Tag Archives: practice management

ICD-10 Implementation is not just Doom and Gloom

Doomsday predictions certainly abound – Heaven’s Gate, Y2K, the Mayan apocalypse – and they all came and went with a fizzle. ICD-10 has its own group of “end of the healthcare world as we know it” zealots who predict catastrophe … Read Full Post

Tagged basics of icd-10 coding, center for medicare and medicaid services, coding and billing, coversion to ICD-10, documentation, documentation guidelines, home health agencies, icd-10 assessment process, icd-10 conversion, icd-10 implementation, physician offices, poor documentation, practice management, practicing icd-10, transition to ICD-10 |

HR Issues for the Small Business: Disciplinary policies (Part 3)

Let’s face it, disciplining employees can be distasteful and this discomfort leads managers to follow the “let’s ignore the problem and see if it goes away” course of action. Not a good idea! Every business should have a standardized written … Read Full Post

Tagged disciplinary action, disciplinary policies, documentation, EEOC, entrepreneurs, home health agencies, hr issues, hr issues in small businesses, hr policies, human resources, medical practice, medical practice issues, orientation, practice management, small practice hr issues |

HR Issues for the Small Practice: Hiring (Part 1)

Some fledgling organizations opt for hiring family members. In some cases, they may be less expensive than external employees, and for some providers, there is a higher trust or loyalty factor to hiring kin. Although we understand the many reasons, … Read Full Post

Tagged employing family members, hiring decisions, hiring employees, hiring family members, home health agencies, human resource issues, practice management, small practice hiring, small practice hr issues |

What We’re Reading – Effective Cost Management for Your Medical Practice

Given our country’s limping economy, having an effective cost management plan for your medical practice is crucial to keeping your doors open. This article offers guidance on how to accomplish this without sacrificing quality of care to your patients. A … Read Full Post

Tagged cost management, direct costs in a medical practice, effective cost management, fixed costs in a medical practice, medical practices, medical supplies, overhead costs in a medical practice, practice management, variable costs in a medical practice |

7 Ways to Maintain Patient Interaction in the Age of the EHR

A common criticism of EMR (electronic medical records) use in medical practices is that it causes doctors to become less engaged and impersonal. This causes frustration for all parties – patients and physicians – because doctors didn’t sign up for … Read Full Post

Tagged doctor-patient interactions, electronic medical record, medical practices, physicians, practice management, software advice, software buyers, software vendors |

What We’re Reading – Make the Most of Patient Education Opportunities at Your Practice

Studies show that a large number of patients consult the Internet about symptoms, illnesses and treatments before speaking with a medical practitioner. Most doctors appreciate a well-informed patient who is empowered to participate in his or her health care. However, … Read Full Post

Tagged education for patients, facebook, healthcare providers, medical office, patient education, patient knowledge, physician practice, practice management, social media, twitter |

Dealing with Problem Employees – A Two Part Series

As managers and supervisors, one of the most disagreeable and difficult tasks we face is that of disciplining employees for performance issues. In today’s work environment, we are bound by rules and regulations which demand that disciplinary actions be carried … Read Full Post

Tagged corrective action for employees, disciplinary actions, employee disciplinary process, healthcare employees, home health agencies, human resource standards, medical practices, physician offices, practice management, problem employees |

Form I-9 – Compliance, Audits and Common Mistakes

Every employer in the United States is required to complete an I-9 form for all employees and this must be completed within three business days of hire. The rule has been in effect since 1986 and only employees hired prior … Read Full Post

Tagged audits on I-9 forms, compliance on I-9 forms, employee documentation, hiring process, home health agencies, human resources, I-9 form, mistakes on I-9 forms, practice management |

Lawful and Unlawful Interview Questions- Avoid costly litigation

Many employers walk a fine line during the interview process, asking questions that could land them in court for discrimination. Unfortunately, many candidates feel compelled to answer these questions out of ignorance or fear of appearing “uncooperative,” the kiss of … Read Full Post

Tagged discrimination, EEOC, employment law, equal employment opportunity commission, federal eeo laws, home health agencies, interview process, lawful interview questions, practice management, pre-employment inquiries, state employment laws, unlawful interview questions |

Administering Drug Tests: Avoid Litigation

Health care employers are more frequently requiring a drug test as a condition of an employment offer to a potential candidate. However, failure to follow state and federal guidelines in this area can subject an employer to potential litigation. Drug … Read Full Post

Tagged avoid litigation, conditions for employment, drug testing, employment screening, health care industry, home health agencies, practice management, state and federal guidelines |