These days almost everyone uses email, and many people, especially younger people, are comfortable texting as well. According to a 2015 report by the Pew Research Center, text messaging is the most widely used feature of smartphones. The convenience of electronic communications is undeniable. But is it a safe and legal way to communicate with patients? State regulations … [Read more...] about Emailing and texting patients: how to keep it legal and safe
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Paid sick leave: what medical practices need to know
Currently, there is no federal law that requires private sector employers, including medical practices, to provide paid or unpaid sick leave, explains a new report from XpertHR, an online service for HR professionals from Reed Business Information. Without federal legislation in place, however, several states and local jurisdictions have taken matters into their own hands by … [Read more...] about Paid sick leave: what medical practices need to know
How to choose the electronic medical records vendor that’s right for you
Choosing the right electronic medical records vendor for your practice can seem like an overwhelming task—and getting it right is crucial. Before any other considerations, you want to be sure than any vendor you are considering is HITECH certified for 2014, so that you can achieve meaningful use stages one and two. This will also ensure HIPAA compliance. Beyond that the options … [Read more...] about How to choose the electronic medical records vendor that’s right for you
Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA), a leading international resource and advocate promoting the use of advanced remote medical technologies, recently released two state policy reports which identify gaps in coverage and reimbursement, and in physician practice standards and licensure. These reports compare state policies on a report card, assigning each state grades … [Read more...] about Reports provide detailed analysis of telemedicine by state
Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
Plus new emphasis on discrimination Though it applies only to states where same-sex marriage is legal, the recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage warrants attention from managers in all states. For those in Washington, DC, and the 13 states where gay marriage is recognized, there are new employment law requirements. For those in all the other states, the ruling calls for … [Read more...] about Same-sex marriage ruling brings in new legal issues
Health reform’s delay on the employer mandate raises lots of questions
There’s a new delay in health care reform. It’s a one-year postponement of what’s known as the employer mandate of the Affordable Care Act. That mandate says large employers, or those with 50 or more full-time employees, have to provide health insurance for their employees or pay a penalty. Originally, the requirement was supposed to take effect this coming January. Now the … [Read more...] about Health reform’s delay on the employer mandate raises lots of questions