Risk Management

Don’t Try This at Work: Security Risk Analysis Is Not a Do-It-Yourself Project - 08/02/2019

Medicare’s Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) requires practices to conduct a security risk analysis at least once a year. HIPAA requires at least one analysis, and annual check-ups are considered a best practice. Many physicians find out through these reports that their practices have a lot of work to do to keep patient records safe.

HIPAA: Are You Prepared for a Lost Laptop or Smartphone? - 05/30/2019

Even if the only work-related activity is accessing your email, you may have PHI on your phone right now. Lost and stolen devices are the No. 1 reason for patient data breaches of more than 500 records.

HIPAA: Are You Prepared for a Business Associate Breach? - 05/30/2019

Business associate breaches can be the most costly type of breach and present some of the highest risk because you don't have insight or control over the business associate's security or policies.

Can You Recognize Embezzlement Red Flags? - 06/28/2018

It happens again and again: A physician is blind-sided by the discovery that a long-time, trusted employee has had his or her fingers in the practice till for several years. Often in retrospect, the signs were there, if only the physician had recognized them.

Did That Employee Quit, or Did You Fire Her? - 11/08/2017

The question of whether an employee quit or was fired is very important if the ex-employee files for unemployment benefits. It determines who has the burden of proof in the case. These tips from the Texas Workforce Commission can help you keep the onus of proof off you.

Your EHR Is Watching You - 10/31/2017

 Document, document, document. This is the mantra you follow carefully in creating your medical records. Bear in mind, though: Your electronic medical record is doing some documenting of its own.  

Who Will Run Your Practice If You Can’t? - 09/13/2017

You might have given thought to what would happen to your solo practice and your family in the event of your death, but what if you have a serious accident or illness and are unable to work for, say, several months?

Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training: Not Just for Medicare Advantage Plans - 01/27/2017

Medicare requires annual fraud, waste, and abuse training for physicians contracted with any Medicare Advantage plan and their staff. But all practices should provide this type of training to all employees, regardless of health plan participation, says TMA.

Nine Do’s and Don’ts for Enforcing Office Policies - 12/07/2016

Having office policies is one thing. Enforcing them fairly and consistently is another. By failing to do the latter, you risk losing unemployment claims.

Follow-Up Failures Are Risky - 12/06/2016

Missed appointments and failures to follow up pose some of the greatest legal risks for physicians. Here are some risk-management tips for your practice.

How to Apologize Like You Mean It - 11/15/2016

Everybody makes mistakes. Physicians — even the best, most well-intentioned ones — make mistakes. Regardless of the nature of the mistake, you must take steps to correct it, and that includes apologizing. But it’s important to do it right, or you may make matters worse.

Top Three Reasons Embezzlement Occurs - 06/23/2016

Medical practices suffer from one of the highest embezzlement rates of all service industries.Several factors can contribute to embezzlement. The top three are opportunity, pressure, and rationalization.

Recruiting for Your Practice? Screen Candidates - 06/23/2016

Is there really a need to do a reference check, background check, and even an educational verification when you are hiring a new employee for your practice? (Yes.)

Paying Employees for Lunch Break - 06/23/2016

Does your practice have clear policies regarding rest and meal breaks for hourly (nonexempt) employees?

Opioid REMS Continuing Medical Education - 05/13/2016

On July 9, 2012, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a risk evaluation and mitigation strategy (REMS) for extended-release (ER) and long-acting (LA) opioid medications. The Collaborative on REMS Education (CORE), a multidisciplinary collaboration of 10 Partners and three cooperating organizations, have designed a core curriculum based on needs assessment, practice gaps, clinical competencies, learner self-assessment, with shared tools, resources, and outcomes to meet the requirements of the FDA REMS Blueprint. This educational activity is a result of this collaboration and is intended to ensure that all physicians have the knowledge and skills they need to prescribe extended-release, long-acting opioid medications safely and effectively.   Due to this generous contribution from CORE, physicians have free access to education on how to achieve safe use of opioids:   2013-14 ER/LA Opioid REMS: Achieving Safe Use While Improving Patient Care Credit(s): 3 AMA ...