Your MIRs must be complete enough for our staff to determine for certain the identity of the patient and whether the transport is billable. Sometimes it is necessary to return an MIR to your department because of missing or erroneous information. When this happens it is important that the MSO work with the original author of the report to make the necessary corrections and that the report be amended in such a way that the correction is obvious. For instance, information should be crossed out and initialed rather than erased. In the case of a grossly incomplete report, a new report labeled “amended” should be written and filed with the initial report. Don’t forget about the hospital; make sure that they get the corrected MIR too. If your organization does not already have a clear guidelines regarding amending MIRs you should consider putting a policy in place.

Speaking of documentation, your field crew’s documentation skills can affect reimbursement, not to mention creating possible liability. They should be receiving regular in-service training on not only your standard of care expectations but also on compliance and reimbursement changes. We would be happy to come and speak with your crew about some specific documentation challenges and how they relate to your bottom line. The class is free to our clients and has consistently improved the collection rates of the departments who have taken advantage of this service. If you would like to schedule this presentation please contact our Billing Service Supervisor Lisa Rogalsky.

If you haven’t already done so, it’s time to update your charity guidelines for 2007. The chart below is based on the 2007 Federal Poverty guidelines published on January 24th. If you have an approved charity policy you will be contacted by us in the next two weeks for your signature and updated charity forms. If you would like to establish a policy please contact your Account Manager.

Family Size	100%	75%	50%
1	$10,210.00	$12,762.50	$15,315.00
2	$13,690.00	$17,112.50	$20,535.00
3	$17,170.00	$21,462.50	$25,755.00
4	$20,650.00	$25,812.50	$30,975.00
5	$24,130.00	$30,162.50	$36,195.00
6	$27,610.00	$34,512.50	$41,415.00
7	$31,090.00	$38,862.50	$46,635.00
8	$34,570.00	$43,212.50	$51,855.00

For families with more than 8 persons, add $3400.00 for each.

Tammy Flanagan

Tammy came to Systems Design three years ago and brought with her a wealth of clinical billing experience. She is the Account Manager for the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue. When not in the office Tammy enjoys spending time with her two girls and coaching soccer.

Two old guys, Abe and Sol, are sitting on a park bench feeding pigeons and talking about baseball, like they do every day. Abe turns to Sol and says, "Do you think there's baseball in heaven?"

Sol thinks about it for a minute and replies, "I dunno. But let's make a deal: if I die first, I'll come back and tell you if there's baseball in heaven, and if you die first, you do the same."

They shake on it and sadly, a few months later, poor Abe passes on. One day soon afterward, Sol is sitting there feeding the pigeons by himself when he hears a voice whisper, "Sol... Sol..."

Sol responds, "Abe! Is that you?"

"Yes it is, Sol," whispers Abe's ghost.

Sol, still amazed, asks, "So, is there baseball in heaven?"

"Well," says Abe, "I've got good news and bad news."

"Gimme the good news first," says Sol.

Abe says, "Well... there is baseball in heaven."

Sol says, "That's great! What news could be bad enough to ruin that!?"

Abe sighs and whispers, "You're pitching on Friday."

Although we always welcome your phone calls, there are times you may wish to contact us via e-mail.

Gina Behrens	GinaB@SystemsDesignNW.com
Shelley Brewington	ShelleyB@SystemsDesignNW.com
Lori Christenbury	LoriC@SystemsDesignNW.com
Cris Connors	CrisC@SystemsDesignNW.com
Judy Dunn	JudyD@SystemsDesignNW.com
Tammy Flanagan	TammyF@SystemsDesignNW.com
Karen Guay	KarenG@SystemsDesignNW.com
Laurel Hoch	LaurelH@SystemsDesignNW.com
Kim Mayes	KimM@SystemsDesignNW.com
Lois Pierce	LoisP@SystemsDesignNW.com
Lisa Rogalsky	LisaR@SystemsDesignNW.com
Sue Schmitt	SueS@SystemsDesignNW.com
Juls Smith	JulsS@SystemsDesignNW.com
Cindy Tomeo	CindyT@SystemsDesignNW.com
Susan Wytko	SusanW@SystemsDesignNW.com
Roger Zegers	RogerZ@SystemsDesignNW.com