By Steve M. Cohen bio As fall turns to winter, it is a good time to examine other changes that impact us all. To me, it's clear that the legal and regulatory climate of our world is changing. Whether you manage a masonry firm or medical office, the changes are everywhere. But these transformations are not steady, like the movement of a glacier. They come in jerks and jolts … [Read more...] about Seasons change. So do laws and regulations
Managing the office
Model Policy: Dress code and appearance
Why you need this model policy: Employees affiliated with a medical practice are representatives of the practice and are responsible for creating a positive experience for patients, families, visitors, clinical staff, and fellow workers. How this model policy helps you: This model policy allows a practice to address all aspects of employee appearance, including clothing, … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Dress code and appearance
9 important dos and don’ts for using social media to promote your practice
Federal and state laws are implicated when a medical office decides to promote its services, whether through establishing a website for the medical office or participating in forums such as Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter. This article focuses on the do's and don'ts arising from federal and state laws on advertising and privacy. 1 Do be truthful When a medical office establishes … [Read more...] about 9 important dos and don’ts for using social media to promote your practice
When an employee has body odor
Q: I don't know how to say this delicately, so I'll get right to the point. A staffer at our practice has terrible body odor. Her B.O. is so bad that several other staffers have approached me, saying they don't want to work with her. Also, they have asked me to do something about the situation. I'm usually good at counseling employees, but this particular problem has me … [Read more...] about When an employee has body odor
Physicians have mixed feelings about technology
A nationwide survey on physician sentiment toward technology, conducted by Geneia, a company creating analytic and technology solutions to improve health care, finds physicians believe technology is both a help and hindrance. Physician views on electronic medical records (EMRs) are representative of their mixed feelings about technology in the workplace. When asked whether … [Read more...] about Physicians have mixed feelings about technology
Model Policy: Sexual harassment
Why you need this policy: Personnel issues are among the most difficult problems faced by medical practice management. And few personnel issues are any tougher than sexual harassment. How this policy helps you: The starting point in managing sexual harassment is to establish a clearly written, specific policy that includes a/an: Policy statement indicating that sexual … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Sexual harassment
For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
For any patients on a payment plan, having a credit card on file is just good business, says a New Jersey practice administrator. Automatic card payments are the only way an office can be assured of getting the agreed-upon amount at the agreed-upon time. The practice administrator uses that approach for a dermatology practice and also for a second practice she manages as a … [Read more...] about For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
Get organized or suffer
By Steve M. Cohen bio I usually focus more on the serious sides of personnel management, the kind of issues that can close down a business or organization if mishandled. "Getting organized" might not sound like one of those issues, but I've witnessed cases where disorganization was clearly a factor in success and failure. Especially in environments like those faced … [Read more...] about Get organized or suffer
Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
A nationwide survey finds health care organizations and businesses, including medical practices, confront time and staffing challenges when it comes to health care compliance management. Expertise is also an issue, as is keeping up with changes. Nevertheless, medical practices and other health care providers recognize the importance of health care compliance management. The … [Read more...] about Practices recognize that health care compliance management must be addressed, despite challenges
Health care spending grew in 2014, with more dollars going to brand drugs
Spending on health care for the privately insured in the United States grew at a steady rate over the past five years, increasing 3.4 percent in 2014, finds a new report from the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI), a nonpartisan research organization. Use of health care services continued to fall in 2014, while prices for all categories of services continued to rise. Despite a … [Read more...] about Health care spending grew in 2014, with more dollars going to brand drugs