Meeting every week with the doctors makes a tremendous difference in how smoothly – and also how successfully – an office operates, says the manager of a pediatrics practice in Colorado. For her office, it's an 8 a.m. meeting every Monday, a good time, because it sets the tone for the week. It also keeps everybody on the same page. And it ensures that the doctors know all the … [Read more...] about Use weekly meetings with doctors to keep office running smoothly
Technology
7 best practices for optimizing your collections
By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio Collections isn't the most glamorous part of running a practice. Perhaps the only thing worse than making collections calls is receiving them! Unfortunately, collections is necessary and if done correctly, it will allow you to collect on accounts that have sat stagnant for months, sometimes years. In … [Read more...] about 7 best practices for optimizing your collections
Are online coding discussions putting your practice at risk?
By Cheryl Toth, MBA bio Here's an email we recently saw while monitoring a specialty coding listserv: From: Smith, Debra (debra.smith@famousacademicinstitution.edu) Sent: Monday, June 04, 2018 2:08 PM Subject: Acromioplasty and hardware removal with total shoulder arthroplasty Hello All, We have a surgeon that says I am not an aggressive coder because I communicate to him … [Read more...] about Are online coding discussions putting your practice at risk?
HIPAA security can fail if the office doesn’t take common-sense precautions
No matter how tight its HIPAA privacy procedures, if the office isn't also focusing on common sense, the patient data is wide open to compromise. "That's because we do things we don't think about," says Rosemarie Nelson, a principle with MGMA practice management consulting in Syracuse, NY. "It's not hackers trying to get at the office's data" that the manager needs to worry … [Read more...] about HIPAA security can fail if the office doesn’t take common-sense precautions
Five tips to boost efficiency for the front office
By Cheyenne Brinson, MBA, CPA bio The front office is the face of the practice, the first impression for the patient, and the beginning of the revenue cycle. They are tasked with multiple assignments, competing priorities, and a sense of urgency from everyone, yet asked to do it all with a smile. Here are five tips to boost efficiency for the front office. … [Read more...] about Five tips to boost efficiency for the front office
Survey: Patients prefer secure texting over patient portal communication from their physicians
Only 10 percent of patients prefer to receive physician communications via patient portals, whereas twice that many (19.6 percent) favor receiving information via secure text messages when in-person and phone calls are not an option. The new survey, conducted by DrFirst, a provider of e-prescribing and patient medication management solutions, also found that more than 90 … [Read more...] about Survey: Patients prefer secure texting over patient portal communication from their physicians
5 efficiency-draining traps to avoid in your practice
By Karen Mattocks, Vice President of Business Development at RxVantage bio It is a practice manager's worst nightmare. You arrive at work one morning and suddenly realize you no longer have a grip on operational efficiency. Patient wait times are at an all-time high, physicians continue to complain about the electronic health record (EHR), unbilled claims pile up … [Read more...] about 5 efficiency-draining traps to avoid in your practice
4 best practices to help optimize your processes and increase your reimbursements
By Ranadene (Randi) K. Tapio, MBA, CMRS, CMC, Guest Contributor bio Revenue Cycle Management is multi-faceted. There may not be a right or wrong way as far as your process goes, but there are tips, tricks, and best practices that can optimize the process, and in turn, your reimbursements. After years of experience working with varying sized and specialty practices, … [Read more...] about 4 best practices to help optimize your processes and increase your reimbursements
Make these your 2 top goals for 2019
Goal No. 1: Win the doctors' respect Everyone knows communication is key and, when it comes to managing a medical office, communicating poorly with the doctors can sabotage your ability to do your job well. Here are a few rules for communicating in a way that generates respect, establishes your credibility, and demonstrates that you can be trusted to manage their … [Read more...] about Make these your 2 top goals for 2019
2018 MGMA conference inspires practice leaders to transform the healthcare industry
By Lisa A. Eramo, MA Leadership, operational best practices, healthcare consumerism, population health management, and value-based care were among the many topics discussed at the 2018 Medical Group Management Association's (MGMA) annual conference in Boston Sept. 30 through Oct. 3. The event included an amalgam of thought-provoking sessions, each of which reiterated the … [Read more...] about 2018 MGMA conference inspires practice leaders to transform the healthcare industry