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Practice Management Alert

Billing:
Get the Skinny on Incident-To Billing
Look to Medicare rules for a basic foundation. It's worth knowing how Medicare handles in... Read more
Compliance:
Don't Look to Federal Law if State Law More Stringent
Some states' rules on patient privacy exceed even HIPAA requirements. It may seem like th... Read more
Medicare:
Overpayment? It's Too Good To Be True
There's no such thing as a Medicare windfall, so send any overcompensation back pronto. O... Read more
Cybersecurity:
Worried About Cybersecurity? Consider This New Tool
This new HealthIT.gov assessment tool can help you evaluate your risk. The Office of the ... Read more
Reader Question:
Don't Let Holiday Scheduling Put a Damper on Your Spirit
Question: Our six-clinician practice closes on major holidays, but we still have a rotatin... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to Prevention for Cold and Flu
Question:  I work at the front desk so I'm on the frontline of cold and flu season. W... Read more
Reader Question:
Holiday Décor May Be More Problematic Than Fun
Question:  I practice a different religion that most of my colleagues, and our office... Read more
Reader Question:
A Person's Drug Addiction May Qualify As Disability
Question:  Is a drug addiction ever considered a disability, and if so, would that me... Read more
Denials and Appeals:
Stop Procrastinating on Appeals With These Expert Tips
Attack that stack on your desk and watch the money come in. So many busy people have to-d... Read more
Denials and Appeals:
Further Hints for Filing Appeals
If you're still having trouble with appeals, look to these simple fixes. Be Timely in You... Read more
CPT® Update:
Use Consultation Coding to Brush Up on Basics
Don't succumb to errors because you're lost amidst the updates of different code sets and ... Read more
News You Can Use:
Look to Telemedicine for Opioid Abuse Treatment
Legislators and policymakers work to cut red tape for physicians treating substance abuse.... Read more
Reader Question:
Free Samples Don't Violate HIPAA
Question: Our dermatology office occasionally distributes free samples to patients. Our bi... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to PTO and Leave-Sharing in Natural Disasters
Question: We heard of practices closing for a week during Hurricane Florence. How should w... Read more
Reader Question:
CMS Cuts Red Tape For Large Healthcare Entities
Question: Will the recently announced burden reduction proposed rule affect independent pr... Read more
Policy:
Incorporate These Policy Updates for MIPS and PI
Be prepared for these changes in interoperability requirements. Whether you're a technica... Read more
Healthcare Today:
Navigate Medical Marijuana With Eyes Wide Open
The relative leniency of some state laws clashes with federal regulations, and healthcare ... Read more
Office Management:
Adjust Policies Now for Flu Season
Putting informal or case-by-case policies in the employee handbook could minimize employee... Read more
Reader Question:
Update Social Media Practices to Be Seen Despite Algorithm Changes
Question: Social media sites and apps like Facebook seem to be constantly updating their a... Read more
Reader Question:
Prioritize Malpractice Coverage If Moving Between States
Question: I'm a clinician considering moving to a different state. What are the basics I n... Read more
Reader Question:
Upgrading? Send Off Your Old Device Off Style
Question: My office's clinician is upgrading to a new phone and has me wondering: What's t... Read more
Revenue:
Consider Sales Training To Boost Revenue
As medical care continues to trend more toward customer service, sales training can make a... Read more
Patient Care:
Use Check Ups To Check In With Patients
Your practice may hold the key to helping people who are victims to human trafficking. Yo... Read more
Denials and Appeals:
Make Lemonade Out of Denials With These Appeals Tips
Bringing in more revenue is important, but getting paid for services you've already perfor... Read more
Reader Question:
Intent Matters in Data Breach Penalties
Question: Are penalties for violating the Health Information Portability and Accountabilit... Read more
Reader Question:
Establish Policies and Protocols for Food Allergies
Question: I've noticed a lot more people seem to have food allergies. What do I, as a prac... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider These Questions When Formulating Risk Plan
Question: Our practice is trying to evaluate our practice's liabilities and risks but we'r... Read more
Technology Today:
Don't Be Tempted by Virtual Assistants
Hint: If your helper can't sign a BAA, you're risking HIPAA violations. Personal virtual ... Read more
Disaster Preparedness:
Don't Let a Hurricane Storm Your Practice
A comprehensive disaster plan could be the difference in your business surviving or going ... Read more
Clip and Save:
Keep These General Disaster Prep Tips in Mind
Don't fall prey to incomplete preparations — use these general tips to ensure a faster r... Read more
Compliance:
You Could Suspend Some HIPAA Privacy Provisions in Emergency
Don't count on a suspension, but know your leeway when these particular circumstances appl... Read more
Reader Question:
Meet Particular Circumstances for Leave Tax Credit
Question: What is “family and medical leave” for purposes of the paid family and medic... Read more
Reader Question:
Outsourcing CSP? HIPAA Still Applies
Question: Our company uses a small cloud services provider (CSP) based in Canada. Does the... Read more
Reader Question:
Check in on MIPS Status
Question: My practice is making the transition to Merit-Based Incentive Payment System ... Read more
Reader Question:
Use These Tips to Boost Patient Satisfaction
Question: One of the physicians in our office is great about medicine but kind of terrible... Read more
HR Corner:
Avoid Inadvertent Discrimination in Family Leave Policies
Hint: Craft separate policies for pregnancy leave versus parental leave. Companies in man... Read more
Compliance:
Know These Particulars on Business Associate Agreements
Cross your t's and dot your i's when working with business associates, especially CSPs. T... Read more
Reimbursement:
Clean Up Your Claims, Reduce Denials
Keeping on top of code updates can make a huge difference. If your practice is seeing mor... Read more
Reader Question:
Clinicians Can Provide Free Samples In Person
Question: Are clinicians required to seek prior authorization, per the Health Information ... Read more
Reader Question:
Yes, You May Be Able to Bill A Consultation
Question: We have a mom that came in for a consult about her eight-year-old daughter, but ... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider Overbooking Appointments To Compensate for No-Shows
Question: Our practice has stopped charging patients for no-shows and same-day cancellatio... Read more
Reader Question:
Take Meeting Prep Seriously
Question: Our staff meetings are unwieldy and absolutely dreaded by everyone. It's my turn... Read more
HR Corner:
Boost Employee Performance with These Tips
Asking your staff for feedback and really listening can make a huge difference in producti... Read more
Patient Care:
Reduce Patient Anxiety for Better Outcomes, Higher Satisfaction
Hint: Solutions can be as simple as a quick conversation. Even with the best clinicians, ... Read more
Cybersecurity:
Stay Vigilant: Cybersecurity Failures Are Crushing Practices
Criminals are becoming more resourceful, and you may need to make adjustments. The HHS Of... Read more
Reader Question:
Use Continuing Education to Reduce PHI Breaches
Question: What can I do to make sure our practice stays current on best practices to avoid... Read more
Reader Question:
NPP Claims Sometimes Require Modifier
Question: My practice employs both physicians as well as nonphysician practitioners (NPPs)... Read more
Reader Question:
Dispose of PHI Properly or Risk Breach
Question: My practice is moving to a different location, and staff are purging old patient... Read more
Marketing:
Boost Your Web Presence
Uh oh: Your website might be the reason new patients aren't flocking your way. In 2018, i... Read more
Marketing:
Use SEO to Attract New Patients
A new website may not be enough: Learn how SEO can promote your visibility. Once your web... Read more
Medicare Compliance:
Prep Systems For This Crucial New Medicare Card Information
Warning: CMS wants everyone on board by January 2020. The Centers for Medicare and Medica... Read more
Clip and Save:
Know These Important Dates for MBI Cards
Keep these specifics in mind through the transition. April 2018 – April 2019: CMS mail ... Read more
Reader Question:
Use This Resource for Civil Rights Compliance
Question: Are there any resources available to ensure compliance with civil rights laws, a... Read more
Reader Question:
Instruct Patients to Dispose of Old Cards When New Cards Arrive
Question: What should I recommend if a Medicare beneficiary patient asks what to do with t... Read more
Reader Question:
New Health Data Initiative May Streamline
Question: What do I need to know about the MyHealthEData initiative recently announced by ... Read more
Compliance:
Beware: HIPAA Violations Live Past Business Expiration
Liquidating assets won't keep the feds off your tail once they've caught your scent. If y... Read more
HR Corner:
Consider Personality Tests to Smooth Team Communications
Hint: They're useful for hiring decisions, too. Personality tests can serve as a "legend"... Read more
Revenue:
Medicare Part B 2017 Deadline Looming
There's still time to submit before you miss out on a 4 percent bump. Due to overwhelming... Read more
Reader Question:
Focus on These Three Areas to Prevent HIPAA Breaches
Question: What are the basics I can do to prevent HIPAA breaches in my practice? South Ca... Read more
Reader Question:
Practitioners Can Follow Religious Convictions
Question: Can I abstain from treating a patient whose treatment wants or requirements are ... Read more
Reader Question:
Feds Eying Telemedicine for Rural Opioid Treatment
Question: Many people in my practice's rural town are struggling with opioid addiction. Th... Read more
Reader Question:
Stark Law May Face the Axe
Question: Rumors abound that the Stark Law will be subject to the Trump Administration's d... Read more
Reader Question:
Medical Rideshare May Not Be Easy Fix
Question: Will offering free rides to Medicaid beneficiaries help them make their appointm... Read more
Part B:
CMS Releases Important Updates on Telemedicine
Hint: Medicare says certain conditions must be met for reimbursement. Don't get too excit... Read more
Compliance:
CMS Provides Clarifications on Texting Physician Orders
The clarifications boil down to 'texting PHI is forbidden.' The Centers for Medicare and ... Read more
Claims and Denials:
Possible Simple Solution for Medicare Denial Surge
MACs are zeroing in on physician signatures. The Medicare Program Integrity Manual rule r... Read more
Fraud:
Opioid Scripts and Inappropriate Billing Catch Feds' Eyes
The list of healthcare fraud offenders prosecuted keeps growing. The U.S. Department of J... Read more
Reader Question:
Look to the Cloud for EHR Storage
Question: How can our practice take advantage of the ease and convenience of storing all h... Read more
Reader Question:
Consider an Official Copay Collection Policy
Question: I'm new at my job working at the front desk of a small, independent practice, an... Read more
Reader Question:
HIPAA Acknowledges Parent-Child Relationship
Question: Is it a violation of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)... Read more
Reader Question:
Collect Medicare Coinsurance at the Office
Question: Can we collect Medicare coinsurance payments before the patient leaves the offic... Read more
Reader Question:
Attention Billing: Don't Neglect an ADR
Question: I've been hearing a lot about CMS's Targeted Probe and Enforcement program since... Read more
MACRA:
What You Should Expect with MACRA 2018 QPP
CMS hints at more options for small practices and fewer headaches. As Part B clinicians r... Read more
Health and Technology:
CMS Issues New Coding Guidance on Telehealth
Telehealth expands with new code options. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services ... Read more
News You Can Use:
MPFS Updates You Need to Know
CMS issues new information on diabetes, as well as quality measures. Diabetes Program Now... Read more
Case Study:
HIPAA Adjustments Highlight Extent of Opioid Abuse
The feds' recognition emphasizes the need to respond to the national crisis of opioid addi... Read more
Reader Question:
Are Virtual Groups a Viable Option for Rural Providers?
Question: Our practice has only two providers, and we aren't getting much reimbursement fo... Read more
Reader Question:
Will Increased Information Sharing Impact PHI Standards?
Question: Will the new guidelines on HIPAA information sharing and opioid abuse affect the... Read more
Public Relations:
Keep on Top of Your Practice's Reputation
Find out what feedback patients may be offering beyond your practice's doors. Some physic... Read more
Public Relations:
Use These Tips for Social Media Reconnaissance
Find out what patients are saying about you on their own time. If you want to cultivate m... Read more
Licensing:
Remember Dangers of Mixing Social Media, Medicine
Don't risk losing your license; avoid these social media missteps. The Federation of Stat... Read more
Clip and Save:
Don't Fall Victim to Cybercriminal Activity
Your patients' protected health information - and your reputation - may be at risk. With ... Read more
New Approaches In Care:
Accommodate Needs of Elderly Patients Without Compromising Their Personhood
Find out how language can be the key to ensuring patient comfort. Your practice may provi... Read more
Reader Question:
Are Non-Compete and Non-Solicitation Agreements Necessary for Business Expansion?
Question: We are considering expanding our practice into multiple locations. Scaling up in... Read more
Reader Question:
Are Psychotherapy Notes Accessible to Patients?
Question: I'm the new practice manager for a psychotherapist's office. One of our clients ... Read more
Reader Question:
Does PHI Status Die with Patient?
Question: How long do I need to maintain a patient's private health information after that... Read more
Reader Question:
Filing a Medical Board Complaint for Drunk Physician
Question: I'm a practice manager, and I'm concerned that one of the physicians is coming t... Read more
Reader Question:
Can we Dismiss a Patient?
Question: We have a patient who regularly grabs nurses. It's a problem, and I want him gon... Read more
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