creation to delivery point validation, provided detailed, on-demand reports in response to any audit requirements.

This solution effectively transitioned a resource-draining, error-prone process
into a highly efficient, automated data management system. Utilizing HIPAA/PHI
compliant workflows and SAS 70 certified production and mailing facilities, the organization achieved 100% accuracy on all letters managed through this solution. Advanced SLAs provided same day delivery on all files received by 4 a.m., and overall program efficiencies delivered an immediate 20% cost reduction. Additionally, the organization leveraged proactive monitoring of regulatory changes to remain in compliance, at no effort to them.

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Pam Argeris is a thought leader in the Healthcare Industry and possesses extensive, hands-on experience with CMS compliance, and multiple regulatory bodies such as NCQA, JACHO, and DOI. In her role at Merrill Corp., Pam focuses on developing solutions for compliance and quality assurance, delivered in a cost effective manner to improve beneficiary and prospect communications. Pam can be contacted at Pamela.Argeris@merrillcorp.com.

OPM Shows Little Concern for Privacy

OPM is making waves with their push toward a national database of health insurance customers. OPM’s argument is that such a database would provide "best value for both enrollees and taxpayers.” They also cite the potential efficiency such a system would offer. OPM also claims that the system would be “de-identified,” supposedly protecting individual customers from the healthcare data-mining that plagues the industry.

However, many are not satisfied with OPM’s vague claims. Harley Geiger, policy counsel for the Center for Democracy and Technology, tells Computerworld “[At this point,] there are far too many unknowns about the program for it to be acceptable.” Many questions are raised by the program: Are HIPAA and PHI going to be swirling around cyberspace? Exactly what measures are protecting consumers from data mining?

Most seem to agree that OPM’s notice is entirely too vague to garner any form of support for the new system. OPM’s plans to allow third-parties to access the material, including judicial and research groups, sends up further red-flags.

Until OPM is willing to release more specific information about the program, it is unlikely to be welcomed into the industry. Our concern should be for the protection and safety of consumers and average citizens, not for cost-cutting. If there is even a small potential for someone to profit from selling access of this database to commercial data-miners, then it is unacceptable as a system.

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Pam Argeris is a thought leader in the Healthcare Industry and possesses extensive, hands-on experience with CMS compliance, and multiple regulatory bodies such as NCQA, JACHO, and DOI. In her role at Merrill Corp., Pam focuses on developing solutions for compliance and quality assurance, delivered in a cost effective manner to improve beneficiary and prospect communications. You can contact Pam at Pamela.Argeris@merrillcorp.com.