On April 20, 2015, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General (OIG) issued a compliance guidance document designed to help boards of directors at health care organizations make sure management is effective in implementing compliance programs. While the document is intended for boards of directors, the suggestions and tips for improving … [Read more...] about New compliance guidance for organizations helpful for medical offices
Risk management
Model Tool: Employee confidentiality agreement
Why you need this model tool: Medical office staff have access to a wide range of confidential information, including but not limited to patient records. How this model tool helps you: This tool allows you to highlight the importance of confidentiality, and to obtain a staff member's signature acknowledging that she/he understands the repercussions of not maintaining … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Employee confidentiality agreement
The 1099 trap: why your independent contractors might be employees in disguise
By Paul Edwards bio To quote Shakespeare (kind of): "An employee by any other name is still an employee to the IRS and the Department of Labor." If your office employs independent contractors, it pays to make sure they aren't really employees that you've inadvertently misclassified. Classification mistakes can trigger a painful audit of your practice and a hefty … [Read more...] about The 1099 trap: why your independent contractors might be employees in disguise
Model Policy: Workplace violence statement
Why you need this policy: Although not specifically required by OSHA, Best Practices and unofficial OSHA guidance suggests that employers develop a written program to prevent workplace violence that includes, among other things, a written statement from management expressing the organization’s policy on workplace violence. How this policy helps you: Although it requires … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Workplace violence statement
What are the rights of transgender employees?
By Steve M. Cohen bio I'm disappointed, but not surprised by many reactions to Caitlyn (formerly Bruce) Jenner's recent revelation. I am not transgender, but I am concentrating on this population because, along with others, I see the transgender population as representing the next frontier in social justice. Everyone is entitled to an opinion, but in the … [Read more...] about What are the rights of transgender employees?
New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
A jury in New Orleans has convicted four employees of medical service clinics for their roles in a $50 million Medicare fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite of the Eastern District of Louisiana, Special Agent in Charge Michael J. Anderson of the FBI's New Orleans Field … [Read more...] about New Orleans jury convicts two doctors, a nurse, and an office manager for roles in $50 million fraud scheme
Social media sabotage: what managers should know
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've commented previously on social media and how employees, prospective employees and employers should view it with both interest and caution. Anyone involved in hiring should be aware of the social media presence of prospective employees and even current workers. This is especially true on business networking sites such as LinkedIn, but … [Read more...] about Social media sabotage: what managers should know
Compliance and protection top employers’ list of concerns in background screening trends survey
Employers say the single most important employment screening-related challenge they face in 2015 is compliance with ever-changing laws, and the primary reason they conduct background checks is to protect their clients and customers. These are just two of dozens of findings in a recently released report, "Employment Screening 2015: Background Screening Trends & Practices," … [Read more...] about Compliance and protection top employers’ list of concerns in background screening trends survey
Stupidity outside of work
By Steve M. Cohen bio I often end up addressing some of the sadder aspects of human behavior in and around the workplace. I have frequently been called by clients to help deal with issues such as sexual harassment and bullying, an employee who uses the n-word at work and someone who gets so drunk after work that they become incredibly obnoxious in public. … [Read more...] about Stupidity outside of work
Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines
By Steve M. Cohen bio Many of our most difficult decisions come down to ethics, and some of the most difficult ethical decisions are doubly difficult because they seem so ordinary. But no matter the external trappings, you should always use caution with ethical packages because they usually contain serious potential. One of my clients experienced a classic … [Read more...] about Clichés aside, don’t cross ethical lines