With the first full workweek of the new year upon us, it’s a great time to take a look ahead at some of the big dates in 2013. For medical managers, this is the perfect time to look at key dates for the year. If you have a favorite wall or desk calendar (or just received one as a gift over the holidays) you can take note of the federal/bank holidays, and determine how they will affect your schedule, then add any of the healthcare-specific observances. Let’s look at the 2013 government holidays first.
Federal Holidays
There are no surprises here of course, with ten familiar dates that your office may or may not observe. Your office may not observe it, but schools and daycares might – which may impact your schedule. The beginning of the year is also a great time to review your policy on opening and closing these days, as well as reminding your staff about policies to request time off and calling in sick.
In Episode #11, Mary Pat discusses the Medication Reconciliation process, and how it can benefit your practice whether you use paper or electronic records.
In Episode #10, Mary Pat discusses the importance of taking a moment and verifying who you are speaking with when you interact with patients on the phone.
In Episode #9, Mary Pat answers one of the questions she gets most often on the site: Can You Charge Patients a Fee for Payment Plans?
In Episode #8, Mary Pat details how to handle one of the practice manager’s most sensitive duties: dismissing delinquent or problem patients.
Check out the latest Manager’s Minute from Manage My Practice!
In Episode #7, Mary Pat explains the difference between the Date of Service on charges and the Date of Entry or Date of Posting.
Coding and billing can go together like peanut butter and chocolate when you’re talking about private medical practices. Hospitals do things much differently, but either way, here are the differences between coding and billing.
Be sure to check out our Manager’s Minute Page for more episodes!
In Episode #4 of The Manager’s Minute Video Series, Mary Pat explains the difference between insurance “eligibility” and insurance “benefits” and why a successful practice should check them both for every patient, at every visit.
There has been a lot of talk about why our emergency departments are often overloaded with patients seeking primary care, not emergency care. This video explains EMTALA, the law surrounding access to emergency treatment in hospitals.

