Three errors that cause wrongful terminations Though every employer knows - or should know - the rules for safe firing, mistakes still happen when it comes to showing an employee the door, says Peter Golden, a business and employment law attorney with The Golden Law Firm in Atlanta. In his own practice, he finds that in all types of businesses, manages most often fall down on … [Read more...] about Avoid these 3 deadly employment law traps when hiring or firing
Compliance
Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records
Continuing to encourage the use of electronic health records, on January 15, 2014, HHS issued new resources to help providers address Electronic Health Record safety. HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC) issued the Safety Assurance Factors for EHR Resilience (SAFER) Guides. These SAFER Guides are tools such as checklists and … [Read more...] about Government issues NEW resources to help ensure safety of electronic health records
HIPAA resources and guidance
Complying with HIPAA’s privacy and security requirements can be complex and overwhelming. But the Department of Health and Human Services does provide some helpful guidance. Here’s a list of resources we found that might help you understand what’s required and plan your security programs: 1. HHS Security Rule … [Read more...] about HIPAA resources and guidance
Get ready now for critical ICD-10 deadline
ICD-10 takes effect October 1, 2015, which doesn’t leave much time to prepare – especially when you consider the dramatic impact the new code sets will have on medical offices from the standpoint of staffing, training, and, perhaps most significant of all, financial management. Many physician practices have not started down the ICD-10 path, says Ira Shapiro, CEO of The … [Read more...] about Get ready now for critical ICD-10 deadline
Model Tool: ICD-10 preparedness checklist
Why you need this checklist: You need to be ready for the changeover to ICD-10 by October 2015. How this checklist helps you: This checklist tells you what you should have accomplished by now. How to use this checklist: Review the checklist and make sure you have completed each item so you are ready to move forward with necessary tasks. … [Read more...] about Model Tool: ICD-10 preparedness checklist
Model Policy: HIPAA notice of privacy practices
Why you need this policy: HIPAA requires medical practices to prepare and post a Notice of Privacy Practice (NPP) notifying patients of their rights to their own personal health information (PHI) and how the practice uses and discloses the PHI it collects from patients. The NPP is as old as the HIPAA law itself; but recent changes (contained in a law called the HITECH … [Read more...] about Model Policy: HIPAA notice of privacy practices
Are your business associate agreements up to date with the latest HIPAA requirements?
The Omnibus Final rule implementing HITECH made some changes affecting Business Associate (BA) agreements. While Sept. 23 was the compliance deadline for most obligations under the Final Rule, some agreements enjoy a grace period and may not need to be updated until September 2014. But you should take the opportunity now to make sure you haven’t overlooked any issues concerning … [Read more...] about Are your business associate agreements up to date with the latest HIPAA requirements?
Editor watches staggering changes in medical office management
By Susan Crawford Founding Editor Dear Readers: Medical Office Manager’s first issue came out in November 1987. And now after 26 years as your editor, I have retired. This is a good time to look at the issues and conundrums you as manager have faced during all that time and to congratulate you on a job well done. The changes have been staggering. You have kept up with them … [Read more...] about Editor watches staggering changes in medical office management
The 3 keys to better HIPAA compliance: risk assessment, training, revised notice
Three HIPAA items need every manager’s immediate attention. They are: • Risk Analysis; • documentation of HIPAA training; and • a revised Notice of Privacy. HIPAA’s enforcer is the Office for Civil Rights (OCR), and it’s taking the job seriously, says Nathan A. Kottkamp, a health care attorney with McGuireWoods in Richmond, VA. When the OCR comes to call, it will ask to see … [Read more...] about The 3 keys to better HIPAA compliance: risk assessment, training, revised notice
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