Positive patient relations not only lead to higher satisfaction rates but also foster loyalty and trust in your practice. Here are 10 strategies you can implement to improve patient relations effectively. 1. Enhance Communication Be Transparent: Ensure that patients are well-informed about their treatment plans, appointment schedules, and billing … [Read more...] about 10 things you can do right now for better patient relations
Working with physicians
How to deal with difficult patients and resolve conflicts
Dealing with difficult patients and resolving conflicts is an important part of working in a medical office. Sometimes, patients might be upset, anxious, or frustrated, and it's crucial to handle these situations calmly and professionally. Here are some tips and examples on how to manage these challenges effectively. First, it's important to listen carefully. When a patient … [Read more...] about How to deal with difficult patients and resolve conflicts
CODING ALERT: Watch for ICD-10-CM and CPT Changes for 2025
For 2025, medical coding changes in ICD-10-CM and CPT codes are set to reflect more precise diagnostic details and updated guidelines across various medical conditions. Some of the key updates include: Mental Health: New ICD-10-CM codes will expand the classification of eating disorders, differentiating severity levels (mild, moderate, severe) and adding specific … [Read more...] about CODING ALERT: Watch for ICD-10-CM and CPT Changes for 2025
Promote Your Practice with a Doc Blog
Helping a physician create a blog can enhance patient engagement, boost the practice’s visibility, and establish the doctor as a thought leader in their field. As a medical office manager, your support can streamline the process and help the blog run smoothly. Here’s how you can effectively assist: 1. Define the Purpose of the Blog Start by working with the physician to … [Read more...] about Promote Your Practice with a Doc Blog
Winning at Office Politics
By Lynne Curry Question: I lost another opportunity this week, one on which I had my heart set. It involved working on a strategic team with individuals pulled from all areas of the company to develop key initiatives for our future. I had so many ideas of exciting directions we could take that I’m heartsick I lost out. The woman that corporate management selected from … [Read more...] about Winning at Office Politics
How to Streamline the Hiring Process with Technology
Recruiting the right people is essential to maintaining a successful and efficient medical office. However, traditional hiring processes often involve time-consuming steps that can leave both managers and candidates feeling frustrated. In today’s fast-paced environment, utilizing technology to streamline hiring can make your process faster, more organized, and more engaging for … [Read more...] about How to Streamline the Hiring Process with Technology
15 questions to ask physicians as a new medical office manager
Stepping into your new role as a medical office manager is exciting, but it also comes with a lot of responsibility. One of the most important aspects of your job is building strong relationships with the physicians in the practice. Getting on the same page with the doctors will help you manage the office more effectively and create a smoother, more efficient work environment. … [Read more...] about 15 questions to ask physicians as a new medical office manager
Here’s a simple sample cancellation policy
Last-minute cancellations can turn an orderly day at the office into chaos as you scramble to reach patients to fill unexpected openings in the schedule. Unfilled appointment slots are costly in terms of clinician time, staff time and office overhead. That's why you need to have an appointment cancellation policy and convey it to your patients. Here's a short and simple … [Read more...] about Here’s a simple sample cancellation policy
8 proven ways to totally destroy your credibility as a manager
A manager can have great knowledge and great skills, but without credibility with both doctors and staff, don't expect success. What is credibility? It can be defined as "what we do and how we do it that causes others to respect and believe us." The "what-we-do" is the tangible things – the work and its results. The "how-we-do-it" is the behavior that demonstrates a person's … [Read more...] about 8 proven ways to totally destroy your credibility as a manager
How to set up your successor for success as you retire
As you approach retirement, you've probably been reflecting on your journey as a medical office manager—the challenges you've overcome, the systems you've refined, and the relationships you've built. Leaving all of that behind can be bittersweet, but one of the most important things you can do before you retire is to ensure a smooth transition for your successor. Setting them … [Read more...] about How to set up your successor for success as you retire