Atlas.md | EMR Software for Concierge Medicine

Posted by: AtlasMD

January 21, 2015

Skate Where the Puck’s Going, Not Where it’s Been.

If you know anything at all about hockey, you know that in order to survive in the game, you must think proactively. It’s the same with most sports, actually. To receive the pass, you go where the object you’re receiving is going – not where it’s already been.

It’s the most basic of principles, and it applies to medicine, too. The ACA is around to stay for a while – that’s just the way of it. So to prevent a giant ball from being dropped, Direct Care is taking it upon itself to show patients where the industry should go in order to catch the pass that is healthcare.

It’s this kind of proactive thinking that is leading docs around the country to open up Direct Care practices. These docs are standing in the end zone, frantically waving their arms calling for the pass; they’re wide open! Their rally cry? Patients really can save money while getting the kind of care they forgot even existed. Third party payments become a thing of the past, and people are reminded of how simple the whole thing can be.

Wayne Gretzky is a hockey hall-of-famer; one can only assume that’s partially because of his ability to apply the principle he so eloquently expressed. Skate where the puck is going, not where it’s been.

Posted by: AtlasMD

January 19, 2015

Say No to Cookbook Medicine and Third Party Payments.

A recent Wall Street Journal article by Dr. Gerald Gianoli sheds light on many of the reasons why Direct Care is the logical choice for docs who want to get more out of medicine.

“In 2005, well before ObamaCare, my practice in Louisiana transitioned to one such alternative: Third-party-free. Rather than deal with the hassle of private insurers or government health-insurance providers like Medicare, physicians in our practice work for patients—and no one else. When patients have a problem, they come in for treatment, pay with cash, and are out the door hassle-free. No copays. No insurers. No government.

“These alternative practice models also come with enormous cost-savings potential for physicians and patients. When insurance billing isn’t involved, physicians can save an average of 40% in overhead administrative expenses, according to reporting in this newspaper, and these savings are passed down to patients in lower fees…”

Read the whole article on the Wall Street Journal here. Then when you have time, check out this video of him speaking on the issue.

Keep spreading the word about DPC!

Posted by: AtlasMD

January 12, 2015

What’s New in the Atlas.md EMR?

Some of the new features launched in the latest round of Atlas.md EMR updates include better security, better activity tracking, enhanced custom billing options for labs, and MMS messaging support.

New Inventory Sales & Expense Widget: The new inventory sales and expense widget shows you in plain daylight what you’ve profited vs what you’ve spent during any timeframe you choose. Read more about the widget here.

Two Step Authentication on Login: Now you have the option to enable two step authentication when you log in, during which you’ll enter an SMS code sent to your cell phone for an extra layer of account protection. Read more about that over here.

Better Activity Tracking: Now the app tracks your keyboard strokes, so if you’re typing a long note about a patient you won’t be logged out automatically for inactivity.

In-App Mass Emailing: Now you can send a mass email to multiple patients from right inside the app. Click here for all the details.

Send and Receive Images through SMS: Text isn’t the only hotshot in town anymore. Now images sent and received through MMS are stored inside the app, just like SMS messages.

Custom Labs Billing: Now you can enter custom prices for labs with a simple click. Read more about how it works here.

Open Prescription Alert: Forget to finish a prescription? We’ll help remind you with an alert that shows open prescriptions one week old or more.

Additional User Roles: Now your Atlas.md account can include more than physicians and nurses. New user roles include Nurse Practitioner, and Physician Assistant. Read more about user roles over here.

Money Saving Techniques: In case you’re curious how much money is being saved on prescriptions ordered and filled through the Atlas.md EMR, that magic number is now being displayed on the sales site. The number grows daily so check back often!

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 22, 2014

Go Ahead, Say It Out Loud. “I Am Direct Care!”

Whether you want direct care, or embody it, there’s a place on the web for you.

You probably remember the launch of IWantDirectCare.com, which was the beginning of a movement to put patients who wanted Direct Care in touch with docs who provided it. This site’s doing a lot of great things, including proving the demand for better quality healthcare around the country. It’s even grown to include insurance agents in its networking nature.

Now it’s time for the movement’s progression to make its debut on the web, which is why we’re so excited for the launch of IAmDirectCare.com. With this largely socially-centered platform, supporters can show their support from a more individualized perspective.

IAmDirectCare.com captures the stories people share on social media about their wonderful experiences with Direct Care. It also shows supporters of the Direct Care movement and explains the DPC concept in simple, easy-to-grasp terms. Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 19, 2014

If Not Your Doc, Who CAN You Trust?

We hate to hear stories like the one Dr. Frances told recently over at Kevin.md. The picture he paints about his friend who has been the unfortunate victim of not only cancer, but “community” treatment mishaps leaves only one word in our minds.

Chaos.

And that is not the ideal word you want to use to describe healthcare. According to Dr. Frances, several of those mishaps could have easily been prevented if someone were just paying attention to the patient instead of his results. Among these mistakes? The patient was prescribed meds that clashed and is no longer able to participate in lung cancer studies because alternative treatments (also prescribed by his docs) compromised his kidneys.

Dr. Frances has had it up to here. Read more

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 18, 2014

Introducing the Atlas.md Community Forum

We’re excited to announce the launch of Atlas.md’s Community Forum, where participating users can see how others are interacting with the app, ask questions or advice from those who are in similar situations, and even request features.

Atlas.md EMR users continue to find new and interesting ways to integrate the EMR into their practice, and they’re talking about it. By providing users a way to spread the word, our goal is to pull the DPC community together in the name of better patient care. Here’s how the forum works:

Ask Questions: Ask a fellow user, ask the Atlas.md team. Either way, get feedback from someone who understands what you’re going through.
Request a Feature: Wonder if anybody else wishes that button existed inside Atlas.md? Find out, and get a response from Atlas.md on what the plans are for adding it.
Get Status Updates: If we’re running an update, or experiencing the rare occasion of downtime, we’ll make sure the information is visible so you don’t have to go searching for answers.
Make Friends: We’re all in the same boat, with the same goal of providing patient-centric care while falling back in love with our jobs every day. Being able to talk to someone about all that is fantastic.

The Community Forum is open, so go check it out here!

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 17, 2014

KevinMD: Setting the Record Straight

Dr. Neuhofel, family physician and owner of NeuCare Family Medicine is ready to set the record straight. He took the time to tackle a few of the most widely spread rumors, including affordability and Dr. shortage.

Myth #1: DPC is Too Expensive

Many DPC clinics were founded to help those who were struggling to afford care through traditional healthcare.
“Concierge” doesn’t mean “high priced.” Rather, most DPC clinics charge on the lower end of the retainer spectrum, landing somewhere in the $30-50/month range.
Savings are passed back to the patient in more ways than one: “discounts on labs, diagnostic testing, medications, procedures and more.”

“Just last week, I was able to provide nine doses of sumatriptan to a new patient for $8.12. She had previously been paying more than $100 per month through her insurance for the same amount of the drug.”

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 10, 2014

A Better Home for Traditional Docs

It’s not that physicians of traditional primary care don’t know what they’re doing. It’s not that they’re bad at their jobs. It’s not that they don’t care about their patients, or are incapable of making eye contact during an appointment.

The problem with how traditional docs perform is a result of something much worse.

It’s an environment that allows talent to be used at less than its full potential. It’s knowledge being hidden behind a wall of rules that prevents it from shining through. It’s a flawed system that spends so much time communicating internally that it can’t effectively communicate to those who need it most: patients.

Physicians in a traditional healthcare setting went through medical school just like the rest. They have what it takes. They got into the business to help people, but the setting they find themselves in is more conducive to sticking with the red tape rather than sticking it to the red tape. And that means paperwork, paperwork, and more paperwork.

Many docs have already found a better home. One that puts them in control and gives them the kind of life they dreamed of in med school. One that serves their patients by providing them proactive healthcare and time. Ahh, time. Life under this roof challenges them to be better, think outside the box, and push their own limits. This life they’ve found? It doesn’t revolve around paperwork.

The Direct Care movement is in full swing, and it’s calling those physicians who feel… stuck. Disillusioned. Trapped. But it’s also calling physicians who feel invigorated, entrepreneurial, and inspired.

There’s room for everyone here.

Posted by: AtlasMD

December 3, 2014

Getting Patients to Take Their Meds is a Work in Progress.

A while back, we told you about a new method aimed at getting patients to take their meds – this one revolved around video games. But gaming isn’t a motivator for everyone, and researchers are trying to find the trouble spot surrounding the lack of adherence to doctor’s orders.

Dr. Steve Leuck, PharmD is a pharmacist and founder of AudibleRx. Dr. Leuck is excited that more research is being done to get to the bottom of the issue, but he thinks success might revolve around patient education.

“When patients understand why they are taking their medications, and importantly, what the consequences are of not taking their medication, they are much more likely to be adherent to their pharmaceutical regimen,” he said.

The studies that have already been conducted looking at things like utilizing pill box organizers, having the pharmacist talk to the patient about the medication, text reminders, even web-based support. But a lot of variance in how the studies were conducted and the sheer lack of studies in general prevented them from coming to any conclusions we can run with.

The case isn’t cracked… yet. But those in the field aren’t done trying. Read more

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