On June 21, OSHA issued a new Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) requiring health care providers to take extensive measures to protect frontline workers against risk of COVID-19 infection. Exactly one week later, the agency issued internal Compliance Directive 2021-02 (the Directive) telling OSHA inspectors how to enforce the new ETS. The 67 pages of instructions shed light on … [Read more...] about OSHA orders inspectors to use the hammer to enforce new COVID-19 protocols
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Nearly 7 in 10 physicians now employed by hospitals and corporations, says report
Once upon a time, a medical degree was a ticket to life-time self-employment. That no longer seems to be the case—at least not the “self” part of the phrase. For years, hospitals and health networks have been gobbling up physician practices at increasing rates. And now a new study from the Physicians Advocacy Institute (PAI) finds that, as of the beginning of 2021, just 30 … [Read more...] about Nearly 7 in 10 physicians now employed by hospitals and corporations, says report
Newly proposed Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule contemplates Making COVID-19 telehealth changes permanent
On July 13, 2021, CMS published its proposed physician fee schedule rule for FY 2022. One of the key items is the proposal to make the temporary change allowing Medicare providers to deliver healthcare services via telehealth a permanent part of Medicare Part B. The Proposed Medicare Changes During the public health emergency (PHE), Congress added the home of the beneficiary … [Read more...] about Newly proposed Medicare Part B Physician Fee Schedule contemplates Making COVID-19 telehealth changes permanent
Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
By Lynne Curry It’s easy to give an excuse for not listening. You don’t have time; the speaker rambles or bores you. You already know what you’re about to hear. It’s harder to admit you’re a poor listener—isn’t listening something we do all the time? No. The opposite proves true. Most of us find it hard to listen to someone who has something to say we don’t want to hear. We … [Read more...] about Listening as if you mean it: an important managerial skill
Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board
By Lynne Curry Sometimes you take on work for which you aren’t paid—because it matters, or because you’ve been talked into it. Perhaps you serve on the board of a non-profit healthcare corporation, offering your experience and knowledge as a medical office manager. Possibly you run for your condo association’s board of directors because you want some control over the … [Read more...] about Potential for disaster when you serve on a volunteer board
First snapshot ready for APM status and data
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool based on the first snapshot of Alternative Payment Model (APM) data. The first snapshot, posted July 8, includes data from Medicare Part B claims with dates of service between Jan. 1, 2021 and March 31, 2021. The tool includes 2021 Qualifying APM Participant … [Read more...] about First snapshot ready for APM status and data
New federal rule to protect consumers from surprise medical bills
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a rule to protect consumers from surprise medical bills. The U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Treasury, and the Office of Personnel Management, issued “Requirements Related to Surprise Billing; Part I,” an interim final rule that will restrict excessive out of pocket costs to consumers from surprise … [Read more...] about New federal rule to protect consumers from surprise medical bills
FDA reverses course on healthcare worker re-use of N95 masks
For decades, the N95 filtered mask has been a vital piece of personal protective equipment for frontline medical workers. But for months, shortages of that precious item which was previously taken for granted left countless health care workers defenseless from exposure to the coronavirus. The good news is that the N95 shortages have finally abated, with surplus stockpiles … [Read more...] about FDA reverses course on healthcare worker re-use of N95 masks
Staffers push back about returning to work
By Lynne Curry Question: We’re getting enormous pushback from our staff to an email we sent out stating that billing and clerical employees need to return to the workplace. At the same time, our organization can’t survive if we let all the employees who want to work from home do so. It’s not fair to our patients or the employees who show up at work. Further, when I call … [Read more...] about Staffers push back about returning to work
Denial management: the missing ingredient in revenue cycle management
By John McDaniel The blueprint for effective Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) is complex in today’s healthcare environment. When we map out the RCM process, it includes the following steps: Patient scheduling and registration Insurance eligibility and benefit verification Collection of copayments and deductibles at time of service Claims submission Remittance processing … [Read more...] about Denial management: the missing ingredient in revenue cycle management