99MGMT Blog

The Physician Self-Referral Law, commonly referred to as the Stark Law, is a federal law passed in 1989 that prohibits healthcare providers from referring Medicare and Medicaid patients for “designated health services” to entities with which the provider has a financial relationship. This includes physician practice management companies, such as those that employ new physicians and offer administrative outsourcing. 

Social media has become an integrated part of today's world, and it is no surprise that it plays an increasingly important role in our lives. As healthcare professionals, you know the importance of staying up-to-date with the latest technologies, including social media-related ones. 

In today’s digital era, we rely heavily on social media platforms for both professional and personal use.

However, online social spaces provide plenty of opportunities for private information to become public – including patient medical records and data (HIPAA information).  Social media HIPAA violations have become common and are problematic for a variety of reasons.

HIPAA compliance is a necessity for both the medical practice and the patient. A HIPAA compliance checklist is vital to making sure the various components of compliance are considered and handled efficiently. Key components in the process of meeting HIPAA regulations include making sure compliance is facility-wide and involves the proper paperwork and privacy for all patient documentation. Also, electronic protected health information (EPHI) must be protected from potential hacking, with regular risk analysis done to ensure the security protocols continue to be sufficient.

When you've been with a medical practice for a while, it can be hard to imagine leaving. After all, you've built up a good rapport with your patients.  You know the ins and outs of the office, too. 

The Physician Self-Referral Law, also known as Stark Law, bans physicians from referring patients to  “designated health services” payable by health coverage programs such as Medicare or Medicaid with which the physician or an immediate family member has a financial relationship (unless a rare exception applies).

Healthcare professionals regularly find themselves struggling to find the best ways to help patients, working in a world where masks continue to be a controversial topic and health is a valued commodity. Society has discovered, thanks in part to the coronavirus pandemic, that a work-life balance is a higher priority than it had been given of late and has begun taking steps to change lives for the better. 

Healthcare employment is projected to increase 13% by 2031, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor projects that means 2 million new jobs in a decade. With more employees to think about, Healthcare HR has some ongoing concerns to address.

Navigating medical issues and the confidential nature of medical histories is complex. Patients know they have rights, and they are counting on the medical professionals they see to respect those rights. 

In today’s society, potential patients look to online resources for everything. Studies show that 80% of potential new patients search for health-related topics online before they reach out to any professional. This is why online marketing is key to growing your medical practice. 

Operating a medical practice means working in cooperation with other healthcare professionals. However, concerns about referrals between facilities for the wrong reasons have led to regulations and legal consequences.