By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio When patients have multiple insurance coverage, at times it can be difficult to determine which one is primary, secondary, and tertiary. Sometimes, the patients don't even know which order they go in! While there are always going to be exceptions, here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind: … [Read more...] about How to determine the order of multiple insurance coverages
Increasing profits
Physician entrepreneurs drive innovation and change
By Nick Hernandez bio Physician leaders must be innovators to navigate their practices into and through the era of healthcare reform. True physician entrepreneurs take charge of change and continuously scan the outside environment for new and fresh ideas. They search for opportunities for ways to do what has never been done before, and many times engage consultants … [Read more...] about Physician entrepreneurs drive innovation and change
Is your waiting room costing you money?
How would patients rate your medical practice's reception area? Is it cold and clinical, or warm and welcoming? The waiting room is where new patients form early impressions of your practice – and, like it or not, these impressions influence their perception of the medical care they receive. Patient experience is a primary reason medical practices are investing in office … [Read more...] about Is your waiting room costing you money?
Telehealth integration offers healthcare advantages for baby boomers
By James B. LeVasseur, Ph.D. bio The looming shortage of qualified doctors and specialists presents a significant challenge for the nation's healthcare system. With more baby boomers requiring healthcare every year, physician demand continues to grow faster than supply. This has created a projected shortfall of between 42,600 and 121,300 physicians, 14,800 to 49,300 … [Read more...] about Telehealth integration offers healthcare advantages for baby boomers
Polite form on chart collects balance due at registration
Because staff don't like asking patients for money, one manager set up a non-confrontational form that gets patients to pay their outstanding balances at registration. The billing department attaches it to the charts each morning, and the front desk staff hand it to patients with, "Oh, by the way, there is a note here for you from the billing department." The form was designed … [Read more...] about Polite form on chart collects balance due at registration
Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
An Indiana practice recently established a bonus incentive program for its support staff that has been a huge help to patient collections. "I had managed an office prior to joining this practice where I was able to track patient collections percentages each day," Leanne Craig, office manager at Hendricks Therapy, tells Medical Office Manager. "I had a report within our … [Read more...] about Patient collections ‘bonus incentive’ program increases patient payments and staff pay
An 8-step process to improve your medical practice
By Nick Hernandez bio Physician owners know that there are four key objectives at the core of process improvement: To remove waste and inefficiencies To increase productivity and asset availability To improve response time and agility To sustain safe and reliable operations The question is, how do we do all this? I would suggest a proven technique known as the OODA … [Read more...] about An 8-step process to improve your medical practice
How to become a patient-centered practice and improve your profitability
What do old-school electric typewriter manufacturers and medical practices have in common? More than you might think. Ron Howrigon, president and CEO of Fulcrum Strategies, a healthcare consulting firm, tells the story of two of highly competitive typewriter manufacturers, one of which adapted to change and thrived and another which kept manufacturing typewriters right up to … [Read more...] about How to become a patient-centered practice and improve your profitability
A little money here, a little there; where to find the sleeping savings
When the money's tight, the manager has to squeeze the nickels—particularly in a small office where falling revenues are keenly felt. And a New Jersey manager has done just that. She has found appreciable savings on expenses that come in month after month but tend to get overlooked in more profitable times. With two physicians, one nurse practitioner, and only five staff, the … [Read more...] about A little money here, a little there; where to find the sleeping savings
Why strategic planning is a must for practices
By Nick Hernandez bio Strategic planning is not the same as operational planning. The former is focused on broad and long-lasting issues that ensure the medical practice's long-term effectiveness and survival. The latter focuses on achieving objectives and carrying out short-term activities. Strategic planning functions as the "design" just as a blueprint functions … [Read more...] about Why strategic planning is a must for practices