A three-physician New York City surgery practice had a stellar year. It attributes its success to the fact that everybody follows strict and detailed procedures. Procedures produce efficiency, says Veronica L. Mogerman, administrator at Manhattan Surgical Associates. And efficiency means the office operates at top capacity and staff give patients top quality service, which … [Read more...] about By following strict procedures, New York office has ‘a stellar year’
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Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments
With all its staff – front desk, billing, and clinical – working as a financial team, a North Little Rock, AR, surgery practice has increased its pre-surgery payments by 25 percent. “It’s not rocket science,” says Linda Atkins, manager of Neurological Surgery Associates. “It’s just common-sense things.” Every staffer “looks at the money picture” and has a role in it, she says, … [Read more...] about Staff work as a financial team and increase the up-front payments
This year’s unused sick days become next year’s personal days
Experience is often a manager's best education. Such is the case for a two-physician, six-staff orthopedic surgery practice in Rhode Island. The manager, who has been with the office for 20 years, has found that the best way to prevent the last-minute sick calls is to allow staff to carry their sick days over to the next year. But instead of transferring as sick days, the time … [Read more...] about This year’s unused sick days become next year’s personal days
Michigan office uses online payments to increase revenue
A Michigan medical practice that added online bill payments to its website is seeing a substantial increase in revenue. To introduce the new process, the office put signs in the waiting room and a notice in statements. The company's practice administration said it took awhile to catch on but it worked because patients are already comfortable with online payments. They … [Read more...] about Michigan office uses online payments to increase revenue
Better office communication? There’s an app for that
Hendricks Therapy is a private, out-patient, mental health practice in Danville and Plainfield, IN. The practice currently has 16 psychiatrists, psychologists, and therapists, a combination of full- and part-time. There are an additional 10 staffers and three managers to keep everything running at the two locations. Due to the nature of the practice, most schedules do not fall … [Read more...] about Better office communication? There’s an app for that
Silly problems, silly solutions boost morale at Georgia practice
For the small problems inherent in any office's staff, one manager has two easy solutions – humor and once-a-day positive notes. The humor comes in the form of silly contests to solve equally silly – though very human – problems. They're nonsensical, "but they reduce tension," says Nadine Cook, office manager for Family Price Care, a one-physician, 13 staff practice in Tifton, … [Read more...] about Silly problems, silly solutions boost morale at Georgia practice
Raffle gets staffers to monthly 8 a.m. meeting
A raffle for prizes gets each monthly meeting off to a fun start for the staff at Finger Lakes Medical Associates in Geneva, NY. Director of operations Eileen Szanyi says the draws are designed to increase attendance at the 8 a.m. meetings. “Those attending put their names into a basket for the month’s prizes,” she explains. “The gifts don’t have to be costly. One prize is … [Read more...] about Raffle gets staffers to monthly 8 a.m. meeting
Colorado practice cuts costs by hiring IT staffer
Manager Arlene Zimmerman had an IT cost awakening when the computer went down. She called in the vendor's tech support and paid $100 to find out the computer was simply unplugged. "I told myself 'never again!'" says Zimmerman, who manages four-physician Colorado Springs Family Practice in Colorado Springs, CO. So she started on a path of building up as much IT support as … [Read more...] about Colorado practice cuts costs by hiring IT staffer
For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
For any patients on a payment plan, having a credit card on file is just good business, says a New Jersey practice administrator. Automatic card payments are the only way an office can be assured of getting the agreed-upon amount at the agreed-upon time. The practice administrator uses that approach for a dermatology practice and also for a second practice she manages as a … [Read more...] about For payment plans, credit cards on file mean payments on time
Illinois manager develops unique staff review system that does it all
An Illinois manager has developed a review system that, besides determining raises, increases communication throughout the office and also promotes teamwork. The process is referred to as a 360-degree evaluation, and everybody reviews everybody – she and the doctors review the staff, and the staff turn around and review them plus their peers plus themselves. And to keep the … [Read more...] about Illinois manager develops unique staff review system that does it all