From HcPro s free weekly newsletter HIPAA Weekly Advisor check out their premium m monthly newsletter Briefings on HIPAA nbsp Q Life insurance companies frequently request medical records from our... Read More >
The Office of Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services OIG issued Advisory Opinion - , concluding that the processing and submission of insurance preauthorizations for certain... Read More >
Providers treating patients enrolled in limited benefit plans need to be able to identify these products and plan to ensure that they do not get caught between abandoning a patient... Read More >
Flu Season Is Upon Us Begin now to take advantage of each patient office visit as an opportunity to encourage your patients to get a flu shot. It s still... Read More >
I recently was asked the following question I ve got a solo physician, incorporated, who has always operated under his own Medicare number. He applied for an NPI number when... Read More >
Looking for the latest information on new, deleted, and revised ICD-9 diagnosis codes effective October 1, 2008? Look here: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/ICD9ProviderDiagnosticCodes/07_summarytables.asp#TopOfPage Read More >
Understanding what workers look for can help you hang on to them for the long term. In a survey asking workers to name the factors they value most in deciding... Read More >
On October , the Office of Inspector General OIG issued its Work Plan for fiscal year . OIG cautions that there may be deviations from the Work Plan due to... Read More >
Many more physicians should consider an approach that dentists increasingly find both popular and profitable. They could schedule office hours starting at a.m., seeing a number of patients before they... Read More >
The people running your front desk require different qualities than in the past, including greater intelligence and attention to detail. Because your front desk staff can make or break a... Read More >
Your practice needs to work toward shared goals and you need to have serious, somewhat formal discussions about your plans to address the economic threats to your practice. The fundamental... Read More >
Providing unforgettable second-mile service for your patients will have them referring family and friends to your practice. Identify key patients in your practice needing something extra from you and your... Read More >
nbsp Beginning October , , your Medicare Payments could be reduced if the Internal Revenue Service IRS needs to collect overdue taxes that you owe. The Taxpayer Relief Act of... Read More >
Without the right staff numbers and skill mix, your practice s daily needs go unmet. Productivity, profitability, and patient care all suffer. Rightsizing your practice involves calculating the best number... Read More >
The Medical Group Management Association www.mgma.com annually releases a report profiling the characteristics of the nation s better-performing medical groups. The better-performing groups tended to post higher overall profits, employ... Read More >
Patients top complaint about physicians is the amount of time doctors make them wait for treatment, whereas physicians top complaint about patients is their failure to follow prescribed treatments, according... Read More >
In the tax world, you usually can t have your cake and eat it too. Example If physician practice employers provide disability insurance coverage to employees including physician employees on... Read More >
The closest we ever come to perfection is when we write our resumes I heard this saying yesterday and it reminded my again why all physician practices should be diligent... Read More >
There are many types of scheduling so sometimes it is hard to know where to begin. The first places to look are to your patients, your practice, and the surrounding... Read More >
The HHS entered into a resolution agreement with Providence Health amp Services Providence to settle potential violations of the HIPAA privacy and security rules. Pursuant to the resolution agreement, Providence... Read More >
Ensure HIPAA compliance while transporting patient data. Learn best practices for securing PHI on laptops and paper records when traveling between healthcare sites. Read More >
Why are patients mad at doctors? Maybe, suggests medical blogger Dr. Robert Lamberts, it s because doctors aren t following the rules. Dr. Lamberts, an Augusta, Ga., physician and writer... Read More >
Employment contracts prove relatively worthless if you don t take the time to evaluate how your staff performs under them. So set up a formal review process for all members... Read More >
Eligible individuals and employers can make tax deductible contributions to Health Savings Accounts HSAs that can be withdrawn tax-free to reimburse qualifying medical expenses. Balances remaining in the account at... Read More >
Many physicians have mailed registration forms to new patients in hopes that they ll fill them out before coming to the office. Now, a few have started offering online registration... Read More >
A physician s signature is not required on orders for clinical diagnostic tests including X-ray, laboratory and other diagnostic tests that are paid on the basis of the clinical laboratory... Read More >
Responding to a letter from U.S. Senator Bill Nelson on behalf of a constituent, the IRS concludes that the cost of clothing an employee is required to wear at work... Read More >
Security After Termination Termination procedures are a fundamental part of an information security program, no matter how small the organization. Inadequate policies have resulted in publicized breachs in healthcare. You... Read More >
By Arden Dale, The Wall Street Journal This fall, more taxpayers won t be able to say they weren t given fair warning. The Internal Revenue Service is ramping up... Read More >
From Nossaman LLP s healthcare law e-alert After receiving public comments on its proposed rules, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMS has narrowed the application of the physician... Read More >
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