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Private patient advocates can help dentists, too
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareEvery dentist knows there are certain types of patients who tend to have trouble managing their oral healthcare. The largest group is aging seniors. As the aging population in America continues to grow, the term "senior orphans" has come to describe elderly patients without family. To meet this growing need, a segment of the healthcare population is growing as well. Private patient advocates exist to help patients navigate an increasingly complicated (and ever-changing) healthcare system by providing the extra support they need. But they also offer many benefits to dentists, too.
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HHS proposes rule to improve interoperability of electronic health information
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationThe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced its proposed new rules during the first day of the annual Health Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) conference to "support seamless and secure access, exchange and use of electronic health information." According to the release supporting the announcements, the rules, issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology (ONC), are designed to increase "choice and competition" while "fostering innovation that promotes patient access to and control over their health information."
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The importance of relationships to healthcare delivery
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareWhen a patient walks through the door of a physician's office, the success of that visit is largely predicated upon the relationship between the doctor and the patient. If a nurse is readying an anxious patient for surgery, the nurse's ability to connect with that individual and provide compassionate care is crucial. And when a school nurse tends to a disabled child's tracheostomy, the previously established trust between child and adult is central to comfort and a sense of mutuality. Healthcare is built upon a foundation of relationships; without those links, the provision of such care can feel sterile, lifeless, and devoid of any deeper meaning.
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Negotiating commercial leases: What’s in a name?
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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Upcoming webinar shows how to handle awkward patient situations successfully
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareIf you've ever wondered if there were resources out there for dentists and practice administrators who find themselves sideways with a patient for one reason or another, wonder no more! A March 12 American Dental Association webinar will offer dentists and dental practice team members real-life solutions for managing…umm…let’s say delicate patient situations. Things like addressing cancellations and no-shows, tips for fielding phone calls from prospective patients and even guidance on the right way to dismiss patients from the practice will be covered.
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CVS Health to give $100 million to take on the social determinants of health
Scott E. Rupp Medical & Allied HealthcareSocial determinants of health are conditions in the environments in which people are born, live, learn, work, play, worship, and age that affect a wide range of health, functioning, and quality-of-life outcomes and risks. According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, conditions in these various environments and settings have been referred to as "place." In addition to the more material attributes of "place," the patterns of social engagement and sense of security and well-being are also affected by where people live. Following on this impact, and CVS Health's $69 billion acquisition of Aetna, the company announced that it will give $100 million over the next five years to improve community health.
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When healthcare and politics intersect
Keith Carlson Medical & Allied HealthcareHealthcare consumers and providers may not always speak of politics and healthcare in the same breath; however, these two powerful cultural and societal forces are often inextricably linked in multifaceted ways. For healthcare providers who want to have an impact in this regard, understanding politics and the political nature of medicine and patient care is paramount. A large swath of Americans may not be aware of the fact that many healthcare providers serve in local, state, and federal governments in a variety of positions.
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Top tips for taking care of your child’s dental health
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareMany people don't know it but, believe it or not, cavity prevention starts at birth. And given that more than 40 percent of children have cavities by the time they reach kindergarten, there are simple things parents can do to ensure healthy oral development for their children during pregnancy and after the big delivery. February is recognized as National Children’s Dental Health Month. Dr. Lynse Briney, a Chicago Dental Society pediatric dentist, has offered her top tips for taking care of dental health for young children.
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What dentists need to know for tax season
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareThe very most important thing dentists need to tell their young patients who are losing their baby teeth? Pay your taxes on your tooth fairy income. OK, maybe not. But a little humor never hurt anyone — especially when talking about taxes. And dentists. Jokes aside, down to business. Dentists who own and operate their own practices who have purchased or financed equipment during the 2018 calendar year, may elect to take the Section 179 deduction when filing their taxes in order to maximize their savings.
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Medicare payments come in short for practices that rely on them
Scott E. Rupp Healthcare AdministrationMedical practices that live and die on the gyrations of Medicare payments might find themselves near death’s door in 2019 if feedback is any sign of their viability and longevity. Medicare reimbursements simply may not be cutting it for as many as two-thirds of practices that receive the federal payments. Per responses, Medicare payment rates for 2019 will not cover the basic cost of their delivering care to patients, an MGMA Stat poll points out.
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