In response to my post on Meaningful Use Audits and the Inconsistent Appeals Process, Todd Searls. Executive Director at Wide River LLC, offered this interesting meaningful use audit advice on LinkedIn:
We’ve assisted numerous clinics and hospitals through their audits, and you’re absolutely correct John. Those clinics that have the people and processes already in place, this ends up (most of the time), being a non -issue, just time consuming. However, we have clients that have undergone significant changes since 2011 and now that they are being audited, the changes are coming back to haunt them since tracking MU documentation through the changes may not have been the highest priority.
Even those clinics that have the right documentation are now finding that they shouldn’t just mail the documents in bulk to the auditors unless they’ve spent time creating a good summary document which clearly defines each and every appendix document being sent. Case in point, we had one clinic call us to help them with their appeal for a failed audit. When we engaged we spent a few hours trying to determine why they failed the audit since the documents they had on file to support their attestation were excellent. Then we reviewed how they sent them in (in just one mass mailing with no cover letter or explanation beyond a title for each document (ie, In Reference to Measure 2)).
Once we created a clear cover letter and resubmitted, they were notified very quickly that their appeal was successful. The clinic had mixed feelings – great that they passed, but unhappy about having to ‘mind-read’ the preferred format that the auditor was looking for. Right or wrong, many clinics are in the same place – frustrated with the process.
I don’t know anyone who enjoys an audit. However, an audit can at least be bearable if it’s clear what’s expected in the audit. I think we’re going to have a lot more stories about meaningful use audits coming down the pipe. Hopefully Todd’s advice helps some who run into a meaningful use audit.
Source:: http://www.emrandhipaa.com/emr-and-hipaa/2015/01/30/meaningful-use-audit-advice/
