One of the tougher issues a non-lawyer compliance officer faces is a challenge to their decisions and recommendations by other members of the management team. This happens more often when the person is new to the company or the position. In a large proportion of these challenges, the challenger cites a lawyer's comments or an interpretation they saw in a newsletter or on the … [Read more...] about Compliance officers must establish credibility with consistent, well-documented decision-making
Compliance
Employment Law Update: The New Year’s Resolutions Edition
By Mike O'Brien bio A lawyer and doctor were talking together at a New Year's party when the doctor complained about how people always asked her for free medical advice. She said to the lawyer, "People probably always ask you for free legal advice…as a fellow professional, how do you deal with it?" The lawyer thought about it, and then said, "I always answer their … [Read more...] about Employment Law Update: The New Year’s Resolutions Edition
Employee handbook compliance 101
An employee handbook is a living, active guide that your medical practice looks to and points to when your employees have questions about their employment. It is also a vital document that backs you up when you are making your management decisions. And most importantly, on the legal side, a properly crafted employee handbook is a litigation-avoidance tool, according to Paul … [Read more...] about Employee handbook compliance 101
What every medical office manager needs to know about the Sunshine Law
Another product of the Affordable Care Act, the Sunshine Law (also called Open Payments) begins implementation this year. The law requires manufacturers and group purchasing organizations publicly report certain transfers to or transactions with physicians. The goal is transparency and avoiding improper influence of physician's prescribing practices. Physicians should make sure … [Read more...] about What every medical office manager needs to know about the Sunshine Law
The 10 assumptions NOT to make when doing your OSHA 300s
December is here and it's time for the logs. No, not the yule logs—the OSHA 300 logs! It's time to get the year's injury and illness records in order and start getting the OSHA 300A ready for the Feb. 1 filing deadline. As you set about your task, here are 10 OSHA 300 assumptions you want to avoid at all costs. Bad assumption #1: We should record everything just to be … [Read more...] about The 10 assumptions NOT to make when doing your OSHA 300s
Can your employee’s mouth pull you into a defamation lawsuit?
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D., SPHR bio "J.J." is a hard-working, talented manager who makes caustic statements when he stresses out. Although he initially offended you when you first started supervising him, you learned not to take his comments to heart. When others come to you upset, you tell them, "That's just J.J. being J.J." Some coworkers even appreciate J.J.'s … [Read more...] about Can your employee’s mouth pull you into a defamation lawsuit?
Can you require your medical office workers to get a flu shot?
Vaccination is the most effective defense against flu viruses. So it behooves you to ensure that your medical office workers get flu shots every year at the start of every flu season. But what if your staff members neglect or just plain refuse to be vaccinated? Can you require them to get a flu shot? Bottom Line: Yes, a mandatory flu vaccination policy is legally justifiable … [Read more...] about Can you require your medical office workers to get a flu shot?
HIPAA extends to gossip as well as to searching out dirt on an ex-spouse
Getting staff to maintain patient confidentiality goes much further than getting them to protect electronic data. A significant risk for offices is just plain talk. A staffer tells a friend about a patient's condition. Or there could be actual malice where a staffer looks up information on an ex-spouse. Or there could be innocent talk where a staffer in one office tells a … [Read more...] about HIPAA extends to gossip as well as to searching out dirt on an ex-spouse
2018 MGMA conference inspires practice leaders to transform the healthcare industry
By Lisa A. Eramo, MA Leadership, operational best practices, healthcare consumerism, population health management, and value-based care were among the many topics discussed at the 2018 Medical Group Management Association's (MGMA) annual conference in Boston Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. The event included an amalgam of thought-provoking sessions, each of which reiterated the … [Read more...] about 2018 MGMA conference inspires practice leaders to transform the healthcare industry
Managing political discussions in the workplace
By Lynne Curry, Ph.D., SPHR bio During the Justice Kavanaugh confirmation hearings, more than fifty percent of Americans admitted they had taken part in political discussions in the workplace. Many of these discussions ended in conflict, frayed relationships, and tears. With the current high-stakes mid-term election, employers can expect more heated political … [Read more...] about Managing political discussions in the workplace