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When it comes to data security, protecting patient data is your responsibility. Small medical practices typically do not have the advanced technology or dedicated IT staff keeping a watchful eye to prevent a data security breach. Consider these key steps for protecting patient data.

In an era of accountable care, mid-level providers such as nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and other advanced clinical providers can benefit healthcare practices. There are three key roles that mid-level providers are well-suited to play.

Establishing good cash management practices is a vital defense against theft and fraud. As patient financial responsibility increases, so does the flow of cash through your practice. Be sure to have some cash controls in place. These controls may include the following.

In the era of high-deductible health plans, self pay increasingly means a patient who has insurance but still has a substantial financial responsibility before coverage kicks in. Here are some best practices for collecting what the new self-pay patient is responsible for.

Restrictive covenants, also known as non-compete agreements, are not new. In several high-profile cases, courts have struck down overly restrictive covenants. Some providers mistakenly assume that non-competes are unenforceable and are not a concern when negotiating employment contracts.

In this era of accountable care, utilization data is critical in conveying the value you bring to a payer or potential care-model partner such as Accountable Care Organizations. This Healthcare Practice Strategies article has tips for putting utilization data to work for you.

Disability Insurance: Are You as Covered as You Think You Are? Often to the detriment of the insured, employer-sponsored policies fall under ERISA, which significantly affects the administration and litigation of disability insurance claims.

Tips for effective recruiting. Finding the perfect match can take plenty of time, effort and money. Identifying viable candidates, pre-screening them and then hosting a memorable site visit are all part of the process. Seven steps to follow before starting the recruiting process.

Reasons why healthcare practice mergers and acquisitions fail and how to solve the issues. Information on mergers and acquisitions planning for physician practices. Successful mergers generally occur between physicians or groups with similar values and work ethics.

A CPA with mergers and acquisitions experience can perform the necessary due diligence including reviewing financial trends, tax implications, ancillary income and more. Even straightforward mergers and acquisitions can have complicated tax implications. An experienced CPA can add value.

The practicalities of physician practice mergers. Bundled payments, Accountable Care Organizations and other value-based payment initiatives. Dodging the ICD-10 cash crunch explores the potential impact on physician practice cash flow when the new ICD-10 codes go into effect.

Switching to the new ICD-10 codes. The AMA has placed the ICD-10 conversion on its 2014 list of top challenges for physicians. The potential impact of the new ICD-10 codes on practice cash flow. Dodging the ICD-10 Codes Cash Crunch.

Physicians switching from fee-for-service to bundled payments for healthcare services. How bundled payments will impact monthly cash flow. Switching to bundled payments and adjusting your physician compensation model so that payment is aligned with Accountable Care Organizations goals.

A peek into the OIG Work Plan 2015 and the hot-button areas the agency is monitoring. The OIG Work Plan is a valuable resource for identifying compliance risk areas. Last year, the OIG excluded 4,017 individuals and entities from participation in federal health care programs.

Medical scribes can sometimes add to the bottom line. A report published in ClinicoEconomics and Outcomes Research found that a group of cardiologists were able to see 81 additional patients when using medical scribes. Learn more about medical scribe signature requirements.

ICD-10 is really going to happen. The launch is set for Oct. 1 2015, and if you’re not ready for ICD-10 implementation, the alarm bells should be going off. Consider these five mission-critical steps for ICD-10 readiness.

Healthcare Practice Strategies - how to avoid incident-to overbilling. The Office of Inspector General is keeping a close eye on “incident-to” billings to ensure they are appropriate. Consider the answers to these common questions to ensure proper compliance and appropriate reimbursement.

Marketing tips for your patient portal. Providers are at the mercy of whether patients decide to use the portal. This is the year to make patient portals work work for your healthcare practice.

When it comes to tackling the new ICD-10 code set, the solution may lie in the old wisdom about eating an elephant one bite at a time and breaking ICD-10 implementation into digestible bits. Anyone who touches the system should be trained in the new ICD-10 coding procedures.

Medical practitioners are well versed in the distinct warning signs of various health conditions but the clear signs of financial problems in the practice often go undetected. Here are a few key warning signs of potential problems in practice finances.