Installing a new electronic health record system ranks among the top three concerns for medical practice managers in the U.S., according to a new member survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association, Health Data Management reports (Goedert, Health Data Management, 6/29).
Investigators conducted an online survey of 1,798 MGMA members and found that respondents ranked their most pressing challenges, in order, as:
- Handling rising operating costs;
- Managing finances amid uncertainty over Medicare physician reimbursement rates; and
- Implementing an EHR system (Lubell, Modern Healthcare, 6/29).
MGMA also asked members about the effect of the economic recession on their practices and the actions they took to address the problems, HealthLeaders Media reports.
The respondents said their practices had improved billing collection processes, made cuts to operating budgets and postponed capital expenditures, among other measures (Commins, HealthLeaders Media, 6/29).