Most Healthcare Professionals do very little advertizing because they are able to increase their client base through referrals. The Compliance PhD training library includes a course on how to Generate Referrals. The course covers tips such as, "Exceed Expectations, Ask for Referrals, and Create a Handout.
To better assist Compliance PhD members with the "Create a Handout" step, we have created a Handout Template where members can easily fill in critical practice information such as: Hours of Operation, Services Provided, Insurance and Payment Options Accepted, and Location.
Members of Compliance PhD can login to the site, and download the form: "Generating Referrals."
If you have questions about generating referrals for your practice, contact Compliance PhD today. http://www.compliancephd.com/, help@CompliancePhD.com, or call 720-475-0134.
Mar 23, 2012
Mar 16, 2012
Terminating a Patient?
A recent conversation I had with a healthcare provider went something like this:
Physician: I know I can terminate a patient who is giving me problems, but I also know that I have to be careful how I go about it. Can you help?
Me: Physicians do have the right to terminate a patient; however, these situations should be reserved for the most extreme circumstances, and must be done carefully. Failure to correctly terminate a patient may result in lawsuits and patients feeling abandoned.
Physician: This particular patient continues to make abusive comments to my staff. I have spoken with him about it, but there does not appear to be any change from him. Many members of my staff are uncomfortable in his presence.
Me: The Compliance PhD training: Firing a Patient should provide you and your staff with the appropriate steps to resolve this situation. The training covers 10 basic steps to ensure your office is protected should this patient disagree with your assessment.
The training covers basic topics such as: Striving to Establish a Relationship, Identifying Inappropriate Behavior, Preparing to Notify the Patient, Notifying the Patient using Certified Mail, Provide Feedback, and Documenting each step along the way.
Physicians do have the right to terminate the physician/patient relationship when a patient is being abusive. In many situations, however, it is important to remember that people are not always on their best behavior when they are sick.
For additional information, visit http://www.compliancephd.com/courses_outline to view the course outline of the Compliance PhD training course: How to Fire a Patient.
Have a question: Email us at help@compliancephd.com or call us at 720-475-0134.
Physician: I know I can terminate a patient who is giving me problems, but I also know that I have to be careful how I go about it. Can you help?
Me: Physicians do have the right to terminate a patient; however, these situations should be reserved for the most extreme circumstances, and must be done carefully. Failure to correctly terminate a patient may result in lawsuits and patients feeling abandoned.
Physician: This particular patient continues to make abusive comments to my staff. I have spoken with him about it, but there does not appear to be any change from him. Many members of my staff are uncomfortable in his presence.
Me: The Compliance PhD training: Firing a Patient should provide you and your staff with the appropriate steps to resolve this situation. The training covers 10 basic steps to ensure your office is protected should this patient disagree with your assessment.
The training covers basic topics such as: Striving to Establish a Relationship, Identifying Inappropriate Behavior, Preparing to Notify the Patient, Notifying the Patient using Certified Mail, Provide Feedback, and Documenting each step along the way.
Physicians do have the right to terminate the physician/patient relationship when a patient is being abusive. In many situations, however, it is important to remember that people are not always on their best behavior when they are sick.
For additional information, visit http://www.compliancephd.com/courses_outline to view the course outline of the Compliance PhD training course: How to Fire a Patient.
Have a question: Email us at help@compliancephd.com or call us at 720-475-0134.
Mar 9, 2012
Self-Audit Questionaire
We receive a lot of questions surrounding the topic of prepardness. "Have I done enough?" "If and auditor came and inspected our practice, would we be safe?" While becoming and maintaining a compliant practice really requires a complex answer to some simple questions, you can perform a basic self-audit by asking yourself the following 10 questions.
If you answered "NO" to any of the questions above, your practice may be at risk. If you need assistance in ensuring your practice is safe, visit http://www.compliancephd.com/. We can help.
- Does my practice have a current training plan?
- Has my staff been trained in this plan?
- Have I verified my staffs' understanding?
- Do I have documentation to demonstrate my staffs' understanding?
- Have I completed my annual HIPAA Risk Analysis?
- Have I completed my annual OSHA Hazard Risk Assessment?
- Do I have documentation to support my ongoing understanding of regulations?
- Do I properly respond and document all security incidents?
- Do I properly respond and document all safety incidents?
- Are my Business Associate Agreements up-to-date with HITECH regulations?
If you answered "NO" to any of the questions above, your practice may be at risk. If you need assistance in ensuring your practice is safe, visit http://www.compliancephd.com/. We can help.
Mar 2, 2012
3 Scenarios where OSHA is sure to visit
OSHA Compliance Training is required at least annually. Most providers are aware that an injury or a compliant may result in an audit or fine. What providers may not be aware of is there are 3 scenarios where you are guaranteed to receive a visit AND a fine from OSHA.
They are:
1. If someone is killed
2. If someone loses a limb
3. If someone sustains an injury that requires them to be in the hospital for 24 hours or more
It is essential to ensure your staff have been properly trained and are aware of the policies and procedures in your practice. However, it doesn't matter if your staff knows the policies but chose not to follow them. Should OSHA visit your practice for any reason, they will certainly want to examine your training material, and evidence training has taken place. Not sure if your office training is current, or comprehensive enough to keep your staff safe?
Visit http://www.compliancephd.com/ to learn how we can help.
Feb 24, 2012
Who pays for an Interpreter?
Recently we have received several questions surrounding the need for Interpreting Services when the patient does not speak English. Who is responsible to provide the Interpreter? Is the practice responsible to pay for the Interpreter? What if a family member is willing to translate?
Should a patient require an interpreter, the practice is required to provide, and pay for interpreting services. Patients who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act and interpreting services must be provided.
If a patient agrees to communicate through family members, writing, or other means, then an interpreter may not be necessary. It is essential to verify that the patient agrees to use their representative for interpreting services. Should the patient representative not wish to provide interpreting services, the practice is responsible to acquire and pay for interpreting services.
It is recommended to have a list of Companies in your area that can accommodate your practice interpreting needs.
Feb 17, 2012
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Our office manager keeps using the acronym NPP. What does NPP stand for?
A: NPP stands for Notice of Privacy Practices. This document outlines how the practice will safeguard the patient's Protected Health Information.
Other common HIPAA acronyms:
TPO- Treatment, Payment, & Healthcare Operations
PHI- Protected Health Information
HHS- Health and Human Services
ePHI- Electronic Protected Health Information
CE- Covered Entity
BA- Business Associate
Q: What would be considered a Incidental Disclosure?
A: Incidental or non-intentional disclosures that occur as a by-product of allowable disclosures are allowed as long as safeguards are applied, and the minimum necessary standard is followed. For example, PHI that is overheard from a nursing station or lab by patients walking past is considered incidental, and does not need to be accounted for.
Q: Can we use a debt collection agency to recoup unpaid services?
A: Yes. Debt collection is recognized under the HIPAA Privacy Rule as an activity within the TPO definition of "payment."
Q: Can we release a child's immunization record to a school for student registration purposes?
A: No. Immunization records contain Protected Health Information. Authorization must be given prior to releasing records to a school.
To see a list of other frequently asked questions, click HERE or visit http://www.compliancephd.com/.
Have a Question? Email your question to Help@CompliancePhD.com
A: NPP stands for Notice of Privacy Practices. This document outlines how the practice will safeguard the patient's Protected Health Information.
Other common HIPAA acronyms:
TPO- Treatment, Payment, & Healthcare Operations
PHI- Protected Health Information
HHS- Health and Human Services
ePHI- Electronic Protected Health Information
CE- Covered Entity
BA- Business Associate
Q: What would be considered a Incidental Disclosure?
A: Incidental or non-intentional disclosures that occur as a by-product of allowable disclosures are allowed as long as safeguards are applied, and the minimum necessary standard is followed. For example, PHI that is overheard from a nursing station or lab by patients walking past is considered incidental, and does not need to be accounted for.
Q: Can we use a debt collection agency to recoup unpaid services?
A: Yes. Debt collection is recognized under the HIPAA Privacy Rule as an activity within the TPO definition of "payment."
Q: Can we release a child's immunization record to a school for student registration purposes?
A: No. Immunization records contain Protected Health Information. Authorization must be given prior to releasing records to a school.
To see a list of other frequently asked questions, click HERE or visit http://www.compliancephd.com/.
Have a Question? Email your question to Help@CompliancePhD.com
Feb 10, 2012
Patient Survey
Many providers often get so caught up in the busy day-to-day activities that they fail to see areas where they could improve the care they are providing to their patients.
Conducting surveys with the help of your patients can provide detailed descriptions of areas you may be doing well, and also areas that could use some improvement.
Questions may include: Ease of Scheduling an Appointment, Friendlyness of Staff, Overall Neatness of the Practice, Waiting Room, etc.
Click HERE to download a Sample Patient Survey. Email help@CompliancePhD.com for this patient survey in a Word format where you can add your Practice Information or tailor some of the questions to fit your needs. As always, should you have any questions you can contact Compliance PhD staff by phone or by email.
Email: Help@CompliancePhD.com
Phone: 720-475-0134
http://www.compliancephd.com/
Conducting surveys with the help of your patients can provide detailed descriptions of areas you may be doing well, and also areas that could use some improvement.
Questions may include: Ease of Scheduling an Appointment, Friendlyness of Staff, Overall Neatness of the Practice, Waiting Room, etc.
Click HERE to download a Sample Patient Survey. Email help@CompliancePhD.com for this patient survey in a Word format where you can add your Practice Information or tailor some of the questions to fit your needs. As always, should you have any questions you can contact Compliance PhD staff by phone or by email.
Email: Help@CompliancePhD.com
Phone: 720-475-0134
http://www.compliancephd.com/
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