Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires covered entities to take certain actions to ensure they comply with their duty not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities. Section 92.7 of the ACA final rule specifies two things entities must do to meet their nondiscrimination … [Read more...] about How to comply with new ACA non-discrimination requirements
Managing patients
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
Terminating a relationship with a disruptive patient
What can you do if a difficult patient has exceeded the definition of difficult and has, in fact, become disruptive? You can terminate the relationship with the patient. Indeed, disruptive patient is the number one reason practices end relationships, according to Steven M. Harris, a nationally recognized health care attorney and member of the law firm McDonald Hopkins … [Read more...] about Terminating a relationship with a disruptive patient
Are the expressions you use dating you?
Certain expressions immediately make people think of another era. Among these are the cat's pajamas, the apple of my eye, hold your horses, and a feather in your cap. Perhaps your parents or grandparents peppered their conversations with these expressions; if so, these sayings, while outdated, might make you smile. However, it's unlikely you'd tell an employee that an … [Read more...] about Are the expressions you use dating you?
4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
By Lynne Curry bio Which problem fits you? Your clinic has grown and you don't remember the names of all the employees and you realize this hurts some employees' feelings. Several of the sites you regularly access ask you to change passwords monthly and you have a hard time remembering the newer passwords. Several longtime patients expect you … [Read more...] about 4 easy strategies for remembering names and passwords
Emailing and texting patients: how to keep it legal and safe
These days almost everyone uses email, and many people, especially younger people, are comfortable texting as well. According to a 2015 report by the Pew Research Center, text messaging is the most widely used feature of smartphones. The convenience of electronic communications is undeniable. But is it a safe and legal way to communicate with patients? State regulations … [Read more...] about Emailing and texting patients: how to keep it legal and safe
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
Smartphones sapping productivity at work
Technology helps workers stay connected while away from the office, but in many cases it is causing them to disconnect while in the office, leading to a negative impact on productivity. According to a recent survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder, a global leader in human capital solutions, 19 percent of employers think workers are productive less than … [Read more...] about Smartphones sapping productivity at work
Study finds overwhelming support for employment background checks
A recent survey on employment background checks finds the vast majority of Americans supports and expects employers to conduct regular background checks on prospective employees. Of additional importance to medical office managers is that the number one place Americans expect to feel safe is their doctor's office. Some key takeaways from the survey include: 95 percent … [Read more...] about Study finds overwhelming support for employment background checks
Industry challenged to create more patient-friendly medical billing
Furthering the goals of focusing on patients, coordinate health care delivery, and making health information more accessible, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a new challenge for all stakeholders in health care—designing a better medical bill that is easier for patients to understand. The HHS press release regarding the challenge notes … [Read more...] about Industry challenged to create more patient-friendly medical billing