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FootZine,
Volume 7 |
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| With this issue I am happy to announce the
addition of Barry Block, DPM, JD, to the FootZine Advisory Board.
Dr. Block is the longtime editor of both the print magazine Podiatry
Management and the "pm-news" podiatry e-zine, and his
insights and expertise are most welcome. Thanks, Barry! Thanks also to Linda Harr, for kicking off the HIPAA Q & A section with her questions. Feel free to add your "pet" HIPAA questions - just send them to me at the FootZine email address, and Ray will provide answers. ~ Gayle *_* Letters
*_* From: Judyre: Diabetic Shoe Companies In search of a diabetic shoe company other than Drew that supplies leather tennis shoes with removable insoles and extra depth due to Drew company with etonic is on backorder until January 2003 and patients are needing shoes now!!! Thanks for your extra time in the research! Judy dme@wrightmedical.net *_* *_* *_* From: Ann Fath re: Sharing I am the practice manager for Drs. Titko, Hindman, Roof, Neltner, and Fallis. I manage 18 medical assistants, 5 transcriptionists and 1 surgery scheduler. I would love some input from other assistants as well as physicians so that I may share with my staff. Thanks in advance. Have a great Weekend! Ann Fath afath1poh@yahoo.com *_* *_* *_* From: Tom Taylor, DPM re: Roll-A-Bout Reply (Question from FootZine #6) We have used the Roll-A-Bout on several occasions and just had a meeting about being more proactive about using it more. We are trying to get a local medical equipment supply shop to stock them for us. We have purchased one for the office and use it for the patients to get from the treatment room to the X-ray. It is small, easily used and saves a lot of crutches and hopping around in the hall. We actually bought it off one of our patients for a good price. Tom Tom Taylor, DPM Euless, Texas phutdoc50@aol.com *_* *_* *_* From: Kymberly Santiago re: Certification Hi Gayle, I had a question, hope you can help. I have a podiatric assistant that is interested in getting her PMAC. Do you know when they will be offering the test to get those qualifications? and If they are planning anything for the January meeting? Thanks for your time... Kymberly knsantiago@yahoo.com *_* Editor's Note *_* Kymberly, The ASPMA Certification is offered many times in many locations every year. The ASPMA web site < www.aspma.org > has a link to "Exam Dates/Sites" which lists a number of cities where the Exam is scheduled to be given this year. You don't say which January meeting you are thinking of, but there was one shown for Birmingham, Alabama. Your best bet may be to look at the dates listed, and then contact Q & E Chair Joan Gordon, PMAC, if you have any more questions about Certification Exam matters. Her email address is jgordon@cub.kcnet.org ~ Gayle *_* *_* *_* From: Annie re: Salaries I was just wondering how much a medical assistant/ receptionist gets paid....I am currently in this position and I received a pay raise that I think is too little.....I assist the doctors, sit at the front desk and check patients in and out, answer the phone, call insurance companies, pre-cert procedures and orthotics, write letters for 3 doctors once they dictate them. Also I enter checks for the practice.....Currently I am getting $11.75.......I got a 75 cent raise that didn't agree with me.......the manager gets $17.40 and it's only 3 of us at the practice working for the doctor.....Please help... *_* Editor's Note *_* Annie, This is a topic that arises fairly often, with doctors also asking what might be fair compensation for their staff. You don't say what area of the country you work in, or how much experience you have, or what other benefits you may receive in that office. These are a few of many factors that should be taken into consideration when determining salaries and whether the amount is "fair". Maybe some others will have additional thoughts on this subject....... ~ Gayle *_* Networking
*_* Dear Gayle,I am looking for a position as a podiatric assistant for almost a year and I wonder if you know anyone in the Boston area who could be looking for an assistant. My email is shenley26@hotmail.com Many thanks, Prakash Mavani *_* *_* *_* Hi Gayle, Will you list for us a job opening???? Receptionist - Federal Way (WA) Foot & Ankle Clinic. Dr. Eric Allen One half to three quarter time Benefits = experience Please fax resume and wishes to 253 874 0885 with best time and place to call. *_* *_* *_* Notices of positions wanted or positions available, as well as other "classified" information, are welcome. They will be posted at the FootZine web site's Networking page. Have a look at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_6.htm *_* HIPAA
Q & A *_* The Questions:by Raymond F. Posa, MBA Hi again Gayle, I have a few HIPAA questions and I'm not sure if a "final answer" is available yet. First, with regards to the sign in sheet: Is it required to have labels, or some other form of patient sign-in? I know there was previous discussion that due to privacy issues, patients signing in should not have access to review all the patient's previously seen that day. Then I heard this does not pertain to podiatry. So, do we know the final answer? Next, someone indicated to me that HIPAA will require all billers to be "certified". I had never heard this one before, but I would appreciate it if you could please research and provide information regarding this as well. Thanks again for your help and your continued efforts on behalf of podiatric assistants. Linda Harr Roseville, MI The Answers: 1) First, the sign-in sheets should now be a thing of the past. All check-ins should be done face to face with a staff member and that staff member can then mark that patient "in" either in the computer system or in the appointment log book. A sign-in sheet on the counter should never be used nor any other method whereby the patient can see the other patients' names. 2) HIPAA is not specialty-specific. The rules apply the same to Podiatry as to Cardiology, no exceptions. 3) The answer to the question as to whether "HIPAA will require all billers to be certified" is no. The word "certified" is going to be thrown around a lot in regard to HIPAA. There is no formal Government certification for anything HIPAA. It is just a buzz word that a lot of organizations will try and use to lend credibility to themselves. The only requirement for the biller is that they must have a compliance plan in writing. Then as part of your compliance plan, with respect to those specific questions regarding billing compliance, you would just cite the billing company's compliance plan. These questions and their answers will be archived on the FootZine web site on the "HIPAA FAQ" page, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_50.htm Email your HIPAA questions to: gaylepmac@attbi.com *_* Gems of Practice
Management *_* Our parents taught us early on the
importance of not being selfish and that “sharing is caring”.
When it comes to customer service (also known as people service) and
patient satisfaction we can “be selfish” while at the same time
being caring.Sometimes It's Okay to be Selfish by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT, PMAC You may ask, “Why should we provide such terrific customer service when we are already so busy and overworked? Our time is so tight and it will just take more energy.” A simple answer to this all-too-common question is “so you can be selfish”. Ask those who focus on providing exceptional customer service about the benefits of this, and the universal answer is it creates improved job satisfaction and makes coming to work a pleasure. You will find less stress throughout the day and a positive view of your practice by your patients, referring doctors and the community as a whole. The end results will be increased self-worth and pride in yourself and your practice. Change is difficult, so starting this week give this a try…BE SELFISH at home, work and in public. Smile more, say hello to strangers and simply go the extra mile for your patients, managers and physicians in your office and you will reap the reward…feeling better about yourself, your job, families and others in your world, big and small. This all begins and ends with YOU! Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm *_* *_*
*_* I really appreciate all the letters with
your questions, comments, and responses. Thanks to all this
week's FootZine contributors .......Please keep writing!~ Gayle *_* *_*
*_*
DISCLAIMER: Acceptance and publication of any letter, article, news item
or advertisement does not necessarily constitute or imply approval or
endorsement by myself of the product, idea, or content therein. I reserve
the right to edit or to not publish any material received. Any health- or
legal-related information is for educational purposes only and should not
be construed as medical or legal advice or a substitute for the advice of a health
care professional or attorney. Information pertaining to legal matters should not Gayle S. Johnson, PMAC |
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