On January 15, 2013, Dr. Joel I. Bertstein, a La Jolla, California oncologist, pled guilty to a charge that he introduced an unapproved drug into interstate commerce and administering it to patients. The drug is a cancer fighting drug known as “Mabthera.” Mabthera has not been approved by the U.S.…
Physicians and dentists often decide to choose a new place to practice. Sometimes it might be in the same area but a different part of town or it can be in another city or state. Whether you are considering opening a new office or simply relocating, it is extremely important…
The final Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rule was announced on January 17, 2013, modifying the original 1996 version. The rule becomes effective on March 26, 2013, with full compliance mandated by September 23, 2013. After that, enforcement will commence. Under the new rule, patients have new rights…
While only slightly more than two-thirds of primary care physicians in the United States used electronic medical records (EMR) in 2012, this is an increase of 50% over the 46% that reported using them in 2009. This data is documented in a Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey, which was…
Federal law enforcement agents arrested one Chicago-area resident and six Detroit-area residents based on allegations of home health care fraud. In an 18-count indictment unsealed on January 17, 2013, the federal government contends that the seven parties effectuated a scheme to defraud Medicare based on claims for in-home health services…
According to an economist with Moody’s Analytics, the new health care law is set to negatively impact hiring in 2013; this is based on what human resource firms are saying, anyways. They are predicting that some businesses are going to be taking on more part-time employees rather than hiring full-time…
In 2011, the first nine dental therapists (DT) of the University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry’s Dental Therapy program graduated. A second group graduated in early December 2012. Dental therapists go through a two and one-half year program, versus a four year degree for dentists, and are destined to make…
Despite all of your training in medical or dental school, many patients may feel that you have a long way to go with administrative efficiency or bedside manner. As medical professionals, your job is more than examining, diagnosing and treating patients. It is imperative that your patients feel truly cared…
Physicians often feel that marketing or branding their medical practice is unnecessary. Perhaps they think that by being a doctor they have a built in identity or they have plenty of patients. This does not even take into consideration the anticipated influx of new patients being thrust into the patient…
Physicians often reach a point where they no longer want the headaches of owning their medical practice, which comes with administrative, financial, regulatory and legal burdens. While they might wish to continue to see patients, they no longer want the headaches of ownership and desire the financial security from selling…