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FootZine,
Volume 10 |
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| HIPAA seems to be the topic of the week,
judging from my inbox. Some perspectives on that issue
are in the Letters that follow. If you're a new subscriber to FootZine, I hope you've had a chance to visit the FootZine web site. You'll find the newest issue of FootZine, as well as the Archives of the previous issues. Other pages linked to FootZine.com include "Gems", where the current issue's Gem, and a link to Gem Archives, reside; "Feeture Article", which is currently about HIPAA; Calendar, with dates, locations and other information about programs for podiatric medical assistants; "Networking", with notices of jobs available, jobs wanted, and other items of interest; a useful "Links" page; and just for fun, some "Pictures". Drop on by some time..... ~ Gayle *_* Letters
*_* From: Sue Ruppre: Sign-in Sheets Gayle, Shandy Graphics sells sign-in sheet labels and a binder that you peel off each label as the patient signs in and paste the label in the binder...this binder is kept in a desk drawer and labeled for each day...this was how we solved the sign-in sheet at my past job in a physical therapy office!!! Sorry, I don't have the # for Shandy Graphics on me right now, but I could get it if people are interested... Sue Rupp, (former and hopefully to be again soon) PMAC *_* *_* *_* Gayle, the website is http://www.shandygraphics.com/ and the email address is shandyg@mindspring.com and all the phone/fax #'s are on the web page....that should help everyone!!!! Sue *_* Editor's Note *_* The Shandy Graphics site also has links to published articles about HIPAA, including one from the Atlanta Business Chronicle, which explained some basics about HIPAA for the public. Some examples given include sign-in sheets and release of medical information to others. ~ Gayle *_* *_* *_* From: Jill Klein re: HIPAA A patient of ours is an internist. She is new in practice and spends alot of unnecessary money on seminars regarding Medicare, etc. She was told by the Medicare rep here in South Florida, that the HIPAA rules as we know them have been vetoed by George Bush. The announcement will be in February 2003. The only part that we all have to worry about is our electronic transmissions. The rest of the stuff, sign in sheets, cabinets, private contracts with our contractors who have access to the charts, etc is no longer an issue. (to be announced) Have you noticed how the HIPAA stuff is all discounted now? We don't have to buy any of it. Jill Klein *_* *_* *_* From: Barry Block, DPM, JD re: HIPAA (Jill Klein) In the law we refer to such statements as "hearsay" evidence. Hearsay evidence is not admissible because of its inherent lack of credibility. What's the name and telephone number of the Medicare rep? Somebody needs to call her and get the name and telephone number of the person who supplied her with this "information." As editor of PM News, I am constantly receiving such notes. I find that when I begin to fact check, it doesn't take long to discover that somewhere in the line of "telephone" (that game we played as kids) someone miscommunicated the original message. For example, the real story may be that Bush "is considering", etc. So I urge anyone who hears a story "too good to be true" to do your fact-checking before creating a potential large-scale rumor on the Internet. Barry H. Block, DPM, JD *_* *_* *_* From: Raymond Posa, MBA re: HIPAA (Jill Klein) Hi Gayle, Jill's source is seriously mistaken. What the Bush administration has said is that they will not send auditors out and vigorously enforce the law at first. They are going to have enforcement be complaint-driven. Also, they will work with practices that have made some effort to comply. I think what Jill and practices like hers need to worry about is come April 14, 2003. Because so many practices have not complied and think that HIPAA is not real, I think you will see some real high-profile prosecutions just to put "the fear of God" into people and show them that this law is real and has teeth. There has already been less than 30% response to the EDI requirements in October, so the government is poised to shake thing up a bit. As for the dropping prices in HIPAA stuff, there are several thing causing that. First, slow sales. Practices still don't think this is real and see no need to purchase HIPAA products. The cut in price is an attempt to encourage purchases and to find a sweet spot in the market. This is so new everyone is trying to fine the right price point. Second, there are a lot more companies getting into the HIPAA market and they cut prices to gain market share. Actually, now is the time to buy HIPAA products because the prices are low. Once enforcement starts in April, the market demand will heat up and prices will escalate. Raymond F. Posa, MBA You can review Mr. Posa's HIPAA articles at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_5.htm *_* Gems
of Practice Management *_* On a typical day within our offices we are
challenged with several situations which are quite trying. As
hard as we try, there is that patient or two on our schedule who
seems to cast a dark cloud over the once-sunny day. Sometimes
it feels like there is just not enough oxygen in your office to take
that colloquial “deep breath” when they enter the office.
Nevertheless, why do we allow them to have such control over our
psychological destiny? Build Bridges, Not Walls and Detours by Hal Ornstein DPM, FACFAS and Lynn Homisak, PRT We play a game in our office with these “callous” patients who each seem to wake up waiting to make others in their world miserable. The rules are quite simple: make this patient smile first and you win. It is quite entertaining and we are always amazed how nice these patients become when you do not swing back at them. They are just looking to pick a fight, which helps them to feel that they are superior and in control. Give them something to chew into and by all means it may be a piece of you. Our goal is to gain a win-win situation for the patient, staff, doctor and all the other patients observing. Our moms, who always were able to bring sunshine to rainy days, taught us that to best survive in our often-tumultuous world we should remember that “we should not step on the toes connected to the buttocks that we may one day need to kiss”. Harry Truman summed it up well when stating, “When given lemons make lemonade”. Take control by letting go of it! Previous "Gems" can be found on their own pages of the FootZine.com web site, at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_90.htm *_* *_*
*_* Our group of subscribers grows a little every
week, and I wonder if those who recently joined us ever feel as
though they have walked into a room in the middle of a conversation,
not knowing what was said previously. Sometimes it seems that
conversations are left unfinished. So I thought I'd recap some
of the previous subject matter here, and see if you'd like to add
your thoughts about any of these things, or maybe share something
else that is on your mind. If you want to review all the
previous comments, the FootZine Archives are located at http://www.footzine.com/FZ_7.htmLetters to FootZine since late September have included questions or comments about the following: Restrictions/limitations/scope of duties for podiatric assistants; HIPAA; Regulations about and precautions to take regarding fungal nail dust; "Classifieds" in FootZine (See Networking mentioned above); Email viruses and virus protection; Sharing information/Study groups; HIPAA; ASPMA Certification (for the first time; Re-Certification - resources, rules, credits; ASPMA Comprehensive Review Course and Exam; SAS Shoes; Diabetic shoes; Roll-A-Bout (DME); HIPAA; Salaries/compensation So what do you think about these - or other - things that affect our podiatric lives? Mull it over a little, and then go ahead and write! ~ 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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