Healthcare is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by legislative acts, technological advancements, shifting demographics and evolving patient expectations.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) aims to leverage the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for reimbursement models to accelerate the Value-Based Care (VBC) initiative. For healthcare organizations to succeed, seamless sharing of Protected Health Information (PHI) and Transitions of Care (TOC) data with all supporting facilities is critical. It improves care coordination and mitigates readmission risk.
The Importance of Value-Based Care
VBC models prioritize quality, provider performance and patient experience. CMS aims to have 50% of commercial and Medicaid contracts under VBC by 2025, and nearly all Medicare and most Medicaid beneficiaries in VBC arrangements by 2030. Common challenges in this transition include financial uncertainty, difficulty meeting performance goals, staffing shortages and concerns about earnings.
In acute settings, the migration is further influenced by CMS’ Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP), which penalizes hospitals with high readmission rates for specific conditions. This initiative is designed to enhance post-discharge support and improve patient outcomes, though it’s often perceived as burdensome and costly. The reality is, these programs require improved care coordination by addressing data management and utilization gaps. Unfortunately, many healthcare providers still rely on outdated tools like fax machines, which pose security risks, are error-prone and hinder efficient workflows.
Digital Transformation: The Cornerstone of Improvement
Addressing the challenges of VBC and reducing readmission risks requires embracing Digital Transformation. Unexpectedly, business solutions companies play a pivotal role in this journey. While traditionally known for office technology and managed print services (MPS), companies like Konica Minolta are redefining healthcare support by offering comprehensive solutions tailored to healthcare’s unique needs. Here are three impactful ways Konica Minolta enhances care coordination enabling the transition to VBC:
Streamlining patient information sharing is vital for accuracy, speed and security. Traditional fax workflows are cumbersome and inefficient, typically involving printing, manual sorting and scanning. Konica Minolta’s fax solutions eliminate these inefficiencies by digitizing the entire process. Incoming faxes are received electronically, allowing users to:
Additionally, using Konica Minolta’s Dispatcher Stratus™ cloud solution, organizations can convert PDFs into Consolidated Clinical Document Architecture (C-CDA) format, enhancing interoperability. This streamlined approach improves care coordination, reduces errors and establishes a solid foundation for VBC adoption.
Konica Minolta’s Healthcare-enabled Multifunction Products (MFPs) advance the adoption and utilization of DSM by providing a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform for exchanging patient information. Unlike traditional fax, DSM ensures that sensitive data is only sent to verified recipients, reducing the risk of misdirected information.
These MFPs also include Scan-to-EHR functionality, enabling users to digitize paper-based PHI and attach it directly to patient charts. This capability bridges the gap between paper-based workflows and digital data exchange, further supporting the transition to structured content like C-CDA. DSM enhances security, reduces costs and accelerates the migration to VBC.
Konica Minolta’s IIM solutions leverage artificial intelligence (AI), automation and hybrid cloud technologies to optimize information flow and governance. These tools help healthcare organizations capture, classify and enrich both structured and unstructured data, automate repetitive tasks and provide actionable insights for better decision-making.
Key offerings include advanced capture software, automatic file renaming, integration with business applications and Robotic Process Automation (RPA). By addressing inefficiencies and reducing reliance on print, IIM solutions improve care coordination, enhance data accuracy and support VBC goals.
Partnering for Success
Healthcare’s transformation to VBC requires innovative solutions and trusted partners. Konica Minolta’s proven Digital Transformation approach offers healthcare organizations the tools they need to overcome challenges, improve care coordination and reduce readmission risks. From better fax workflows to secure messaging and IIM, these solutions empower healthcare providers to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.
Lean into healthcare’s VBC challenges with Konica Minolta’s expertise and start your journey to improved outcomes and operational efficiency today. Learn more about our healthcare technology solutions here.
