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Biomedical subjects

M Colby

Publications and source records attributed to M Colby.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The payers' automation challenge.

Despite some success stories, most of the nation's 300 commercial insurers and hundreds of managed care plans are in the earliest stages of using electronic data interchange for health care transactions. However, there are some encouraging signs of progress in the effort to shift to EDI, as more payers offer providers incentives to automate. Payers blame the relatively slow progress on cost, the absence of universally accepted standard electronic formats and uncertainties over the political debate on health reform. But providers say many commercial payers are moving too slowly to automate and are expecting providers to bear too much of the financial burden.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance Plans↗
PubMed1994

Sorting out the Baby Bells' strategies.

After months of uncertainty, the seven regional Bell operating companies have divided into two camps: those that provide only the infrastructure for health care networks, and those that offer infrastructure along with other networking features, such as systems integration and central data repositories. In their quest for health care market share, the Bells face a number of obstacles. For example, they can't provide long-distance service, and they face restrictive rate regulations. In addition, increased interest in cable TV and wireless communication ventures has led some of the Bells to downsize their health care ambitions.

Computer Communication Networks↗
PubMed1994

Sizing up the role POS (point-of-sale) devices will play.

As more providers attempt to automate such health care transactions as eligibility verification and claims filing, many are taking a look at point-of-sale terminals. POS devices provide low-cost, user-friendly access to a variety of on-line information. But critics say personal computers and practice management software are better suited to complex claims processing. Still, some say there may be a place for both, with POS terminals in physicians' and dentists' front offices and PCs for claims processing in the back offices.

Insurance Claim Reporting↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Telemedicine is poised to revolutionize the practice of medicine.

Telemedicine--the application of audiovisual technology to patient care and medical education--has tremendous potential benefits, especially in linking doctors in remote rural locations to specialists in urban areas. The technology permits remote examinations and diagnoses of patients and continuing education for rural doctors. And there's potential for long-term savings by eliminating some hospital stays and reducing transportation costs. Telemedicine projects are multiplying as they become more economically feasible, thanks to new technology.

Computer Communication Networks↗