Massachusetts recently signed into law An Act to Establish Pay Equity, S.2119, which takes effect on July 1, 2018. The new law prevents wage discrimination based on gender. The law includes several noteworthy changes related to the employment process, but perhaps the most significant is that it prohibits employers from requiring applicants to provide their salary history … [Read more...] about Why the new Massachusetts law matters, regardless of where your practice is located
Risk management
Model Policy: Moonlighting
Why you need this policy: Employees may hold other jobs that have the potential to interfere with their work at the practice. How this policy helps you: This policy reminds employees about their responsibility to the practice. How to use this policy: Modify this policy for your medical practice, as needed. Note: In some states it is illegal to prohibit moonlighting—and in … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Moonlighting
Avoid these 3 deadly age discrimination traps
Age discrimination has become today's big employment law issue. And it's because people live longer than in the recent past and also work longer. Some work longer by choice; others have seen their retirement funds obliterated and are forced to continue working. It's yet another danger spot managers need to watch. Older job applicants and employees have strong protection under … [Read more...] about Avoid these 3 deadly age discrimination traps
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
Do you have a practice bully?
By Lynne Curry bio At first you hear rumblings, and then they turn into a rockslide. If you have a practice bully, a domineering charge nurse, an it's-all-about-me IT manager or a physician so aware of the dollars he brings to your clinic that he could not care less about those he rides roughshod over, you've got a problem. What happens if you don't address a … [Read more...] about Do you have a practice bully?
$900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell have announced an unprecedented nationwide sweep led by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force in 36 federal districts, resulting in criminal and civil charges against 301 individuals, including 61 doctors, nurses, and other licensed medical professionals, for their … [Read more...] about $900 million in false billing results in charges against medical practices throughout the U.S.
What we have here should never be a failure to communicate
By Steve M. Cohen bio I may be showing my age, but it's likely you've at least heard the line from "Cool Hand Luke": "What we have here is a failure to communicate." A prison boss first uses the phrase, then the hero, Luke, repeats it at the end of the film. Moments later, Luke is killed in dramatic Hollywood fashion. If you need to update this mentally, picture … [Read more...] about What we have here should never be a failure to communicate
Incorrect medical coding corrupts the core data used by health care facilities, has negative consequences throughout health care industry
Guaranteeing accurate, consistent medical codes and patient histories is one of the major challenges for providers and payers today. Medical codes are the starting point for understanding quality of care and making necessary improvements. "Medical codes are the core data used in every aspect of modern health care—every provider, payer, and facility relies on them," says … [Read more...] about Incorrect medical coding corrupts the core data used by health care facilities, has negative consequences throughout health care industry
Retaliation landmine
By Lynne Curry bio Everyone in your office knows she's a problem. She mouths off constantly and prefers chatting with coworkers to doing her job. You regret the day you hired her and when she makes one smart-aleck comment too many about your practice, you say "Look, you're not happy here. I'll have the bookkeeper draw up a final check. I wish you good luck." Big mistake. … [Read more...] about Retaliation landmine
EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, has issued final rules that describe how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply to wellness programs offered by employers that request health information from … [Read more...] about EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs