The decision to close your medical practice is often difficult and strenuous.  It may be done for several reasons: retirement, other job opportunities, relocation, personal health, etc.  Whatever the reason, it is important to take the proper steps to protect yourself, your practice and most importantly, your patients. Once the decision has been made to […]

I was talking to a friend the other day who had recently moved his residence. He was extremely satisfied with the moving company and wanted to give the movers a tip.  To his surprise, the movers asked that he instead provide a 5-star rating on google and other social media.  He provided both a tip […]

In June of 2016, Missouri established telemedicine practice standards, including explicitly allowing for the delivery of health care services using electronic information and telecommunication technology.  Telemedicine became a critical and necessary part of practice for a majority of health care providers due to the Covid 19 outbreak. Following the pandemic, many healthcare providers found that […]

Appointment as the medical director involves a physician’s responsibility for the oversight of clinical care at a facility and other administrative responsibilities, such as reviewing protocols and procedures, supervising non-physician clinical staff, creating schedules, and participating in quality improvement initiatives. However, it may surprise physicians to learn that their duties as medical director may expose […]

Records requests to healthcare providers can be for a variety of distinct reasons, in diverse ways and for different purposes. Records requests may be submitted by other treating physicians, family members, police, courts, administrative bodies (Healing Arts Boards), insurance companies, attorneys, medical record collection companies working for attorneys, government agencies, or the patients themselves.  These requests may arrive […]

Communication amongst individuals has changed drastically over the past few decades. Phone calls tend to be ignored in the modern age. Emails can be buried in an inbox with numerous other messages about product reviews, new movies available on subscription services, or any other service that has obtained your email. The ability to text messages […]

Do not wait for the patient to be in the office to understand the reason for the visit. Prior to the patient appointment the chart should be updated regarding the care the patient received from another provider or hospital, and whether there has been a change in medical conditions or medications. Review the past issues, as well as any test, scans or labs that are due. Additionally, remind the patient if you had previously requested they bring a current list of medications, track dietary intake, blood pressures or any other requests.

Many practices, medical groups, or professional associations may have liability exposure based on the conduct of another in their office or practice due to vicarious liability.  This liability is based upon the legal concept of Respondeat Superior. Respondeat Superior (Latin) translates to “let the master answer,” or “let the superior respond.”  The doctrine of Respondeat […]

The doctrine of informed consent is well known to healthcare practices, and most have well established policies and procedures for the physician to obtain informed consent. Informed consent is defined as: a patient’s knowing choice about treatment or a procedure, made after a physician or other healthcare provider discloses whatever information a reasonably prudent provider […]

In 2021, as part of the National Defense Act, Congress enacted the Corporate Transparency Act which imposes new reporting requirements for some businesses as of January 1, 2024.  The purpose of the Corporate Transparency Act was to strengthen the United State’s financial crime monitoring system, by requiring certain entities to disclose and identify information about […]