As government officials and private business leaders come together to try to figure out ways to improve America’s complicated health care system, some larger national non-profits are also getting involved. One example is the American Medical Association or AMA, a doctor’s group with a lot of clout in the medical industry. In early April, the AMA spoke out about their support of an electronic medical records solutions for state worker’s compensation systems. The idea is to get states to adopt electronic medical record technologies, which is in some senses like the federal incentives now in place for private practices to renovate their record-keeping departments.
The Argument for ‘Model State Regulation’
The AMA is coming out in support of a regulatory process for state worker’s compensation systems that helps states to make their worker’s comp processes more effective. Top AMA spokespeople have contended that streamlining medical billing with electronic record improvements will lower the costs of these medical claims by nearly 50%, which will save states a lot of money and help with premiums for workers compensation insurance. In today’s America, many of the states and municipalities that could profit can definitely use the money, and businesses, many of which are also under the gun, could see a reduction in expenses related to personnel. That’s a powerful incentive to get these kinds of programs going to provide more transparent results for care related to worker’s compensation claims.
Developing the State Model
A group called the International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions oversaw the construction of a proposed model that will make state workers compensation systems more uniform and assist states in developing electronic billing solutions. Large states like California and Texas are ready and have these kinds of solutions worked into their legislative process while other states are moving toward the new model. The AMA has said it will work with the IAIABC as well as other organizations to help promote this system nationwide, educating doctors and encouraging more consistent results across all 50 U.S. states. To learn more about this effort, take a look at the AMA’s web page and look at the worker’s compensation toolkit and other resources online to figure out whether your state is progressing toward a better way to administrate public healthcare programs.