HFMA reviews 3M DRG Assurance Program using Peer Review Process

The Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) recently reviewed the 3M DRG Assurance Program using the Peer Review Process. After undergoing the rigorous review, 3M DRG Assurance Program from 3M Health Information Systems has been granted the "Peer Reviewed by HFMA" designation.

“It's especially rewarding to know that our customers who participated in the evaluation, as well as independent experts, gave the 3M DRG Assurance Program high scores for the program's quality and value, and for superior service provided by 3M's consulting team.”

The 3M DRG Assurance Program is a consulting service designed to improve inpatient clinical documentation. Based on the knowledge of 3M consultants and using peer-to-peer physician education, 3M DRG Assurance prepares concurrent documentation review teams to query physicians so that complete and accurate information is fully captured in the patient record. The program helps organizations achieve more accurate coding and reimbursement, improve quality performance reports, and successfully prepare for new documentation requirements under the ICD-10 coding standard. Clients typically see an increase in case mix index of 2-4%, with an average 4:1 financial return in the first year of the program.

"We are extremely pleased to have earned Peer Review status from HFMA," said Sandeep Wadhwa, MD, Vice President, Coding and Reimbursement, and Chief Medical Officer for 3M Health Information Systems. "It's especially rewarding to know that our customers who participated in the evaluation, as well as independent experts, gave the 3M DRG Assurance Program high scores for the program's quality and value, and for superior service provided by 3M's consulting team."

The Peer Review Process validates the accuracy, effectiveness, quality and value of products and services that HFMA members are currently using. The goal of the review is to identify products and services that deliver organizational savings and performance improvement which enhance HFMA members' day-to-day business interactions and careers.

"For years HFMA members have asked us to identify viable healthcare finance resources and to filter some of the noise in the market place," says HFMA President and CEO Richard L. Clarke, FHFMA. "We see the new Peer Review Process as a powerful opportunity to do just that."

Criteria for a product or service to display the HFMA Peer Review mark include high survey scores for:

• Enhanced productivity for the individual user and for the customer's organization
• Ease of installation and use
• Accuracy and reliability
• Good value for the price
• Excellent technical support and customer service
• An overall positive rating from reviewers based on a quantitative scale