We know that using your optometry practice management and EHR system to participate in Meaningful Use is already a lot of work for you and your staff. So what could make it worse? An audit.

Most audits are triggered automatically, and not from a red flag or something that you might have done. And, the CMS will audit somewhere between 5-10% of all participants in the program. So while your chances are pretty slim, don't freak out in the event of an audit. There are steps you can take to be prepared so that you can be successful against an audit.

Optometry Practice Management:
Getting Prepared for an Audit

Your best defense is a well-organized audit file.

Record. Record. Record. We can't tell you enough! It's your responsibility to maintain your attestation documents, and if you're organized during your Meaningful Use attestation period and you keep a detailed and accurate record of all of your Meaningful Use requirements than you will be well-prepared in the event of an audit. Once you've been selected for an audit, if you try and go back and obtain all of this information it might be hard to find. Here's a few things to double check and keep records of during your attestation:

• Print summaries and/or source documents
• Screenshots from within your certified EHR software, and make sure dates and provider name are included in the shot
• Core objectives, menu objectives, and clinical quality measures
• Payment calculations
• Training material related to specific measures
• Documentation to support exclusions from any measures

Don't wait!

In the event that you do receive an audit notice, don't put it off. An audit is going to require you to do some extra work. It might be time consuming to get together all of the documents that you'll need, so get started right away in compiling the necessary reports. Once you've been selected for an audit you will have 14 days to get your documentation in order. And remember, the Meaningful Use Incentive Program was created with the purpose of giving money back to eligible professionals. They want you to pass your audit so that they can give you the money you earned. 

Make sure that your EHR system is there to help you.

Having a certified EHR system is a requirement for participating in Meaningful Use, so make sure that you choose the system that will be the right fit for your practice. When looking for the right EHR make sure that you look for solutions based off of modern technologies. And when it comes to attesting to Meaningful Use you will want to know all of the features inside and out so that you can keep your workflow running as efficiently as possible.

On top of that, your EHR system should make recording your data easy. Does your system provide helpful reporting and analytics to help guide you through attestation documentation? Does the system populate duplicate information throughout a patient's visit to help save time and avoid data entry errors? These are just a couple of little details to think about when looking for the right system. You'll need your software vendor to be a resource to help you get through everything you need in case of an audit.

If you're interested in getting started with Meaningful Use, you'll need a system that is 2014 certified. Check out Uprise, our cloud-based practice management and EHR system!