The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which enforces federal laws prohibiting employment discrimination, has issued final rules that describe how Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) apply to wellness programs offered by employers that request health information from … [Read more...] about EEOC issues final rules on employer wellness programs
Managing the office
How to keep the cash coming in
When the office is busy but the cash flow is slow and the work isn't translating into net income for the physicians, look first to the billing and collections work. Almost always, that's where the failing lies. To keep the cash flowing, the office has to keep constant tabs on those two operations. Yet most offices don't. They just wait until they run out of cash. Here is how … [Read more...] about How to keep the cash coming in
5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
Did you know that more than 70 percent of people with disabilities in the United States are unemployed? For a community that represents 20 percent of the entire American population, people with disabilities are far underrepresented in the workplace. According to the Ruderman Family Foundation, a national leader in disability inclusion, these statistics are a reflection of one … [Read more...] about 5 steps to creating a more inclusive workplace for employees with disabilities
Turn staff from ‘critters’ into smart thinkers with ownership in their jobs
The brain has two states. One is the “critter state.” That’s the point at which a person responds like a raccoon or a skunk or any other critter. The focus is survival. It’s fright-freeze-fight-flight thinking. The other is the “smart state.” And that’s the point where a person is a human being: innovative, creative, collaborative, and emotionally engaged. In the critter … [Read more...] about Turn staff from ‘critters’ into smart thinkers with ownership in their jobs
More easy steps to help you fight management battles
By Steve M. Cohen bio I've written before about relatively simple steps to better medical office management. I've also advised against underestimating seemingly trivial tactics for improvement. These types of suggestions can sound low-level or nit-picky. But one reason they are often repeated is because they are valuable and worth remembering. But don't worry, … [Read more...] about More easy steps to help you fight management battles
Growth of Spanish-speaking population creates demand for bilingual health care professionals
The United States now has the world's second-largest population of Spanish speakers, behind only Mexico. Given the growing number of Spanish-speaking patients, clinics and hospitals find themselves facing an immediate and chronic shortage of bilingual physicians. This is a serious problem in a field where lives can depend on an accurate exchange of information between doctor … [Read more...] about Growth of Spanish-speaking population creates demand for bilingual health care professionals
Study finds 96 percent of online complaints about doctors fault customer service, not quality of care
An analysis of nearly 35,000 online reviews of doctors nationwide finds that customer service—not physicians' medical expertise and clinical skill—is the overwhelming reason patients complain about their health care experiences on the Internet. The study, published in the Journal of Medical Practice Management (JMPM), finds that only 1 in 25 patients rating their health care … [Read more...] about Study finds 96 percent of online complaints about doctors fault customer service, not quality of care
Model Policy: Recognition and social functions
Why you need this policy: From time to time your medical practice may wish to recognize staff members' milestones, achievements, and/or special occasions. How this policy helps you: This policy will ensure that guidelines are established and that all staff members receive appropriate and equal recognition. How to use this policy: Modify this model policy as necessary for … [Read more...] about Model Policy: Recognition and social functions
Cultural differences create new frontier for office managers
By Steve M. Cohen bio With all of the discussion about harassment and other personnel issues, I'm surprised there's not more recognition of the different assumptions that people bring because of varying backgrounds and cultures. First, I'm not excusing boring or outright predatory behavior because of cultural or other differences. People must learn to live and … [Read more...] about Cultural differences create new frontier for office managers
CMS launches largest-ever multi-payer initiative to improve primary health care
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced its largest-ever initiative to transform and improve how primary care is delivered and paid for in America. The new Affordable Care Act (ACA) initiative is designed to improve quality and cost, and give doctors and patients more control over health care delivery. The effort, known as the Comprehensive … [Read more...] about CMS launches largest-ever multi-payer initiative to improve primary health care