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BILLING & COLLECTIONS

4 strategies for more effective medical billing

By Isaac Smith The medical billing process can be a time-consuming endeavor, but there are several ways you can improve your practice’s revenue flow. Here are five strategies for increasing your medical billing efficiency. 1 Ensure transparency in payments Whether you provide in-network or out-of-network services, patients are looking for more transparency from their healthcare providers. They want to know what they can expect and what is included in the price tag. And they are willing to pay for it if you deliver on your promises. One of the most important aspects of medical office administration is billing and collections. A good revenue cycle tool will help you to be more transparent by generating reliable out-of-pocket cost estimates at the time of service, as well as helping you to identify… . . . read more.

TELEWORK

6 tips to keep your hybrid team productive

As a medical office manager, you understand the importance of creating a productive work environment for your staff. With the rise of remote work in the last three years, it is more important than ever to create a hybrid work environment that balances the needs of both remote and on-site staff. Here are some tips to help you create a productive hybrid work environment for your medical office. Establish clear communication channels Clear and open communication is essential in any workplace, but it becomes even more critical when you have a hybrid team. To ensure that all staff members are on the same page, establish clear communication channels. This may include regular virtual meetings, email updates, or a shared workspace where everyone can access important information. Set clear expectations When… . . . read more.

COMPLIANCE

Text messaging can get your medical office in trouble with HIPAA

There are several pitfalls associated with using text messaging in a medical office when it comes to complying with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Here are a few examples: Lack of Encryption: Standard SMS text messages are not encrypted, which means that messages containing sensitive patient information can be intercepted and read by unauthorized parties. HIPAA requires that all electronic communications containing protected health information (PHI) be encrypted to protect patient privacy. Device Theft: If a mobile device containing patient information is lost or stolen, this could lead to a HIPAA violation. Mobile devices should be password protected and have the ability to be wiped remotely in case of loss or theft. Lack of Control: When healthcare providers use their personal phones for work purposes, they… . . . read more.

TELEWORK

The nomadic remote employee: Employee dream, employer nightmare

By Lynne Curry Question: Several of our employees regularly travel out of state. Before the pandemic, they took vacations for several days or weeks. They and we understood they were on vacation. The situation was clear cut. Our current team includes three employees who want to travel and stay for weeks or even months, in places like Hawaii and Thailand or with relatives. While they insist they can work and should receive full paychecks, this doesn’t seem fair to the rest of us who remain onsite and have to pick up the pieces when our “travelers” can’t be easily reached. We agree they can get some work done, but have no way of knowing if they’re putting in 40 hours a week. We tried to explain how messy this felt… . . . read more.

EDUCATION

7 ways to get the most out of a work conference

Conference season is in full swing, after three years of postponed and cancelled events. Are there events you and your staff will attend for education, product knowledge, or networking? As a medical office manager, attending conferences and trade shows can be a valuable opportunity to learn about new trends and technologies in the healthcare industry. However, with all the hustle and bustle of travel, it can be difficult to make the most of your time at these events. It is important to use your time well, given the cost of travel, registration, food, accommodation and time away from work. Here are some tips to help you make good use of your time when traveling to a work-related conference or trade show. Plan ahead: Before you even leave for the event,… . . . read more.

PURCHASING

A good courier service helps keep the medical office running smoothly.

As a medical office manager, you know how important it is to ensure that your office runs efficiently and effectively. One way to help achieve this is by using a courier service to transport important documents and materials to and from your office. In this article, we’ll explore what a medical office might use a courier service for, and how to choose a good courier service for your office’s specific needs. What a Medical Office Might Use a Courier Service For Transporting Medical Records: Medical offices often need to transport patient medical records to other healthcare providers or insurance companies. Using a courier service ensures that these records are delivered quickly and securely. Delivering Samples: Medical offices may need to transport laboratory samples or other specimens to testing facilities. A… . . . read more.

TRAINING

5 reasons to pay for medical office staff education

Paid continuing education is one of the most popular perks you can offer your employees. Besides making your staff happier, paid upgrading and training also benefits the practice in at least five ways. Enhancing knowledge and skills: Continuing education and staff upgrading help employees to stay current with the latest advancements and trends in the healthcare industry. It allows them to enhance their knowledge and skills, which leads to improved performance, better patient outcomes, and higher levels of job satisfaction. Meeting regulatory requirements: Many healthcare regulatory bodies require healthcare providers to have certain levels of training and education. For example, nurses may need to maintain their license by completing continuing education credits, while medical assistants may need to be certified to perform certain tasks. Improving patient outcomes: By investing in… . . . read more.

TOOL

Model Policy: Office Temperature

The purpose of this model policy is to ensure a comfortable and healthy work environment for all staff and patients by maintaining appropriate temperature settings in the medical office.

MANAGING STAFF

Tame those office temperature tantrums!

Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences for temperature and different comfort levels. For nearly 100 years, recommended temperatures for offices have been based on the body size and fat-to-muscle ratios (and typical clothing) of men, who tend to prefer temperatures around 72 degrees. Women feel colder than men at the same air temperature and prefer settings around 77 degrees. Besides being uncomfortable, the the wrong temperature can reduce productivity, as chilly workers fidget to get warm and overheated workers get move sluggishly…. . . . read more.

MANAGING PATIENTS

7 good reasons to use online scheduling

Still on the fence about using online scheduling in your medical office? Consider these advantages to an online scheduling system: Increased convenience: Patients can easily book appointments online 24/7, without having to call the office during business hours. Improved efficiency: Automated scheduling reduces the need for manual scheduling, minimizing the risk of errors and freeing up staff time for other tasks. Better patient experience: Patients can easily view available appointment times and select the one that works best for them, reducing wait times and improving the overall patient experience. Real-time scheduling: Online scheduling systems offer real-time updates, ensuring that everyone is working with the most current information. Accessibility: An online scheduling system can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, making it easy for patients to book appointments… . . . read more.


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