RTI News

A Review of Issues Affecting Emergency Practice Physicians

Update on Imaging Technology

RTI's Patient Services Dept. Sets Industry Standards

Regulatory Participation & Advocacy

Update on Imaging Technology

In July 2003, RTI completed the final implementation phase of its new imaging technology, in which all patient charts are scanned upon receipt and maintained on our information system as digital images. RTI employees can now process all charts by viewing images on their computer terminals, eliminating the need for paper.

The results of RTI’s investment in new imaging technology are already apparent. Guy Miceli, our Vice President of Information Technologies, estimates an initial productivity gain of 10% over the pre-imaging baseline. This improved productivity should increase as users become more familiar with the technology. 

In addition to greater productivity, imaging technology is improving RTI’s ability to manage inventory levels and track work flows. RTI managers can now track the flow of a client’s charts through the pre-billing and post-billing processes, and can check on the status of individual charts. Managers can also identify who has viewed or annotated the chart image over its entire seven-year storage cycle.

RTI’s investment in its new imaging technology is already paying off for both the company and its clients in terms of improved productivity, faster turnaround, and enhanced quality control.

RTI's Patient Services Dept Sets Industry Standards

The Patient Services Department at RTI, responsible for providing answers and solutions to patients, attorneys, and insurance agents regarding our clients' ER billing, continues to lead the industry in productivity and innovation. On average, the Patient Services Department receives 2,200 calls per day, and answers each call in approximately 20 seconds. In addition to phone calls, the 30 patient services representatives also respond to numerous regular mail and e-mail messages from patients, attorneys, and other parties.

Patients calling in can also access RTI's Automated Balance Inquiry function. Using his or her phone, a caller can obtain up-to-date balance information by keying in an access code that appears on PER statements. This system greatly enhances RTI's ability to focus on resolving complex calls because the simpler "balance only" calls are handled by the automated system.

Regulatory Participation & Advocacy

RTI is constantly working to promote the interests of Emergency Department physicians through its governmental advocacy efforts. RTI's Reimbursement Department monitors legislation and regulations on national and state level to keep abreast of proposed developments that may affect your practice. These potential impacts could be financial (a proposed reduction in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule) or clinical (a change in the supervision requirements for mid-level practitioners). Some examples of ongoing company initiatives include:

• National Trade Association Leadership

RTI is a founding member, executive council member, and board member of the Emergency Department Practice Management Association (EDPMA). A summary of the association’s role can be found on their web site, www.edpma.com. EDPMA is active in submitting comments to proposed rules, visiting influential members of Congress and their staffs, and serving as subject matter experts for governmental work groups and agencies. Recently, RTI provided important educational input regarding emergency medicine for studies in progress at the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), active in submitting comments to proposed rules, visiting influential members of Congress and their staffs, and serving as subject matter experts for governmental work groups and agencies. Recently, RTI provided important educational input regarding emergency medicine for studies in progress at the General Accounting Office (GAO) and the Office of the Inspector General (OIG).

• Collegial Relationships with National and State ACEP Chapters

RTI regularly participates in efforts undertaken by both national and state chapters of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). We have furnished data on uncompensated care to state chapters to assist their efforts to obtain additional state funding for treating uninsured patients. Recently, one ACEP state chapter presented two RTI employees with special Service Awards for our support of successful legislative efforts in the state.

• Payor Visits and Interactions

RTI constantly contacts, writes, and visits third party payors on behalf of its clients. Visits and conferences in the recent past have succeeded in:

• Greatly expanding a state Medicaid program’s restrictive emergency medicine diagnosis list, thereby reducing its downcodings by 75%. 
   

• Developing a Prudent Layperson triage form with a large payor’s involvement and acceptance, significantly cutting the payor’s widespread denials.
   

• Obtaining written verification from two different state insurance commissioners that HMO ERISA claims were not subject to payment restrictions on “normal” managed care claims, resulting in favorable HMO settlements for their underpayments.