The American Medical Association has introduced its CPT E/M Quick-Reference app for physicians, allowing them to find appropriate billing codes through their smartphones. The free app allows physicians to either do a quick-search for specific codes, or follow a decision-tree to track down the best code for a particular procedure, AMA officials explain. Even better: Doctors also can save their most frequently used codes by location or type of service.
The app runs only on iPhone, iPod Touch and iPads right now, and is available through the iTunes app store.
But that's just the beginning. The group also just launched its 2011 AMA App Challenge, looking for new physician-focused apps. Interestingly, the contest isn't for a fully developed app -- just the best viable app idea. So, the AMA has opened the contest not to IT specialists, but rather to physicians, residents and medical students, hoping to find real, granular ideas for improving physicians' workflow and functionality, officials explain.
The AMA will accept submissions through June 30. The two winners (one resident/medical student, one doctor) will earn $2,500 in cash and prizes, plus a trip to the AMA's annual meeting in New Orleans this November.
For more information:
- see imedicalapps.com story
- view CMIO article
- see AMA release
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