A survey conducted by NueMD, a provider of cloud-based medical practice management software for small practices, finds only 13 percent of healthcare organizations are "highly confident" their business will be ready for the October 1 ICD-10 deadline. The survey is based on 1,000 responses from healthcare professionals across all 50 states. Respondents were asked how they … [Read more...] about ICD-10 survey: small practices not trained, not ready for transition
Compliance
Formal complaints change everything, including your job
By Steve M. Cohen bio I am often surprised how managers are still surprised when an employee complaint becomes a major workplace or even a courtroom issue. One manager even complained, "They're trying to make a federal case out of it!" Actually, many employee complaints literally are federal cases. And if not federal, they may involve state agencies with strong … [Read more...] about Formal complaints change everything, including your job
10 tips to manage employee leave
The environment for leave management has become increasingly complex. The Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and employee awareness of rights under these laws and others have made managing leave while remaining in legal and regulatory compliance more difficult than even. Terri Rhodes, executive director of the Disability Management … [Read more...] about 10 tips to manage employee leave
EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
As the focus on quality and value intensifies, wellness programs will no doubt play an integral role in the health care system. The 2014 Employer Health Benefits Survey from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation reports that "[v]irtually all large employers (200 or more workers) and most smaller employers offer at least one wellness program." Furthermore, the survey indicates … [Read more...] about EEOC proposes rules for employer wellness programs to avoid potential discrimination
Mental illness in the workplace: not just “a case of the Mondays”
By R. Scott Oswald bio When we think of "mental health" problems, many of us envision obvious symptoms. But mental health presents challenges precisely because it can be almost impossible to observe. This can become a problem in the workplace when an employee experiences intense anxiety or panic due to the stress of the position, and management simply expects these … [Read more...] about Mental illness in the workplace: not just “a case of the Mondays”
Mundane issues can break your organization
By Steve M. Cohen bio After more than 35 years in what I call "mess management," I've learned that human resources is often a major headache for managers, and sometimes an organization-killing disaster. Employee management can be extremely rewarding. A well-run organization with management and staff invested in their jobs is more than a way to make money—it's a … [Read more...] about Mundane issues can break your organization
Miami medical office manager convicted of Medicare fraud
A former office manager of a Miami-based physical and occupational therapy clinic was convicted, following a four-day trial, for her participation in a scheme that involved the fraudulent submission of more than $3.3 million in false billing to Medicare. Wifredo A. Ferrer, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Shimon Richmond, Special Agent in … [Read more...] about Miami medical office manager convicted of Medicare fraud
Due process: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen
By Steve M. Cohen bio Imagine an employee who is consistently late to work. The excuses abound—car trouble, overslept, lost track of time answering email, planned on staying later—you've probably heard them all. The manager warns the employee and for a week it improves. The next week, however, the employee is slipping again and is warned yet again. This game … [Read more...] about Due process: if it’s not written, it didn’t happen
ICD-10 research reveals physicians’ views
Clinical documentation and reimbursement lead the list of concerns that physicians have about ICD-10, according to new research from the CAREinnoLab of Care Communications, Inc., a provider of health information solutions, and the Department of Health Information Management in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Patty Sheridan, … [Read more...] about ICD-10 research reveals physicians’ views
How managers can avoid tripping on due process safety net
By Steve M. Cohen bio For many, spring is baseball or soccer season, a time to start getting out and enjoying life. But in your workplace, you will also find team sports that can impact your bottom line or organizational effectiveness. If someone in your organization is not playing ball the way they should, it's also a three-strike situation (or a red card, if you … [Read more...] about How managers can avoid tripping on due process safety net