Medical Office Manager

Increasing profits

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

How to use social media for your medical practice

By Brittney Overstreet  bio Social media is the online method for sharing information to an audience. When using social media for business purposes, virality is important. The more of your content that is viral, the greater your online presence is. Many physicians have successfully used social media to create awareness of their practice and gain new patients. Why use social … [Read more...] about How to use social media for your medical practice

Final rule on MACRA released and it’s a pleasant surprise

By Tina Colangelo, MHA  bio CMS has finally released its long and highly anticipated final rule MACRA Quality Payment Program. News spread like wildfire as the highly anticipated final rule of CMS's MACRA Quality Payment Program was rolled out. The 2,398 page document shows mercy to all physicians especially those in small practices! Everybody can breathe a sigh of relief; … [Read more...] about Final rule on MACRA released and it’s a pleasant surprise

ICD-10: from transition to full implementation—and the first round of updates

The transition from ICD-9 to ICD-10, which took effect October 1, 2015, has significantly impacted health care providers. An entirely new set of codes as well as expansion of codes for greater specificity are now required. ICD-10 is a completely different system. The code set has been expanded from five positions (first one alphanumeric, others numeric) to seven positions. … [Read more...] about ICD-10: from transition to full implementation—and the first round of updates

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

How to use influencers for marketing in health care

By Melanie Herron  bio One of the greatest marketing tools a business can have is an effective spokesperson. There is no denying the power and influence a spokesperson can have on building a brand. Influencers are people who are comfortable talking about the brands they believe in. They are trusted as reliable sources for information and recommendations. And yes, … [Read more...] about How to use influencers for marketing in health care