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Home » Working with physicians
PRODUCTIVITY

5 reasons to hire a medical scribe

March 21, 2023 by

As the manager of a medical office, you understand how crucial it is to provide quality patient care while also maintaining efficient operations. One way to achieve this is by hiring a medical scribe. In this article, we will explore what a medical scribe does, why your office might want to hire one, and how to find the right candidate. What is a Medical Scribe? A medical scribe is a trained professional who works alongside healthcare providers to assist with patient documentation. This can include recording patient histories, physical exams, lab results, and other important information in the patient’s electronic health record (EHR). Medical scribes can also help with administrative tasks, such as entering orders and scheduling appointments. Why Hire a Medical Scribe? There are several reasons why your medical… . . . read more.

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CMS

Reminder: 2022 MIPS data submission period ends March 31

March 8, 2023 by

MIPS Eligible clinicians can submit their 2022 data through March 31. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has opened the data submission period for Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) eligible clinicians who participated in the 2022 performance year of the Quality Payment Program (QPP). Data can be submitted and updated until 8 p.m. ET March 31. How to submit your 2022 MIPS data Clinicians will follow the steps outlined below to submit their data: Go to the Quality Payment Program sign in page. Sign in using your QPP access credentials (see below for directions). Submit your MIPS data for the 2022 performance year or review the data reported on your behalf by a third party. (You can’t correct errors with your data after the submission period, so it’s important to make sure the data submitted on… . . . read more.

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TOOLS

Here’s a simple sample cancellation policy

March 8, 2023 by

Last-minute cancellations can turn an orderly day at the office into chaos as you scramble to reach patients to fill unexpected openings in the schedule. Unfilled appointment slots are costly in terms of clinician time, staff time and office overhead. That’s why you need to have an appointment cancellation policy and convey it to your patients. Here’s a short and simple cancellation policy you can post on your website and include in email and text appointment reminders. Appointment Cancellation Policy We understand that circumstances may arise that prevent you from keeping your scheduled appointment. If you are unable to keep your appointment, please provide us with at least 24 hours’ notice so that we can offer the appointment to another patient. If you do not provide us with at least… . . . read more.

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MANAGING STAFF

Tame those office temperature tantrums!

March 2, 2023 by

Disputes over office temperature are relatively common among office staff. According to a study conducted by the International Facility Management Association, more than 50% of office workers report being unhappy with the temperature in their workplace. This dissatisfaction can lead to heated disputes or chilly relations among office staff, as people have different preferences for temperature and different comfort levels. For nearly 100 years, recommended temperatures for offices have been based on the body size and fat-to-muscle ratios (and typical clothing) of men, who tend to prefer temperatures around 72 degrees. Women feel colder than men at the same air temperature and prefer settings around 77 degrees. Besides being uncomfortable, the the wrong temperature can reduce productivity, as chilly workers fidget to get warm and overheated workers get move sluggishly…. . . . read more.

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INCREASING PROFITS

Track these 5 metrics for practice profitability

January 6, 2023 by

By Mike Rigert “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … , ” wrote author Charles Dickens in his classic novel, “A Tale of Two Cities.” While it’s certainly not the worst of times for most healthcare practices (that honor likely went to 2020-2021), things could always be better, right? You’re likely still dealing with the impacts of rampant inflation and ongoing short staffing, among other things. Despite these setbacks, there’s clear opportunities to move your practice forward to improve both production and productivity to help you reach your financial goals. It all goes back to numbers—the key performance indicators (KPIs) that determine whether your practice sinks or swims. Some metrics are more important and vital to the success of your practice than others. We’ve outlined five… . . . read more.

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HARASSMENT

Every bully has a weak spot

January 5, 2023 by

By Lynne Curry He’s smug, arrogant and has bullied you for months. Before you he bullied a string of good people, each who had the good sense to quit before he destroyed their work lives. You’ve thought about quitting but don’t want to. That leaves you one option. You need to know how you can take him down before he takes you out. Here’s what you need to know: Bullying rests on psychological power. Bullying causes psychological harm to the target and those who witness it but feel powerless to intervene. Those targeted feel their bully has all power and they have none. That isn’t true—every bully has an Achilles heel. For example, narcissist bullies can’t take criticism and when you criticize them, they lose their cool and react. Angry,… . . . read more.

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TOOL

Sample policy on domestic abuse

December 26, 2022 by

Domestic abuse is a serious issue that affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. It can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse. Medical offices have a unique role in addressing and preventing domestic abuse, as patients may disclose abuse during a medical appointment or seek medical attention as a result of abuse. If a patient discloses domestic abuse to a medical professional, it is important for the medical office to have a clear policy in place for how to respond. This policy should prioritize the safety and well-being of the patient and provide them with the necessary support and resources. There are several steps that medical offices can take to address and prevent domestic abuse: Provide a safe and welcoming environment: Medical offices should… . . . read more.

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YOUR CAREER

Do you just open your mouth and let the words fly?

December 11, 2022 by

By Lynne Curry When you’re upset with another person, do you open your mouth and let your emotions erupt and words fly? If you want to resolve an interpersonal conflict, you can’t afford to blast the other person. While you may feel vindicated, you risk the other person attacking back, getting defensive or shutting down If you want things to become better and not worse between you and the other person, learn to tackle yourself first, open the conversational door to the other person, remain results-focused, word your thoughts so they can be heard, and admit your part in the problem. Tackle yourself before you slam the other person When you’re upset, adrenaline can hit you like a wave. Don’t let it swamp you and torpedo your chances of attaining… . . . read more.

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CMS

2022 APM incentive payment public notice deadline Tuesday

October 30, 2022 by

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) previously published 2022 Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payment details on the Quality Payment Program (QPP) website. To access this information, clinicians and surrogates can now log in to the QPP website using their HARP credentials. Eligible clinicians who were Qualifying APM Participants (QPs) based on their 2020 performance should have begun receiving their 2022 5% APM Incentive Payments earlier this summer. CMS has posted the Advanced Alternative Payment Model (APM) Incentive Payments for 2022 for more details.  More information is also available on the Federal Register. If you have not received your payment, you should check for your name on the 2022 QP Notice for APM Incentive Payment Zip File, which indicates that you will need to verify your Medicare billing information. If you do not verify your Medicare billing information by… . . . read more.

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YOUR CAREER

Speaking truth to power

October 3, 2022 by

By Lynne Curry What happens when you imagine marshaling your courage and telling the medical practice owner or someone else in a position of authority that he’s made the wrong judgment call? Do you fear retaliation or making a problem situation worse? If speaking the truth to power feels as risky as jumping out of an airplane without a parachute, you’re not alone. Courageously confronting authority can entail personal and professional danger. The problem, however, isn’t speaking the truth; it’s how you speak it. You can’t march in with verbal guns blazing, making aggressive “got ya” statements. Instead, you need to earn the right, avoid hit-and-run collisions, act as a partner, provide facts, and prepare to be challenged. Earn the right Who do we allow to tell us what we… . . . read more.

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