COVID-19: Informed Practices
Yesterday you received an important CMS update allowing podiatrists to provide Telehealth services to Medicare part B patients, using standard E/M coding with Place of Service 02. Today it was relayed that Medicare Advantage plans are now included in this ruling. Private carriers may adhere to the alternative Telehealth service and coding options or even…
Read MoreCMS Announcement 3/17/20 with BETTER Option for Non Face-to-Face Services
On March 17th, CMS announced a third option for providing remote services that is much better than the two options I sent to you earlier in the week. Those two options still exist and are unrelated to this new third option (for Medicare Part B Patients only). Keep reading…
Read MoreCOVID-19 & Non Face-to-Face Services
In the midst of what has become the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been receiving lots of calls, texts and emails about practicing, coding and documenting for what was formerly referred to as “Telemedicine.” Luckily, I was able to connect with my long time friend and colleague Dr. Jeffrey Lehrman (who just so happens to be…
Read MorePaying You is NOT a Priority
It is a proven fact that patients have priorities when it comes to paying their bills. Come on, you know you do it too. When I get a bill from my dentist, I’m not always in a rush to send payment (maybe he should park his shiny new Porsche behind the building). Priority order of…
Read MoreControlling Receivables in Today’s Podiatric Practice
No matter how long you have been in practice, the trends and points discussed here will pertain to you. Please keep in mind that this article was not composed as a negative rant about the state of healthcare, but instead as a reminder that private practice growth and success is still possible in today’s changing…
Read MorePractice BFF & Controlling Receivables
Your Biller / Your Practice BFF Your biller or Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) company should be trusted and valued in the same way as a BFF (Best Friend Forever) as RCM is the lifeblood of your practice. Here are some points to consider: If your biller or RCM company is not performing well or worse,…
Read MoreAre you AND your practice protected?
As a podiatry specific practice management consultant, I receive lots of questions and requests for assistance on subjects that are as they say, “in my wheelhouse.” Recently, however I received an email from a physician/practice owner that was not. The physician wanted to know if she needed to have malpractice for both herself and the…
Read MoreDelegating “Vacuum Tasks”
Physicians often find themselves bogged down with daily chores that interfere with the efficiencies and productivity of their practices and their overall well-being. These could be anything from completing chart notes and searching for outside testing or lab results to keeping track of inventory and ordering of supplies in the office. On a recent webinar…
Read MoreCherry Picking
Don’t allow patients to “cherry pick” Most of our patients fall into two columns. The first we will title “head in the sand.” You know the type. They present as new patients or as existing ones with a new insurance card. On their initial visit as well as the first time they are seen each…
Read MoreNew Patient Coordinator: Part 2
Based on the questions posed in Part I of our NPC e-blast and your responses, you are most likely realizing that improved methods of triaging, scheduling, registering, evaluating and maintaining contact with new patients and their referring providers need to be implemented in your practice. As a podiatric consultant, I am continually searching for ways to improve patient care, increase…
Read More