Alexandra Levits Water Cooler Wisdom Healthcare Needs Help Heres Where We Start

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom Healthcare Needs Help Here's Where We Start The U.S. healthcare system in the U.S. is unnecessarily spending billions per year by continuing to use manual administrative processes for basic transactions, according to the 2015 CAQH Index. Despite steady increases in the industry adoption of HIPAA electronic administrative transactions, CAQH, a nonprofit dedicated to streamlining the business end of healthcare, recently highlighted an opportunity to save an additional $8 billion each year. According to CAQH Explorations, more than $31 billion each year is spent by healthcare providers conducting basic business transactions with health plans. A good portion of this expense can be attributed to resource-intensive manual processes such as phone calls to verify patient coverage, or mailing claims and paper checks. “An industry-wide transition to replace manual processes with electronic, real-time transactions is reducing the cost of doing business in healthcare and meaningfully impacting efficiency, productivity, and data quality,” said CAQH’s new report. “Measuring the progress of this transition helps identify which electronic transactions are being adopted successfully and which are being adopted at a slower pace.” The CAQH Index does just that. The 2015 annual report presented trends in adoption rates and cost savings associated with the shift to electronic transactions, based on surveys of healthcare providers and health plans. Participating health plans represent over 118 million covered lives â€" nearly 45 percent of the commercially insured U.S. population â€" and more than four billion claims-related transactions. The Index is currently the only industry source that tracks the industry-wide transition to “full adoption” of electronic transactions. Going digital: It’s a mixed bag Adoption of fully electronic transactions continues to vary significantly. Nearly 94 percent of claim submissions, 71 percent of eligibility and benefit verifications, 61 percent of claim payments, 57 percent of claim status inquiries, and 49 percent of coordination of benefits were designated as fully electronic, while only 10 percent of prior authorizations and six percent of referral certifications were. The average increase in adoption across transactions was 4.5 percentage points, compared to 3.0 percentage points in 2013. The greatest increases in adoption last year were seen in the areas of claim status inquiry (nearly 7 percent) and eligibility and benefit verification (5 percent). Despite increasing adoption of fully electronic transactions, the volume of telephone inquiries remained stable for both eligibility and benefit verifications and claim status inquiries. This is unfortunate, as eligibility and benefit verifications and claim status inquiries were far less costly when conducted electronically. Last year, responding health plans still reported over 120 million transactions in which representatives of the health plans and healthcare providers connected via phone to complete the transaction. The Index noted that the use of partially electronic methods, such as health plan-sponsored web portals and interactive voice response (IVR) systems, continued to increase for some transactions but is declining for others. Use of partially electronic transactions was most common for prior authorizations (58 percent) and referral certifications (82 percent). For other transactions such as eligibility and benefit verifications and claim status inquiries, the volume of partially electronic transactions continued to decline while the volume of fully electronic transactions increased. As part of its comprehensive review, CAQH also looked at the dental industry. Last year, adoption of fully electronic transactions using HIPAA standards was significantly lower for dental as compared to broader healthcare, ranging from nearly 17 percentage points lower for eligibility and benefit verifications to 55 percentage points lower for claim payment. Adoption rates were: claim submission (nearly 70 percent), eligibility and benefit verification (56 percent), claim status inquiry (27 percent), and claim payment (6 percent). A notably larger share of claim status inquiries were conducted using web portals and IVR systems, compared to broader healthcare (46 percent versus 34 percent). For more on this topic, check out the full article on the QuickBase Fast Track blog.

10 Tips for Staying Healthy in a Stressful, Chaotic Workplace

10 Tips for Staying Healthy in a Stressful, Chaotic Workplace Your job is hard. You do good work and probably put in more than your fair share of time to get everything done well. Sometimes theres a little bit of blood, sweat, and tears involved on top of that. So, theres nothing worse than having to produce the magic that is your daily work when you arent feeling 100 percent. Drowsiness, nauseousness, colds, flu, allergies, and stress are the work champions greatest foe. So how do you stem off the onslaught of influences looking to slow you down? Here are ten tips we recommend for staying healthy in a stressful, chaotic workplace. 1. Eating a breakfast: One of the first things busy workers skip out on is a great healthy breakfast. However, that breakfast youre skipping out on has tremendous benefits. If you feel that 3 oclock slump each day, its probably due to a lack of fiber and carbohydrates that are commonly found in a healthy breakfast. 2. Meditating: Its pretty rare not to feel a bit of stress at work from time to time. Some stress is good for you, but if its starting to affect your health, concentration, or ability to workthats a problem. One way to help fight the negative side effects of stress is to do some meditation. No, you dont have to sit cross legged in the middle of the office floor humming and chanting to yourselfjust to get a few minutes of meditation in. A simple form of meditation anyone can do is the 4-square breathing method. This technique can help you quickly feel calm and is a simple pattern of taking a deep breath through your nose for four seconds, holding it for four seconds, then exhaling through your mouth for four seconds, and repeat. 3. Taking a lunch walk: Besides giving you some health benefits from the exercise alone, a quick 20 minute walk at lunch could help increase your creativity. Compared to sitting, scientists say that any form of walking could increase creative thinking by about 60%. 4. Change your snacks: I admit, Im guilty of snacking on Doritos, Ding Dongs and Ho Hos at my desk from time to time. However Ive really enjoyed some of the more healthy snacks from places like NatureBox. Usually we eat unhealthy snacks because they are easier to acquire. Thats one nice thing about NatureBox, you start a subscription, pick the snacks you want, and they send you a box each month with your picks. 5. Drink lots of water: Yes you can get dehydrated at work and not even know it. Did you know we should be drinking three 16 oz bottles of water in a work day? I didnt. Drinking water will help you feel more energized and better overall. 6. Use glasses that reduce eyestrain: Face it, many of you probably sit in front of a computer screen most of the day to do your job. You then go home and pull out an ipad, or watch tv. Thats a lot of strain going into your eyeballs. Thankfully there are some helpful glasses you can purchase to help reduce eyestrain such as Gunnars Optics. 7. Save on your prescriptions: Heres a tip to help your wallets health. As stress and chaos at work increase so can the prescriptions. Some of those prescriptions can make a major dent on your wallet. So savvy shoppers have already started buying their meds from an online Canadian drugstore instead. According to the Congressional Budget Office, brand-name drugs on average cost from 35%- 55% less in other industrialized nations than they do in the U.S. 8: Eat a healthy lunch: The next time you go out for lunch find out how many calories are in that Big Mac combo, then compare it to a sandwich and fruit you could pack from home. Enough said. 9: Stand more: Sitting is killing us according to the New York Times. Sitting too much causes circulation issues, lowers glucose uptake, and increases chance of type 2 diabetes. Making sure you get up and walk around between projects is a simple tip you can do to improve your health. 10: Get 7-8 hours of sleep: The debate on how much sleep your body needs has been non-stop, but the SleepFoundation.org has come to a fairly accepted idea that adults should get 7-8 hours of sleep. A simple increase in the number of hours of sleep youre getting can improve everything from your energy to your mood. I hope you find these tips helpful and can start implementing them right away.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 5 Things New Leaders Say That Employees Hate

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese 5 Things New Leaders Say That Employees Hate Young leaders are faced with numerouschallenges, but perhaps none are greater than learning to communicate and connect with employees. If they fail in those areas, they may find their teams underperforming and their own careers in jeopardy. Consider these points fromGallupandEdelman: High-performance managers know what employees are working on and dont take a laissez faire approach to management. Employees who believe their managers are ignoring them are 15 times more likely to be actively disengaged than engaged. Effective communication with employees is critical to bottom-line success. Of course, some young managers may worry that theyll be thought of as micromanagers if they try to communicate too much with their teams. But there is a distinct difference between micromanaging and being involved in your employees' work lives, the Gallup report notes. Micromanagers take control of the process and the outcome. Great managers support employees by helping them define the right outcomes, then letting them use their unique talents to choose the process that works best for them. So, how do young managers strike the right leadership qualities and communications balance?Dianne Booher, a business communications expert and author ofWhat More Can I Say?explains the bad habits to break: Avoiding conversations:New leaders often in an effort to save time may rely on texting or email to communicate with employees, which can hurt collaboration. They send an email or text that says, This is what were going to do. Let me know (read more here)

3 Ways to Improve Your Home and Your Life An Interview with Justin Singletary - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

3 Ways to Improve Your Home and Your Life An Interview with Justin Singletary - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career [Sponsored Post: This post is brought to you by Justin Singletary] According to real estate investment expert  Justin Singletary, your home is a very important part of your life. That may sound obvious, but until I recently started working from home full time, I didnt realize just how much of a difference having a comfortable living arrangement makes in your day-to-day happiness and success. But whether you are renting or buying, what features are the most important for you to consider? That is something I was unfamiliar with during my home-search process. Recently, I spoke with Justin Singletary, who is one of the most respected figures in Georgias property investment community. He has written extensively on real estate investment, and he offers some tips that will go a long way to increasing the quality of your home, and in turn, the quality of your life as a whole. So without further ado, here are 3 ways to improve your home and your life. When renovating or improving your home, focus on projects that will add the most value. Justin Singletary recommends spending your resources on areas of the home that will return the most value (obviously this is especially true if you are a homeowner). The kitchen is the best place to start, according to Singletary, followed by the bathroom, as those projects have been proven effective in his experience. Something like a new bathroom countertop or a stainless steel appliance upgrade is always going to be the best bet for homeowners looking to increase property value, he concludes. Here, its important to remember that improvements you make to your home should be ones that a wide variety of people will find attractive in a property. This is why the kitchen and bathroom are good places to start, because no matter who you are, you are probably going to spend considerable time in those two rooms. There is no need to do anything over-the-top, aim to make your home  comfortable. Again, Justin Singletary  advises that homeowners and tenants invest  in small improvements to make their living quarters more comfortable, instead of installing flashy elements like a swimming pool or tons of brand new appliances. Upgrades should be consistent to maintain a similar style and quality throughout the home. A home that has a beautifully remodeled and modern kitchen can be viewed as a work in progress if the bathroom remains functionally obsolete, Singletary offers. Another interesting tip that he believes can make a big difference in a home is removing antiquated elements, such as wood paneling, a popcorn ceiling, or flowered wall-paper (that last one Im throwing in on my own, though Im sure hed agree!). It is a good point, that it doesnt take an exceptional amount of resources to make a notable difference. A couple of cans of paint and a new countertop can drastically transform the look and feel of an out-dated home. Realize that YOU are capable of making a positive change in your home. Justin Singletary often speaks about the  common myths of real estate investing. Two of the biggest myths are, only real estate experts can fare well in property investments, and real estate investment require you to invest both your time and your money. While of course it is true that it takes money to make a positive impact on your home, if you approach it in the correct way, the return you will see (both monetarily and in regards to your lifestyle) are well worth your commitment. Also, as we identified before, it doesnt take a ton to make a sizable difference in the comfort and value of your home. Its about taking one step at a time, and tackling your home improvements in manageable chunks so that you dont become overwhelmed. Justin Singletary has spent many years helping people to improve the value of their homes, and his advice can help anyone to take steps to make their lives more comfortable. As I mentioned, as a remote worker, it is important to me to make sure that my home is comfortable and conducive to productivity. What is important to you in your home? Thanks to Justin Singletary for sharing his expertise. Author: Bill Connolly is a marketing/personal branding expert, career advisor improvisational comedian. He is the author of  Funny Business: Build Your Soft Skills Through Comedy,  and host of an online radio show by the same name on the  UR Business Network. For more information, or to contact him, visit his website at  TheBillConnolly.com, or follow him on Twitter:  @billconnolly.

Tips For Hiring From a Korn Ferry Resume Writing Service

Tips For Hiring From a Korn Ferry Resume Writing ServiceThe Korn Ferry resumes writing service is well known for its high quality work and is currently the leader in the industry. Its skilled and experienced writers are able to produce polished resumes that contain important information as well as a professional image that will surely attract any employer to take your application and hire you.One of the most commonly asked questions by applicants is how do they apply to Korn Ferry? The answer is simple and provides a great insight into the ability of the hiring team to use technology to build an accurate and effective resume.First, it is important to understand the concept behind the hiring process of the Korn Ferry service. The entire process begins with the owner of the company submitting their resume and showing interest in what they offer.With the support of the Korn Ferry resume writing service, the owner's information can be included on the application and this becomes part of the applicant's experience. The application is reviewed by hiring managers and if all information is there, they contact the applicant to inquire about the type of work that he or she has done and the type of experience that they are looking for.In most cases, the applicant is called to meet with the hiring manager, so it is essential to include any background information about themselves or work history when applying to Korn Ferry. This is where the resume writing service comes in.Once the applicant fills out their application, a very specific and thorough review is performed, which includes a detailed assessment of the applicant's experience and education. Once this information is confirmed, the hiring manager then selects the most appropriate candidate based on the information provided.One of the many benefits of working with a Korn Ferryresume writing service is that they have the ability to integrate the applicant's cover letter and personal statement together to create a cohes ive letter that is both professional and attractive. The support of the resume writing service provides the applicant with professional and accurate information in a manner that is pleasing to the hiring manager.Finally, by using the help of the Korn Ferry resume writing service, the hiring manager is given a selection of several different resumes that are created based on the applicant's experiences. With this ability, it is possible to get a job within days and begin the job search.

Summary Sunday Job Search Help

Summary Sunday Job Search Help Providing  job search help is my focus. It doesnt matter if you are a new graduate or a seasoned executive in job search, everyone needs a refresher. Thats why I write about and share the most up-to-date information on the topic. These are the top articles I shared on  social media this week. Youll find tips on: how to find people on Twitter how to research people and companies on Facebook before the interview mindmapping  your career top TED talks for your job hunt templates to make your job search communication easier more experts to follow for job  search help CAREER Former Google career coach shares a visual trick for figuring out what to do with your life by Marguerite Ward | @forwardist | CNBC The beauty of this post comes from the video so Ive shared the short version here. But go read the full article and watch the longer video to fill in the blanks! Jenny Blake shows you how to MindMap your career/life goals TED Talks To Help You Find the Right Job by TED.com Ive been a huge fan of TED talks so I was excited to see this playlist theyve created which includes 11 TED talks. I hope youll find some that inspire you to make the most of your life! INTERVIEW How to Use Facebook to Prepare for an Interview by Hannah Morgan/Susan P. Joyce | Job-Hunt.org This article explains how to research people and companies you will be interviewing with. And while most people think LinkedIn is the place to check, Facebook is great too! JOB SEARCH 10 Email Templates Youll Need During Your Job Search by Kaitlyn Russell | The Muse I may have shared this before, but it is well-worth sharing again. It isnt easy to craft your job search emails so these templates get you started! What you say in your messages can make or break your shot at the job! TWITTER How to Find Influencers on Twitter by Ian Cleary | RazorSocial Twitter is still a great tool for networking. If you are interested in learning more about an industry, then youll want to learn from the best of the best (influencers). Here are tools and tricks to identify influencers on Twitter. Keep in mind, people are more likely to respond/see your tweet to them than accept your generic LinkedIn invite. MENTIONS Top 15 Career Coaches and Job Search Experts to Follow on LinkedIn by Jon Shields | JobScan.co These are the top 15 voices you should follow (or ultimately connect with) on LinkedIn to get help with your job search! Im honored to be included on this list! And if you havent used JobScan.co to analyze your resume against the job posting to ensure itll be a good match in the ATS, then go do that too!

Google Sheets vs. Excel How to Use It In Digital Marketing

Google Sheets vs. Excel How to Use It In Digital Marketing Advantages of Excel Photo credit: CraigMoulding via Foter.com / CC BY-SA People who do word processing in spreadsheet programs often struggle with picking the best option for their everyday work. While some live and breathe in Google Sheets, others use Excel as their absolute favorite software. But, is there really a better choice between the two? And if there is, how can you decide? The answer is quite simple â€" the best software depends on the job you need it to perform for you. Many people have now left Excel for the Google Sheets option and find this to be the best decision they have made. Others remain loyal to the Microsoft product and consider it their secret weapon. At the end, your job will decide which software you will use for the processing. â€" says Alejandro Moore, a content manager at AssignmentMasters.co.uk. So, which one is the best choice for those who work in digital marketing? The answer here is simple â€" Google Sheets wins the battle here. Advantages of Excel Being an older software does not only provide Microsoft Excel with long-lasting reputation, but with a lot of experience and long-term development, too. The fact is, Sheets has a lot more to do to catch up with Excel, especially in the case of the following features: 1.     Excel can Manage Larger Data Sets Even though both programs give you the opportunity to process a huge amount of data, Sheets still has not figured out the way to keep the functionality optimized in such cases. Unlike Excel who is always responsive regardless of the data you are managing, Sheets is known to slow down when you are processing large data sets. 2.     Excel offers More Types of Data Visualization The biggest problem experienced by those who switch to Sheets is the data visualization. Excel has more types of data visualization that are non-existent in Googles software, starting from pie charts to interactive options and conventional bar graphs. This is why Excel is still the best choice for those who want to do professional data presentation, but this is not really something you are focusing on when in the business of digital marketing. 3.     Excel has Numerous Functions and Formulas The fact is, Google Sheets does not even come close to the array of functions and formulas Excel has. If you are dealing with mathematical or statistical data, Excel is a great option since it can be used for everything you may need. How to Switch to Google Sheets Yes, the advantages of Excel over Google Sheets are very obvious but still, the advantages Sheets offers for those in digital marketing make the decision much easier â€" switch to this software as soon as possible! The process of changing your software is complex, which is why I decided to provide you with some quick guidelines: 1.     The Add-Ons Section Once you switch to Sheets, you may start missing the functionality of Excel, but do not panic. You can simply check the toolbar and look for the add-ons section. This section is full of amazing solutions for all your problems and all you have to do is look around. Starting from the tool that splits names to one that sorts data by color and removes duplicates, you will have no problem in handling the data for digital marketing. 2.     Pivot Tables Google Sheets does not have the solution of grouping the data into summaries as Excel does. If this is a problem for you, you can always turn to grouping the data in sorted pivot tables. The solution is simple â€" make an adjacent column where you will add a date formula that extracts the date range you are planning to sort the data by. Then, pivot out the information and group it by the column. At the beginning, you may find this to be much slower than the Excel option, but once you get used to it, the alternative does a really great job! 3.     Charts As I mentioned, data visualization is a real struggle to those who leave Excel and start processing data in Google Sheets. Excel has those amazing pie charts, a wide choice of bar graphs and much, much more. Google Sheets may not have these, but there is always a good alternative that will ease your change of software. When it comes to charts, the best solution here is to add an annotation column to the right. Additionally, this software gives you the opportunity to copy the chart to Docs and use it from any place, at any time! So, what is the best choice for your data processing if you are working in digital marketing? We have established that Excel has numerous advantages over Google Sheets, but if you are ready to make the change, Sheets can prove to be much better for your digital marketing strategy. Mary Kleim is a digital marketing specialist with years of experience in processing data using the latest software. She is hard working and dedicated to the main goals to increase brand awareness and turn prospects into conversions. Kleim is a digital marketer focused on effective communication through the best technology platforms, holding high reputation in initiating and maintaining good marketing campaigns.