November 7th 2023
A new program allows medical practice owners to back away from abusive Employee Retention Credit claims that may subject them to penalties ranging from fines to criminal prosecution.
September 12th 2023
We review the legal documents, risk management and vital areas of insurance coverage every family should address.
August 8th 2023
Physicians, and two-income couples in particular, are increasingly relying on household employees to help manage their work-life demands.
March 28th 2023
Another look at the news.
December 30th 2022
You protect yourself against medical malpractice, but are you protected against medical board complaints?
Make Sure Mobile Medical Apps Are HIPAA Compliant
Practices must consider the security of more than just mobile devices. Medical apps can jeopardize patient data if they are not encrypted.
What Physicians Need to Know About Fraud and Abuse Prevention Updates
A new report released by the OIG identifies areas of improvement for fraud and abuse prevention and Medicare billing integrity.
Documenting Property Damage Claims at Your Medical Practice
Address any damage to your property as soon as it occurs; and don't hesitate to make sure the insurance adjustor dots his i's and crosses his t's.
HIPAA Business Associates and the Risk of Data Security Breaches
The case against LabMD illustrates the dangers of using an unsecure network to share patients' protected health information.
Documentation Tactics that Help Physicians Win Malpractice Lawsuits
Physicians that practice smart documentation will be in a better situation to defend their actions if a malpractice lawsuit arises.
Physician Practices and Smart Electronic Communications
While text messaging can be a fast and simplified form of healthcare communication, it is fundamentally flawed in terms of HIPAA compliance.
Many Physicians May Have Inadequate Disability Coverage
Rapid changes in the healthcare delivery system can leave physicians with outdated disability coverage. Here's how to determine if your coverage is adequate.
HIPAA, User Authentication, and Security Dilemmas
HIPAA and meaningful use demonstrate the challenge today for healthIT: making PHI easily accessible for the authorized, and impenetrable for the non-authorized.
How I Best Prevent Malpractice Cases
Deborah Winiger, MD, says spending time with patients, taking the time to listen, and building relationships are the best ways to prevent a lawsuit.
Lawsuits against Physicians Not Limited To Medical Care
Actual care delivered is only one of many reasons patients sue doctors. Sometimes, the behavior of one physician can affect others.
The Whole Is Greater Than the Sum in Patient Care
No matter how hard I work or how well I think I'm doing as a family physician, there are still areas where I fail my patients.
Compliance Planning 101
Now that compliance programs are mandatory, your practice needs to develop one. Here's how to get started.
Monitoring Controlled Substance Prescriptions in Your Practice
In light of increased federal surveillance, physicians must examine their controlled substance prescribing protocols.
The Top 10 Things Doctors Should Never Say to Patients
Poor physician communication makes it more likely a patient will file a malpractice lawsuit against you. Here are 10 things to never say to patients.
Winter Storm Prep Issues for Medical Practices
Here are some tips to keep your medical practice and your patients safe during what is shaping up to be a tough winter across the US.
Crafting a Written Emergency Disaster Plan for Your Medical Practice
Would your medical staff know what to do in the event of a power outage, active-shooter incident, or data breach? An emergency plan is a critical first step.
Preparing Your Medical Practice for Unexpected Emergencies
Here's how to prepare for three of the worst unexpected emergencies: natural disasters, theft, and active-shooter incidents.
The Importance of Winter Storm Prep at Your Medical Practice
How winter's wrath illuminates the importance of a good medical-disaster plan.
Disability Insurance for Physicians: Cover Your Unique Medical Skills
Selecting the right disability coverage to fit evolving needs is vitally important as you proceed along your career path as a physician. So know your options.
Terminating the Physician-Patient Relationship
The physician-patient relationship can be terminated for any non-discriminatory reason with proper notice. It is best to do so as cordially as possible.
Empowering Medical Practice Staff and Mitigating Risk
Angelo Scozia of Willis North America discusses using human capital to mitigate medical practice risk and how to empower your employees.
When Efforts to Increase Patient Visit Volume Harm Patient Care
Many physicians are squeezing more patient visits into each day. But how many patient visits is too much?
Patient Visits: When No-Shows Aren't a Bad Thing
Patient no-shows: Most medical practices want to avoid them, but sometimes I hope they happen in the best interests of my office.
Free Pleasers; EHR Help Sought; Unhealthier Patients
Noteworthy items from Physicians Practice
Physicians: Don't Let Inadequate Informed Consent Raise Legal Problems
Many physicians fail to review or update their informed consent forms to ensure they comply with state laws, standards of practice, and specific regulations.
The Underlying Factors Driving Malpractice in 2014
Many physicians are enjoying historically low pricing in the med-mal market, but within the insurance industry some caution that what goes down must come up.
Are Your EHR Fraud Safeguards Up to Standards?
Assess the risk of vulnerability and threats regarding your EHR and protected health information to avoid liability issues for your medical practice.
HIPAA and the Concept of Trust
Ensuring a "chain of trust" is present with protected health information is essential for medical practices following the HIPAA Final Omnibus Rule.
Enterprise Risk Management and the ICD-10 Transition
A look at how enterprise risk management can help prepare medical practices for the looming ICD-10 coding transition.
Why the New Compounding Pharmacy Law Matters to Physicians
The Drug Quality and Security Act is important to physicians, both as prescribers and as passive investors in compounding pharmacies.