Page 36 - HME Busines, Nov/Dec 2018

Constant Evolution
How the software systems that help HME providers run their businesses are keeping pace with the constantly morphing changes and trends impacting healthcare and the industry.
By David Kopf
etween dramatic changes in reimbursement policy, shifts in the U.S. healthcare landscape, and the near-constant transformation in how businesses are managed in general, the HME industry has shown that it will evolve with whatever is thrown at it.
One of the key business assets that has helped HME providers roll with those changes, accommodate them, and integrate them into their business strategies are the software tools available to them. The technology providers use to manage their businesses, process claims, interact with patients, and share data with other healthcare providers has evolved to meet market demands.
And as HME’s DNA has improved and adapted like digital DNA, it has developed specialized offshoots to help providers tailor their technological resources for care and business management. Whatever the challenge, “there’s an app for that.”
To help you stay on top of the continually evolving options available to help your business keep pace with change, we’re once again publishing our annual software update. And like last year, we have surveyed a variety of software companies to see the new developments and features they have added to their offerings.
This year, we’ve reviewed systems in these categories:
• HME Management Systems
• Accounts Receivable
• Business Analytics
• Delivery Management/Route Planning
• Document Imaging/Management
• E-Commerce/Digital Marketing
• E-Prescription
Take a look, and see how HME’s software is morphing to help providers adapt to an ever-changing healthcare, business and funding environment:
HME Management Systems
These are the broad business platforms that offer a wide range of features ranging from billing and claims processing to operations efficiencies to inventory, manage- ment, etc. They aim to provide tools that can help HME providers manage most of their business- and patient-oriented processes from a single platform.
BFLOW Businesses Management and Compliance Software
BFLOW Solutions Inc.
Bflowsolutions.com
(844) 688-4450
Years company has been in business: 2
Number of installed systems: 300
Type of system: A hosted, web-based/SAAS system
Technology. What software programming languages and database environments does the software use? Microsoft
Recent Developments: Upgraded to most recent web technologies to make
the system device and operating system agnostic. Integrated with credit card processing, resupply, and QuickBooks
Bonafide Medeq Manager
Bonafide Management Systems
www.bonafide.com
(805) 777-7666
Years company has been in business: 37
Number of installed systems: <500
Type of system: A hosted, web-based/SAAS system
Technology. What software programming languages and database environments does the software use? Front-end: React; Back-end: Java; Database: MS SQL Recent Developments: Bonafide recently launched a Live Asset Tracking System, which allows medical devices such as ventilators, infusion pumps, moni- tors, wheelchairs, beds, and other high-value items to be tracked and monitored. Bonafide also launched a Facility Portal, which allows DME Providers to sell to healthcare facilities through an online shopping portal that is directly linked to their back-office billing operations, inventory and delivery systems. Upgrades
to our core software include Optical Character Recognition (OCR) functionality, which allows scanned documents to be searched.
Brightree Software
Brightree
www.brightree.com
(888) 598-7797
Years company has been in business: 15
Number of installed systems: 2200 for HME
software customers
Type of system: A hosted, web-based/SAAS system
Technology. What software programming languages and database environments does the software use? Brightree uses Microsoft .NET, C#, VB.NET, and Microsoft SQL Server.
Recent Developments: Brightree emphasizes that, at their core, its business management software solutions aim to make post-acute providers more efficient and profitable. To that end, it has released new tools for patient engagement, ePrescribe, advanced analytics – plus an AR dashboard for patient collections.
The Patient Hub app personalizes the patient experience and increases revenue
for providers. The HMEB New Product Award winning ePrescribe solution lets providers connect seamlessly and efficiently with referral sources, and Advanced Analytics gives them insight into business performance and growth opportunities.
CareTend
WellSky
wellsky.com
(855) WELLSKY
Years company has been in business: Since 1980
Number of installed systems: Respondent skipped this question
Type of system: A stand-alone system installed on-site, or a standalone system that is cloud-based or can be installed on-site.
Technology. What software programming languages and database environments does the software use? .Net technology platform, Microsoft SQL database back end
18 HMEBusiness | November/December 2018 | hme-business.com
Management Solutions | Technology | Products