March 28th 2024
The peculiarities of healthcare makes private equity investments a fraught proposition.
March 15th 2024
The new rule aligns more closely with HIPAA.
March 14th 2024
Health care employers have the obligation to protect their employees and their patients, while also complying with applicable state and federal laws.
March 13th 2024
Healthcare employers have to strike a balance between their ADA responsibilities and the privacy of their employees.
February 29th 2024
Also the US Department of Health and Human Services is emphasizing cybersecurity.
OIG Issues Alert to Physician Device Distributorship Owners
Recent OIG alert includes a warning to physicians involved in physician-owned distributorships and important considerations for those considering involvement.
Shortage Notion Challenged; Check Your Coverage; Physicians' ACO Views
Noteworthy items from Physicians Practice.
HIPAA Compliance Tips for Medical Practices
The government is now coming after small practices that violate HIPAA. Here are ten do's and don'ts to help you up your game.
Practices Must Comply with New Medical Record Transfer Rules
The HIPAA final rule, released Jan. 17, 2013, includes new guidance regarding the transfer of medical records.
How Involved Do You Get When a Patient Refuses Treatment?
Share what you do in this type of situation and why. Your response might help another physician deal with this issue.
Ensure Your Practice is Prepared for New Sunshine Act Rules
Some of the key items outlined in the Physician Payment Sunshine Act final rule and how physicians can prepare for enforcement.
HIPAA Does Not Prevent Information Disclosure if Patient Poses Harm
Providers across the country are questioning what should be done if they believe a patient poses a threat to others. Here’s some guidance.
Preventive Care Critical With Aging U.S. Patient Population
With 10,000 new 65-year-old patients each day, it's important that physicians act now to keep them healthy by improving preventative care.
Communication Tips for Physicians
Hone your skills to create positive relationships with your patients and improve care quality.
How Physicians Can Communicate to Increase Patient Adherence
Successfully communicating with noncompliant patients is one of the most difficult tasks physicians face. Strategic communication can help. Here are some tips.
Physicians Can't Help Patients Who Can't Help Themselves
The key to better patient compliance can be found in one simple question, I've found: "So why are you here?"
'As President, I'd Take a Multi-Dimensional Approach to Healthcare'
Pediatrician Helene Hubbard lays out her first term if elected U.S. president with a focus on the nation's younger residents.
Payer Support Needed to Push Patient Engagement through Health IT
If technology helps physicians keep patients healthy, why aren't more using it? The answer may be that payers, including CMS, aren't supporting it.
Work-life Balance an Ongoing Effort for Physicians
Balance - whether between your shoulder elevators and scapular stabilizers or personal and professional obligations as a physician takes constant work.
Home Health Agency Referrals: A Guide for Physicians
Referrals to home health agencies are on the rise, as are allegations of kickbacks for said referrals. Here's how to work with HHAs within legal boundaries.
Physicians Need to Be Aware of New Federal Anti-Fraud Weapons
The government has new tools for identifying excessive use of suspect medical codes, so you must vigilantly keep abreast of what those codes are to avoid trouble.
Patient Compliance: Technology Tools for Physicians
Getting patients to follow your guidance is a lot easier with today's technology. Here's a rundown on the tools that work, and how to work 'em.
Simple Methods to Reduce No Shows at Your Medical Practice
Here are seven simple things you can do to reduce no-show patients at your medical practice starting today.
Meaningful Use Requirements: Stage 1 vs. Stage 2
Here's how Stage 2 of CMS' EHR Incentive Programs differ from the rules for Stage 1 to achieve meaningful use.
Meaningful Use: Payments, Incentives, and Penalties
Here are some charts to help you plot out the stages of meaningful use at your practice and payments for both the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.
Stark Law and Accountable Care Organizations
Before ACOs are in full swing, HHS may need to make some tweaks to its current rules on physicians, relationships, and payments.
Practice Operations Manual: Sample Table of Contents
Not sure where to get started on your medical practice's operations manual? Here's a table of contents to get you started.
Four Areas Where Your EHR Could Hurt an Audit
Now is the time to be sure our EHR is compliant with auditing and documentation guidelines if an audit comes your way.
The Doctor-Patient Relationship Isn't Always Smooth
I know I can't help every patient, but I try. But sometimes, some patients push me to the brink of frustration when they won't let me help.
The Six Main Reasons Physicians Are Dropping Medicare Patients
Physicians continue to drop Medicare patients and it will continue unless something is done to reinvigorate enthusiasm on the part of providers.
HIPAA Issues: Occurring Every Day in Medical Practices
Are you and your office staff up to date with the HIPAA privacy laws? After what I recently saw, you might want to have a refresher.
How to Help Your Patients Manage Their Medications
Simple strategies to help your patients manage their medications.
Balancing Bureaucracy and Patient Care as a Physician
We need patients to understand that while physicians don't always agree with the rules, we can't just skirt around them.
Four Ways to Salvage the Physician-Patient Relationship
Before you decide to terminate a difficult patient - give him the benefit of the doubt and try these techniques to mend the breac
Patient Dismissal: The When, Why, and How
Got a patient who's abusing your staff, ignoring your advice, failing to pay his bill? When you realize it just isn't going to work, it's usually best to let the patient go. Here's how to do it correctly.