Automation is being implemented in scores of industries within society, and for good reason. Across the board, automation has proven to be a cost-effective strategy for businesses and produces significant savings. Automation in healthcare is becoming increasingly popular, not only due to its financial benefits but also due to its ease of execution and the advancement of technology as a whole.
The healthcare industry, in particular, can benefit greatly from embracing technological advancement and automating healthcare processes. Even physicians have opportunity to save a lot of money by automating their day-to-day tasks.
Automation in Healthcare
According to reports conducted by the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (CAQH) in 2020, administrative related activities cost the healthcare system $372 billion in the previous calendar year. The council optimistically reports that $16.3 billion of the $372 billion could be saved by implementing automation-driven practices. Collectively, this means healthcare agencies can expect to save up to 35% in future years by utilizing automated processes. The area with the greatest cost savings opportunity in healthcare is through eligibility and benefit verification automation, which saved the medical industry $85.6 billion in 2019.
An effective way to consider the practical impact of automated processes in healthcare is to review its benefits in a hospital setting. One significant way that automated workflow can be used in a hospital setting is to fasten communication between providers. Streamlining the transfer of patient information via automation will increase productivity and allow hospital providers to spend more time engaging in direct patient care. This effective use of time may also allow hospital physicians to visit more patients during their shifts, reducing the overwhelm on hospital waiting areas.
Collectively, reports have indicated that embracing fully electronic transactions will save the health industry billions of dollars. The opportunities for saving money on patient costs through automation are endless. All healthcare providers and administrators will experience financial growth by embracing automated workflows.
Automation in Physician Offices
Providers are tasked with providing optimal patient care while being cognizant of their agency’s financial obligations and working to keep their finances afloat. Automating administrative processes to increase financial health will allow the physician to focus his energy solely on his patient, where it ought to be.
Tips for Physicians to Implement Automation in their Practices
Similar to the rest of the healthcare industry, physicians also have the most opportunity to save money through automation by focusing on eligibility and benefit verification processes. According to the aforementioned report by the CAQH, providers who automate all of their workflow processes have the opportunity to save $29.84 per patient encounter. This amount of savings is significant for the financial health of a provider’s office.
Doctors don’t need to feel overwhelmed about implementing automated workflows in their practices. The process can be streamlined and initiated step-by-step. The following list depicts a few tips that doctors will find helpful in utilizing automated processes in their practice.
1 . Utilize Robotic Process Automation to your advantage
Doctors can consider Robotic Process Automation (RPA), a technological advancement that carries out routine tasks, such as typing up a patient’s medical history and vitals through transcription. Transferring daily routine tasks, such as these, to RPA allows for improved time management and efficiency in the office by allowing physicians to focus more of their time and energy on medical tasks that require more advanced training. Automation this this capacity also reduces the likelihood of human error during documentation.
2. Utilize automated processes for patient scheduling
Doctors will also benefit from utilizing automation for their patient’s scheduling. Automation can be used to remind patients of their appointments or allow them to schedule new ones via an online portal. This methodology will also result in more effective time management for a practice’s administrators.
3. Focus on revenue cycle management
Another great way for doctors to streamline their processes through automated workflow, save cost, and become more efficient in their practices is to utilize Revenue Cycle RPA, which quickly processes insurance claims and decreased the number of submissions that need to be repeated. This methodology will also result in more effective time management for a practice’s administrators.
4. Consider remote patient monitoring
Finally, doctors can consider remote patient monitoring to increase automation and save costs in their practices. Remote patient monitoring automates the follow-up process by encouraging patients to use wearable medical devices when they return home, which can send data directly to the doctor, thus saving the patient in in-person appointments. This is a benefit to both the patient and the doctor.
Conclusion
Healthcare providers, physicians, and other healthcare organizations as a whole can benefit from utilizing automated processes in their workplaces. Countless opportunities exist for physicians to save on patient costs through automation, and transitioning to automated practices doesn’t have to be difficult.
The physician’s primary responsibility is the well-being of his or her patients. Patients benefit when their providers embrace automation because their providers have more time to focus on their individualized health needs, and more time to provide direct one-on-one care. All together, automation can also results in effective and efficient patient care with fewer mistakes due to human error.
Without a doubt, healthcare agencies and providers should invest in automated services if they wish to increase the quality of their patient care while also reducing cost.