Practice Management Insight

February 2011

A report on events affecting Oklahoma providers

“CHICAGO, Feb. 12  -- A recent survey commissioned by the Alzheimer's Association and the American Heart Association found that, among African-Americans, two out of three (61 percent) expressed concern about developing heart disease, and two out of five (40 percent) expressed concern about developing Alzheimer's. However, only about one in 20 (6 percent) are aware that heart health is linked to brain health.

February is Black History Month and American Heart Month, so the Alzheimer's Association is teaming up with the American Heart Association. Their goal is to educate African-Americans that by managing their cardiovascular risk, they may also strengthen their cognitive health. This first-time strategic alliance will kick off in February and extend through May, which is American Stroke Month.

Compared to the general public, African-Americans have a higher risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other cardiovascular complications, which could lead to a higher risk of stroke and Alzheimer's disease.

"What's good for your heart is good for your brain," says Jennifer Manly, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association spokesperson. "Every healthy heartbeat pumps about one-fifth of your blood to your brain. The human brain is comprised of billions of brain cells that need a constant source of nutrients and oxygen, which is carried in the blood so that the brain can carry on the daily processes of thinking, problem solving and remembering. Impaired heart function could lead to impaired brain function."

"By the year 2030, the number of African-Americans age 65 or older is expected to more than double to 6.9 million," said Emil Matarese, M.D., clinical neurologist and American Heart Association spokesperson. "Although Alzheimer's is not part of normal aging, age is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. So it is important that African-Americans take steps now to decrease their risk of heart disease, which research has shown could also decrease the risk of cognitive decline."

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Top Ten Reasons why get ThinkHealth

9.  Fewer Errors—populated data entry saves you time as staff spends less of it back-tracking to make corrections, re-entering data or double checking multiple entries

8. Fewer Rejected Claims—have more confidence with alerts and validation checks to ensure P.A.s and Treatment Plans are complete and ready for payment

7.  Paperless—electronic documents, signatures, invoicing and more; seamlessly navigate data without fumbling papers and walls of case files

6.  Number One—ThinkHealth is the #1 practice management software used in Oklahoma; the largest Behavioral Health. Mental Health and Substance Abuse  network

5.  Resourceful Training—save money training new staff since our software is easy to use and you get the help where you need it, when you need it; at your location or remote - webinar, video, and live support

4. Automatic Free Updates—from simple software updates to State issued Consolidated Claims updates, you are notified and in control of your practice while ThinkHealth works to  ensure viability

3. Fully Compatible with the new Consolidated Claims Processing System to bill both Medicaid and DMH successfully.

2.  ThinkHealth members across the state have consistently Pass numerous SURS, CARF DMH and JCAHO Audits; ThinkHealth won praise from state auditors as well as Joint Commission (JCAHO) and CARF reviewers.

And the #1 Reason is...

1.  Superior Comprehensive Service

Our Support Staff will clearly identify, communicate, and implement the best solutions to fit your needs.

Located in Oklahoma

We’re here—we listen—we accomplish.

10.  ThinkHealth is Windows based, accessible from anywhere, and you will Never Lose Information due to web-based timeouts!

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February is American Heart Month

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

We do software right.

Go Red for Women—In the United States, the event is scheduled on the first Friday in February, each year. It's part of a campaign that begins American Heart Month. In the U.K., they have the same event, but it occurs on February 26 and is run by the British Heart Foundation. February is also National Heart Month for the BHF.

Mark your calendar for the ThinkHealth Demonstration

Attention Non ThinkHealth member, OrionNet Systems will be hosting a FREE ThinkHealth demonstration in April 2011 and it will held in Oklahoma City.

Call today, space is limited. FREE lunch and a chance to win door prizes.

Call 405.286.1674 or e-mail [email-masked] with your Organization name, list of attendee and phone number.

February 7-8

A SIST Training

Oklahoma City

February 7-11

RSS Training

ODMHSAS Training

Center, Shepherd Mall

2401 NW 23rd, Ste 1F

Oklahoma City, OK 73107

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February 8- March 8

Justice an Mental Health

Collaboration Training

Pontotoc Tech Center

601 West 33rd

Ada, Ok 74820

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February 9

Drug Utilization Review

Board Meeting

OHCA

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February 10-11

Medicare/Medicare Part D

Training

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February 11

SOC Family Support

Provider Training

Oklahoma City

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February 14

Valentine’s Day

February 14-20

Children of Alcoholics Week

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February 15

President’s Day

February 15-16

Case Mgmt Training- OKC

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February 17-18

SOAR Training-OKC

Oklahoma: Disability Determination Division

9801 N Kelly Ave

Oklahoma City, Ok 73131

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February 18

Strengths Based Supervision

Workshop

Tulsa Technology Center

Lamely Campus, Section A

3420 S. Memorial Drive

Tulsa, Ok

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February 23-24

ASIST Training

Oklahoma City

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February 23-24

Be the Change Trainers Training

Oklahoma City

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February 25

Helping Families with Special Education Issues

ODMHSAS Shepherd Mall Training Center

2401 NW 23rd, Second Floor

Oklahoma City, Ok

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MARK YOUR CALENDAR

New Survey Shows African-American Are Concerned With Heart Health but Unaware of  Links to Brain Health