Genius Blog Maintenance

Hi-

We will be combining all of the blogs (chiropractic - podiatric - medical) all into one blog over the next week and closing this blog down. This will allow us to offer even better content.

Please join us over  at http://geniusmedical.blogspot.com

Thanks, Penny
(Genius' webby-news-geek-goddess)

BCBS of Michigan to Require Claims to be Submitted Electronically as of June 30, 2017

BCBSM will require professional providers to submit claims electronically as of June 30, 2017

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has notified providers that it will no longer accept paper submitted professional claims from providers who have the capability to submit electronically, effective June 30, 2017. These types professional claim types must now be submitted electronically.

· Original claims
· Replacement claims
· Void or cancel claims
· Any claim that includes services for which you will submit medical records

For more information and the complete scoop, please read the BCBSM article directly and we suggest strongly that you sign up for their mailing list.

THOMAS UPDATE SERVER is DOWN

If you have been trying to auto-update and you're getting an error, it is because the THOMAS update server is currently down. We are working on getting it back up. We do not have a current estimate of when this might be available. We'll let you know as soon as it is back up.

Update 5/22/17
The update server went back up late afternoon Friday, 5/19. It should be working perfectly. If you have any further issues, please call support.

Ransomwear Handling Suggestions Per Medicare

This is direct from Medicare's 

HHS Update #3: International Cyber Threat to Healthcare Organizations

"If you are the victim of ransomware or have cyber threat indicators to share

If your organization is the victim of a ransomware attack, HHS recommends the following steps:

1.    Please contact your FBI Field Office Cyber Task Force immediately to report a ransomware event and request assistance. These professionals work with state and local law enforcement and other federal and international partners to pursue cyber criminals globally and to assist victims of cyber-crime.

2.    Please report cyber incidents to the US-CERT and FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

3.    For further analysis and healthcare-specific indicator sharing, please also share these indicators with HHS’ Healthcare Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (HCCIC) at HCCIC_RM@hhs.gov "

Added 5/17/17

For even more info, web addresses and updates check out Medicare's:

HHS Update #4: International Cyber Threat to Healthcare Organizations (Revised)

Flash of Genius February 2017: Ransomware

THOMAS... Shared Genius Practice Solutions From one genius to another.

February 2017 Hostage Crisis Instead of giving you another boring lecture on backups, I'm going to give you a story about being held hostage.... and this hostage could be you, in an instant. Imagine using your computer, you're just getting ready to log another visit when suddenly, your computer pops up a note that says "All of your files have been locked. If you want to restore them, you have 30 min to pay $1000 in bitcoin to XXX. If you pay the fee within 30 min you will get a key to decrypt your files, if not all of your files will be permanently locked."

2017 ICD-10 Revisions are Here!

ICD-10 code changes have been released for the 2017 fiscal year.  Genius is making your update to the 2017 codes push-button easy! But... First you have to update your eTHOMAS program.

Genius made updates to the ICD-10 master list. You will be able to import diagnosis codes directly from this list.  To obtain the new master list, you will need to update your eTHOMAS.  The version that contains these updates is 9.5.21.

If you would like to be an early adopter, you can call support this next week, and they will get you updated and started. After Sept. 19th you may do a regular THOMAS update to receive the same final 9.5.21 version, and will not have to call support.

For 2017, there are 1,974 additional diagnosis codes, 311 deleted codes, and 425 revised codes. The coding changes are to be used on claims with dates of service from October 1, 2016 through September 30, 2017.   To view a complete list of changes visit for professional claims you can view them HERE.  

After your update is complete, you'll have the ability to see changes to your codes that were previously imported.  Under the Utilities Tab >Maintenance>Check Dx Codes will provide you with a list of codes that are loaded into your THOMAS program, that no longer match the master list.  This will allow you to update the new revisions and deletions from the previous code set.

You will also have the ability to go to Code Files>Procedures>Diagnosis and choose the import feature.  Under the "Select For" drop down, you will notice a new category under each breakdown, with (2017) in front of the description.  These breakdowns include only the newly added codes for the 2017 fiscal year.

Would you rather watch and learn? 

Coming soon! Stay tuned to our YouTube Channel for video.

Shared Genius: August 2016

Shared Genius Practice Solutions From one Genius to Another.

August 2016 includes:
statement notes & connecting with support

Available now!

You can update to eTHOMAS v9.5.20 now!

Genius Solutions is excited to release our latest version of eTHOMAS, version 9.5.20.

This version is the first step in allowing you, our clients, to update your information at Genius Solutions without additional paperwork or phone calls (i.e. things like Contacts, keys, new doctors, etc.).  The first feature that has been added is Contacts.  Contacts are representatives from you business who Genius Solutions Support Department are able to work with, because you have authorized them as contacts for us.

The Support Department is currently contacting clients to update and some additional processing must be completed manually by us.  What does this mean for our clients?  If you are currently running version 9.5.20, you can contact our Support Department (option 6) and they will complete the short manual process, and walk you through updating your Contacts. If you prefer to wait, a Support Technician will contact you soon. Either way, if you update your THOMAS to this new version or newer, before we call each other, you will speed up the update process.


*Please Note: You do not have to call us when updating. Your program will not be hindered in any way if we cannot do the manual update tweaks for you immediately after you update. BUT, we will want to/need to do this manual adjustment for you as other future features will depend on it, so go ahead and update, we will be calling.

Genius 2016 Fall Focus Group Seminars

Upcoming Focus Group Seminars

August 25 - Sommerset Inn, Troy, MI 
September 21 - Genius Solutions, Warren, MI 

Click the link (above) for details & to register.

Topics Include

• New Features for eTHOMAS 
• Tips and Tricks 
• AutoPosting 
• HIPAA (Including Social Media Pitfalls) 
• Customer Service in a Medical Office 
• MIPS/MACRA 
• Clearinghouse Options 
• PQRS
• EHR Meaningful Use

Shared Genius: July 2016

Shared Genius Practice Solutions From one Genius to Another.

July 2016 includes:
authorized callers, & inactive patients

Available now!

Shared Genius: February 2016

Shared Genius Practice Solutions From one Genius to Another.

February 2016 includes:
New Events, Updates, & connecting with Genius & our help resources made easier.

Available now!

The next Genius Solutions First Friday of the Month Conference Call is scheduled for Friday December 4th at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time.

Planned topics for the conference call (so far) are:

• ICD-10 - epilogue
• Annual End of year things to do list for THOMAS
• Final comments

Happy Thanksgiving - Genius Closed

Wishing you and your family the best as we enter into this holiday season.

Genius Solutions will be closed Thursday and Friday (Nov 26-27) as we spend time with our families.

Enjoy.

When to Complete a Security Risk Analysis

When to Complete a Security Risk Analysis - New CMS Guidance

As part of the HIPAA requirements, don’t forget that a security risk analysis must be completed prior to attestation. Review CMS FAQ #10754 , and learn more about this meaningful use requirement below.  A security risk analysis needs to be done whether you are attesting for Stage 1 or Stage 2.  It is part of the Meaningful Use requirements.  For more information, read the updated FAQ.

Per CMS:

• Conducting a security risk analysis is required when certified EHR technology is adopted in the first reporting year
• In subsequent reporting years, or when changes to the practice or electronic systems occur, a review must be conducted.

They also provide many helps:

• HIPAA Security Rule
• Stage 1 and Stage 2 requirements
• Security Risk Analysis Tipsheet
• Educational Resources
• ONC’s Security Risk Assessment (SRA) tool
• ONC's User Guide and Tutorial are also available
• Main Medicare/Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs Website

And definitely SUBSCRIBE to their e-News and you will get this sort of news in your in box!

CMS Issues Final Rule for 2014 EHR Incentive Program Participation

CMS just released a final rule regarding provider EHR incentive program participation for the 2014 program year.

It has been a long haul for those trying to implement and use an EHR program to complete the government’s incentive program.  Especially this year, as the transition from stage 1 to stage 2 meaningful use is supposed to be occurring.  Nothing is ever easy. Even for those providers who started their EHR journeys a couple of years ago, there was change that needed to occur.  Most had hoped that the EHRs they’d invested in would progress and roll with the government changes.  Many found out that this was not going to happen without additional work, frustration, pain, and money from them, so many have dropped out. 

It Takes a Billing Class to Train Some Geniuses

PR Henriksen, the character

You might not know this but here at Genius Solutions the vast majority of our software support staff and all of our trainers have worked in various healthcare settings:  offices, hospitals, support staff, billers, office managers, multiple office managers, and more.  Basically our Genius support is made up of practical medical office specialists, software geeks, and hardware tech specialists who are hardware, networking, and software geeks.  There is a lot, and quite a variety, of expert knowledge on call, for your calls.

Me? I started at Genius in support, as part of the software geek zone (with some generally nerdy hardware tendencies). 

Michgan Blues Claim Filing DEADline

BCBS of Michigan sent out an e-mail recently stating that the Blues will retire their local system on Oct. 31, 2014. Since they will no longer process claims on that system, all claims filed on the local system must be submitted and received by Sept. 15, 2014, in order to be processed.

If you submit a claim after the filing limits, BCBSM will not offer any special handling or filing extensions, and no payment will be due from BCBSM or the subscriber. All health care providers must follow claim-filing deadlines (as you can see, there are no exceptions here).

For more information about this change, please refer to the March 2014 Record.

Blue Cross defined the local contracts, which have been migrating to their new system and will be completely migrated mid September.
These local contracts include:

• Local and Medicare Advantage group numbers: Five digits
• MOS group numbers: Nine digits
• NASCO group numbers: Five digits, usually starting with a seven or eight
• BCN group numbers: Eight digits

Any clam submitted with one of the local contracts (listed above); whether it is a secondary, resubmission, or original needs to be received by Blue Cross no later than September 15, 2014 or it will not be processed.

Patients with local contracts should have received a new contract number to go through the new system.

You can contact Provider Inquiry at Blue Cross of Michigan for more information.

Provider Inquiry Information:

If you’re calling from this area code	Hours of operation	Use this phone number
248, 313, 586, 734, 810 or 947	8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	1-800-245-9092
517, 989	8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	1-800-272-0172
231, 269, 616, *989	8 a.m. noon, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.	1-800-255-1878
906	8:30 a.m. to noon, 1:05 p.m. to 5 p.m.	1-866-872-5837
Outside Michigan	8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	1-800-482-3146
For questions about BCBSM employees only, contact our Ombudsman office.	8:30 a.m. to noon, 12:50 p.m. to 5 p.m.	1-877-258-0167 313-225-8748

Be of Good Cheer!

What gifts are you giving this year?

It is the holiday season and it is generally a time of great cheer, regardless of which holiday (or holidays – who says you have to just enjoy one?) you participate in.  Bright lights, presents, lots of cookies, and shared joy – What’s not to cheer about!  You may not be aware that there is a line before “Be of Good Cheer”.  In my mind the pre-line is “Be of Service” and then Be of Good Cheer.  The one sure way to I know to be of good cheer during the holiday season (or any of time of the year) is through service.  Giving service of any kind brings cheer both to the giver and the receiver. It is a magical combination.  Times are lean for so many right now, but nothing can take away the best gift anyone can give- service. 

Now service can be a big thing (helping someone get a new house for example), but most often it is a thousand little things that paint a bigger more cheerful picture.  In my opinion, your presence is the most special gift you can give, because you are the only one who can give it.  Service can be a smile or a kind word to someone who is lonesome, it can be holding a door or carrying a package for an overloaded mom, it can be giving of your time (as in your physical, mental, and spiritual presence). 

Sometimes just physically showing up can ease stress and burden or give joy (now don’t get cocky here – this definitely works for mothers, but in order to really work true magic it needs to be tied in to a little bit more).  Mentally being where you are is huge, especially over the holidays.  Make sure to mentally be where you are.  Listen when someone is talking to you, help out in the kitchen, compliment the effort put into decorating, creating, and even dressing.  These items will ensure that you are the best present ever and I can promise that you will never get passed over. 

Now spiritual- we don’t always like to talk about the spiritual, but most of us have beliefs and we can share our spirits without tromping on anyone else’s spirituality or beliefs.  Keep in mind that there are many families missing loved ones who have died or are deployed with the military, many may have lost pets, jobs, houses, or even their own faith. Keeping them in your hearts and wishing and hoping the best for them is serving them with spirit.

Well, it’s time to go celebrate, eat lots of cookies and be of good cheer.  Go forth and serve one another both now and in the coming year and I won’t have to worry about your level of cheer, I’ll just have to worry about cheering you on! 

Thanks for being friends, clients, partners, and family of Genius Solutions.  We wish you even more of every good thing in the New Year!

The New CMS-1500 Form & dT/dTLite: IMPORTANT!

A fax letter went out over the last week to all of our dTHOMAS and dTHOMAS Lite clients:

Here it is. In case you missed it or it didn't come through cleanly.

Dear dTHOMAS and dTHOMAS Lite clients:

An update will be released for dTHOMAS allowing for the use of the new CMS 1500 form before the April 1, 2014 deadline. This does not include the ability to send claims in the ICD‐10 format. dTHOMAS users are encouraged to switch to eTHOMAS prior to the ICD‐10 deadline which is slated for October 1, 2014.

When this update is released, Genius Solutions will send emails out to its clients with instructions on how to use it. Please verify that Genius Solutions has a valid email address for your office:

• Have you received an email from us in the last few months? If not, please email support23@geniussolutions.com with an email address that you would like us to have on file.  (Include your office name and account number please.)

• Also, verify that email from Genius Solutions is not being filtered into your “junk” or “spam” folders.

Sincerely,
Genius Solutions, Inc.

Michigan HealthPlus Sender? More e-Options for you!

First off - if you currently send your HealthPlus claims electronically, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.  You are good to go.

But now you have another choice.  In order to increase the receipt of electronic claims, HealthPlus claims can now be sent directly to HealthPlus (as they always have been) or to Blue Cross EDI.  If you have been sending your HealthPlus claims on paper because you didn't want to go through the fuss of trying to send to them separately you can now sign up to send your HealthPlus claims via BCEDI.

For more information on sending your HealthPlus Claims through BCEDI, as well as what you will have to do in THOMAS, please download this HealthPlus_eclaims.pdf.

Again- if you are successfully sending electronic claims to HealthPlus YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING.  If you want to change how you send, please view the download instructions.