Copying charges for medical records
When charging patients for copying their medical records, don t just pick a number out of the air to charge them. These fees are usually regulated by each state. Here... Read More >
OIG Eyes Unqualified Help in Incident-to
The Office of Inspector General OIG is worried physicians are billing for services provided by unqualified help, so it just audited Medicare incident-to claims for . What it found made... Read More >
Practice continuation agreements
nbsp I meet and talk with many physician sole practitioners. Honestly, I find them fascinating and have many as clients. Being solo provides a variety of challenges. One is succession.... Read More >
Merging? Issues to consider.
nbsp Physicians are continuing to consolidate, as predicted. Here are a few issues you should focus on when considering a merger with another medical practice Careful review of compensation differences.... Read More >
Do you think Stark has enforcement teeth?
nbsp You damn well better believe it because this week it was announced that Covenant Medical Center in Iowa has agreed to pay the U.S. government . million to settle... Read More >
How can a health care provider apply for and obtain a National Provider Identifier (NPI)?
I ve covered this ground before but it seems the question still arises. A health care provider may apply for an NPI in one of three ways . Apply through... Read More >
Inspire the front desk staff
As I have mentioned many times over, I believe the front desk is arguably the most important position in a physician s office. As such, you should always look to... Read More >
Internet based credit card processing
nbsp If you accept credit cards in your medical office, take a look at an internet-based option called Medireceipt www.medireceipt.com . Not only will it save you money on credit... Read More >
Technical revenues, incident to, and Stark
nbsp Keep in mind there is an incident to aspect of the Stark in office ancillary services exception, the exception that applies to the technical component. As I understand it,... Read More >
Management Practices That Spell Doom
nbsp There was an excellent article in a recent issue of Business Week which addressed the issue of well-intentioned but misguided managers are you listening medical practice administrator? who are... Read More >
Encourage five-star service by minimizing complaints
Everyone has been involved in a group that included complainers, and everyone knows that complainers love company. Get rid of them. If your complainers are physicians, have a serious discussion... Read More >
Choose the best type of advertising for your open position
The right type of advertising for an open position, especially for leadership roles, can effectively reach potential candidates. However, it can be expensive, depending on the publication in which you... Read More >
Retirement plan education improves employee satisfaction
Although neither the IRS nor the U.S. Department of Labor mandates that medical practices conduct k education programs for employees, doing so improves employee satisfaction and helps protect your practice... Read More >
Get Up and Think
This is a little off the cuff but did you know that instead of sitting at your desk trying to solve a complicated problem you might actually be better off... Read More >
Avoid triggering a Wage-Hour audit
nbsp Here are four common Fair Labor Standards Act FSLA problems you should be aware of . Worker classification. You cannot avoid overtime pay simply by paying employees a salary... Read More >
It’s important to address patient complaints
A physician s office benefits from appropriately handling patient complaints as they arise. They can do so by establishing an effective complaint process and involving the right person with the... Read More >
Aug 2009 – RAC Update
nbsp The following is from Lathrop Gage Connolly Healthcare, the Recovery Audit Contractor for Region C which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oklahoma,... Read More >
Keep Those Prescription Pads Secure
Secure Prescription Pad Handling A Crucial Step in Safeguarding Your Medical Practice If physicians in your medical practice are careless about leaving their prescription pads lying around, it could be... Read More >
OSHA Back in the Enforcement Business
Sherman amp Howard LLC is telling its clients to expect more federal workplace safety actions under the Barack Obama administration, possibly including more ergonomic inspections and sanctions against businesses. The... Read More >
Who should sign the checks?
nbsp An administrator recently told me that when he started in this business he was hired by an accounting firm and given the responsibility for check-signing at the medical practice... Read More >
Run staff meetings effectively
Scheduling meetings with your staff and the physicians, and getting everyone to show up, can be very difficult. It gets even harder if the meetings develop a reputation for being... Read More >
Pay your front desk people well
nbsp I know it varies state by state but a good wage for a real good front desk person should range from - hr. For that wage, you should be... Read More >
IRS Alerts Public to New Identity Theft Scams
nbsp The Internal Revenue Service reminds consumers to avoid identity theft scams that use the IRS name, logo or Web site in an attempt to convince taxpayers that the scam... Read More >
10 Big Ideas That Could Make Your Practice Better
Understand the value of half a day s work. Let staff members share a job. Ask, What does my waiting room say about me? Create a medical home in your... Read More >
Monitor your answering service to ensure quality customer service
Keep in mind that patients perceive your answering service as an extension of your staff. Stay personally aware of your service s reliability and courtesy by regularly telephoning it yourself.... Read More >
What does the physician referral law prohibit?
nbsp The physician referral law section of the Social Security Act prohibits a physician from referring patients to an entity for a designated health service DHS , if the physician... Read More >
Current Physician Recruiting Trends
The following comes from Jeffrey Sisk, President CEO of PhysicianWork.com I have had the opportunity to talk with a large number of physician recruiters over the last few weeks about... Read More >
Red flag rule postponed again
nbsp As you have probably already heard, the FTC is delaying enforcement of the Red Flags Rule until November , to give small business es and other entities more time... Read More >
What You Can Learn From Michael Jackson
Lessons From Michael Jackson Simple A very important lesson on estate planning. I saw this article by Neal Frankle, CFP in the AICPA Wealth Management Insider newsletter and thought it... Read More >
Working patient pay accounts
nbsp As a practice administrator, you should make a point every months or so to work patient balance accounts. This allows you a chance to speak personally with patients and... Read More >
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As a top advisor to physicians, I help increase practice profits by delivering hands-on, expert medical accounting/tax support, practice counsel, and revenue-building strategies. Read More >
