When it is a business, there is always the need for marketing for it or else how would people know about your existence? It applies to all sectors and the healthcare sector is no less in that case.When it comes to putting up advertisements and attracting the attention of the patients, it is something that needs precise attention and care where the age-old strategies do not get to be effective anymore. This is mainly because of how competitors have started to take advantage of the benefits that technology comes up with.With the introduction of trendy websites as well as easy to access mobile apps, marketing has taken a turn, and when the right strategies are put to use, things get to be effective. Here are a few strategies put together that could help you with marketing your healthcare business effectively.Make use of the social mediaGiven the multiple platforms of social media that people get to be a part of in the present times, it isn’t difficult to reach the masses. While your business details get shared by people, and there is this spread of awareness, your healthcare business comes to the eye quite easily. Patients can remember you especially when they have seen advertisements doing rounds while they are browsing the Internet and making use of social media to serve several other purposes.Putting up offers and free servicesNo one on earth can ignore services that are free of cost or probably put out on the offer and is lesser than its actual price. Therefore, when you intend to launch your healthcare business and need people to be attracted to the services that you provide, you could start with offers and discounts on the services that you provide. This is likely to make you gain the interest of prospective patients while making them a part of your clientele. With good services from your end, you are likely to receive references which is likely to bring in more people to avail your services.Educate patients wellWhen it comes to dealing with illnesses, it isn’t something great a job. While some find it easy to come with things when they receive guidance from their doctors. While there are several, who have no clue about what are the prospective problems they can face in the days to come. When you educate patients with the help of blogs as well as general information on illnesses and problems, you get to gain their trust and make them want to come to avail services from your end.Send text messages and emailsWhen it comes to reaching the masses, the best ways to reach them is to send across text messages as well as emails. The reason behind doing this is to receive immediate attention as most people are known to spend a considerate amount of time with their smartphones, and both these methods would reach them the fastest when compared to other marketing strategies from your end.When it comes to creating awareness for your healthcare business, these strategies can help you get the required attention.

There has been a great hype about ICD-10 implementation for the past 6 months. However, the implementation of the new code system has been delayed until October 1, 2015. Healthcare professionals who have been rushing to equip their practices for ICD-10 coding implementation now have more time to equip themselves as well as their practices to meet the ICD-10 challenge.President Barack Obama has signed into law the Protecting Access to Medicare Act, “doc fix” HR (4302), that delays the scheduled cuts to Medicare physician reimbursement rates.The transition process to ICD-10 coding system was regarded as a major concern in the healthcare industry with physicians continuously focusing on efficient medical billing solutions and electronic health record (EHR) software providers getting prepared for the new coding change. However, the decision to delay the ICD-10 coding system has generated mixed responses from the healthcare industry.Earlier, many healthcare providers were expected to adopt this medical coding transition by October 1, 2014. With about 55,000 more codes to be added in ICD-10 as against ICD-9’s 13,000 codes, there will be more clarity for each new code. Several countries across the globe have already adopted the ICD-10 medical coding system. Moreover, the CMS administrator Marilyn Tavenner during the “Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society Convention” held on February 27, 2014 had confirmed that there will be no further delays to the implementation of ICD-10 coding system.How ICD- 10 Implementation Delay Will Affect PhysiciansThe new deadline has proved to be a surprising move for healthcare professionals and has drawn mixed responses. Those healthcare practices that have not actually begun their ICD-10 training or updating of their billing and EHR processes will eventually benefit from this new deadline as they will get more time to adapt to the new medical billing and coding process. On the other hand, many other healthcare providers are not happy with this new move as they have already invested enough time and resources in upgrading their systems and training workers to prepare for the ICD-10 transition.Presently with another 1 year more for ICD-10 implementation these healthcare practices will have to carry on their training process for the additional period in a better manner. Healthcare practices should try not to lose transition momentum and utilize the benefits of the extended deadline in the best possible manner. Ongoing ICD-10 education and training for physicians, coders and other users of health records will surely improve their proficiency in the new coding system. This will also help to improve clinical documentation and data integrity that will in turn clearly highlight the severity of illness and treatment.The extension of the ICD-10 coding system deadline will give a new opportunity for some healthcare providers to plan a successful transition, minimizing financial and compliance risks and improving clinical documentation. Despite the delay in ICD-10 implementation, it is advisable for healthcare organizations to sustain transition momentum, redesign their transition plan and remain active participants.