Identified as TCMS version 4.7.2, it addresses the irregularities found within the earlier release.
Please follow the previous update instructions.
Thank you for your patience.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
5010, TCMS v. 4.7.1, Is Now Available
This version has the required claim change beginning January 1, 2012.
All current electronic claims are sent in a “4010-Format”. Effective January 1st 2012, the 4010 will be replaced by the “5010-Format.” The “5010-Format” allows for faster and clearer communication of eligibility and payment status.
Has the TCMS 5010-Format been tested?
Criterions is certified by Claredi, NGS/Medicare, NJ Medicare, Emdeon and McKesson for the “5010-Format”. Claredi is the gold standard for national uniformity for electronic claims. Our participation was optional but done to ensure that your file submissions will be successful.
Do practices using TCMS need to send TEST files?
Agreements with Emdeon, McKesson, NGS/Medicare, NJ Highmark Medicare, Connecticut Medicare, Empire BCBS, North Carolina BCBS and NY Medicaid have exempted Criterions submitters from sending TEST claim files.
If you wish to submit a TEST file (optional in most instances) to any Claim Center, please read below. Please realize that there is no need or requirement to send a TEST file or to edit these settings to begin submitting 5010-Format claim files in PRODUCTION.
What are the TCMS settings that affect the format of a generated 5010-Format file?
There are only two settings in TCMS that will affect the format of a file:
(a) Generating a 5010-Format file: There is a new Practice Default labeled “Generate 5010 Claims” that is ALREADY selected when you update to TCMS version 4.7.1. When this option is selected, claim files are created in the new 5010-Format; conversely, when it is not selected, claim files are created in the older 4010-Format.
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(b) Generating a TEST claim file: Each Claim Center in the EMC Setup screen contains a field labeled “ISA15_5010” that ALREADY contains a “P” when you update to version 4.7.1. The “P” will generate the Claim Center’s file in PRODUCTION mode. Conversely, a “T” will generate a Claim Center’s file in TEST mode.
What must a Practice do before sending claims as usual in 5010-Format?
Prior to submitting any claims in the new 5010-Format, these steps must be performed:
Step 1 – Go to your Practice Information screen and make sure there is a nine-digit zip-code in place for the Practice.
Step 2 – FOR P.O. BOX PAY-TO ADDRESSES ONLY:
The Practice Address cannot be a PO Box address; it must be a physical street address. If your Practice utilizes a PO Box as a pay-to address, place a check-mark in the “Pay-to-address (PO Box address)” field at the bottom of the Practice Information screen and proceed to enter the PO Box Address information.
Step 3 – Go to each Facility in your Practice and make sure there is a nine-digit zip-code in place for each Facility.
Step 4 - Install the new MSI on any workstation that will be used to create EMC files or to post ERN payments. This install is VERY EASY for you to do yourself and we will provide you with a guide in a TCMS Alert on Friday 12/23.
Are there any new agreements required by NGS or NY Medicaid?
Yes:
FOR NGS/MEDICARE SUBMITTERS ONLY:
A practice can submit claims in the new 5010 format immediately. However, NGS requires that you complete a detailed online agreement within the next few months (click here for the application). We are also providing you with a guide (click here for a step-by-step GUIDE to the application; click the guide to enlarge) intended to assist you in completing this agreement. Once this agreement is completed, the primary contact that you list within the agreement will be notified by e-mail (about a week later) with a confirmation that the agreement was processed by NGS. It is imperative that the Practice completes this agreement to avoid recertification next year.
FOR EMEDNY SUBMITTERS ONLY:
EMedNY requires that, if you want to receive the NY Medicaid remittance advice, you complete an “Electronic Remittance Request Form” (click here for the NY Medicaid application). The form can be completed and mailed, faxed or emailed to Computer Sciences Corporation (details in the form). Be sure to complete the form completely to avoid delays.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
5010 Format Progress ALERT
As you may or may not know:
We have successfully completed and passed all Vendor-required testing. TCMS version 4.7.1 is certified by Claredi, NGS, NJ Medicare, Emdeon and McKesson for the “5010 Format”. Claredi is the gold standard for national uniformity for electronic claims. Our participation in this optional certification further insures that your 5010 submissions will be successful.
When will the new version become available?
TCMS version 4.7.1 is planned to be released by December 15th (Update: Currently planned for December 21st). Its actual release date has been fluid as we finalize client’s responsibilities for testing, if at all necessary. We are working aggressively with our clearinghouses and claim gateways making every effort to reduce or eliminate your requirements. Here is a status on our efforts:
- All electronic claims are currently sent in a “4010 format”.
- Effective January 1st 2012, the 4010 will be replaced by the “5010 format.”
- The “5010 format” allows for faster and clearer communication of eligibility and payment status. The government has legislated this sweeping change.
We have successfully completed and passed all Vendor-required testing. TCMS version 4.7.1 is certified by Claredi, NGS, NJ Medicare, Emdeon and McKesson for the “5010 Format”. Claredi is the gold standard for national uniformity for electronic claims. Our participation in this optional certification further insures that your 5010 submissions will be successful.
When will the new version become available?
TCMS version 4.7.1 is planned to be released by December 15th (Update: Currently planned for December 21st). Its actual release date has been fluid as we finalize client’s responsibilities for testing, if at all necessary. We are working aggressively with our clearinghouses and claim gateways making every effort to reduce or eliminate your requirements. Here is a status on our efforts:
- Your requirement to submit a 5010 test file to Emdeon is no longer required.
- Your requirement to submit a 5010 test file to McKesson is no longer required.
- Your requirement to complete any 5010 paperwork for either Emdeon or McKesson is no longer required.
- Your requirement to submit a test file to NGS/Medicare requirement is pending. We are working with MedXpress and NGS to have this requirement eliminated however their confirmation is not expected till later this month.
Monday, November 28, 2011
Bug Fixes available in TCMS version 4.6.2
The Latest Bugs Fixed:
Menu: Claims -> Select Patient -> Claims Ledger
Fixed Bug: The Admission Date and the Supervising Physician features were not generating for Medicare claims as they should. This problem originated in version 4.6.
Menu: Scheduler -> Open Schedule
Fixed Bug: Some superbills printed from the Open Schedule were taking too long to print because of a new field's calculation of a dollar amount. This problem originated in version 4.6.1.
Menu: Print -> Reports -> Practice Reports -> Payment Analysis Report
Fixed Bug: The Payment Analysis Report was sometimes taking to long to generate. The problem originated in version 4.6.1.
Menu: Print -> Bulk Print HCFAs
Fixed Bug: The data in a HCFA's Box# 32 was generating with a wrong font size. This problem originated in version 4.6.1
Menu: Claims -> Select Patient -> Claims Ledger
Fixed Bug: The Admission Date and the Supervising Physician features were not generating for Medicare claims as they should. This problem originated in version 4.6.
Menu: Scheduler -> Open Schedule
Fixed Bug: Some superbills printed from the Open Schedule were taking too long to print because of a new field's calculation of a dollar amount. This problem originated in version 4.6.1.
Menu: Print -> Reports -> Practice Reports -> Payment Analysis Report
Fixed Bug: The Payment Analysis Report was sometimes taking to long to generate. The problem originated in version 4.6.1.
Menu: Print -> Bulk Print HCFAs
Fixed Bug: The data in a HCFA's Box# 32 was generating with a wrong font size. This problem originated in version 4.6.1
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The "What's New" for TCMS v. 4.6.1
WELCOME TO TCMS VERSION 4.6.1 - HERE IS THE "WHAT'S NEW" FOR THIS VERSION:
Summary:
- The Daily Schedule report now displays cell phone numbers
- Referring Doctor's titles can now be added on the fly
- A new Practice Default for viewing eRx/Rx modules
- A new audit button is available for changes to password rules
- Ledger reports now show all deposit dates
- Worker's Comp claims can now be sent electronically
- Information in the Responsible Party screen can now be deleted
- Credit Report now shows total credited services in date span
- Can no longer add a service prior to passing the CPT code field
- Two new Claim Centers are now available
- Indicator added to the Lookup menu's Referring Doctor screen
- Appointment label barcode font increased
- Exported report contains new column
- Change to CMS-1500 form when POS is 12
- New custom field to prevent the unflagging of forwarded claims
- New entry in history of a lab result
- A new HCFA Box 10 default is now available
- New column in Worker's Comp case selection screen
Details:
The Daily Schedule report now displays cell phone numbers
The Daily Schedule report will now display the patient's cell phone number instead of the patient's work phone number.
Referring Doctor's titles can now be added on the fly
While adding or editing a referring doctor, there is now a pop up box available that permit the user to add or edit a referring physician's title. As a result, a title can be selected from the list or the user can use the Edit button to add a new title to the database for selection.
A new Practice Default for viewing eRx/Rx modules
We have made a change to add a Practice Default for only those clients that use both Rx and eRx modules in TCMS. The default is named "Use eRx for prescriptions."
A new audit button is available for changes to password rules
The Password Rule Setup screen (in the "Users" section of the Practice Setup screens) now has an audit button available to the user that will display an audit log of the transactions performed on password rules.
Exported report contains new column
The patient list report for Diagnosis Codes will generate a column containing the patient's DOB when exported.
New custom field to prevent the unflagging of forwarded claims
Electronic remittances use an indicator to identify claims that were forwarded to the secondary by the primary on your behalf. This indicator has always been used by TCMS to prevent the reflagging of claims because there should be no need to forward the claim to the secondary once it is forwarded by the primary. This fearture can now be turned off with a new Insurance Type custom field, "Ignore ERN's claims forwarded indicator."
New entry in history of a lab result
A history entry will now be made when a lab is assigned to a patient from the unassigned lab queue. The history tab in the document properties screen will have an entry that will read "Assigned to patient from Unassigned Lab Queue".
A new HCFA Box 10 default is now available
There is a new option available in a patient’s Insurance Profile that permits the user to determine a HCFA’s Box 10 information by default to all claims that are later written against this profile. (Please note that, if two services contain differing Box 10 selections, the services will split to separate HCFA’s.)
New column in Worker's Comp case selection screen
A new column titled "Treatment Rendered" is now displayed in the Worker's Comp case selection screen to help ensure selection of the correct Worker's Comp case.
-- end
Summary:
- The Daily Schedule report now displays cell phone numbers
- Referring Doctor's titles can now be added on the fly
- A new Practice Default for viewing eRx/Rx modules
- A new audit button is available for changes to password rules
- Ledger reports now show all deposit dates
- Worker's Comp claims can now be sent electronically
- Information in the Responsible Party screen can now be deleted
- Credit Report now shows total credited services in date span
- Can no longer add a service prior to passing the CPT code field
- Two new Claim Centers are now available
- Indicator added to the Lookup menu's Referring Doctor screen
- Appointment label barcode font increased
- Exported report contains new column
- Change to CMS-1500 form when POS is 12
- New custom field to prevent the unflagging of forwarded claims
- New entry in history of a lab result
- A new HCFA Box 10 default is now available
- New column in Worker's Comp case selection screen
Details:
The Daily Schedule report now displays cell phone numbers
The Daily Schedule report will now display the patient's cell phone number instead of the patient's work phone number.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Referring Doctor's titles can now be added on the fly
While adding or editing a referring doctor, there is now a pop up box available that permit the user to add or edit a referring physician's title. As a result, a title can be selected from the list or the user can use the Edit button to add a new title to the database for selection.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
A new Practice Default for viewing eRx/Rx modules
We have made a change to add a Practice Default for only those clients that use both Rx and eRx modules in TCMS. The default is named "Use eRx for prescriptions."
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
A new audit button is available for changes to password rules
The Password Rule Setup screen (in the "Users" section of the Practice Setup screens) now has an audit button available to the user that will display an audit log of the transactions performed on password rules.
Ledger reports now show all deposit dates
The ledger reports will now display the deposit dates for cash and credit card payments as it does for check payments. |
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Worker's Comp claims can now be sent electronically
We now have the ability to submit Worker’s Compensation claims electronically with iHCFA. Using the same method as printing or reprinting batches, a user can now create XML files that can be transferred via FTP.
How to set up iHCFA Claims Center
for electronic submission
of Worker's Comp claims:
- You will need to register with iHCFA prior to setting up the iHCFA Clearinghouse fields in TCMS. The registration process takes just a couple of days. To begin registration, simply call iHCFA at 973-451-8213 and let Bryan Downing know that you have Criterions version 4.6.1 (or higher) and want information on iHCFA registration. Bryan can also be emailed at bdowning@ihcfa.com . Bryan will gladly walk you through the set up process and provide training.
- Once you have registered with iHCFA, you can activate the iHCFA
Claim Center
- When the
Claim Center - When all of the above is completed, you can now create a file and submit Worker’s Comp claims electronically from the same screen used to print Worker’s Comp forms. Simply select to print batches and click on the (new) button labeled “Electronic WC”. This will generate the .XML files that will get transferred to iHCFA via the FTP settings that were entered into the
Claim Center
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Information in the Responsible Party screen can now be deleted
A new button is provided which will delete all existing responsible party information leaving all fields blank.
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Credit Report now shows total credited services in date span
The Credit Report, which will identify all services that were credited within a selected date span, will now display (on the last page) the total number of credited services in the report.
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Can no longer add a service prior to passing the CPT code field
While adding a service in a patient's "Add Service" screen, the user may need to go back to the service date fields prior to saving a claim to correct the DOS entered... but, an error was generated if the user did not tab from the DOS fields and through the CPT code field prior to clicking on "Add Service" - this is now prevented by muting the Add Service option until the user exits the DOS fields and tabs through the CPT code field after changing the DOS data.  |
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Two new Claim Centers are now available
There are 2 new Clam Centers laim Center
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Indicator added to the Lookup menu's Referring Doctor screen
The Referring Doctor screen that is accessed through TCMS's Lookup menu is a shortcut access point to select data in the Referring Doctor setup screen. A newly added data field to the shortcut is the indicator/checkbox labeled "Accepts Faxed Reports".
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Appointment label barcode font increased
The font of the text at the base of the Appointment Label's barcode is now larger.
Exported report contains new column
The patient list report for Diagnosis Codes will generate a column containing the patient's DOB when exported.
Change to CMS-1500 form when POS is 12
The CMS-1500 (HCFA form) will now print the patient’s address in Box 32 when the Place of Service (POS code) for the service is "12" (Home).
New custom field to prevent the unflagging of forwarded claims
Electronic remittances use an indicator to identify claims that were forwarded to the secondary by the primary on your behalf. This indicator has always been used by TCMS to prevent the reflagging of claims because there should be no need to forward the claim to the secondary once it is forwarded by the primary. This fearture can now be turned off with a new Insurance Type custom field, "Ignore ERN's claims forwarded indicator."
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
New entry in history of a lab result
A history entry will now be made when a lab is assigned to a patient from the unassigned lab queue. The history tab in the document properties screen will have an entry that will read "Assigned to patient from Unassigned Lab Queue".
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
A new HCFA Box 10 default is now available
There is a new option available in a patient’s Insurance Profile that permits the user to determine a HCFA’s Box 10 information by default to all claims that are later written against this profile. (Please note that, if two services contain differing Box 10 selections, the services will split to separate HCFA’s.)
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
New column in Worker's Comp case selection screen
A new column titled "Treatment Rendered" is now displayed in the Worker's Comp case selection screen to help ensure selection of the correct Worker's Comp case.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Friday, September 30, 2011
5010 Certification Achieved !!!
With 5010 just around the corner, Criterions’ EDI-5010 has earned certification from Claredi, the recognized HIPAA transaction certification seal of approval. (click here for details)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
5010 EDI Format Implementation and ICD10
TCMS USERS:
THERE IS CURRENTLY NOTHING
THAT YOU NEED TO DO!
What is the 5010 EDI format?
Electronic claims are sent in a file that is prepared using an EDI format. The 5010 format fully replaces the current 4010 EMC Format and will affect the way patient’s electronic payment and coverage data is compiled and interpreted.
Why is the format changing?
The new 5010 format transmits clearer information affecting eligibility, coverage, claims and payments, and corrects many deficiencies cause by new government regulations and planned changes. It will also provide better protection of patient identity and make better use of newer file components such as NPI identifiers, patient coverage limitations and provisions. The 5010 format promises faster and more accurate carrier responses from claim submissions.
When is the format changing?
The 5010 format will be required for electronic data exchanges on January 1st 2012. Data submitted without this modification risks rejection from non-compliance. We do not expect a government postponement and will meet their requirement on time.
What do we have to do to be ready?
There is currently nothing you need to do. Criterions is currently testing the 5010 format and is prepared to implement this change with our standard update process prior to the required deadline.
Will the new 5010 EDI format accommodate ICD10?
Yes! The new 5010 format will also handle the planned implementation of ICD10, which is scheduled for October 2013.
When will I need to do anything?
TCMS version 4.7 is expected to become available to you prior to December 1st. Although we will have performed our testing, you will also need to send test files. TCMS version will be prepared to generate these test files immediately and, as a result of our testing, your files should result in reports within a day. Once you are confident that your tests passed, you will be able to change a setting in the EMC Setup screen to "Production." Additional and more detailed instructions will be released with the new version.
THERE IS CURRENTLY NOTHING
THAT YOU NEED TO DO!
What is the 5010 EDI format?
Electronic claims are sent in a file that is prepared using an EDI format. The 5010 format fully replaces the current 4010 EMC Format and will affect the way patient’s electronic payment and coverage data is compiled and interpreted.
Why is the format changing?
The new 5010 format transmits clearer information affecting eligibility, coverage, claims and payments, and corrects many deficiencies cause by new government regulations and planned changes. It will also provide better protection of patient identity and make better use of newer file components such as NPI identifiers, patient coverage limitations and provisions. The 5010 format promises faster and more accurate carrier responses from claim submissions.
When is the format changing?
The 5010 format will be required for electronic data exchanges on January 1st 2012. Data submitted without this modification risks rejection from non-compliance. We do not expect a government postponement and will meet their requirement on time.
What do we have to do to be ready?
There is currently nothing you need to do. Criterions is currently testing the 5010 format and is prepared to implement this change with our standard update process prior to the required deadline.
Will the new 5010 EDI format accommodate ICD10?
Yes! The new 5010 format will also handle the planned implementation of ICD10, which is scheduled for October 2013.
When will I need to do anything?
TCMS version 4.7 is expected to become available to you prior to December 1st. Although we will have performed our testing, you will also need to send test files. TCMS version will be prepared to generate these test files immediately and, as a result of our testing, your files should result in reports within a day. Once you are confident that your tests passed, you will be able to change a setting in the EMC Setup screen to "Production." Additional and more detailed instructions will be released with the new version.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
The "What's New" for version 4.6
WHAT'S NEW:
A new LIVE report, the AR Breakdown report, is now available
There is a new report available in the Daily Reports section of Criterions TCMS, the “AR Breakdown” report. This single-page report offer the current starting AR and the current ending AR for any given date span, and all of the live transaction details that have affected a practice’s finances in between. The report can be split by or limited to specific locations and also includes definitions for all factors on the report.
Manual Override has a new drop-down option
When making an appointment with the Manual Override option, the ability to select an insurance profile (to be used while generating paper superbills or claims in the Superbill Queue feature) is now available from a pull-down menu. Previously, the TCMS Manual Override feature would default the current primary carrier’s profile and needed changes would be made in the appointment’s properties after the appointment is created. Now, the current primary carrier’s profile is defaulted onto the new field but can be changed to any other existing primary carrier’s profile (or to “self”).
Insurance carrier email address field extended
The Email address field for an insurance carrier will now accommodate up to 100 characters. Previously, the field was limited to 30 characters.
New user password limitation available
Criterions TCMS already has several user-password-rules settings available (such as length, special characters, locking, etc.) that contribute to improving password security, and one more has now been added: “Days after which passwords will automatically expire.” By entering a number of days in this new field, such as “90,” Criterions users are obligated to change their passwords every 90 days.
eTracks can now accommodate multiple email addresses.
Now, user can enter multiple email addresses using comma separation (spaces cannot be permitted). A track ID number for the issue, which is generated immediately after sending the eTrack, will be emailed to the multiple email addresses. Also, lower or upper case lettering can now be used within email addresses.
Gender option now available when printing labels by age
When printing labels for patients by age, there is a new option available that allows you to select to print for male only, or for female only, or for both genders.
New search option for batch reports for inactive users
A new check-box option is now available when searching for a batch by date span that permits the user to search for batches tied to inactive users. The user can select the option to “Limit by users” and then select the new option that will also “Show inactive users” – the inactive user names will appear and will be identified with a notation “inactive user” after their name.
Units in the Electronic Superbill Queue
The Electronic Superbill Queue now permits the user to edit the “Units” field. Previously, if the units required editing, the user was forced to first create the claim and then edit the individual claim’s units within the Claims Ledger screen.
Duplicate diagnosis codes are now prevented
Duplication of diagnosis codes are now prevented while:
(A) Adding a new claim from within the patient’s Claims Ledger
(B) Adding a new claim from within the Electronic Superbill Queue
(C) Editing a claim
A duplicated diagnosis code is now stripped at the point of saving the claim(s) and any additional codes are moved to a placement hierarchy. For example, if the second of three diagnosis codes is a duplicate of the primary code, the second code is removed and the third code becomes the second code. Note that the primary diagnosis code is never affected.
Bulk e-mails now have a “date range” option
When generating bulk e-mails for scheduled patients, the user can now better target a specific set of recipients by selecting an appointment date range.
A "Patient Alert" is now generated for blocked patients.
When a patient is “blocked” (see the “Appointments” tab in any patient’s account), and someone accesses their account, a Patient Alert (with red lettering) will now generate alerting the user of the block, the severity of the block, the reason and the comments applied while blocking the patient. If the patient has any other existing “Patient Alert” information, the “block alert” information is added to it. Note that the Patient Alert is informational and will not prevent the user from any operation.
A new .msi file is available for workstation installs of eRx.
If your office uses eRx and needs to perform an eRx install on a workstation, and you already have the .net framework installed on the workstation, there is now a new .msi file (named “Criterions Newcrop Common Setup.msi”) available within the TCMS folder for easy installs.
• For a workstation that has never had eRx installed, simply double click on the .msi and the install will complete within a few minutes.
• For a workstation that already has eRx installed and needs to have it re-installed, you need to un-install the old one and then install.
All patient documents can now be e-mailed.
Just as you could previously do with Word documents, you can now also e-mail scanned documents and labs. Click on the opened document’s “E-Mail” option and this screen will open:
Appointment properties now accessible from the ESB Queue
Just as you could previously view the properties of an appointment from within any appointment in the Scheduler, you can now also view those properties from within the Electronic Superbill (ESB) Queue. By right-clicking on any entry in the queue, you can now select the “Appointment Properties” option to access the properties.
COPAY Receipt now includes description of payment method
The COPAY Receipt, which can be printed for a patient on demand when the copay is posted from the Open Schedule, now includes a description of the method of payment used (cash or check with check number).
The COPAY Receipt can also be generated at anytime from the patient’s ledger screen (show all services to view the satisfied COPAY code, right-click on the COPAY service and use the “Print Co-Pay Receipt” option).
Worker’s Comp case progress notes more identifiable when adding claims
When you are adding a claim to an existing Worker’s Compensation case, the case's progress note selection screen now contains more column-based information to help distinguish the cases more clearly.
A new system right in patient operations is now available
There is now a specific user right for adding insurance information to a patient’s insurance profile. The new right can be used to prevent or assign rights to:
1. Create a new active profile
2. Assign a carrier to an existing insurance profile
Medicall responses can now be parsed directly to appointments
When Medicall completes the calling process to confirm upcoming appointments for your patients, the file that is returned can now be parsed and the results of the calls to the patients are automatically download to each appointment within the Open Scheduler. Confirmed appointments will also update the appointment’s status to a “Confirmed” status.
The results that are parsed into the appointments include:
A new LIVE report, the AR Breakdown report, is now available
There is a new report available in the Daily Reports section of Criterions TCMS, the “AR Breakdown” report. This single-page report offer the current starting AR and the current ending AR for any given date span, and all of the live transaction details that have affected a practice’s finances in between. The report can be split by or limited to specific locations and also includes definitions for all factors on the report.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Manual Override has a new drop-down option
When making an appointment with the Manual Override option, the ability to select an insurance profile (to be used while generating paper superbills or claims in the Superbill Queue feature) is now available from a pull-down menu. Previously, the TCMS Manual Override feature would default the current primary carrier’s profile and needed changes would be made in the appointment’s properties after the appointment is created. Now, the current primary carrier’s profile is defaulted onto the new field but can be changed to any other existing primary carrier’s profile (or to “self”).
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Insurance carrier email address field extended
The Email address field for an insurance carrier will now accommodate up to 100 characters. Previously, the field was limited to 30 characters.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
New user password limitation available
Criterions TCMS already has several user-password-rules settings available (such as length, special characters, locking, etc.) that contribute to improving password security, and one more has now been added: “Days after which passwords will automatically expire.” By entering a number of days in this new field, such as “90,” Criterions users are obligated to change their passwords every 90 days.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
eTracks can now accommodate multiple email addresses.
Now, user can enter multiple email addresses using comma separation (spaces cannot be permitted). A track ID number for the issue, which is generated immediately after sending the eTrack, will be emailed to the multiple email addresses. Also, lower or upper case lettering can now be used within email addresses.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Gender option now available when printing labels by age
When printing labels for patients by age, there is a new option available that allows you to select to print for male only, or for female only, or for both genders.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
New search option for batch reports for inactive users
A new check-box option is now available when searching for a batch by date span that permits the user to search for batches tied to inactive users. The user can select the option to “Limit by users” and then select the new option that will also “Show inactive users” – the inactive user names will appear and will be identified with a notation “inactive user” after their name.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Units in the Electronic Superbill Queue
The Electronic Superbill Queue now permits the user to edit the “Units” field. Previously, if the units required editing, the user was forced to first create the claim and then edit the individual claim’s units within the Claims Ledger screen.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Duplicate diagnosis codes are now prevented
Duplication of diagnosis codes are now prevented while:
(A) Adding a new claim from within the patient’s Claims Ledger
(B) Adding a new claim from within the Electronic Superbill Queue
(C) Editing a claim
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Bulk e-mails now have a “date range” option
When generating bulk e-mails for scheduled patients, the user can now better target a specific set of recipients by selecting an appointment date range.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
A "Patient Alert" is now generated for blocked patients.
When a patient is “blocked” (see the “Appointments” tab in any patient’s account), and someone accesses their account, a Patient Alert (with red lettering) will now generate alerting the user of the block, the severity of the block, the reason and the comments applied while blocking the patient. If the patient has any other existing “Patient Alert” information, the “block alert” information is added to it. Note that the Patient Alert is informational and will not prevent the user from any operation.
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A new .msi file is available for workstation installs of eRx.
If your office uses eRx and needs to perform an eRx install on a workstation, and you already have the .net framework installed on the workstation, there is now a new .msi file (named “Criterions Newcrop Common Setup.msi”) available within the TCMS folder for easy installs.
• For a workstation that has never had eRx installed, simply double click on the .msi and the install will complete within a few minutes.
• For a workstation that already has eRx installed and needs to have it re-installed, you need to un-install the old one and then install.
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All patient documents can now be e-mailed.
Just as you could previously do with Word documents, you can now also e-mail scanned documents and labs. Click on the opened document’s “E-Mail” option and this screen will open:
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Appointment properties now accessible from the ESB Queue
Just as you could previously view the properties of an appointment from within any appointment in the Scheduler, you can now also view those properties from within the Electronic Superbill (ESB) Queue. By right-clicking on any entry in the queue, you can now select the “Appointment Properties” option to access the properties.
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This new access may be particularly useful if you need to change the insurance profile of an appointment without the need to go to the appointment in the Open Schedule. Note that, if you do change a profile, you will need to refresh the queue for the fee schedule of the new profile to be reflected for that entry in the queue.
COPAY Receipt now includes description of payment method
The COPAY Receipt, which can be printed for a patient on demand when the copay is posted from the Open Schedule, now includes a description of the method of payment used (cash or check with check number).
The COPAY Receipt can also be generated at anytime from the patient’s ledger screen (show all services to view the satisfied COPAY code, right-click on the COPAY service and use the “Print Co-Pay Receipt” option).
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Worker’s Comp case progress notes more identifiable when adding claims
When you are adding a claim to an existing Worker’s Compensation case, the case's progress note selection screen now contains more column-based information to help distinguish the cases more clearly.
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A new system right in patient operations is now available
There is now a specific user right for adding insurance information to a patient’s insurance profile. The new right can be used to prevent or assign rights to:
1. Create a new active profile
2. Assign a carrier to an existing insurance profile
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Medicall responses can now be parsed directly to appointments
When Medicall completes the calling process to confirm upcoming appointments for your patients, the file that is returned can now be parsed and the results of the calls to the patients are automatically download to each appointment within the Open Scheduler. Confirmed appointments will also update the appointment’s status to a “Confirmed” status.
The results that are parsed into the appointments include:
- “Answering Machine” (when an answering machine intercepts the call and message is left)
- “Connected” (when a connection is successful but no response was received to confirm)
- “Confirmed” (when the appointment is confirmed by the patient)
- “Cancelled” (when the appointment is cancelled by the patient)
- “Line busy” (when the patient’s phone was busy at the time of call)
- “No Answer” (when the patient’s phone is not picked up at the time of call)
- “Incorrect Phone Number” (when the operator intercepts a call)
- “Call not Completed” (when a dial-tone or ring-back is not detected).
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The "What's New" for version 4.5.3
WHAT'S NEW:
Prescriber's signature can now be stored by user
Until now, a physician's signature in Criterions (which is used for prescriptions) could only be entered into the software by our Support Services staff. There is a new feature which allows for the importing of the Master Physician's signature directly by a practice's staff member.
The user will need to scan a sample of the signature and make it available as a .jpeg image to the workstation.
There is a new “Group By” option available in the Daily Transaction report.
If checked, the report will group the results by Insurance Carrier instead of Insurance Types.
Set up documents to automatically import cell phone numbers
A cell phone merge field option is now available in the Documents Setup section. While creating a new document that can later become available for patients, the “Patient’s Cell Phone” option can be selected from the TCMS Field pull down menu in the “Demographics” category.
Remove an authorization without crediting the claim
Until now, an authorization that is attached to a claim could only be detached from the claim by crediting and re-writing the claim. There is a new feature which allows for detaching an authorization from a claim. The new option is available from the Authorization Information tab in the patient’s demographics screen.
Physician’s name can now be removed from electronic statements
There is a new option available while creating an electronic patient statements file that reads “Include Physician's name in statement file.” By default, this new option will be checked and the physician's name will be included in the file and statements as it always has… but, if a user unselects this new option, the physician's name will not be included in the file and will not appear on the statements.
New workers compensation forms updated All Workers Compensation forms are now updated and are compatible with Workers Compensation Board (WCB) January 2011 requirements and specifications.
Length of NPI number entry is now verified
The length of the referring physician’s National provider identifier (NPI) is now verified (at the point of saving the information) to ensure that there are 10 digits in the field.
Birthday bulk emails made easy
There is a new option available while generating bulk emails. The user can now select the option to generate an email for all patients that celebrate a birthday today.
Receipts for copay payments applied from Scheduler are now available
An enhancement introduced in version 4.5.2 enabled the posting of copay payments directly from the patient’s appointment in the Scheduler. In this version, the user can now generate a receipt for the patient automatically while posting the copay.
HCFA Box 10 information is now changeable
Bulk scanning documents to patient accounts through the Workflow module is now available
There is a new feature available in the Workflow module called “Bulk Scan Documents” which will provide the user with the ability to scan a set of documents in bulk and to assign them to various individual patients. The user can also opt to assign each of the documents to Workflow queues.
Email any or all of a patient’s documents to the patient.
The user can now collect selected documents in a patient’s account, zip them into a single PDF file, and email them to the patient’s email address (in demographics) using the SMPT settings in Practice Defaults.
Move multiple documents from one queue to another
There is a new feature available in the Workflow queue that allows the user to select multiple documents within a queue and move them together to another queue.
-end
Prescriber's signature can now be stored by user
Until now, a physician's signature in Criterions (which is used for prescriptions) could only be entered into the software by our Support Services staff. There is a new feature which allows for the importing of the Master Physician's signature directly by a practice's staff member.
The user will need to scan a sample of the signature and make it available as a .jpeg image to the workstation.
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
A new patient search option
The Patient List screen now has a new search option available to find patient accounts using an email address. By clicking on the “Email" column-heading, the search screen is now ready to generate list of accounts with the email address entered into the search box on top. Note that only a partial entry of any part of the email address is needed to generate a list.
Daily transaction report has a new selection option
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| Click on Image to Enlarge |
There is a new “Group By” option available in the Daily Transaction report.
If checked, the report will group the results by Insurance Carrier instead of Insurance Types.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Set up documents to automatically import cell phone numbers
A cell phone merge field option is now available in the Documents Setup section. While creating a new document that can later become available for patients, the “Patient’s Cell Phone” option can be selected from the TCMS Field pull down menu in the “Demographics” category.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Remove an authorization without crediting the claim
Until now, an authorization that is attached to a claim could only be detached from the claim by crediting and re-writing the claim. There is a new feature which allows for detaching an authorization from a claim. The new option is available from the Authorization Information tab in the patient’s demographics screen.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Physician’s name can now be removed from electronic statements
There is a new option available while creating an electronic patient statements file that reads “Include Physician's name in statement file.” By default, this new option will be checked and the physician's name will be included in the file and statements as it always has… but, if a user unselects this new option, the physician's name will not be included in the file and will not appear on the statements.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
New workers compensation forms updated All Workers Compensation forms are now updated and are compatible with Workers Compensation Board (WCB) January 2011 requirements and specifications.
Length of NPI number entry is now verified
The length of the referring physician’s National provider identifier (NPI) is now verified (at the point of saving the information) to ensure that there are 10 digits in the field.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Birthday bulk emails made easy
There is a new option available while generating bulk emails. The user can now select the option to generate an email for all patients that celebrate a birthday today.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Receipts for copay payments applied from Scheduler are now available
An enhancement introduced in version 4.5.2 enabled the posting of copay payments directly from the patient’s appointment in the Scheduler. In this version, the user can now generate a receipt for the patient automatically while posting the copay.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
HCFA Box 10 information is now changeable
There is a new option available in a patient’s Insurance Profile that permits the user to determine a HCFA’s Box 10information by default to all claims that are later written against this profile. (Please note that, if two services contain differing HCFA selections, the services will split to separate HCFA’s.)
Bulk scanning documents to patient accounts through the Workflow module is now available
There is a new feature available in the Workflow module called “Bulk Scan Documents” which will provide the user with the ability to scan a set of documents in bulk and to assign them to various individual patients. The user can also opt to assign each of the documents to Workflow queues.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Email any or all of a patient’s documents to the patient.
The user can now collect selected documents in a patient’s account, zip them into a single PDF file, and email them to the patient’s email address (in demographics) using the SMPT settings in Practice Defaults.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
Move multiple documents from one queue to another
There is a new feature available in the Workflow queue that allows the user to select multiple documents within a queue and move them together to another queue.
 |
| Click on Image to Enlarge |
-end
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