By Suze Shaffer Patients’ right of access has extreme consequences if they are not handled properly. It starts the moment a patient makes this request. HIPAA prohibits unreasonable measures when patients are requesting access to their medical records. Most practices think this request must be in writing. Although this is ideal, sometimes it can cause a problem when the … [Read more...] about Patient right of access: Consequences are extreme if you get it wrong
Technology
Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
By Suze Shaffer Preventing data breaches and securing patient data is everyone’s responsibility, but the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) requires someone to be the point person. Make sure you have assigned a HIPAA Privacy Officer and a HIPAA Security Officer. Everyone in the practice needs to know who these people are by these titles. In a small practice it could be just one … [Read more...] about Make someone responsible for HIPAA compliance and security
17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
As we start the last quarter of the year, it's time to plan the projects that need to be done before we close out 2023. Here's a list to consider. Financial Review: a. Review the year-to-date financial statements to assess the financial health of the practice. b. Prepare a budget for the upcoming year, considering revenue, expenses, and capital investments. Insurance … [Read more...] about 17 projects for the last quarter of 2023
3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
In an era of rapid technological advancements, medical office managers find themselves at the crossroads of adopting innovative solutions to streamline operations, enhance patient care, and ensure compliance. Here are three top trends revolutionizing medical office operations. AI-Powered Scheduling: A Precision Approach to Appointment Management One of the most … [Read more...] about 3 top tech trends in healthcare administration for efficiency and patient care
Effective staff scheduling: Balance coverage, satisfaction, and work-life harmony
Achieving the delicate balance between adequate staffing coverage, employee satisfaction, and work-life balance is a task that requires finesse and strategic thinking. Consider these innovative scheduling techniques and software solutions that can help you optimize your staff scheduling process for the benefit of both your team and your patients. The challenge of staff … [Read more...] about Effective staff scheduling: Balance coverage, satisfaction, and work-life harmony
Healthcare employees love “123456” for their passwords
The healthcare sector’s employees, working for the world’s richest companies, use poor passwords to secure business accounts, reveals new research by NordPass. While cybersecurity experts repeatedly urge businesses to take better care of corporate accounts, passwords such as “123456,” “password,” and “12345” still make it to the top of the healthcare industry’s list. These are … [Read more...] about Healthcare employees love “123456” for their passwords
Hybrid work creates a workday dead zone
By Lynne Curry Employees have changed how they’re working—as wise employers race to catch up. Here’s what’s new: Workday dead zone Managers and employees once viewed 4 p.m. as an ideal staff meeting time. Managers could catch everyone in the office before the workday ended yet after peak productivity hours ended. Employees knew the meeting wouldn’t drag on past five … [Read more...] about Hybrid work creates a workday dead zone
18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
Running a medical office comes the responsibility for ensuring compliance with various laws and regulations. Failure to meet compliance requirements can lead to legal, financial, and reputational troubles. Here are some—but by no means all—the ways your medical office can run into compliance trouble: HIPAA Violations: Failure to protect patient health information and maintain … [Read more...] about 18 ways your medical office can run afoul of laws and regulations
You don’t have to have all the answers: Use your team to solve problems
In the dynamic and ever-evolving healthcare landscape, medical offices face an array of challenges that demand efficient and innovative solutions. As the manager of a medical office, one of your most valuable assets is your team. By fostering a collaborative environment and leveraging the diverse skills and knowledge of your staff, you can effectively address specific issues … [Read more...] about You don’t have to have all the answers: Use your team to solve problems
10 ways to get patients to pay up
Effective patient payment collection is crucial for the financial stability and success of a medical office. However, it can be a challenging task to navigate the complexities of medical billing and ensure timely payments. To enhance your medical office's patient payment collections, it is important to implement strategies that streamline the billing process, improve patient … [Read more...] about 10 ways to get patients to pay up