By Tannus Quatre, PT, MBA
We have all thrown a pebble into a calm lake—the transfer of energy creating ripples that move outward from center until all visible reaches of the lake have been touched. It is a beautiful thing.
In a similar way, the transfer of education and knowledge throughout the workplace also often starts from a single source, and done correctly can also touch all corners. While it does not have to be difficult, it does have to be intentional.
Educating yourself or your staff is an investment. There is virtually no circumstance in which it does not cost time, money, or both. As such, the return on your investment is going to be greatest if there are many ripples, and they extend far throughout your practice.
By Mary R. Daulong, PT, CHC, CHP
Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) is the term generally used when the Medicare program does not have primary payment responsibility; that is, when another entity has the responsibility for paying before Medicare. Over the years, Congress has made an effort to shift costs from Medicare to the appropriate private sources of payment, which has resulted in significant savings to the Medicare Trust Fund.
In addition to complying with Medicare statute and regulation, providers and entities contribute to the Medicare Trust Fund’s sustainability by determining, and then billing the responsible payer first. While Medicare does have an MSP Questionnaire, providers are not required to use it. However, they must question the patient about situations in which Medicare could be the secondary payer prior to the initial billing. Sample questions to ask the Medicare patient are:
By Lynn Steffes, PT, DPT
I am not sure how many of you have had the opportunity to read Brian Tracy’s book Eat That Frog? It is a wonderful read! In his book, the author explores the power of overcoming procrastination. He advises that we should all eat our “frogs” (unpleasant challenges) beginning with the ugliest ones first!
I am afraid that physical therapy is one of those activities. For years, we joked that physical therapy was an acronym for “Pain & Torture”! Dealing with pain or limitations can be frustrating and results that take four to six weeks to obtain are less motivating than the perceived quick fix from a pill that acts in twenty minutes or an adjustment that feels better fast.
We are happy to announce that HPA The Catalyst (the Section on Health Policy & Administration of APTA) wishes to recognize Sandra Norby’s, PT, numerous contributions to health policy with the 2015 R. Charles Harker, Esq. Policy Maker Award.
This award was created in 1997 by the Section on Health Policy, Legislation & Regulation (now the Section on Health Policy & Administration) to recognize APTA members whose actions have significantly impacted health policy, who have demonstrated leadership in health policy making at the state or national levels, and initiated a policy shift of broad magnitude for the profession.
Sandra Norby, PT, of Le Mars Physical Therapy, PLLC has been a physical therapist since 1989, when she graduated from the University of Iowa with her master’s physical therapy. Sandy has also been a certified athletic trainer for many years. Her primary focus today is orthopedics including sports, work injuries, and total joints. She also has experience in neurological rehab for strokes and balance problems. Sandy has a strong personal commitment for the physical health and wellness for the people of Plymouth County. Norby most recently was the director of Rehab for the Center of Neurosciences, Orthopedics and Spine in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. She is well-known in the Siouxland medical community. Norby is involved in the American Physical Therapy Association, serving on the Reimbursement Committees of both the Iowa PT Association and the Private Practice Section.
CPed president and chief executive officer.
Practice location: Rehab Associates of Central Virginia, Lynchburg, Virginia, and surrounding communities.
Practice specifics: We have 11 clinics and a business center. The practice employs 110 people and has been in operation for 50 years!
What is the most influential book/person/event that enhanced your professional career and brief description of why? I think two books equally influenced me professionally. Good to Great by Jim Collins and ACBs of Leadership by Jason Bingham. Good to Great allowed me to realize how to take the next step in the business process and ACBs of Leadership taught me the impact business culture can and should have on your business.
