By Lynne Curry Question: Your recent post reported that many employers, including Facebook, Google, Tyson Foods, the Walt Disney Company, Houston Methodist Medical Center, United Airlines, Cisco, DoorDash, the Washington Post and Frontier Airlines, require all onsite employees to get vaccinated. That same day, we learned the Pentagon would require all active-duty troops to … [Read more...] about Are we making a mistake to require our employees to get vaccinated?
Is the problem you?
By Lynne Curry The manager called me, completely frustrated with his team. He told me his employees were negative; blamed each other for problems; didn’t communicate with him or take accountability and didn’t buy-in to important initiatives. He asked me to talk with his key employees and tell me how to fix them. When I met with him afterwards, I asked, “How honest do you want … [Read more...] about Is the problem you?
Fraud recoveries grow as feds target telemedicine and COVID-19 add-on test scams
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and continued sequestration of enforcement funds, the federal Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control Program (Program) reversed recent trends and recovered more money in FY 2020 than it had the year before. In fact, recoveries for the year reached nearly $3.1 billion, the highest return since 2016. Here’s a briefing for medical office managers on the … [Read more...] about Fraud recoveries grow as feds target telemedicine and COVID-19 add-on test scams
Healthcare data breaches hit a new high in first half of 2021
While healthcare data breaches have become an all-too-common occurrence, the problem seems to be getting worse. According to the HHS’ Office for Civil Rights (OCR), there have already been 360 federally reported data breaches involving health information in the first half of 2021, the highest total for the first six months of a year since the government began tracking this data … [Read more...] about Healthcare data breaches hit a new high in first half of 2021
Masks making a comeback and vaccine mandates are on
By Mike O'Brien Masks make a comeback On July 27, 2021, the CDC issued new guidance for people that have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Previously, the CDC had said that fully vaccinated individuals did not need to wear masks in public. However, largely in response to the spread of the Delta variant, the CDC now recommends wearing a mask indoors in public if you are … [Read more...] about Masks making a comeback and vaccine mandates are on
What about guns in cars in the parking lot?
By Lynne Curry Question: Our office takes threats of violence seriously. We prohibit any act or threat of violence by or against any patient, staffer, supplier, or visitor. Our policy applies to all employees, whether on or off company property. We specifically state that we prohibit any use or possession, whether legal or illegal, of weapons on company property or while on … [Read more...] about What about guns in cars in the parking lot?
OSHA orders inspectors to use the hammer to enforce new COVID-19 protocols
On June 21, OSHA issued a new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring health care providers to take extensive measures to protect frontline workers against risk of COVID-19 infection. Exactly one week later, the agency issued internal Compliance Directive 2021-02 (the Directive) telling OSHA inspectors how to enforce the new ETS. The 67 pages of instructions shed light on … [Read more...] about OSHA orders inspectors to use the hammer to enforce new COVID-19 protocols
Nearly 7 in 10 physicians now employed by hospitals and corporations, says report
Once upon a time, a medical degree was a ticket to life-time self-employment. That no longer seems to be the case—at least not the “self” part of the phrase. For years, hospitals and health networks have been gobbling up physician practices at increasing rates. And now a new study from the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) finds that, as of the beginning of 2021, just 30 … [Read more...] about Nearly 7 in 10 physicians now employed by hospitals and corporations, says report
Newly proposed Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule contemplates Making COVID-19 telehealth changes permanent
On July 13, 2021, CMS published its proposed physician fee schedule rule for FY 2022. One of the key items is the proposal to make the temporary change allowing Medicare providers to deliver healthcare services via telehealth a permanent part of Medicare Part B. The Proposed Medicare Changes During the public health emergency (PHE), Congress added the home of the beneficiary … [Read more...] about Newly proposed Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule contemplates Making COVID-19 telehealth changes permanent
Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
By Lynne Curry It’s easy to give an excuse for not listening. You don’t have time; the speaker rambles or bores you. You already know what you’re about to hear. It’s harder to admit you’re a poor listener—isn’t listening something we do all the time? No. The opposite proves true. Most of us find it hard to listen to someone who has something to say we don’t want to hear. We … [Read more...] about Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill