Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/36985
Technology SPECIAL REPORT www.hmenews.com Taking technology by the horns HME providers aren’t always the first in line to adopt new technology, but if this special report is any indication, that may be changing for good. Look at Matt Kneeland, CEO of Care Medical in Visalia, Calif. He says, “Business metrics are one of my favorite things.” Why? Because it allows him to have a direct pulse on every function of his business, from sales rep performance to driver routes. That, in turn, allows him to have a direct pulse on his bottom line. Holding providers’ hands in this transformation are the HME vendors featured in this special report: Brightree, Computers Unlimited, Infopia, MedForce, Nonin, RemitData and Philips Respironics. They’re developing the tools that help providers maneuver new requirements and make do with less. Case in point: Philips Respironics’ Encore Anywhere. This tool allows Jeff Eckert, director of respiratory care for CressCare Medical, to know, for example, whether a leakage kept his patient from properly using his device last night. It improves his ability to keep patients compliant and reduce follow-ups. Of course, providers and vendors aren’t sitting back, patting them- selves on the back for the progress they’ve made. Want a peek into where they’re headed next? Check out what these leaders had to say: “Telemedicine and information exchanges will create an atmosphere that will streamline communication and improve awareness” (Infopia’s Bryan Sowards); and “The ability to transfer data from the physician, hospital, pharmacy, hospice and HME without so much as a couple of keystrokes will become a necessity” (Doug Stallbaumer). And keep taking technology by the horns. — Liz Beaulieu, editor Brightree time.” There are plenty of excuses that tech- What’s your excuse? M Going into 2012 without solid technology is really risky BY JENNIFER KEIRN Contributing Editor aybe it’s, “I can’t afford it.” Or, “this is the way I’ve always done it.” Or, “Now’s just not the right resistant providers use, but that attitude has never been riskier, says Chris Watson, chief marketing officer for Brightree. “We believe now is the exact right time to make bold moves,” Watson said. “Going into 2012 without solid technology is really risky.” Automate as much of your daily work- flow as you can, recommended Watson, “so you can use your staff to handle the exceptions and functions that need a personal touch.” For users of the Brightree business High tech provider ‘Business metrics are one of my favorite things’ BY JENNIFER KEIRN Contributing Editor Matt Kneeland may be president and CEO of Care Medical in Visalia, Calif., but he was the one digging into data entry when his company implemented the Brightree system six years ago. “I moved the billers out of their cubes, and I went in there and spent a month-and-a-half inputting patients,” said Kneeland. “The CEO needs 2 AUGUS T 2 0 1 1 to be involved in data input to know how it’s going into the system.” Today Kneeland uses Brightree to monitor nearly every function of his business immediately—each day’s orders, salesperson or biller performance, even the drivers’ routes for the day. “Business metrics are one of my favorite things,” Kneeland said. “As a CEO my job is to keep my company more financially healthy than my competitor.” HME management system, those opportunities for automation are extensive. Billing, A/R and document imaging sure, but also point- of-sale, inventory management, CRM and point-of-delivery manage- ment. Chris Watson The latest improve- ment? An integrated elec- tronic purchasing tool that connects Brightree’s system to the provider’s real-time pricing with selected vendors. “Electronic purchasing is not new, but having it integrated is,” Watson said. “One customer was able to redeploy one-third of his drop- ship personnel because of this.” Perhaps most valuable, said Watson, is the ability to continuously monitor busi- Key product Brightree Business Management Software Brightree is a provider of billing and business management software for HME/DMEPOS providers. Brightree’s technology is web-based, which means Brightree’s automation, billing, inventory and reporting solutions are accessible anytime, from anywhere. With its large and experienced software support team, Brightree serves more than 2,500 providers. Brightree’s business management software solution endorsed by Invacare Corporation and the VGM member service organization. WWW.BRIGHTREE.COM ness performance, offering the ability to make critical changes quickly. “It’s about looking at where your busi- ness is today, not at the end of the month,” she said. HME