January is the season when employers must compile their OSHA logs for the previous year. Here’s an overview of the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard and a 10-step strategy to ensure compliance. Step 1: Figure out if your office is covered Physician offices are among the industries listed by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) as being partially exempt from the … [Read more...] about COMPLIANCE: A 10-step compliance strategy for OSHA Recordkeeping Rules
Managing the office
5 tested ways to make your billing and coding more profitable
The health of your medical practice depends on good quality coding and billing work. One of the most important roles in the medical office that impacts compliance—and your bottom line—is the coding and billing function. "Coding and billing is the lifeblood of the practice; it's the income," says Michael J. Sacopulos, JD, founder and president of Medical Risk … [Read more...] about 5 tested ways to make your billing and coding more profitable
What to do when patients use the internet for self-diagnosis
There’s a wealth of medical information online, and increasingly patients are tapping it to come up with their own diagnoses. Needless to say, this results in numerous challenges for medical practitioners and office staff. But how exactly do you navigate the issues that arise from too much information – information that, incidentally, is often incorrect? First, the … [Read more...] about What to do when patients use the internet for self-diagnosis
How to make a collection call to a patient
A collection call to a patient should never be offensive. But it does need to be firm. Remember, the goal is to collect an unpaid balance. With this in mind, here's what to say and how to respond to what a patient says. Begin by putting the patient on the spot, without being confrontational. One possible approach is, "We haven't received payment for this bill we sent you 30 … [Read more...] about How to make a collection call to a patient
A good courier service helps keep the medical office running smoothly
Keeping a medical office running efficiently requires attention to many moving parts—including how important documents and materials are transported. A reliable courier service can play a key role in supporting daily operations. This article explores common reasons a medical office might rely on a courier and offers tips for choosing the right service to meet your specific … [Read more...] about A good courier service helps keep the medical office running smoothly
10 tips for a more efficient medical office
What healthcare provider doesn’t want to see his or her business run more efficiently? After all, a well-run practice usually means increased revenue and happier, healthier patients. In the past, providers relied on smart hiring and organized employees to ensure their practices operated smoothly. But today, it takes a thoughtful blend of solution-based technology and … [Read more...] about 10 tips for a more efficient medical office
8 tips for successful collections and increased revenue
A robust collections process is essential for the financial health and sustainability of your practice. By implementing the right strategies and adopting a proactive approach, you can significantly enhance your collections efforts. Here are 8 essential tips and best practices to help you optimize collections and maximize revenue for your medical office. Verify Insurance … [Read more...] about 8 tips for successful collections and increased revenue
5 ways to make standup meetings work for your medical office
A daily standup meeting can be a highly effective way to keep your staff motivated and moving on important tasks. This 10-minute meeting, used in a variety of workplaces, provides an opportunity for a quick check-in on the day’s priorities. As the name implies, participants stand up—a posture that discourages long discussion. Here are ways to make the meeting work for … [Read more...] about 5 ways to make standup meetings work for your medical office
How to share bad news with your staff
There are times when changes at the practice affect the entire staff—and, unfortunately, not all changes are positive. The practice may be relocating, and the new location could involve an unrealistic commute for some staff members. Or the practice may be merging with another practice, which will result in layoffs. Or the practice may be closing, for any number of … [Read more...] about How to share bad news with your staff
Overloaded at work? Here’s what you should do
You have more work than you can handle—and no matter how hard you work, you can't seem to get ahead. In fact, it's gotten to the point that you're exhausted. Most days you don't even like your job anymore. If this sounds like you, it's time to make a change. And that change doesn't have to involve a new place of employment. Instead, it's time to assess your situation and … [Read more...] about Overloaded at work? Here’s what you should do