U.S. Senate Passes Opioid Legislation, Expanding Prescribing Authority For Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Oct, 2018
The U.S. Senate recently passed the Substance Use-Disorder Prevention that Promotes Opioid Recovery and Treatment (SUPPORT) for Patients and Communities Act and the Substance Use Disorder Workforce Loan Repayment Act as part of a compromise opioid legislation package negotiated between the U.S. House and Senate. The legislation awaits President Trump’s signature. Section 3201 in SUPPORT […]
Category: News & Updates, Opioid Epidemic
Oops, They Did It Again: Will Your Medicare Part B Reimbursement Decrease?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Sep, 2018
Every year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposes Medicare Part B reimbursement rules for the upcoming year. The 2019 proposed rule changes could affect the amount of reimbursement physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists receive. If these proposed rules are finalized, clinicians could lose as much […]
Audiologists Play A Role In Early Dementia Screening
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
The Hearing Review recently published the article, “Dementia Screening – A Role for Audiologists”, in which the authors review the rationale and importance of dementia screenings, and suggests a specific screening protocol which can be easily and quickly adapted into a clinical office visit, as part of the intake, counseling, or expectations discussion. Audiologists and […]
Category: Professional Development
Are You Defrauding Medicare By Either Upcoding Or Downcoding Submitted Claims?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
Both upcoding and downcoding are significant because these actions have been interpreted as a basis for abusing and defrauding the federal government and its programs. According to CMS, “abuse describes practices that, either directly or indirectly, result in unnecessary costs to the Medicare Program.” Abusive coding practices include: Upcoding – a code with a […]
Can You Compete Against A Noncompete Clause?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Aug, 2018
Do you have an existing noncompete clause in your contract or are looking to enter into such a contract? If so, you should read the full article from Physicians Practice. While addressing physicians, the information in this article is applicable to any healthcare provider being asked to sign a noncompete. In most states, some form […]
Category: Professional Development
Are You Productive In The Office? If Not, Learn How To Address Common Efficiency Killers
Posted by Donna Craig in Jul, 2018
At Marysville Primary Care, the physicians have a good idea of what awaits them each day before seeing their first patients. The four doctors at the Ohio-based practice take a look at their schedule at least one day ahead of time, communicating any concerns with two nurse practitioners and other staff members — all in the name of increased efficiency.
Category: Professional Development
New Oncology Nursing Society Guidelines for Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jun, 2018
With the explosion of immunotherapy and rapid changes in oncology treatment guidelines, it is all nurses can do to stay abreast of best practices. The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) will soon fill this growing educational gap with a complete update of Chemotherapy and Biotherapy Guidelines and Recommendations for Practice, a classic foundational volume now in […]
Category: News & Updates, Nursing, Professional Development
Want to Reduce Patient No-Shows?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jun, 2018
Patient no-shows have always been an issue for health care providers. According to the American Osteopathic Association, no-show rates in an outpatient setting can range between 23 percent and 34 percent, resulting in a loss of 14 percent of anticipated daily revenue. Medical Economics highlighted the results of a recent study conducted at Nassau University […]
Category: Professional Development
Become More Efficient With EHR, Leaving More Time With Patients
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Jun, 2018
Medical Economics provides guidance to healthcare providers to help in improving their efficiency with EHR documentation. Being more efficient leaves more time for the patients. “The healthcare industry has been ready for an overhaul of the Meaningful Use program, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is prepared to deliver. What can physicians expect? […]
Could You Be Facing A Professional Licensure Investigation?
Posted by donna@healthlawcenterplc.com in Apr, 2018
The American Nurses Association – Michigan Chapter’ in its Spring newsletter, began a four-part series discussing professional licensure investigations and a health care professional’s rights when advised that such an investigation has been initiated. So how does a licensure investigation begin? All investigations start with a complaint being filed with the Bureau of Professional Licensing. This can […]