A 2014 survey conducted by the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) finds that collecting balances due from patients is the seventh most "intense and applicable challenge" for the members surveyed. And no wonder. According to a 2014 survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average yearly deductible in the United States has more than doubled in the last eight years, … [Read more...] about The balance between kindness and good business: getting your patients to pay their bills
Increasing profits
How to get paid for filling out patient forms
To charge or not to charge? Medical offices don't value their time as much as they ought, according to the office manager for a family practice in Pennsylvania. And one area that's woefully undervalued is the time spent filling out patient forms for things such as disability verification and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). That's time consuming for both doctors and … [Read more...] about How to get paid for filling out patient forms
Does your office need a ‘medical scribe’?
In an effort to focus more on patient care and less on the clerical aspects of the job, physicians are increasingly turning to medical scribes. If you're not familiar with the term "medical scribe," you'll definitely want to read on. In many ways, a medical scribe is a new spin on a longtime position. For decades, physicians have dictated notes into a tape recorder, relying on … [Read more...] about Does your office need a ‘medical scribe’?
Five bonus tips from our readers
1. One manager sets a positive theme for each staff meeting and lists it at the top of the agenda. Staff spend the last 15 minutes of the meeting discussing it. The theme can be anything. At one meeting it was Do you really know what this person is doing? Then each staffer explained her duties to the group. Sometimes the theme is used to correct a problem without hitting people … [Read more...] about Five bonus tips from our readers
4 steps to take now so your practice is ready for ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Now that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has confirmed October 1, 2015 as the go-live date for ICD-10, providers must focus on making their ICD-10 implementation strategy a top priority. The vast majority of healthcare providers expect to encounter a wide range of barriers to the ICD-10 implementation within the first six … [Read more...] about 4 steps to take now so your practice is ready for ICD-10
Marketing the practice: printed material
How the practice presents itself is extremely important—and while you might not think much about marketing, a little attention to it can go a long way toward creating a favorable impression. Why go there Printed marketing material not only helps convey an image, or what marketers call brand identity, it allows for sharing information. What’s more, printed material is easy to … [Read more...] about Marketing the practice: printed material
Money motivates EHR adoption
The Department of Health and Human Services' Office of the National Coordinator released a data brief in December addressing what motivates physicians to implement electronic health records (EHR) and the answer is … money. The data briefing reveals that financial incentives and reimbursement are currently the top reasons physicians decide to implement EHR. Physicians are … [Read more...] about Money motivates EHR adoption
Boost revenue by training all staff on coding
Recently, we told you about the importance of getting the right people to handle your coding and billing. But the work doesn't stop once you've hired the best staff or outsourced with a reputable billing company. To keep on top of changes and compliance issues, training is essential. Here are answers to the classic five Ws: Who, What, When, Where, and Why, and the bonus, H: … [Read more...] about Boost revenue by training all staff on coding
Line management systems help manage practice waiting rooms
Every medical office manager knows that keeping patients waiting in long, slow-moving lines is a recipe for poor service. Not only can long waits cause patients to become extremely upset and agitated, they can also result in lost opportunities in the form of walk-outs and poor patient reviews. This is especially the case in today's world of instant information … [Read more...] about Line management systems help manage practice waiting rooms
Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies, recently released two state policy reports which identify gaps in coverage and reimbursement, and in physician practice standards and licensure. These reports compare state policies on a report card, assigning each state grades … [Read more...] about Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state