The medical biller of a Chicago-area visiting physician practice was recently sentenced to 45 months in prison for her role in a $4 million health care fraud scheme. Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Fardon of the Northern District of Illinois, Special Agent in Charge Lamont Pugh III of the … [Read more...] about Medical biller sentenced to 45 months in prison for role in $4 million health care fraud scheme
Federal
HHS announces $685 million to support clinicians delivering high quality, patient-centered care
Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell recently announced $685 million in awards to 39 national and regional health care networks and supporting organizations to help equip more than 140,000 clinicians with the tools and support needed to improve quality of care, increase patients' access to information, and reduce costs. The Transforming Clinical Practice … [Read more...] about HHS announces $685 million to support clinicians delivering high quality, patient-centered care
Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
A lot of employment laws apply only to larger employers. Not wage and hour laws. Those apply to every employer, regardless of size. And they are “the largest source of employment litigation,” says employment law attorney Daniel F. Pyne of Hopkins & Carley in San Jose, CA. In his own practice, wage and hour issues account for almost half of the matters that … [Read more...] about Wage and hour violations can creep in quietly, and every office is at risk
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
Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
By Steve M. Cohen bio I have worked closely with two organizations: The Transgender Institute (TTI) and the Gender Policy Associates (GPA). TTI is an organization that provides therapy, consultation, and coaching to transgender people. This is a population that is much misunderstood; in schools they are subject to extensive bullying. At work, they are often subject to … [Read more...] about Fairness in the employment setting can be everything
Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
(Note: The ADA applies to offices with 15 or more employees. Depending on the practice’s business structure, the physicians may be included in that count.) An amendment to the Americans with Disabilities Act is putting more employees under ADA protection. It’s called the ADA Amendments Act, or ADAAA. It went into effect in 2008, and it has broadened the definition of … [Read more...] about Watch out for ADA claims; they are now easier to file and a lot easier to win
Reasons for health services encounter get codes in Chapter 21 of ICD-10
By Judy Monestime bio Codes included in Chapter 21, Factors influencing health status and contact with health services (Z00-Z99), represent reasons for encounter. Z codes are provided for encounters when circumstances other than diseases or injury are recorded in the medical record as the diagnosis. The chapter includes the following sections: Z00-Z13, Persons encountering … [Read more...] about Reasons for health services encounter get codes in Chapter 21 of ICD-10
HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?
By Paul Edwards bio The next round of HIPAA audits promised by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has been delayed since October 2014, but OCR has made it clear they are still going to happen. Their senior advisor, Linda Sanches, has informed medical office managers, "This is a good time to get your house in order." If … [Read more...] about HIPAA compliance audits: is your practice prepared?
Seven guides for a safe and somewhat pleasant firing
Firing is the most dangerous action a manager ever takes. “Yet almost everybody does it poorly,” says Joseph Godwin, a management consultant with F&H Solutions Group, a human resources consulting firm in Asheville, NC. Any fired employee is depressed and fearful of the future – and not averse to calling an attorney. Every manager needs to know how to fire without asking for … [Read more...] about Seven guides for a safe and somewhat pleasant firing
These resources help with ICD-10 compliance
If you missed Medical Office Manager's webinar, "10 Things You Must Know About ICD-10," you definitely want to review the webinar recording and slides, available here. Coding expert Judy Monestime shared information during the presentation that will help your practice meet the October 1, 2015 deadline, and provide assistance as you continue to transition from ICD-9 to … [Read more...] about These resources help with ICD-10 compliance