Here are the most popular questions we field about Simplify’s complete, all-in-one solution helping ASCs improve their efficiency and profitability.
When I meet ASC staffers at a trade show or industry event, I always enjoy educating them on the value we bring to the surgery center market. So I thought it would be a good idea to address some of the most common questions I get asked here. If you have a question about Simplify that I don’t cover below, feel free to send it along to me at dhowerton@simplifyasc.com.
Q1: What services do you provide ASCs?
A: Simplify offers a full suite of technology and service solutions for surgery centers. We have built our solutions from the ground up specifically for ASCs going all the way back to our founding. In 2003 the company began offering ASCs a state-of-the-art Digital Patient Chart (EHR/EMR) that allowed clinicians to chart electronically just like they do on paper by digitally converting their existing paper forms. Today, our EHR install base spans the continuum of ASCs – from de novo facilities to some of the largest volume centers in the country. With a perspective formed by a dozen years of understanding what ASCs want, we were inspired and encouraged to build a cloud-based Practice Management (PM) platform to accompany our chart. Our customers now have the business functions – scheduling, billing, inventory management, reporting, and QAPI – in one integrated, modern system. Then to further help ASCs optimize reimbursement and maximize cash flow, we launched our RCM services.
Q2: How does Simplify help ASCs gain efficiencies and generate more profit?
A: At Simplify our mission is to accelerate productivity and success for surgery centers through a combination of technology, services and operational understanding. We realize that each center is unique and there are often no “one-size-fits-all” solutions. However, there are several common areas where we can affect real, measurable improvement. For example, based upon actual savings analysis we’ve conducted with centers of all size and specialty, we have found that once switched over to our digital chart, ASCs save up to 50% of what it previously cost them to chart on paper. Those savings take into account not only hard dollar savings, but also time savings with staff freed up to work on higher value functions. If you are not convinced, we encourage you to let us prepare a savings analysis for you based on your center’s case volume and inputs.
Beyond software efficiencies, our dedicated RCM team of experts follow-up on claims and reimbursement using best practices and years of experience. Consistent and assertive follow-up significantly improves your ASC’s bottom line by ensuring that your ASC is reimbursed as quickly as possible. With our RCM services, specialists also manage claim denials and appeals. Outsourcing your revenue cycle assists in your center's growth and increases your bottom line. The highest objective for an ASC besides patient care should be to improve revenue cycle efficiency, optimizing reimbursement, and positioning your center for long-term profitability.
Q3: Does Simplify support the exchange of information with other systems?
A: You bet! In today’s interconnected world it just makes good business sense to allow software programs to interface with one another. It is also the right thing to do for ASCs. Thankfully, a set of standards exist for transferring and sharing data between healthcare providers, referred to as Health Level Seven (HL7). Simplify supports HL7 interoperability with existing vendors and is capable of building secure connections with almost anyone who is also HL7 capable. Another common type of interface we support is an Application Programming Interface (API). API bridges provide a more efficient and secure way for two applications to communicate with each other regardless of how each application was originally designed.
A: This is my favorite question! Besides the obvious efficiencies gained as a result of moving toward using electronic medical records, there are some subtler, yet no less important, reasons for capturing as many data points as possible.
By digitizing your records, all of the information you chart in your EHR becomes instantly retrievable, reportable and automatically shared with your billing system. It no longer takes days or weeks to pour through paperwork to try and piece together the puzzle, thus reducing administrative burden. Having information like this available on demand means that decisions can be made faster based on more accurate data, such as identifying opportunities to decrease cancellations in Pre-Op or tracking ASA class in order to take on more risk to bring more cases into your ASC. This real-time data allows for important decisions - that ultimately lead to improved patient outcomes (QAPI), reduced costs, and increased revenue - to occur more quickly. And less time spent generating reports means more time spent on the things you should be doing.
A: Our fees are a small, flat percentage of your ASC’s net collections. We succeed when you succeed – that is our commitment to you and our pricing model ensures we are aligned as a true partner in the health of your center.
Again, if you have a question about Simplify that I didn’t cover, feel free to send it along to me at dhowerton@simplifyasc.com
I’d be happy to hear from you.