A recent report from iData Research, a global leader in medical device market research, finds the U.S. patient monitoring market is projected to grow to more than $5 billion by 2020, due to expansion within the telehealth market. This market is segmented into cardiac implantable electric device telehealth monitoring and disease conditions management telehealth monitoring. By … [Read more...] about Double-digit growth projected in the U.S. telehealth market
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Workplace issues complicated by combinations
By Dr. Steve M. Cohen The challenge of government regulation for owners and managers is tough enough, but it can often be increased when multiple issues are overlaid to create something even worse. I had a client who faced a good example. The office had an employee who was personally offensive. Combined with his poor hygiene, he was often inappropriate and even creepy. Not … [Read more...] about Workplace issues complicated by combinations
Is your practice an OIG enforcement target in 2015?
The Office of Inspector General (OIG), which oversees Medicare and Medicaid enforcement, has issued its 2015 Work Plan highlighting the compliance risk areas that it will target in its review and enforcement efforts. You will see some familiar topics, which the OIG also included in last year's plan, such as chiropractic services, place of service reporting, physical therapy, … [Read more...] about Is your practice an OIG enforcement target in 2015?
8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
Communicating via email saves time. Yes or no? If you're feeling overwhelmed by your inbox, your answer is likely to be no. The sheer volume makes it difficult to manage email which, despite the proliferation of other technologies such as social media and text messaging, continues to invade your electronic workspace daily. Today's office worker sends or receives an average … [Read more...] about 8 work-saving email tips for busy office managers
Medical coder salaries on the rise
Salaries for certified medical coding professionals increased an average of 8.4 percent in 2014, according to an annual salary survey conducted by AAPC, a leading training and credentialing association for healthcare business professionals. Certified medical coder salaries rose to an average of $50,775 annually. Other highlights from the 2014 survey include: … [Read more...] about Medical coder salaries on the rise
A less stressful medical office job
If you have a detail-oriented staff member who is looking for a career change, you might want to groom her or him for a job as a medical records technician. A side benefit of the job is that it has made the List of the 10 Least Stressful Jobs for 2015, as identified by job search career portal CareerCast. In fact, it's No. 4 on the list. CareerCast's Least … [Read more...] about A less stressful medical office job
Whistleblowers have more protection than you think
By Steve M. Cohen bio If you remember Edward Snowden, you might think that being a whistleblower is not a good thing. Snowden revealed a secret U.S. surveillance program that allegedly spied on U.S. citizens. After his revelations were made public, Snowden applied for political asylum in more than a dozen countries, seeking safety from espionage charges in the … [Read more...] about Whistleblowers have more protection than you think
Avoid these 5 deadly employment law traps
When someone is fired and can't get hired elsewhere, a claim against the former employer is an attractive way to generate more than a little income. Here are five danger spots where managers need to exercise special care. 1 Give me a reference and I won't sue Don't give a bad-news departing staffer a good reference in exchange for an agreement not to sue. The nightmare … [Read more...] about Avoid these 5 deadly employment law traps
The demise of sexual harassment: don’t bet on it
By Steve M. Cohen bio With issues such as bullying and workplace violence making the headlines, it might seem as if sexual harassment is no longer a major workplace issue. Don't bet on it. Sexual harassment continues to exist, and it's going to be a major workplace issue for as long as people are people. That's not to excuse insensitive or outright aggressive behavior, but … [Read more...] about The demise of sexual harassment: don’t bet on it
CMS Medicare physician fee schedule for 2015 Final Rule released
The Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was published November 13, 2014. It provides not only new payment rates but also changes to Medicare payment policies. Here is a summary of some changes that could affect your medical office. Telehealth services. Specific telehealth services must be included in the list of Medicare telehealth services and meet other conditions for … [Read more...] about CMS Medicare physician fee schedule for 2015 Final Rule released