Regulators have made it clear that workplaces must implement written plans to control COVID-19 exposure risks at the site. Here’s a Model Plan template your medical office can adapt that provides for the necessary protections. … [Read more...] about Model COVID-19 Exposure Control Plan
How to create a COVID-19 exposure control plan
For as long as COVID-19 remains a threat, businesses—both essential and nonessential—won’t be allowed to re-open and remain open unless they implement a plan to control workplace infection risks. While infection control is nothing new for medical offices, the challenges posed by COVID-19 are unprecedented and unique and you probably won’t find any great templates in your … [Read more...] about How to create a COVID-19 exposure control plan
Doctors & nurses eager to get back to work despite COVID-19 anxieties
Layoffs and furloughs are a new thing for many medical professionals who’ve come to expect stability in their employment. So, it’s not surprising that a new survey suggests that medical professionals are eager to end lockdowns and get back to work; but like workers in so many other industries, the prospect of going back to work while COVID-19 remains at large is tinged with … [Read more...] about Doctors & nurses eager to get back to work despite COVID-19 anxieties
2019 Performance Period Suppressed MIPS Quality Measures
In the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (83 FR 59847), the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) established a policy that provides for the suppression of measures in certain circumstances. Starting with the 2019 performance period, for measures significantly impacted by clinical guideline changes or other changes where the CMS believes that adherence to … [Read more...] about 2019 Performance Period Suppressed MIPS Quality Measures
Tool: COVID-19 Vendor/Rep Visitation Protocol Update
Sample Vendor/Rep Policy Update. … [Read more...] about Tool: COVID-19 Vendor/Rep Visitation Protocol Update
Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Regulators have made it clear that given the unique circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers may implement pre-screening measures to ensure that people who have or may have the virus don’t get into work and spread it to others. But limits still apply and you can get into a lot of trouble if you don’t follow them. Here’s a Model Policy your lab can adapt that provides … [Read more...] about Model COVID-19 Medical Screening Policy
Nearly 3 in 4 Physicians Say They Can’t Provide Easy & Rapid COVID-19 Testing
Development of new lab tests to detect the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 coronavirus has been faster and more prolific than anybody could dare expect for a pathogen that was unknown just a few months ago. But it still may not be enough to satisfy the urgent demand for COVID-19 testing—at least not yet. That’s the depressing conclusion of a new survey from Harvard … [Read more...] about Nearly 3 in 4 Physicians Say They Can’t Provide Easy & Rapid COVID-19 Testing
5 Ways to Avoid Kickback Risks When Placing Phlebotomists in Ordering Physician’s Offices
It’s not uncommon for labs to place a phlebotomist in a physician’s office to collect and process samples for testing. While not strictly illegal, this practice raises bright red flags under kickback laws. So, it’s imperative to carefully vet your in-office phlebotomist arrangements to ensure they don’t cross any kickback lines. Here’s how. The Legal Risks of In-Office … [Read more...] about 5 Ways to Avoid Kickback Risks When Placing Phlebotomists in Ordering Physician’s Offices
Compliance Tool: Model In-Office Phlebotomist Agreement
The following Model Agreement between a referring physician and a testing lab was created by Savannah, GA, lab compliance attorney Adam Walters and structured to minimize kickback liability risks to each party in accordance with the OIG 1994 Special Fraud Alert, which remains the definitive source of federal guidance on the subject. Speak to your attorney about adapting the … [Read more...] about Compliance Tool: Model In-Office Phlebotomist Agreement
Feds Take Down $2.1 Billion Medicare Genetic Test Fraud Scheme
You know that a branch of lab testing has gone from fad to mainstream when it becomes the subject of a major federal enforcement takedown. Accordingly, the newly announced breakup of a $2.1 billion genetic billing fraud scam, one of the largest Medicare frauds ever undertaken, signifies that genetic testing has officially arrived. Operation Double Helix Known as Operation … [Read more...] about Feds Take Down $2.1 Billion Medicare Genetic Test Fraud Scheme