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
Tool Box
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
TOOL: Model Religious Accommodations Policy
Mere tolerance of religious differences in the workplace isn't enough. Federal and state discrimination laws also require employers to take affirmative steps to accommodate the religious beliefs of employees and job applicants to the point of undue hardship. The starting point for compliance is implementing an accommodations policy. Here's a model you can adapt for your own lab … [Read more...] about TOOL: Model Religious Accommodations Policy
CY 2019 List of Medicare Telehealth Services
Why you need this tool: Has your practice recently implemented telehealth? If so, you might not know which CPT codes are available for reimbursement. How this tool helps you: This list, compiled by Nick Hernandez of ABISA LLC, will show you which CPT codes are currently (2019) available. How to use this tool: Refer to this list of codes when billing for telehealth services. … [Read more...] about CY 2019 List of Medicare Telehealth Services
Model Project Summary
Why you need this summary: A rite of passage to becoming a great manager is learning to fail in a way that stretches you without breaking you and results in wisdom that improves your resilience and future decision-making. In other words, failure is not necessarily bad. Your ability to grow from the experience, however, depends on your willingness to honestly assess the good, … [Read more...] about Model Project Summary
Model Employee Social Networking Policy
Why you need this model policy: This model policy will help you protect your practice from the potential threat posed by employee blogging, tweeting, Instagramming, and other social networking. How this model policy helps you: The key to protecting your practice is by implementing clear and specific policies to establish your right to discipline employees for social … [Read more...] about Model Employee Social Networking Policy
Model Flu Vaccination Policy
(Mandatory and Voluntary)
Why you need this policy:
Vaccination is the most effective defense against flu viruses. So it behooves you to ensure that your staff members get flu shots every year at the start of every flu season. But what if someone neglects or just plain refuses to be vaccinated?
How this policy helps you:
If someone neglects or just plain refuses to be vaccinated, you have two … [Read more...] about Model Flu Vaccination Policy
(Mandatory and Voluntary)
Model Tool: Checklist of steps to take when conducting an investigation
Why you need this checklist: When an employee makes a complaint, whether it's an accusation of sexual harassment, bullying or an alleged workplace safety hazard, you have an obligation to conduct a thorough and timely investigation. In many circumstances, the filing of a complaint sets in motion several legal and regulatory requirements for a business. How this checklist … [Read more...] about Model Tool: Checklist of steps to take when conducting an investigation
Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Why you need this model policy: Offering equal opportunity to individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or other personal characteristics not related to their professional abilities is not just a legal mandate but an economic imperative. How this model policy helps you: The key to ensuring diversity … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Nondiscrimination and diversity
Model Section 1557 Civil Rights Grievance Procedure
Why you need this model policy and procedure: Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires covered entities to adopt safeguards to avoid discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in certain health programs and activities. One of those safeguards, which is set out in Section 92.7(b) of the ACA final rule, is to establish a … [Read more...] about Model Section 1557 Civil Rights Grievance Procedure