One-on-one with an Industry Expert

Scott Thomas, media coordinator for MicroFour Inc, Amarillo, Tex

With the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) implementation deadlines just around the corner, chiropractors need to make sure their documentation software is up to date and HIPAA-compliant.

The deadlines include: compliance extension for electronic health care transactions and code sets on October 15, 2002; electronic health care transactions and code sets (all covered entities except those who filed for an extension and are not a small health plan) on October 16, 2002; privacy (all covered entities except small health plans) on April 14, 2003; and electronic health care transactions and code sets (all covered entities must have started software and systems testing) on April 16, 2003.

Chiropractic Products asked Scott Thomas, media coordinator for MicroFour Inc, Amarillo, Tex, for advice on HIPAA and documentation software.

What practice management and documentation feature do you consider the most important and useful for chiropractors?

The most important feature is the ability to integrate both the billing and documentation of the patient encounter into a total integration within the same software system.

How can management software ensure HIPAA compliance for practices?

By ensuring that data is available and easily exchanged, monitored, and audited with enhanced security and control.

What are the most common documentation errors chiropractors make? How can they avoid these issues to prevent serious charges?

The most common error is not properly recording everything that they do with and for the patient in a timely fashion. By following our software recommendation that outlines the evaluation and management (E/M) guidelines, DCs are always in compliance with the government and third-party payor regulations.

What new technology do you envision with billing software?

The ability to provide faster, easier, more timely, and less costly communication with the patient via email and the Internet, and also, electronic communications with the electronic claims processing for faster pay to the providers.

Tell us about MicroFour’s commitment to chiropractic.

MicroFour originally started developing software for the chiropractic profession 14 years ago. We plan to stay involved by releasing new and innovative products during the next year.

What do you see for the future of the chiropractic profession?

We were chiropractic patients before our involvement in the profession and feel that it will become a primary care option for many. This is due to the holistic approach of chiropractic, the positive publicity, and more public awareness of its many benefits. CP