One of the biggest complaints from patients is long wait times. Improving wait times can make your patients happier and your office more efficient. Here are some simple steps you can take to make a big difference. First, it's essential to schedule smartly. Avoid overbooking your schedule to prevent long wait times and rushed appointments. Adding short breaks between … [Read more...] about Use smarter scheduling for shorter waits
Managing patients
Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Objective: To ensure the safety and well-being of staff and patients during extreme heat weather conditions through proactive planning, immediate response measures, and ongoing monitoring. Key Points Preparation Emergency Plan Review and update the office’s emergency plan to include specific protocols for extreme heat. Ensure all staff are familiar with the … [Read more...] about Manager briefing: Extreme heat emergency protocols
Good responses to bad patient reviews
It is important to address every online review—good or bad—publicly so that others reading the review will know you are responsive to patient communication and concerns. Here are some simple steps to addressing a bad review, potentially resolving the patient’s complaint and showing possible future patients how you deal with patient concerns. Keep your cool As much as we … [Read more...] about Good responses to bad patient reviews
Summer vacation staffing checklist for medical office managers
Planning for summer staffing, when many people want to be away on vacation, should have started well before today, but here's a checklist to make sure you have thought of everything. 1. Plan Early and Communicate: Request Vacation Schedules Early: Ask staff to submit their vacation requests at least 2-3 months in advance. Create a Vacation Calendar: Post a visible … [Read more...] about Summer vacation staffing checklist for medical office managers
18 great ideas to make you a better manager
Here are 18 good ideas that can be of value to any manager. 1 Reduce the interruptions. During busy times, move the chair around so your back is to the door. People hesitate to interrupt when they can’t make immediate eye contact with the manager. Stand up when people come in and stay standing. As long as the manager is standing, the visitor won’t start up a long … [Read more...] about 18 great ideas to make you a better manager
How to navigate insurance contracts
Reviewing and negotiating insurance contracts and ensuring compliance with regulations are indispensable tasks for medical office managers. These efforts not only impact the financial stability of the practice but also contribute to the quality of patient care. By approaching these strategically, medical office managers can secure favorable terms, optimize provider networks, … [Read more...] about How to navigate insurance contracts
How to hire great front desk staff
The front desk staff are often the first point of contact for patients, setting the tone for their visit. Hiring great front desk personnel is essential for ensuring a smooth, welcoming, and efficient practice. Here’s how to find and hire outstanding front desk staff who will enhance your medical office. The Importance of Front Desk Staff Front desk staff are the face of your … [Read more...] about How to hire great front desk staff
AI in medical office management: Leveraging technology for enhanced efficiency
In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, medical office managers find themselves at the forefront of integrating innovative technologies to streamline operations, improve patient care, and optimize administrative workflows. Among these advancements, Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands out as a transformative tool that is already playing a significant role in various … [Read more...] about AI in medical office management: Leveraging technology for enhanced efficiency
7 terms to include in your patient debt collection agency services contract
Outsourcing patient collections enables medical practices to generate needed cash flow and concentrate on clinical operations. That, at least, is the theory. But the strategy does not always work. One of the key factors of success is the actual services contract the medical practice signs with the agency. Many a medical practice has seen the anticipated benefits of outsourcing … [Read more...] about 7 terms to include in your patient debt collection agency services contract
What to do when your doctor becomes a patient
Their role as healers makes it easy to forget physicians are subject to the same illnesses that befall other humans. They are not invincible, even though their silence about their own health might lead staff and patients to believe otherwise. Physician illness is a topic that's not often discussed, even within the physician community. When physicians do broach the subject, … [Read more...] about What to do when your doctor becomes a patient