PICA Insights

Cyber Security in Healthcare: Practical Tips to Protect Your Practice

Oct 1, 2025 7:00:05 AM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management, Coverage

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When it comes to today's healthcare environment, cyber security breaches are an ongoing concern for providers and their practices. From phishing emails to ransomware attacks, healthcare organizations are frequent targets due to the high value of patient data and the complexity of medical systems.

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The Role of Comprehensive General Liability Insurance in DME Credentialing for Podiatrists

Sep 29, 2025 3:15:43 PM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management, Coverage

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As more podiatric physicians incorporate Durable Medical Equipment (DME) into their practices – from custom orthotics to diabetic footwear – understanding the regulatory and credentialing landscape has become increasingly important. One key requirement that’s often overlooked until it delays or derails your DME program is proof of Comprehensive General Liability (CGL) insurance.

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Beyond Malpractice: Why Podiatrists Should Consider Additional Business Insurance Coverage

Sep 29, 2025 3:03:54 PM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management, Coverage

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As a podiatric medical physician, you have medical malpractice insurance to help protect you from claims related to patient care. While this coverage is essential, there are additional risks to consider. Coverages like a business owner’s policy (BOP) and workers’ compensation insurance can help provide an added layer of protection for your practice.

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Texting with Patients: The Risks and Safer Alternatives

Sep 10, 2025 5:40:00 PM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management, Compliance

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Nearly everyone texts to communicate. It’s quick, easy, and convenient. However, texting with patients carries professional, legal, and ethical risks, including:

  1. Privacy and HIPAA compliance. Standard texting is not secure. Messages can be intercepted, viewed on shared devices, or accidentally sent to the wrong number. Therefore, any patient’s personal health information sent via text risks a HIPAA violation and possible fines.
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Maintaining Professional Boundaries with Patients

Sep 10, 2025 5:39:17 PM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management, Practice Management

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Professional boundaries are the ethical, legal, and relational limits that define the interactions between healthcare professionals and their patients. They protect the therapeutic relationship by ensuring that it remains focused on the patient’s health, safety, and well-being. Maintaining these boundaries is crucial for fostering trust, preserving professional integrity, and avoiding conflicts of interest.

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The Risks and Benefits of Patients Recording Visits

Aug 5, 2025 11:21:26 AM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Risk Management

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Patients recording, either audio or video, their encounters with healthcare providers has become increasingly common. While healthcare providers may be alarmed when a patient asks to record their visit, it is not necessarily a bad thing. Recording patient encounters has both risks and benefits.

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Reducing Staff Turnover at Your Podiatry Practice

Aug 5, 2025 11:12:30 AM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Practice Management

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Staff turnover places a significant strain on an office's finances and resources. It increases expenses related to recruiting, hiring, and training new employees, along with the cost of covering temporary staffing needs. Productivity often declines as attention is diverted to focus on the hiring and onboarding process. Additionally, turnover can negatively impact staff morale, especially when the remaining employees must take on extra responsibilities to compensate for vacant roles.

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Major Changes Proposed for Medicare Reimbursement of Skin Substitutes

Aug 5, 2025 10:59:34 AM / by J. Kevin West posted in Compliance

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed significant reforms to the Medicare Part B payment methodology for skin substitute products. If adopted, the proposed changes1 would significantly decrease the reimbursement rate for such services.

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Office Staffing: Handling Time Off Requests

Jul 8, 2025 10:22:00 AM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Practice Management

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Managing office staffing and handling time-off requests effectively is key to maintaining smooth operations, avoiding staff burnout, and ensuring good patient care. 

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Having Difficult Conversations with Patients

Jul 8, 2025 10:15:51 AM / by PICA Risk Management Specialist posted in Practice Management

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Having difficult conversations with patients and their family is one of the most challenging yet important responsibilities in healthcare. These conversations can involve topics like delivering bad news, discussing prognosis, setting boundaries, addressing non-compliance, or managing unrealistic expectations.

Here are some steps you can implement to optimize difficult conversations you need to have with your patient.

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