The manager of a Maryland family medicine practice had trouble getting the physicians to make decisions about important matters. It was bad enough with the three originating physicians from when the practice was set up five years earlier. With the addition of a fourth physician, the chain of authority became even more confusing. With too many leaders and not enough … [Read more...] about Office runs better when manager clarifies authority
MD
Emailing and texting patients: how to keep it legal and safe
These days almost everyone uses email, and many people, especially younger people, are comfortable texting as well. According to a 2015 report by the Pew Research Center, text messaging is the most widely used feature of smartphones. The convenience of electronic communications is undeniable. But is it a safe and legal way to communicate with patients? State regulations … [Read more...] about Emailing and texting patients: how to keep it legal and safe
Are you unintentionally discriminating against staffers with family?
There's a fairly new area of discrimination to watch out for, and it applies to staff as well as to employee physicians. It's family responsibility discrimination, or discrimination against employees who take time off to serve as caregivers for family members. And related to that is discrimination against both women and men who take time off for maternity and child care. Family … [Read more...] about Are you unintentionally discriminating against staffers with family?
Best and worst states for doctors
Doctors are among the most highly paid, educated, and celebrated professions in the United States. The profession has also been undergoing intense change in recent years, with the Affordable Care Act, the rise of branded hospital networks, the impending retirement of baby boomers, and an increasingly litigious society all complicating the lives of doctors and providing pause to … [Read more...] about Best and worst states for doctors
Recognition and rewards increase productivity at Maryland practice
"As an office manager for over 12 years, I started to see some burnout in our long-term employees, who I did not want to lose," says Denise Genuit, practice administrator at University of Maryland Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Associates. She tells Medical Office Manager she needed to find a significant way to improve productivity and get staff to exert more effort. At the same … [Read more...] about Recognition and rewards increase productivity at Maryland practice
Model Policy: Medical marijuana
Why you need this policy: Now that medical marijuana is legal in many states, it’s important that you adjust your zero tolerance drug policy to address, if not accommodate, it. How this policy helps you: This model policy provides the appropriate language to use for your state. How to use this policy: Modify your existing workplace drug policy to include medical marijuana … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Medical marijuana
Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies, recently released two state policy reports which identify gaps in coverage and reimbursement, and in physician practice standards and licensure. These reports compare state policies on a report card, assigning each state grades … [Read more...] about Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
Plus new emphasis on discrimination Though it applies only to states where same-sex marriage is legal, the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage warrants attention from managers in all states. For those in Washington, DC, and the 13 states where gay marriage is recognized, there are new employment law requirements. For those in all the other states, the ruling calls for … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
Health reform’s delay on the employer mandate raises lots of questions
There’s a new delay in health care reform. It’s a one-year postponement of what’s known as the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. That mandate says large employers, or those with 50 or more full-time employees, have to provide health insurance for their employees or pay a penalty. Originally, the requirement was supposed to take effect this coming January. Now the … [Read more...] about Health reform’s delay on the employer mandate raises lots of questions