Those Electronic Medical Records

...that will reduce health care costs?  Maybe not so much.

Many doctors and hospitals say that computerized medical records encourage the move to higher codes because the software makes it easier for providers to quickly create documentation for charges. One electronic medical records company predicts on its Web site that its product will result in an increase of one coding level for each patient visit, potentially adding $225,000 in new revenue in a year.

Which goes to show that entrepreneurs will always work the angles.  Still, much can be done.  Inefficiencies in the US healthcare system waste about $750 billion per year.  That's right--$750 BILLION.  The Institute of Medicine estimated losses due to unnecessary services ($210 billion annually); inefficient delivery of care ($130 billion); excess administrative costs ($190 billion); inflated prices ($105 billion); prevention failures ($55 billion), and fraud ($75 billion).  These are estimates but even allowing a margin of error they are large numbers.  Targets of opportunity for reform and effective management.