In the setting of AI - Artificial Intelligence - Healthcare is running head first into possible risk. In this month’s episode of the NSCHBC Edge Podcast Terry and Vinny Sankaran tackle the PROS and CONS of AI in Healthcare.

Data suggests AI helps health providers practice their profession and invest their time in engaging with patients rather than spending time on transcribing notes and administrative work. Also, when used safely and appropriately, this could exponentially expand evidence-based medicine to improve health outcomes and people-centered care.

However, there are some CONS. Risks from AI include poor outcomes from algorithms (due to bias, low-quality data, lack of transparency, or usage in inappropriate contexts) which is a concern. HIPAA issues are a concern as well as cyber-hackers. We look at the current and future landscape of AI in Healthcare.

On this month’s episode of the Edge Podcast Terry welcomes back Healthcare Consultant Jackie Coult as they discuss the ins and outs of physician and dental practice startups.

Terry and Jackie talk about having a plan, financial woes and potential funding, staffing, location and of course, what kind of practice you’d like to have.

Join us for a fun and engaging conversation.

More than 100,000 doctors have left private practice and become employees of hospitals and other corporate entities since 2019. Today, nearly 3 in 4 physicians are employees of larger health care entities or other corporations — a record high.

The cost of managing a medical practice — whether in primary care or a specialty practice — has surged. Not to mention, reimbursement rates from Medicare have not kept pace with higher operational costs. So how does a physician make sure they are collecting all that is due to them, not just from insurance payers, but where it begins: At the front desk?

In today’s NSCHBC Edge Podcast, Healthcare Business Consultant David Zetter and Terry Fletcher, discuss front desk collections, making sure you have the right staff at the front desk and billing office to collect those out of pockets and share of costs. How to manage workflows, and how to insure you are getting every penny you are entitled to.

Terry welcomes fellow NSCHBC Member and Healthcare Consultant Anthony (Tony) Werner to discuss reducing administrative burden and costs incurred by meeting payer requirements.

Most likely there will be resistance from most payers to incorporate intraoperability terms in contracts, including those required by legal or governmental directives. Terry and Tony discuss the complexities of these discussions and how to be successful in the process of contract negotiations.

There is always competition for patients and location in healthcare, but how do “non-compete” contracts affect patient care? Or a physician’s ability for career advancement? How do different states handle this hot topic?

Healthcare Attorney Amanda Waesch and Edge host Terry Fletcher tackle this discussion today looking at the legal and business angles and relationships that will factor into these agreements.

Also, are non-compete clauses always valid and enforceable? Listen to find out.

Christine Hall and Terry Fletcher, both SMEs in the Telehealth space, discuss the new rules for 2024, what the flexibility extensions “really” mean to physicians, and what traps of FWA not to fall into.

For anyone currently participating in the Telehealth delivery of medicine, this is an important podcast to listen to.

In this month’s episode of the NSCHBC Edge podcast, Terry talks to life NSCHBC member, Kathy Moghadas, RN, CLHRM, CHBC, CHCC with Associated Healthcare Advisors, to discuss where the healthcare industry started back in the 80’s and where we are headed with all of the digital advancements, including AI.

Is it all good? Not even close. Listen and find out why!

As you know BH and MH services are now being covered by Medicare and many commercial payers. Also, coverage has expanded like nothing we’ve ever seen. Even Telehealth has made some permanent changes to coverage that is only for Behavioral Health and Mental Health Services.

To discuss this topic and to look at the proposed Medicare Final Rule and Fee Schedule for 2024, Terry invites fellow NSCHBC member Sonda Kunzi to the podcast.

There are some services that we are concerned about and we are wondering where the specific guardrails and payment policies are.

Cyber Security in Healthcare, focuses on preventing attacks by defending systems from unauthorized access, use, and disclosure of patient data. The primary aim is to ensure the availability, confidentiality, and integrity of critical patient data. If compromised, this could put patient lives at risk.

The more we add digital access the more interconnectedness between different healthcare systems comes with increasing healthcare cybersecurity threats.

Edge podcast host Terry Fletcher discusses this threat to physician and dental practices with Debi Carr of DK Carr and Associates. Debi brings light to the importance of risk analysis, security compliance plans, and knowing the limitations of your IT department when it comes to this risk.

You don’t want to miss out on this important podcast discussion.

In Healthcare, is credentialing the same thing as contracting?

No, credentialing is the process of reviewing the doctor's qualifications while contracting. Payer enrollment is the process of applying for and obtaining participation contracts with insurance plans for your provider or entity.

Award-winning podcast host Terry Fletcher and Healthcare Consultant Scott Graham navigate through these differences while giving tips on how to be successful in payer contract negotiations and provider credentialing.

Join us for these important business of medicine tips.