Law & Malpractice

Physicians are being presented with chances to invest in ancillary services, but they need to be aware of all the legal issues involved to avoid potential pitfalls.

National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Farzad Mostashari outlined the benefits of health IT for attendees during HIMSS13, and even poked fun at EHR critics.

A look at the HIPAA Omnibus Rule may also provide physicians with some ways to examine other compliance issues and impact revenues as well.

Before attempting to attest for Stage 2, make sure your practice has checked off these must-do items.

The Stage 2 rules for meaningful use require physicians to increase their patient engagement activity. Here are two examples of facilities already making that a reality.

New research indicates that a growing number of physicians are dissatisfied with their current EHR as they strive to meet meaningful use requirements.

Physicians, it's not your fault that Medicare is in freefall. The federal program is failing for several reasons.

Noteworthy items from Physicians Practice.

The new HIPAA Omnibus Rule includes heightened attention on business associate agreements. Here are some details your medical practice should know.

Penalties for mismanaging medical records are steep. Make sure you understand your practice's legal obligations as medical records custodian.

Physicians should think twice before doing business with laboratories that offer the opportunity to profit from your business relationship.

In this podcast, consultant Ronald Sterling notes the critical steps every practice should take to verify the clinical content in its EHR.

California-based attorney Martha Ann (Marty) Knutson explains five key components of the recently updated HIPAA Omnibus Rule.

Your medical practice should have a plan for how it hands off patients to other providers. Here are some tips to create a plan and help avoid a possible malpractice suit.

It's a good time for medical practices to review their de-identification methods to avoid a potential HIPAA violation under recently released rules.

If your medical practice has contracts or affiliations with the military, you need to be aware of additional privacy regulations.

The HIPAA final rule, released Jan. 17, 2013, includes new guidance regarding the transfer of medical records.

Data transmission requirements for Stage 2 of CMS' EHR incentive program are steep. Here's a closer look.

To meet meaningful use requirements for Stage 2 of the EHR incentive programs, providers need to boost patient engagement. Here's how.

Want to know what the government looks for in healthcare fraud investigations? Here's some conduct you may want to avoid at your medical practice.

Coding expert Mary Pat Whaley offers four key tips to minimize the chances of a RAC audit at your medical practice.

Primary care accounts for just 5 percent of Medicare cost. Physicians are the engine to cut costs, not the culprit.

The latest clarifications and revisions to HIPAA require some careful reading by physicians. A little help from a professional might help too.

Some of the key items outlined in the Physician Payment Sunshine Act final rule and how physicians can prepare for enforcement.

There will be a lot more data gathering and reporting of physician payments from pharma and others under the proposed Sunshine Act. Here's what you need to know.