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?
Compliance
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
What you need to know about complying with the FLSA
To be or not to be exempt from overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)? That is the big question, according to Sandra Hoyle-Smith, a Texas-based human resources expert and employment law mediator. Hoyle-Smith notes that many employers do not calculate overtime correctly and in some cases have wrongly classified employees as being exempt from overtime pay when … [Read more...] about What you need to know about complying with the FLSA
3 questions to help you handle patient credits
By Ranadene K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio How does your office deal with patient credits? More importantly, does your office deal with patient credits at all? Believe it not, not all offices do. There are several reasons why an office wouldn't address patient credits—from just not knowing they should to not knowing how to being short staffed. If … [Read more...] about 3 questions to help you handle patient credits
Simple but workable ways to improve collections
What's the cause of poor collections? Don't blame it on the office, says one collections expert. Sadly, the underlying reason for poor collections is today's all-too-common attitude that bills don't deserve respect. In the past, people were proud to pay their bills. No more. A bill that can be avoided gets avoided. And along with that, "the world has changed," says … [Read more...] about Simple but workable ways to improve collections
Bill to end secrecy around doctor sexual assault and other patient harm passes CA Assembly
California would be the first state in the nation to mandate doctors tell their patients when they are disciplined for sexual assault or other patient harm under legislation that passed the Assembly August 31, 2018. SB 1448, the Patient Right to Know Act authored by Senator Jerry Hill (D-San Mateo), would require a doctor on probation for causing patient harm in one of four … [Read more...] about Bill to end secrecy around doctor sexual assault and other patient harm passes CA Assembly
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