By Nick Hernandez bio Many practices are hearing about telemedicine and becoming increasingly interested in how such a program could be implemented in their operations. Physicians want to start a telemedicine program quickly. Practice managers don't want to learn by trial and error. The biggest issue I see by far is that practices immediately focus on the technology. … [Read more...] about What you need to consider before getting started in telemedicine
Increasing profits
CMS releases preliminary data on 2018 Quality Payment Program participation
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has published a blog post and released an infographic to share preliminary participation data for the Quality Payment Program during 2018. Key findings include: Overall, MIPS participation rates increased between 2017 and 2018 from 95 percent to 98 percent, respectively. Small practices participation increased … [Read more...] about CMS releases preliminary data on 2018 Quality Payment Program participation
How telehealth can transform your medical practice
Telehealth— the practice of providing a range of healthcare services remotely, as opposed to face-to-face— is revolutionizing the practice of medicine. Adopting it can help you substantially grow your medical practice, according to Nick Hernandez, founder and CEO of ABISA, a consultancy specializing in strategic healthcare initiatives. "I have been helping … [Read more...] about How telehealth can transform your medical practice
Employee incentive program increases number of patient well exams—and practice revenue
Pediatric Medical Group of Santa Maria, located in Santa Maria, CA, has found a way to quadruple the amount of well child and well baby exams at its office. "In the past, we always ran a recall report and had our staff call patients that were due for well exams," Camille Gamble, practice manager, tells Medical Office Manager. Although the process seemed to work okay, … [Read more...] about Employee incentive program increases number of patient well exams—and practice revenue
Is your medical office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
Talk of an aging population isn't idle chatter. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2030 will mark a significant turning point in the nation's history. By then, all baby boomers will be older than 65. This means that one in every five residents will be retirement age. An aging population presents increasing challenges from the standpoint of health care and related patient … [Read more...] about Is your medical office prepared to accommodate an aging population?
Don’t put your vendor contracts on autopilot
It's easy, to say nothing of convenient, to get comfortable with business relationships and not to question what the vendors are doing. But in the meantime those vendors have every ability to slip in added costs the manager does not notice. Don't just renew vendor contracts automatically. The practice can often save money and get better service by putting those contracts out … [Read more...] about Don’t put your vendor contracts on autopilot
These 7 ergonomic basics can make your staff healthier and happier
Ergonomics is good economics. When the work areas are in sync with the people spending their days in them, there's no time lost to sick days and no money lost to low productivity, says Hayley Kaye, a certified professional ergonomist with HLK Consulting in New York City. Achieving that calls for attention to the desks, telephones, and chairs. But it also calls for teaching … [Read more...] about These 7 ergonomic basics can make your staff healthier and happier
Do you have the ‘right stuff’ to be a successful medical office manager?
As the office manager of a medical practice, you have an opportunity to learn, grow, and make a valuable contribution. "You really get the chance to be a part of a small business and to wear a lot of different hats," says Mary Pat Whaley, co-founder and president of Manage My Practice, a medical practice consulting firm. What's more, because most physicians are not business … [Read more...] about Do you have the ‘right stuff’ to be a successful medical office manager?
A 30-day collection agency letter cuts the A/R days in Atlanta office
A four-physician surgery practice has reduced its receivables significantly with a collection approach that begins when a bill gets to be a month old. At 31 days, every account with a balance greater than $50 gets turned over to the collection agency, explains Anjelica Alston, practice manager for Piedmont Colorectal Associates in Atlanta. But there’s no actual collection … [Read more...] about A 30-day collection agency letter cuts the A/R days in Atlanta office
Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
Meeting every week with the doctors makes a tremendous difference in how smoothly – and also how successfully – an office operates, says the manager of a pediatrics practice in Colorado. For her office, it's an 8 a.m. meeting every Monday, a good time, because it sets the tone for the week. It also keeps everybody on the same page. And it ensures that the doctors know all the … [Read more...] about Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly