The gradual transition from paper to digital Patient Care Reports (PCRs) has made recording patient information simpler for EMS teams. Technological advances now allow EMS to efficiently maintain records in digital systems while also facilitating the capture of billing details in a streamlined process.
Patient data is sensitive; accuracy, organization, and accessibility shouldn’t be complicated. Among other things, EPCR solutions help ensure proper protocols are followed to protect patient privacy and security.
1) Documentation for Billing
With EPCR software, the EMS automatically collects all the patient data necessary for billing. When medics complete their patient care report on a tablet or laptop in the field, they input patient demographics, symptoms, vital signs, treatments provided, and outcome of the call.
This electronic report immediately captures all the documentation an ambulance billing department needs. With a paper PCR, the EMS teams waste valuable time transferring handwritten notes to billing forms.
EPCR software eliminates this redundant data entry step. This means billing departments can access clean, structured reports as patients proceed to the hospital.
2) Medical Coding Assistance
EPCR software also facilitates billing through coding assistance features. Different programs analyze patient care documentation and suggest potential procedures and diagnosis codes based on the report.
For example, if a medic charts endotracheal intubation in the airway section, the software may prompt them to assign codes for advanced airway management. Coding suggestions built into the EPCR significantly speed up the coding process for billing staff.
They don’t have to check free-text narratives to decipher what codes apply. And the coding accuracy is high since medics select codes reflective of the patient care provided. Proper coding is crucial for reimbursement, so this assistance prevents lost revenue from incorrect codes.
3) Pre-Population of Forms
Billing clerks get all the paperwork required for ambulance billing thanks to EPCR data. Charge sheets, face sheets, superbill forms, and other standard documentation all have patient information.
This eliminates the need for manual data entry of name, date of birth, insurance information, primary complaint, procedures, and vital signs. Billing clerks can simply verify that the information pulled over is correct before submitting claims.
4) EPCR Streamlines Tracking
With an electronic database behind it, EPCR software gives billing teams powerful tools for tracking the entire revenue cycle process. Dashboards and reports allow them to monitor the number of calls awaiting coding, how many have been coded and billed, denial and collection rates, etc.
EPCR helps managers discover issues immediately and accurately gauge productivity. They can then make data-driven decisions that improve their teams’ workflows.
5) Reporting Capabilities
Generating reports is easy with EPCR software. Billing departments can pull utilization reports, analyze billing by service line, evaluate reimbursement trends, and demonstrate quality metrics.
These reports are vital for justifying budget requests, making strategic business decisions, ensuring compliance with regulations, and benchmarking against industry standards. Administrators gain a powerful business intelligence tool for planning, process improvement, and gauging performance over time.
Bottom Line
EPCR software is necessary for ambulance services due to the efficiency, accuracy, and insights it provides billing teams. From documentation to coding to tracking to reporting, digital patient care records save hours of redundant tasks and ensure complete capture of revenue opportunities. EMS agencies rely on robust EPCR solutions to keep their cost-recovery operations running smoothly.