According to a recent survey conducted by Kareo, a provider of clinical and business management software for independent medical practices, 84% of independent physicians and staff aren't sure what MACRA's Quality Payment Program (QPP) will require of their practice. Despite this uncertainty, most of these same physicians expect to participate in it to the best of their … [Read more...] about Don’t know what MACRA will require of your practice? You’re not alone
Billing & collections
4 steps to preventing medical claim denials
By Ricki Ransom bio It's no secret that the relationship between health care providers and insurance companies is complicated. Healthcare providers are spending a significant amount of time and energy with patients just to find out that an insurance company will fight them on paying for the services provided. Preventing claim denials helps ease the complications … [Read more...] about 4 steps to preventing medical claim denials
By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
A three-physician New York City surgery practice had a stellar year. It attributes its success to the fact that everybody follows strict and detailed procedures. Procedures produce efficiency, says Veronica L. Mogerman, administrator at Manhattan Surgical Associates. And efficiency means the office operates at top capacity and staff give patients top quality service, which … [Read more...] about By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
Answering your questions about MACRA
Understanding the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) is vital because it changes how Medicare pays physicians for services as well as care delivery. It moves away from fee for service to value-based care. Not understanding the new policies, passed on October 14, 2016, will result in a penalty of negative 4 percentage! Those who work in the healthcare … [Read more...] about Answering your questions about MACRA
Should your practice invest in medical billing software?
By Aiden Spencer bio There has been considerable debate among physicians about whether or not it is beneficial to get an EHR (electronic health record). If your practice is having this debate, let's evaluate the benefits and problems associated with an EHR and see if one is right for you. [Full disclosure: I have abundant experience in the field because I am working for a … [Read more...] about Should your practice invest in medical billing software?
CMS launches new online tool to make Quality Payment Program easier for clinicians
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have released a tool to share automatically electronic data for the Medicare Quality Payment Program. This new release is the first in a series that will be part of CMS's ongoing efforts to spur the creation of innovative, customizable tools to reduce burden for clinicians, while also supporting high-quality care for … [Read more...] about CMS launches new online tool to make Quality Payment Program easier for clinicians
Look back to lead forward
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio Every autumn, it's easy to get bogged down with next year's budget crunching, fret about the unveiling of Medicare's new conversion factor, or worry about the amount of this year's physician bonuses. Because in the harried life of a practice manager, it's easy to focus on what hasn't been done and forget just how many things have. So that's exactly … [Read more...] about Look back to lead forward
OIG celebrates 40 years of fighting fraud
October 15, 2016 marked 40 years since the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG) was launched in 1976. It is now the largest inspector general with 1,600 employees and 70 offices and oversees $1 trillion in spending. The HHS OIG is charged with fighting fraud, waste and abuse in federal health care programs—primarily Medicare … [Read more...] about OIG celebrates 40 years of fighting fraud
How to deliver a great presentation on any topic
To grow in the job, a manager has to communicate ideas and visions and recommendations. And the presentation of them counts. "It doesn't matter how good the idea or how brilliant the insight," if it isn't well articulated, it fails, says Patricia Fripp, CSP, CPAE, a San Francisco executive speech coach. Worse, the manager's career can fail right along with it. Here are the … [Read more...] about How to deliver a great presentation on any topic
Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments
With all its staff – front desk, billing, and clinical – working as a financial team, a North Little Rock, AR, surgery practice has increased its pre-surgery payments by 25 percent. “It’s not rocket science,” says Linda Atkins, manager of Neurological Surgery Associates. “It’s just common-sense things.” Every staffer “looks at the money picture” and has a role in it, she says, … [Read more...] about Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments