In the last 60 years, the population has doubled to more than 300 million. More people equal more people in need of medical care. Bad news for them, good news for the print industry.
And though legislation has made a push to curb paper forms while increasing electronic submissions, James Magdaleno, product manager, healthcare for Oxnard, California-based TFP Data Systems, said many claim forms continue to be filed.
"Electronic filing has been in motion for almost two decades and we are still asking this question," Magdaleno said. "For the last 10 years, the filing ratio has been electronic/paper at 60 percent and 40 percent (1998-2004) and 65 percent to 35 percent (current). Paper claim forms such as the CMS-1500 and UB-04 are not being eliminated from the processing and billing phases. Although paper claim forms are being converted to digital format, paper claims need attachments that can't be submitted via digital format and physicians prefer a hard copy in the patient's file."
Does that mean electronic billing will be eventually on its way out? According to the Department of Health and Human Services, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, The National Uniform Billing Committee and The National Uniform Claim Committee, any changes for the next five years will be at a 5 percent change total.
And this is despite all the changes made by the Obama administration, including the healthcare law better known as The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA), which provides a framework for investment in IT solutions for the creation of electronic healthcare records. This makes more than $19 billion in IT funding available. Medical facilities that participate become eligible to recover as much as $44,000 over five years.
Magdaleno's company is handling the changes by staying current on any new developments by working with many government agencies. TFP Data Systems also supports The American Medical Association, The American Hospital Association, The National Uniform Claim Committee (NUCC), The National Uniform Billing Committee NUBU and The American Dental Association.
"We are in constant pursuit in product development for a platform that will support the small medical office," Magdaleno explained. "And, currently and more beneficial to our resellers we are introducing an expanded line of products developed specifically for healthcare facilities, medical offices and dental offices. Unlike other industries, the healthcare market is booming and these companies need products like: mandatory billing forms such as the CMS-1500 and UB-04, required HIPAA Forms and Tools, patient sign-in forms and informational posters."
Greg Fess, marketing manager for Fort Scott, Kansas-based Ward/Kraft, noted his company is focusing on accuracy in medical forms.
"Our focus is to provide the accuracy in medical forms that is required to support any electronic documents that are utilized in the medical field," Fess said. "For Ward/Kraft, we are producing more form and label combinations in addition to hospital wristbands for the healthcare/medical field than ever before. If anything, our ability to support electronic documents with the quality of print and accuracy of the imaging has given us the opportunity to expand our client base and the services we can offer to distributors selling into the medical industry."
And, while it seems as though the medical industry remains status quo, there are plenty of exciting things happening.
"One of the most exciting things happening is the improved quality and accuracy of imaging technologies," Fess mentioned. "The ability to barcode and number a medical form and camera-verify this information to ensure the accuracy of the product that is being manufactured, provides distributors and their clients the confidence they need in this growing market."
Magdaleno added it's the new technology base of people and companies engaging in today's print world. Also, he said three million new jobs are to be added in the medical industry by 2016.
"This should provide the incentive that print has its role to play," Magdaleno remarked.
While there is growth and success, both companies concur improvements can always be made.
Magdaleno said it boils down to five concepts.
"If other manufacturers are not providing the following to their resellers, they need to [provide]: trends and analysis on the industry and products they sell, custom marketing to make it an easy sell, a go-to market strategy to resellers, new products and solutions and compliance information alerts from the end-user."
For Fess, it's the basics. "Improving service, quality and turn times are always some of the biggest factors that continue to challenge us," he responded. "Providing distributors with web-based tools for order tracking and product pricing ties into the service level that we see as a focus to improve upon."