The Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was published November 13, 2014. It provides not only new payment rates but also changes to Medicare payment policies. Here is a summary of some changes that could affect your medical office. Telehealth services. Specific telehealth services must be included in the list of Medicare telehealth services and meet other conditions for … [Read more...] about CMS Medicare physician fee schedule for 2015 Final Rule released
Working with physicians
Education resources for Spanish-speaking patients to display on your practice website
Spanish language patient handouts covering a wide range of medical topics, including Asthma (Asma), Atopic Dermatitis (Dermatitis Atópica), Contraception (Anticonceptivas), COPD (EPOC), Diabetes (Diabetes), Hypertension (Hipertension), Immunizations (Inmunizaciones), Obesity (Obesidad), Skin Cancer (Cáncer de Piel), and other chronic medical conditions, as well as videos and … [Read more...] about Education resources for Spanish-speaking patients to display on your practice website
Survey finds digital technology is changing the physician-patient relationship
A recent survey conducted by WebMD/Medscape, a leading provider of health information services, offers noteworthy insight into physician and patient perspectives on health technology's role in aiding diagnosis and care. Dr. Eric Topol, a leading authority in the fields of genomics and digital medicine, who serves as both editor-in-chief of Medscape and chief academic officer … [Read more...] about Survey finds digital technology is changing the physician-patient relationship
A teacher planning book is enough for complete hospital visit notes
It's worked for years. It costs less than $10. And with it, practice manager Patricia Russell has never missed posting a single hospital or nursing home visit. It's a teacher's daily plan book. And for any physician who doesn't use a digital device for note taking, it's the perfect solution for documenting out-of-office visits, says Russell who manages the internal medicine … [Read more...] about A teacher planning book is enough for complete hospital visit notes
Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies, recently released two state policy reports which identify gaps in coverage and reimbursement, and in physician practice standards and licensure. These reports compare state policies on a report card, assigning each state grades … [Read more...] about Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
4 big social media mistakes your practice must avoid
The Internet and social media have ushered in new ways of doing business. But as with so many other aspects of running a medical office, health care is different from any other business when it comes to an online presence. The sanctity of the physician-patient relationship can often be at odds with the openness, anonymity, and wide accessibility of the Internet and social … [Read more...] about 4 big social media mistakes your practice must avoid
Mobile usage on the rise at medical practices, emphasis now on safeguards
More physicians are going mobile, and iPhones and iPads are the devices of choice, with more than 68 percent of doctors preferring Apple technology over Android. According to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, 59.3 percent of all primary care physicians' daily emails are for the interpretation of test results, while 21.7 percent are responses to … [Read more...] about Mobile usage on the rise at medical practices, emphasis now on safeguards
Concierge medicine – coming on strong
– a MOM mini seminar – Direct care, boutique medicine, retainer medicine – by whatever name, concierge medicine is a patient-physician arrangement where the patient pays an annual fee or retainer, the physician reduces the patient population from several thousand to an average of 300 to 600, and patients get personal 24-hour access to the physician and, … [Read more...] about Concierge medicine – coming on strong
Medical center says “no” to tobacco
Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), a leading Maryland hospital, is reinforcing its commitment to wellness and the fight against tobacco usage with an expanded tobacco policy. Effective July 1, 2014, the revised policy prohibits the use of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. One year later, starting July 1, 2015, Anne Arundel Medical Center will take a leadership … [Read more...] about Medical center says “no” to tobacco
Virginia manager uses contests to help turn staff into a team
A new manager set building staff teamwork as her first goal. And she decided that the best way to reach that goal was to make it fun. So she set up contests that require the staff to work and think together and come up with ideas that will benefit the office. The neurological practice in Virginia has eight physicians and 36 staff. The first contest was held in a restaurant … [Read more...] about Virginia manager uses contests to help turn staff into a team