If your practice is like most, it regularly struggles with patient payment issues. Churchland Internal Medicine in Chesapeake, VA, has found a solution – actually several – to help resolve payment problems. "In our office, when a patient is asked for a payment on a balance and does not pay, we set up a payment agreement," says Linda Warren, office manager. Then, the office … [Read more...] about Creativity helps increase patient payments
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Nurses’ work-related injuries and physical discomfort impact patient care
Findings of an independent survey conducted by Ergotron, a Nortek company that manufactures ergonomic workplace products, highlights many of the day-to-day difficulties nurses face with medical equipment, clinical workflow, electronic health records (EHRs), physical strain or injury and how these factors impact the delivery of quality patient care. Of note, 60 percent of nurses … [Read more...] about Nurses’ work-related injuries and physical discomfort impact patient care
Health care field offers greatest workplace flexibility
The health care field tops the list of categories with the most work-at-home jobs, according to recent research conducted by FlexJobs, a leading online service for flexible and freelance employment opportunities. What’s more, medical coder, a position common at many practices, ranks No. 9 on FlexJobs’ list of the 20 most common work-from-home job titles. Indeed, telecommuting … [Read more...] about Health care field offers greatest workplace flexibility
Think twice before going to court
By Steve M. Cohen bio One of the most difficult challenges I face can be helping office managers and owners resist an urge to "fight it out" in court. There are times when it is necessary to take legal action or aggressively defend action against your organization. But in most cases, it should be your last resort. First, going to court is a roll of the dice. You may feel … [Read more...] about Think twice before going to court
Neoplasm codes changed in ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Watch for changes in neoplasm codes in ICD-10 CM. Chapter 2 of ICD-10 CM, ranging from C00 to D49, includes neoplasm codes which provide greater detail than ICD-9-CM codes for reporting neoplasms. The chapter includes these blocks C00-C14 Malignant neoplasms of lip, oral cavity and pharynx C15-C26 Malignant neoplasms of digestive … [Read more...] about Neoplasm codes changed in ICD-10
$800,000 HIPAA penalty for dumping medical records
A healthcare organization whose employees left boxes of medical records unattended on the driveway of a physician's home has to pay an $800,000 settlement. Parkview Health System has agreed to settle potential violations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil … [Read more...] about $800,000 HIPAA penalty for dumping medical records
Curing the common code: 4 small shifts will help you move in a positive direction
By Dale Henry bio OK, I'll admit it. I am a sci-fi junkie. I love all the action and far-reaching technology of a good science fiction feature. I am a child of the '60s and "Star Trek" was my favorite. I remember that all of the Enterprise's doors opened automatically. (When I was growing up, that had not been invented yet.) Everyone talked on tricorders and communicated … [Read more...] about Curing the common code: 4 small shifts will help you move in a positive direction
If you have to terminate, do it right
By Steve M. Cohen bio Terminating an employee is not easy, but with a few missteps or bad luck, it can become a disaster. Workplace disruptions, lawsuits, and even violence can be byproducts of poorly executed terminations. Most business owners and managers move to dismiss employees for good reason, but the process is so full of potential for bad results that it deserves … [Read more...] about If you have to terminate, do it right
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
Six tips for successfully managing Millennials
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio The Millennial generation - Americans aged 18 – 37,1 is the largest generation in U.S. history. Yup, bigger than the Baby Boomers, and 86 million strong. Next year, they'll comprise 36% of the U.S. workforce, and by 2020, nearly half.2 I love working with this generation. I find them to be a diverse group of curious, collaborative, and fearless folks. … [Read more...] about Six tips for successfully managing Millennials