By Steve M. Cohen bio Letting an employee go is rarely easy. Even when the decision is inescapable or the party in question so obviously a negative for the office, the act of termination is usually unpleasant. Most managers will wonder if they've made the right decision. They'll wonder, "Perhaps I should give this person just one more chance," or "Do the bad … [Read more...] about Good managers avoid termination disasters
Federal
How to keep the office safe from the lawyers when a staffer gets fired
Terminations are what spark the vast majority of today’s employment law claims, says employment defense attorney Shari Lane. That’s one area where managers can’t afford to make mistakes. Step back before pulling the trigger Safety starts with two obvious precautions, Lane says. First, review the record. Make sure it explains what has led to the decision. If there’s not … [Read more...] about How to keep the office safe from the lawyers when a staffer gets fired
Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
The medical biller of a Chicago-area visiting physician practice was recently sentenced to 45 months in prison for her role in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the … [Read more...] about Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
HHS announces $685 million to support clinicians delivering high quality, patient-centered care
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell recently announced $685 million in awards to 39 national and regional health care networks and supporting organizations to help equip more than 140,000 clinicians with the tools and support needed to improve quality of care, increase patients' access to information, and reduce costs. The Transforming Clinical Practice … [Read more...] about HHS announces $685 million to support clinicians delivering high quality, patient-centered care
Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
A lot of employment laws apply only to larger employers. Not wage and hour laws. Those apply to every employer, regardless of size. And they are “the largest source of employment litigation,” says employment law attorney Daniel F. Pyne of Hopkins & Carley in San Jose, CA. In his own practice, wage and hour issues account for almost half of the matters that … [Read more...] about Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
Paid sick leave: what medical practices need to know
Currently, there is no federal law that requires private sector employers, including medical practices, to provide paid or unpaid sick leave, explains a new report from XpertHR, an online service for HR professionals from Reed Business Information. Without federal legislation in place, however, several states and local jurisdictions have taken matters into their own hands by … [Read more...] about Paid sick leave: what medical practices need to know
Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
By Steve M. Cohen bio I have worked closely with two organizations: The Transgender Institute (TTI) and the Gender Policy Associates (GPA). TTI is an organization that provides therapy, consultation, and coaching to transgender people. This is a population that is much misunderstood; in schools they are subject to extensive bullying. At work, they are often subject to … [Read more...] about Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
(Note: The ADA applies to offices with 15 or more employees. Depending on the practice’s business structure, the physicians may be included in that count.) An amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act is putting more employees under ADA protection. It’s called the ADA Amendments Act, or ADAAA. It went into effect in 2008, and it has broadened the definition of … [Read more...] about Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
Reasons for health services encounter get codes in Chapter 21 of ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Codes included in Chapter 21, Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99), represent reasons for encounter. Z codes are provided for encounters when circumstances other than diseases or injury are recorded in the medical record as the diagnosis. The chapter includes the following sections: Z00-Z13, Persons encountering … [Read more...] about Reasons for health services encounter get codes in Chapter 21 of ICD-10
HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?
By Paul Edwards bio The next round of HIPAA audits promised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has been delayed since October 2014, but OCR has made it clear they are still going to happen. Their senior advisor, Linda Sanches, has informed medical office managers, "This is a good time to get your house in order." If … [Read more...] about HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?