Medical Office Manager

HIPAA

Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk

Mobile technology, arguably, allows for greater efficiency and better communication. But, for the manager of a medical office, it also creates challenges. Staff who work remotely, even occasionally, may inadvertently share confidential information via unsecure networks when using smartphones and tablets, as well as personal laptops and notebook computers. Patient … [Read more...] about Staff and remote access: more than patient information is at risk

How to choose the electronic medical records vendor that’s right for you

Choosing the right electronic medical records vendor for your practice can seem like an overwhelming task—and getting it right is crucial. Before any other considerations, you want to be sure than any vendor you are considering is HITECH certified for 2014, so that you can achieve meaningful use stages one and two. This will also ensure HIPAA compliance. Beyond that the options … [Read more...] about How to choose the electronic medical records vendor that’s right for you

HIPAA audits looming and small practices far from compliant

A recent survey on HIPAA compliance within small practices and billing companies, conducted by NueMD, a provider of cloud-based medical practice management software for small practices, and The Daniel Brown Law Group, a firm specializing in health care law, finds medical practices and billing companies are struggling to comply with regulations under the Health Insurance … [Read more...] about HIPAA audits looming and small practices far from compliant

Start local managers group to make job easier

"It doesn't matter if there are three people or five or 20," says the manager of an internal specialty medical office in Tennessee. It's worth the effort to set up a local management group. She did that in her area years ago and still finds it useful. The setup was not difficult. It was just a matter of calling the other managers and saying, "Why don't we get together and … [Read more...] about Start local managers group to make job easier

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

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

3 ways to more safely process patient payments and enhance overall security

By Paul Panos  bio Today's office managers face security concerns from all sides – from HIPAA compliance to PHI laws. Shouldn't protecting financial data be the last thing on your mind? We've already explored in a previous article how the right payment processing technology can boost a practice's profitability, but it can also enhance a practice's level of security … [Read more...] about 3 ways to more safely process patient payments and enhance overall security

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

$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