Why you need this memo: Your medical office staff understands the imperative of safeguarding personal health information (PHI) and wouldn't let strangers roam about the facilities freely. But it's easy for them to lower their guard when a former employee comes back to the practice, e.g., to pick up a final paycheck or just make a social call. How this memo helps you: This … [Read more...] about Model HIPAA Privacy Reminder to Reception and Other Staff
HIPAA
10 Tips for Hiring the Right Medical Office Cleaning Company
The job of cleaning your medical office isn't for just any cleaning company. The cleaners you contract must have expertise in infection control for the safety of patients and staff. From the reception area and waiting area to treatment rooms, back offices and breakrooms, all surfaces must be regularly and hygenically cleaned. Biohazards, sharps and chemicals can pose a … [Read more...] about 10 Tips for Hiring the Right Medical Office Cleaning Company
Why and how to review vendor contracts annually
Running a medical practice smoothly requires juggling a wide range of responsibilities. Among these, one crucial yet often overlooked task is the annual review of purchasing vendor contracts. This process is essential not only for controlling costs but also for ensuring compliance, maintaining service quality, and staying adaptable to evolving needs. Here’s why and how to … [Read more...] about Why and how to review vendor contracts annually
9-point checklist for medical office cybersecurity
Is your office doing all it can to protect your patients' sensitive medical data? Here's a nine-point checklist to protect the security and privacy of your patients. Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and change them regularly. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. Keep all software and systems up to date with the latest security … [Read more...] about 9-point checklist for medical office cybersecurity
Banish Bad Passwords
One of the simplest—and most overlooked—security threats in any office is weak passwords. They might seem harmless, but bad passwords are like leaving the front door unlocked. All it takes is one compromised login to give hackers access to sensitive data, client information, or internal systems. The good news? It’s one of the easiest problems to fix. It starts with … [Read more...] about Banish Bad Passwords
What Every Office Manager Needs to Know About HIPAA Today
HIPAA compliance isn’t just a legal requirement — it’s a cornerstone of patient trust and professional integrity. In today’s healthcare environment, patients expect their information to be handled with care, and regulators expect your practice to meet strict standards for privacy and security. That’s where this guide comes in. Whether you’re new to HIPAA or just need a … [Read more...] about What Every Office Manager Needs to Know About HIPAA Today
Using patient portals to enhance communication and engagement
In today’s digital age, enhancing communication and engagement with your patients is more important than ever. One of the most effective tools at your disposal is the patient portal. This online platform can transform how you interact with patients, making communication more efficient and fostering a deeper level of engagement. Let’s explore how you can utilize patient portals … [Read more...] about Using patient portals to enhance communication and engagement
Preparing for an Audit: A Checklist for Medical Office Managers
Use this checklist to stay organized, reduce stress, and be ready for an audit at any time. 1. Patient Records and Documentation Verify all patient records are complete and up-to-date. Confirm that all consent forms are properly signed and filed. Check that medical coding is accurate and matches services rendered. Ensure that any corrected … [Read more...] about Preparing for an Audit: A Checklist for Medical Office Managers
HIPAA Compliance Updates for Medical Office Managers
As of April 2025, several significant updates to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) have been introduced, impacting medical office operations. These changes aim to enhance patient privacy, bolster cybersecurity, and improve data interoperability. Below is a summary of the key updates: Enhanced Protections for Reproductive Health … [Read more...] about HIPAA Compliance Updates for Medical Office Managers
Federal Employees Flood the Job Market
By Lynne Curry As you search for talent to fill administrative roles in your medical office, are you considering the newly laid-off federal employees? As thousands of former federal employees flood the job market after mass layoffs, they struggle to land new roles—and face unexpected hostility from the private sector. A fired federal employee wrote: “I’m lost trying to … [Read more...] about Federal Employees Flood the Job Market