Page 37 - Delaware Medical Journal - November/December 2019
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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT
YOUR 2020
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
for Practice Management
Tina Irgang Leaderman
It’s hard to believe, but another year is nearing its end, and it’s time to think about 2020.
For many of your patients, this may mean dusting off their gym memberships. Personal well-being (yours and your patients’) is important, of course, but what about the well-being of your practice? Below, local practice administrators and physician consultants share their thoughts on ways to improve your practice in 2020.
BILLING
Set a target for monthly claims checks. Delaware law requires private insurers to pay at least Medicare rates, but they don’t always, says Louise Blackwood, Practice Administrator
for Mark A. Glassner, MD in Newark. “Once a month, I spot-check at least 10 claims” from the payers that have been problematic in the past, Blackwood says. right rate, I will work the weekend and go back the last six months to see how many weren’t paid correctly.” Most insurers are
good about adjusting the payments once errors are pointed out, she adds.
Investigate new billable services.
As insurers become more interested
in heading off hospitalizations, many have started to cover new screening services to keep patients healthy, says Rohan D’Souza of D’Souza & Associates in Hockessin. So take a look back at insurers’ announcements of newly covered services. “Not only are you helping your patients, but the bottom line,” says D’Souza. “You may even be doing [the screening] already, and you could be billing for it!”
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT/ MARKETING
Invest in a mobile-friendly website. Mobile Google searches surpassed desktop searches in 2016, so you’re
at a distinct disadvantage if you
have a website that’s not compatible with mobile, says Lynn Bouscaren, Owner of Peak Medical Marketing in Newark. “People are using phones to look up doctors. If your website cuts information out, you could be
hurting yourself” in the competition for patients, she says.
Invest in a physician liaison. If you’re a specialist and have a little bit of extra room in your budget, it’s great to have someone who can visit primary care Bouscaren. “Doctors rarely have time to
of hiring someone to market for them is that their name is top of mind” when a PCP wants to make a referral, she adds. If you’re uncomfortable having someone else represent you, make it clear that you’d like the PCP to contact you directly manage patients with diabetes.
COMPLIANCE/OPERATIONS
Allow time for practice administrators to network with peers. In a small practice, it can be challenging to allow for this, but networking through a group like PAHCOM (Professional Management) can help your staff stay
on top of regulatory changes you’ll need to be ready for, says Blackwood. She
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