Patient dissatisfaction is more than a customer service issue – it can escalate into complaints, regulatory scrutiny, and even malpractice claims. For podiatric medical physicians and surgeons, addressing concerns promptly and professionally is essential to protect both patient relationships and legal risk.
As we start the new year, it is a great time to review regulatory updates and implement necessary changes to reduce your risk. This article summarizes billing and coding changes as well as HIPAA updates.
In a busy medical practice, daily demands often take precedence over administrative tasks like performance evaluations. However, conducting annual office staff reviews is one of the most valuable investments a practice can make. Regular, structured evaluations strengthen team performance, support staff development, and ultimately enhance the quality of patient care.
Scope-of-practice violations are among the most common – and costly – regulatory risks for doctors and medical practices. These occur when:
- A provider performs tasks they are not legally permitted or trained to do.
- Tasks are delegated to staff whose licensure does not authorize those activities.
High-risk diabetic patients are those with a significantly increased likelihood of developing complications such as foot ulcers, infections, or amputations if not closely monitored and managed. These patients may present with:
- Neuropathy
- Peripheral artery disease
- Foot deformities
- History of ulcers or amputation
- Multiple co-morbidities that complicate podiatric treatment
Managing these patients is one of the most liability-sensitive areas of podiatry. It’s essential to provide comprehensive care to improve outcomes and reduce professional liability risk.
In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, many physicians are seeking ways to grow their practices without compromising the quality of care. Scaling a medical practice involves more than simply seeing more patients - it requires strategic expansion of operations, staffing, technology, and patient engagement systems. When done correctly, it can increase profitability, improve efficiency, and enhance patient satisfaction. Below are steps you can take to scale your practice.
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.
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.
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.
Nearly everyone texts to communicate. It’s quick, easy, and convenient. However, texting with patients carries professional, legal, and ethical risks, including:
- 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.