Practice Management News and Education

You may have recently become aware of the Open Payments Program, previously called The Sunshine Act, through the California Medical Board and may be asking, “What is it and how does it affect my practice?”

A regularly scheduled practice evaluation can help you stay ahead of policies and procedures that support optimal business performance and a healthy bottom line, even when you think your practice is running like a well-oiled machine. It may seem obvious, but clinical excellence aside, the care you provide for your patients may be impacted by the efficiency and effectiveness of your practice operations.

Since California’s electronic prescribing mandate went into effect on January 1, 2022, many low-volume prescribers have found that securing a standalone e-prescribe platform or adding on e-prescribe as an electronic health record (EHR) feature has been costly, due to its monthly subscription costs and set-up fees.

During the COVID-era of medicine, patients became more accustomed to immediate medical care—especially because of telehealth—and the need for a heightened patient experience increased.  In a time of less face-to-face interaction, it is more important than ever to provide exceptional customer service and a sterling first impression

Starting January 2023, CAP members who receive their printed monthly statements via postal mail will be automatically enrolled in paperless billing to help reduce costs, and use of paper, on behalf of the entire membership.

On July 28, 2022, The House of Representatives voted 416-12 to pass the Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID-19 Act, legislation that would continue Medicare patient access to telehealth services, including audio-only services, through 2024. The telehealth extension bill will allow telehealth visits to be covered after the public health emergency (PHE) ends.

Starting January 2023, CAP members who receive their printed monthly statements via postal mail will be automatically enrolled in paperless billing to help reduce costs, and use of paper, on behalf of the entire membership.

Many independent practitioners are so immersed in the day-to-day operations of keeping their practices afloat and providing the highest level of care, finding the time to stay up to date with the ever-changing healthcare landscape is difficult.

Practice staff are finding themselves with less time than ever before to complete day-to-day administrative tasks, including scheduling and confirming patient appointments. This is partially due to increased patient volumes and new administrative regulations, such as the No Surprise Billing Act that went into effect January 1 of this year.

The No Surprise Billing Act went into effect on January 1, 2022, and affects physicians that see patients who are uninsured or who self-pay for medical services.