From store displays to greeting cards, this time of year is flooded with an abundance of heart imagery and romance, as if to remind us to show appreciation to the special people in our life. However, February is also the perfect time to focus on our health by learning more about how our hearts play an essential role in keeping us going every day. In fact, during American Heart Month, providers, patients, families as well as any advocates for cardiovascular health, all join forces to bring attention to the importance of understanding risk factors and proactively preventing heart disease.

One visit to a healthcare professional can remedy many patient problems, but some conditions may require ongoing treatments. This means timely follow-up care is vital for maintaining positive outcomes, fostering reliable relationships and gaining operational efficiencies. Keep reading to learn 5 tips for effective patient follow-up as well as the importance of ongoing and consistent patient communication efforts. 

“Surprise billing" may be an unfamiliar term, but chances are you or someone you know has experienced it. If you've been "surprise billed", you have received an unexpected bill from a facility or healthcare provider. This usually happens because you've received medical care from a provider or facility outside your health insurance plan's network. When that occurs, the insurance company isn't paying, so you get the bill -- definitely an unpleasant surprise. Keep reading part three of our "New Year, New Rules'' #rtblogseries to learn more!

To treat the complex needs of a patient — physical, behavioral and mental — providers need reliable sources of information that are available promptly, including access to insight from a multidisciplinary team of professionals. As a result, electronic health or medical records (EHR/EMR) have transformed how healthcare professionals practice their craft. 

Any therapist or provider must find the right balance between delivering quality patient care and promoting patient engagement, while also facing the unique challenges of running a business in the healthcare industry. So, in order to manage the evolving demands of the therapy and rehab market, you'll need a practice management system that streamlines clinical operations as well as fosters routine attempts to engage patients. 

In recent years, the healthcare industry has seen explosive growth in the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and it doesn't seem this trend shows signs of slowing down any time soon. In fact, recent market analysis predicts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 46.2% in the coming years, with potential spending on healthcare AI reaching $67.4 billion by 2027.