To Bonus or Not to Bonus?

Over the weekend I received the first of what is shaping up to be many inquiries regarding the same subject, holiday bonuses. After sending a group text to obtain perspective from his colleagues that read; Anyone have any thoughts about holiday gifts/bonuses for staff this year? 1. Same as usual  2. More than usual  3.…

Almost daily I receive calls and emails about a patient who we find out has tested positive after being treated in the office and exposed, and/or potentially exposed employees. Doctors and managers are asking how they should handle these situations (how many days the employee should be out of work, if they are responsible for…

In case you are having trouble maintaining patient social distancing in your office (in common areas such as the waiting room) please feel free to use the below linked document and edit to fit your needs. If you are billing 99072 you should document your exact COVID protocols (clearly demonstrating the time, efforts and expenses…

To follow up on the recent communications regarding the use of 99072, I wanted to share some more helpful information and another example of documentation that needs to be included in your chart notes. Create your own “care plan” when billing 99072, by recording all the efforts being made (above and beyond pre-COVID clinic protocols)…

Following my recent emails regarding CPT code 99072 it has become apparent that many practices have become lax in their COVID-19 screening, visit and follow-up protocols. As more and more physicians are utilizing this code, and starting to see varying reimbursement from private payers, it is imperative to re-establish protocols and to document the actions…

I’ve seen it posted as a question on podiatry Facebook pages and have received emails from my practices asking about 99072 (Are others using it? What are they entering for a charge and is anyone getting paid?).When I need answers to questions like these, I turn to the experts. . . Here is the response…

Let’s face it. 2020 has been a year! Many practices have seen weeks or even months of low and nearly no volume followed by playing catch up with patients who are long overdue for care (all while implementing new waiting room protocols, sanitizing like never before and enforcing strict PPE requirements). Some had no choice…

In case you missed the e-blast from earlier this week discussing Phase 3 Provider Relief Funding under the leadership of President Trump and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), here is some general information to clarify eligibility and the application process (as they relate to you as podiatric physicians and surgeons): Eligibility…

I have been receiving emails from doctors with patients behaving like we aren’t still in a pandemic. Husband and wife “teams” who always go in the treatment room together, family members or friends of patients who do not need to be in the room but are anyway. . . In response to this issue (and if…

Reviewing practice metrics isn’t just about looking at per visit values, aging reports and comparing charges and collections. It is about using those numbers to uncover inconsistencies and issues as they arise (rather than when they are out of control). One of the reports that I suggest my practices look at monthly is titled “No…