Medical practices operating in discounted fee for service managed care markets must address all of the financial and nonfinancial issues involved in a relationship with a managed care plan. These issues are spelled out in the provider contract between the managed care plan and its participating physicians. But what if the medical practice does not like the financial and nonfinancial terms of the contract? Can the practice change them? What if the managed care plan changes the terms of the contract after it is signed? Can the practice change them?

Remember OSHA? - Seems like we’ve forgotten about it. However, like HIPAA, you have to be in compliance – Are you? Here is a brief overview of the bloodborne pathogen rules under OSHA. When reading what OSHA requires employers to do, ask yourself – Am I doing these?

Are you using the new I-9 form when you hire employees? What is the purpose of the I-9?  The form states that it “is to document that each new employee (both citizen and non-citizen) hired after November 6, 1986, is authorized to work in the United States.” The following is a Q & A regarding the new form.