RE: Insurance Verification/? about Phreesia

[Guest guest]

Helen,

No, if you have a system that can interface with Phreesia, your patients on your schedule for the day are loaded automatically. You tell Phreesia the insurance carriers with whom you have contracts, and they load the necessary data into your little laptops. When the patient arrives, he picks up or is handed a Phreesia pad, and sits down to answer questions, verifying his demographics first. He is then asked if he has insurance, and answers yes or no, and then keys in which insurance company he is with. He then swipes his insurance card (assuming the card has a swipe -- many do now) on the pad. The pad sends the information immediately to the insurer, verifies the insurance, and notifies you. It does this on a website, "The Phreesia Portal," where you can see where your patients are in this process. It has icons that show whether they have started their interview, are in the process, or have finished checking in, and if they said they have insurance, whether the verification has succeeded. If it did not, and if the patient insists they have insurance, you or your staff would need to double-check by going to the insurer's website or calling them. The verification happens while the patient is finishing the medical portion of the interview. By the end of the interview, if the verification was processed, Phreesia presents them with their copay, and they can swipe their credit card and pay via the pad You can also enter any balance the patient owes on their account, and that will be presented to the patient also.

I was told 18 months ago at a Pri-Med conference in New York that Phreesia was already integrated with Amazing Charts. This turned out to be false, and I've been waiting ever since for this integration. The next version of AC, now in beta testing, is supposed to interface the demographics, but not the medical information yet. I'll have to retype or cut-and-paste the medical info for now, but having the demographics interface, the automated insurance verification, and the patient's ability to pay at check-in will certainly increase my efficiency.

You can view some demo videos at www.phreesia.com, and if you're interested, you can put in your contact information and a rep will set up a more detailed presentation with you.

Hopefully, the full integration with the medical history will occur in the near future. Are you listening, Dr. Bertman?

Deanna, FNP

Aurora, CO

To use Phreesia, Would the staff have to look up in th PM system each patient's co-pay amount and manually enter them into Phreesia the day before their visits?How much time would it usually take for the staff to do this task for, let's say 10 patients?Thank you very much.Helen

To: From: brewermd98@...Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:04:42 -0800Subject: Re: Insurance Verification

Hey , IAFP email newsletter this month had a special Phreesia offer to Illinois FPs through Jan. 15. Not sure if you saw that, but it was something about free installation and training.

Ben

Subject: Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my patients(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

Helen,

No, if you have a system that can interface with Phreesia, your patients on your schedule for the day are loaded automatically. You tell Phreesia the insurance carriers with whom you have contracts, and they load the necessary data into your little laptops. When the patient arrives, he picks up or is handed a Phreesia pad, and sits down to answer questions, verifying his demographics first. He is then asked if he has insurance, and answers yes or no, and then keys in which insurance company he is with. He then swipes his insurance card (assuming the card has a swipe -- many do now) on the pad. The pad sends the information immediately to the insurer, verifies the insurance, and notifies you. It does this on a website, "The Phreesia Portal," where you can see where your patients are in this process. It has icons that show whether they have started their interview, are in the process, or have finished checking in, and if they said they have insurance, whether the verification has succeeded. If it did not, and if the patient insists they have insurance, you or your staff would need to double-check by going to the insurer's website or calling them. The verification happens while the patient is finishing the medical portion of the interview. By the end of the interview, if the verification was processed, Phreesia presents them with their copay, and they can swipe their credit card and pay via the pad You can also enter any balance the patient owes on their account, and that will be presented to the patient also.

I was told 18 months ago at a Pri-Med conference in New York that Phreesia was already integrated with Amazing Charts. This turned out to be false, and I've been waiting ever since for this integration. The next version of AC, now in beta testing, is supposed to interface the demographics, but not the medical information yet. I'll have to retype or cut-and-paste the medical info for now, but having the demographics interface, the automated insurance verification, and the patient's ability to pay at check-in will certainly increase my efficiency.

You can view some demo videos at www.phreesia.com, and if you're interested, you can put in your contact information and a rep will set up a more detailed presentation with you.

Hopefully, the full integration with the medical history will occur in the near future. Are you listening, Dr. Bertman?

Deanna, FNP

Aurora, CO

To use Phreesia, Would the staff have to look up in th PM system each patient's co-pay amount and manually enter them into Phreesia the day before their visits?How much time would it usually take for the staff to do this task for, let's say 10 patients?Thank you very much.Helen

To: From: brewermd98@...Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:04:42 -0800Subject: Re: Insurance Verification

Hey , IAFP email newsletter this month had a special Phreesia offer to Illinois FPs through Jan. 15. Not sure if you saw that, but it was something about free installation and training.

Ben

Subject: Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my patients(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

To use Phreesia,

Would the staff have to look up in th PM system each patient's co-pay

amount and manually enter them into Phreesia the day before their

visits?

How much time would it usually take for the staff to do this task for, let's say 10 patients?

Thank you very much.

HelenTo: From: brewermd98@...Date: Mon, 10 Jan 2011 21:04:42 -0800Subject: Re: Insurance Verification

Hey ,IAFP email newsletter this month had a special Phreesia offer to Illinois FPs through Jan. 15. Not sure if you saw that, but it was something about free installation and training.BenSubject: Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my patients(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

Phreesia has thousands of questions in its database, and you can construct the interview in any way you like, but they've found that people start to zone out about 15 minutes after they start, so they recommend you ask basic information and save the rest for the exam room. They'll show you the interview if you ask for a demonstration with a rep from Phreesia.

It also has your Office Policy and HIPPA forms loaded, and the patient signs these on screen, saving paper and finishing that step.

I currently don't cut and paste the medical interview, but could be doing that. Instead, since I type fast, and since the interview prints out automatically when the patient is finished (since I set it up that way), I look through their interview and ask them questions about what they wrote down and put it in my note. It's not very efficient, but it does often trigger questions for the patient I might not otherwise have known about. I hope AC puts it all together soon -- but at least the demographics, insurance verification, office forms, and payment parts are working.

Deanna

I'm actually very interested in this, but have AC so that little info bit is also holding me back. How much of a medical interview does it do, any one who is using it? Worth cutting and pasting, or too short and non-specific to bother?

Cote' MD Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my pati ents(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

Phreesia has thousands of questions in its database, and you can construct the interview in any way you like, but they've found that people start to zone out about 15 minutes after they start, so they recommend you ask basic information and save the rest for the exam room. They'll show you the interview if you ask for a demonstration with a rep from Phreesia.

It also has your Office Policy and HIPPA forms loaded, and the patient signs these on screen, saving paper and finishing that step.

I currently don't cut and paste the medical interview, but could be doing that. Instead, since I type fast, and since the interview prints out automatically when the patient is finished (since I set it up that way), I look through their interview and ask them questions about what they wrote down and put it in my note. It's not very efficient, but it does often trigger questions for the patient I might not otherwise have known about. I hope AC puts it all together soon -- but at least the demographics, insurance verification, office forms, and payment parts are working.

Deanna

I'm actually very interested in this, but have AC so that little info bit is also holding me back. How much of a medical interview does it do, any one who is using it? Worth cutting and pasting, or too short and non-specific to bother?

Cote' MD Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my pati ents(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

I'm actually very interested in this, but have AC so that little info bit is also holding me back. How much of a medical interview does it do, any one who is using it? Worth cutting and pasting, or too short and non-specific to bother?

Cote' MD Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my patients(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL

[Guest guest]

I'm actually very interested in this, but have AC so that little info bit is also holding me back. How much of a medical interview does it do, any one who is using it? Worth cutting and pasting, or too short and non-specific to bother?

Cote' MD Re: Insurance VerificationTo: Date: Monday, January 10, 2011, 10:40 PM

,

I'm using Phreesia, and the marketing is only the last screen of the whole interview, and is fairly "informational" in nature, not so blatantly advertising. The patient does not have to read it -- can simply "exit" out of that screen and hand the Phreesia pad back. You might want to have a demo to see if you find it offensive -- I don't. The numbers they can cite of increased revenue and the avoidance of the situation you're describing are pretty impressive.

Deanna, FNP

I am interested to know how everyone verifies insurance coverage onpatients. I ask because I am getting more and more letters frominsurance companies stating the office visit charges I submited won't bepaid because the patient was not eligible on the date of service. Morethan likely, this then turns out to be a free visit, because of theexpense of trying to find the correct insurance and rebill or thepatient ends up not paying at all. I do ask patients if their insurancehas changed and sometimes patients will let me know that it has. Still,a lot of patients do not, either because they forgot or don't want me toknow.I have been looking online at companies that offer verification, and Icame across Carevault. Does anyone use them? Are they expensive? Arethere any other companies that could be recommended? I really don'twant to get into Phreesia, as I don't want any marketing to my patients(which is a shame, because the credit card swipper and the IMH-likeinterview looks like a great idea). I'm sure a lot of doctors verifycoverage by either calling the insurance company or going to theinternet. I know that would be the cheapest way, but I bristle at theidea of having a bunch of website addresses and passwords to remember.I sure would appreciate any wisdom anyone could share with me.thanks, Sieberg, M.D.solo FM, Decatur, IL