Medical Billing and Coding 101: Making Sense of Medical Codes

Medical Billing and Coding: An Overview

You’re at the doctor’s office for a routine checkup. After the visit, you receive an itemized bill with a bunch of weird codes and numbers. What do they mean? Medical billing and coding is a mysterious world filled with acronyms and numbers. But understanding the basics can help you make sense of the bills and charges. In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of medical billing and coding in simple terms. You’ll learn what CPT, ICD-10, and E/M codes are, how they work together, and why proper coding is so important. We’ll also review how medical bills are processed and break down some common charges. Whether you’re a patient trying to decipher your medical bills or are just curious about this behind-the-scenes part of healthcare, you’ll gain insight into this complex system. Let’s dive in and start demystifying medical billing and coding!

Understanding Common Medical Codes

To understand medical billing and coding, you first need to know about the codes themselves. The healthcare industry uses a standardized system to classify diseases, injuries, procedures, and services. Diagnosis codes, known as ICD codes, are used to identify a patient’s diagnosis. Currently, ICD-10 codes are used, which include about 68,000 codes.  Procedure codes, called CPT codes, are used to identify services provided, like an x-ray, surgery, or office visit. There are over 7,000 CPT codes.

Knowing these codes is key to working in medical billing and coding. As a medical biller, you’ll use the codes to prepare and submit claims to insurance companies to get paid for services. You need to make sure you use the correct codes for procedures and diagnoses. As a medical coder, you’ll review patient charts and assign the proper codes to bill for services. You have to understand anatomy, medical terminology, and the coding systems inside and out.   

While the numbers and letters in the codes may seem confusing at first, with regular use they’ll become second nature. The most important thing is to keep current with updates to the code sets and coding rules. Coding correctly is crucial for getting claims paid and keeping a practice running smoothly. If this fast-paced, detail-oriented field interests you, medical billing and coding can be a rewarding career. With the right training and certification, you’ll be deciphering those codes in no time!

How to Start a Career in Medical Billing and Coding

To make sense of a medical bill, you need to understand the codes. The most common are CPT codes, which stand for Current Procedural Terminology. These identify specific medical procedures performed by doctors and other healthcare professionals. 

CPT codes  have five digits and a short description, like 99213 – Office/outpatient visit, established patient. The numbers indicate the complexity of the visit. As the numbers get higher, the visit typically involves more time with the doctor and a more complicated medical issue.  

ICD codes represent diagnoses. ICD stands for International Classification of Diseases. These codes have three to seven digits, like 250.00 – Diabetes mellitus without complication, or J44.9  – Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, unspecified. ICD codes provide details about the patient’s medical conditions and health issues.

HCPCS codes cover healthcare products, supplies,  and services.They have two parts: Level I HCPCS codes that are CPT codes, and Level II HCPCS codes, like A7030 – Infusion set for external insulin pump, non needle cannula type. Level II codes represent things like ambulance services, durable medical equipment, and injectable drugs.

Between CPT codes, ICD codes and HCPCS codes, medical bills contain a lot of numbers. But understanding these common medical codes helps make sense of the charges and ensure you’re billed properly for the care you received. If you ever have questions about the codes on your medical bills, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor or healthcare provider for an explanation.

Dental Implant Restorations: Improving Smiles, Changing Lives

What Are Dental Implant Restorations?

You know that smile is one of the first things people notice about you. But what if you’re hiding your smile because you’re missing teeth or have teeth that are broken, chipped or stained? Don’t keep hiding your smile and missing out on life. Dental implant restoration can give you back your smile and confidence.

 Dental implants are one of the most natural-looking and longest-lasting solutions for replacing missing teeth. They provide a permanent solution that allows you to eat, speak and smile with confidence again. Dental implants can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth, providing a strong and stable support system for replacement teeth that look, feel and function like natural teeth.

With cutting-edge 3D imaging and advanced surgical techniques, dental implants have become more accessible, affordable and predictable than ever before. The expert dentists use the latest tools and technology to evaluate your smile and provide a customized treatment plan to give you your smile back. It’s time to stop hiding your smile. Dental implants can give you a smile you’ll want to show off again.

Benefits of Dental Implant Restorations

Dental implant restorations are the closest thing we have to natural teeth. Unlike dentures or bridges, implants are permanent tooth replacements that are surgically placed into your jawbone.

The Procedure

The process typically takes several months to complete but the end results are well worth it. First, titanium posts are implanted into your jawbone where your natural tooth roots once were. Over time, the titanium fuses with your living bone through a biological process called osseointegration.

Once the implants have fully integrated, abutments are attached which serve as connectors between the implants and your new replacement teeth. Custom crowns, bridges or dentures are then secured to the abutments.

(-) No more slipping, clicking or sore spots from ill-fitting dentures

(-) Eat your favorite foods again without worrying about your teeth

(-) Regain your natural smile and confidence

A Permanent Solution

With good oral care, dental implants can last a lifetime.  They help prevent bone loss and gum recession in the areas where teeth are missing. The end result is replacement teeth that look and function like natural teeth.

Dental implant restorations have revolutionized tooth replacement. They’ve given countless people back their smile and ability to enjoy life without the hassles and embarrassments of traditional dentures or bridges. If you’re missing teeth, talk to your dentist about whether you’re a candidate for this life-changing treatment. With dental implants, you can smile, speak and eat with confidence again.

FAQs About Dental Implant Restorations

Dental implants can drastically improve your smile and confidence. Here are a few of the major benefits of dental implant restorations: 

Improved Appearance

Implants look and feel like real teeth. No more worrying about your dentures slipping or clicking when you talk or eat. Implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth that blend right in with your natural smile. 

Easier Eating

With implants, you can eat all your favorite foods again without difficulty. Bite into an apple or corn on the cob and actually taste the flavors. No more avoiding crunchy or chewy foods because your dentures won’t allow it. Implants function like real teeth, allowing you to eat naturally and comfortably.

Improved Speech 

Implants eliminate the slippage and mumbling often associated with dentures. You can speak clearly and confidently without worrying that your teeth might slip or click. Implants allow you to speak naturally without thinking twice about it. 

Better Oral Health

Since implants fuse with your jawbone, they help prevent bone loss and gum recession that often happens with missing teeth.  Implants keep your gums and jawbone healthy and strong. They also make it easier to brush and floss your teeth, allowing you to maintain good oral hygiene. 

In summary, dental implants offer both cosmetic and health benefits for people with missing teeth. They are a permanent solution that can give you back your smile, confidence and quality of life. If you’re tired of dealing with the hassles of dentures or missing teeth, it may be worth discussing implants with your dentist. They could change your smile and your life.

Invisalign Dental Services: A Clear Path to a Beautiful Smile

Invisalign Dental Services: A Clear Path to a Beautiful Smile

How Invisalign Works to Straighten Your Teeth

Have you ever looked in the mirror and felt unhappy with your smile? Maybe your teeth are crooked, gapped, or misaligned. If so, you’re not alone. Many people live with smiles they wish they could change. The good news is, there’s an innovative solution that can give you the smile of your dreams without the pain and hassle of traditional braces with invisalign dental services.

Invisalign clear aligners are custom-molded trays made of smooth, comfortable plastic that gently shift your teeth into place over time. No metal wires or brackets means no irritation, no changed diet, and no damage to your gums. Invisalign is also removable, so you can take the aligners out to eat and brush your teeth. Best of all, most people won’t even notice you’re wearing them. In just 6-18 months, you’ll be well on your way to the straight, beautiful smile you’ve always wanted.

If you’re ready to transform your smile without sacrificing your lifestyle or appearance, Invisalign clear aligners could be the perfect solution for you. Talk to your dentist today to find out if you’re a candidate and take that first step towards gaining confidence in your smile. The path to a straighter smile has never been so clear.

Top 5 Benefits of Choosing Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to gradually shift your teeth into the right position. Each aligner moves your teeth just a little bit at a time, about .25 to .33 millimeters per week to be exact. This means you’ll go through multiple sets of aligners over the course of your treatment to achieve a noticeably straighter smile.

(-) You’ll start by getting a 3D image of your teeth taken, which your dentist will use to map out a customized treatment plan.

(-) The plan details how your teeth should move during treatment to achieve the smile you want. 

(-) Based on the plan, your custom aligners are then created.

(-) You’ll wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks before switching to the next set.

(-) With each switch, your teeth will have slightly shifted into better alignment.

Over a few months of consistent aligner use, your teeth will move into the proper position to give you a smile you’ll want to show off. The best part? Since the aligners are nearly invisible, no one has to know you’re undergoing treatment unless you tell them.

Invisalign not only helps fix spacing issues, underbites, overbites and crooked teeth, but it’s also more comfortable and convenient than traditional braces. The aligners are removable so you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth.  No more food getting stuck or avoiding certain snacks. A straighter smile has never been so simple. Why not see if Invisalign is right for you? A free initial consultation can determine if you’re a candidate and get you started on the path to a happier, healthier smile.

Is Invisalign Right for You? Factors to Consider

Choosing Invisalign aligners is one of the best decisions you can make for your smile and confidence. Here are the top benefits of Invisalign:

Convenience and Comfort

Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat and brush your teeth. No more avoiding certain foods or dealing with irritation from metal braces. The smooth, customized aligners are comfortable to wear and won’t cause mouth sores. 

An Improved Smile

Invisalign gently shifts your teeth into the ideal position according to your personalized treatment plan. You’ll start noticing small changes in just a few weeks, and enjoy your beautiful new smile upon completion. People may not even realize you’re straightening your teeth!

Better Oral Health

It’s easier to brush and floss normally with Invisalign, allowing you to maintain good oral hygiene during treatment. This reduces risks like tooth decay, gum disease, and stains. Your teeth and gums will be healthier after treatment.

Peace of Mind

Invisalign aligners are BPA-free and made from high-quality, medical-grade materials that are safe and comfortable. As an FDA-cleared medical device, Invisalign meets the highest standards for quality and safety. You can feel confident in the treatment process. 

A Lifetime of Benefits

Straighter teeth and a more confident smile can last a lifetime with proper retention. Invisalign’s cutting-edge technology helps ensure lasting results and a smile you’ll enjoy for years to come. Your teeth will continue looking their best even after treatment is complete.

Fast Track Your Way to Becoming a Medical Assistant

So you want to become a medical assistant? Whether you’re fresh out of high school, looking for a career change, or wanting to gain valuable experience in the healthcare field, you can learn to be a medical assistant. The best part is you don’t need years of schooling to get started. With the right training program, you can land an entry-level position within months.

As a medical assistant, you’ll work alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals providing administrative and clinical support. One day you might be scheduling appointments, the next day drawing blood or assisting with minor procedures. The work is varied and fast-paced, and medical assistants are in high demand. Healthcare organizations value their versatility, efficiency, and patient care.

If you’re eager to jumpstart your career, becoming a medical assistant is a smart move. You get to help people, work in a growing field, and gain useful experience—all without spending years in school. Whether you see it as a lifelong career or a stepping stone, medical assisting offers an exciting path to getting your foot in the healthcare door. Why wait? Let’s look at how you can become a medical assistant in as little as 4 to 12 months.

The Growing Demand for Medical Assistants

The healthcare industry is experiencing massive growth, and medical assistants are in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for medical assistants is projected to grow a whopping 23% from 2019 to 2029. That’s over 100,000 new jobs!  

With an aging population and increased access to healthcare, physicians and nurses need support. As a medical assistant, you’ll take on important responsibilities like administering medications, drawing blood, recording patient histories, scheduling appointments, and more. This allows doctors and nurses to focus on critical patient care. 

How to Learn to Be a Medical Assistant Quickly

To become a medical assistant, you have several options. Many pursue on-the-job training, learning through experience. However, most employers prefer candidates with a postsecondary certificate or associate’s degree. Vocational schools and community colleges offer medical assisting programs that usually take 9 months to 2 years to complete. Coursework covers anatomy, medical terminology, record keeping, and clinical procedures.  

Once you’ve completed your training, you’ll need to become certified (though not always required). Passing an exam from the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) or National Healthcareer Association (NHA) will demonstrate your competence to employers. Certification, along with a degree or certificate, is your ticket to this fast-growing, rewarding career.

The demand for medical assistants shows no signs of slowing. If you’re interested in healthcare, now is an ideal time to start your training and join this essential field. With the right education and skills, you’ll have job security and career opportunities for years to come.

Top Medical Assistant Training Programs and Courses

If you want to fast track your way to becoming a medical assistant, here are some tips to get you started:

Learn through online courses

These days, you have access to tons of online courses to teach you everything you need to know to become a medical assistant. Courses through websites like Udemy, Coursera, and Udacity offer training on medical terminology, electronic health records, phlebotomy, and more. The courses often include video lectures, readings, and hands-on projects.  Some are self-paced while others have set start and end dates. The best part is many are very affordable or even free.

Find a hands-on externship

While online learning is great for theory, nothing beats real-world experience. Look for externship or internship opportunities at local hospitals, clinics, or private practices. Even if it’s only for a few weeks, you’ll gain valuable on-the-job training and experience. You’ll also start building your professional network and may even land a job offer.

Earn necessary certifications

Certain medical assistant certifications can help boost your resume and open up more career opportunities. Two of the most well-known are the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) credential from the American Association of Medical Assistants and the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) credential from American Medical Technologists. Study the certification requirements and topics to make sure you’re ready to pass the exam.

Keep learning and improving your skills

Technology and healthcare practices are constantly changing, so medical assistants need to stay up-to-date with advances in equipment, records systems, and treatment options. Take additional courses or pursue continuing education to strengthen your knowledge and skills. Staying professionally engaged will make you a better medical assistant and open up doors for career growth.

With determination and hard work, you can fast track your way to becoming a medical assistant in a matter of months. Keep at it and before you know it, you’ll be assisting doctors and nurses in providing quality care to patients.

A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Open Your Own Dental Office

If you are looking to open up your own dental office, many things need to be considered. This article will help you learn more about the process of opening a dental practice and what steps it takes to get started. Find out how much money should be invested in starting your own business, as well as what legal requirements must be met before opening for business. You’ll also find information on how much competition there is in the industry so that if this does not seem like the right career path, you can make an informed decision about where else to look.

1. Pick a location for your office

Dental offices can be located in a wide variety of places. When choosing a location, the most important factor is to find an area that does not have many other dental practices near you because this will increase the chances of your practice succeeding. However, if there are few surrounding businesses, it may make finding new patients harder. If you decide to open up shop next door to another dentist, be sure they won’t mind, or else potential customers might get confused and visit both offices! It’s also helpful if the region has good public transportation, so people without cars don’t have trouble getting to your office for appointments. Another thing to think about is what areas would yield more business than others based on population demographics and city plans. Just keep in mind that cities may change their plans, and not all areas will be as profitable as originally thought.

2. Register with the Dental Board of California

Before you can even open your office, you must register with the Dental Board of California and receive a license to practice. Damon Becnel says this is necessary because all patients will know that they are receiving care from an actual dentist and not just someone who claims to be one. It also protects people if anything goes wrong while visiting the office or if any legal action needs to be taken against them by other businesses such as insurance companies.

The application process takes about three months to complete, so plan! You’ll need plenty of forms filled out, including financial records, proof of citizenship status (if applying), two passport-sized photos on top of everything else. It is best to hire an attorney who specializes in this kind of thing so they can help you through the process and make sure nothing gets missed; plus it will cost less than trying to do all of this on your own.

To complete the application fee, be paid by check or money order payable to “Dental Board” along with a $250 filing fee that will go towards processing fees upon acceptance into the program. If accepted, another payment for registration costs must also be completed, which includes two more annual licenses for board members and one license each year after that until office closure occurs (for instance, if you decide not to continue running your business). You’ll need additional credentials before obtaining a dental permit from California’s Dental Law Office.

3. Find an office space that meets your budget and needs

Once you have registered with the Dental Board of California, you are free to begin finding an office space that will be suitable for your needs. Keep in mind how much money you can afford to spend on rent and other expenses while searching around- it may take time before new patients start coming in, so try not to stress about this too much if necessary!

If possible, choose a location with plenty of parking nearby because some customers may be hesitant to visit if they think street parking might be difficult or unsafe. You’ll also want close access to public transportation, especially since most potential clients probably don’t own cars. If possible, find an area with high foot traffic where people naturally come by often, whether it’s just down the road from a local park or around a fast-food restaurant.

If you plan on using the office only part of the time, leasing out space to other dentists might be your best bet if it is one big open area- this will help pay off expenses and provide some extra cash flow which can always come in handy!

4. Hire employees to help you run the business smoothly

After your office is equipped with chairs and other necessities, it’s time to find employees to help get this business up and running. Although you might be tempted to do everything yourself out of fear or laziness, hiring a few professionals in key areas such as marketing/advertising, receptionist services, dental assistance/hygienists, etc., can boost productivity while freeing up more time for yourself!

It doesn’t have to cost much either- there are plenty of paid online forums where potential candidates post their resumes, so this could be an effective way of finding the right people who fit within your budget. Make sure they all bring something unique to the table, so no one feels underutilized or useless, which would ultimately lead them to look elsewhere for employment if possible.

5. Purchase equipment like dental chairs, x-ray machines, and sterilizers 

After you have hired the right employees, it’s time to buy some equipment for your office. You can find these items online or in physical stores such as Walmart and Target- just make sure they are FDA approved, so all medication is safe from infection!

If possible, ask former dentist friends of yours if they would be willing to purchase a few new supplies on behalf of your business at a reduced cost or even free since you will soon become their client as well. Dentists often have extra stock lying around that needs to be sold but may not want to advertise due to lack of time/money, which works out perfectly for those who need them most!

6. Market your practice to potential patients to get new clients

Now that your business is off the ground and running, it’s time to market it! This is probably the most important step in this process because, without customers, there will be no money coming in, which means you may as well close down.

There are plenty of ways to get potential patients into your office. You can create an online presence via social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter can help with networking. Having patients share between friends and family members (which would increase foot traffic). Local newspapers and magazines often provide free ads for small businesses like yours, so take advantage since they already have a large built-in audience. If you live near a college campus where young adults tend to congregate, advertising itself might help you get more traffic as well.

In conclusion,  this article provides a few tips to help guide you in the right direction when thinking about opening your own dental office. Although it might seem like an impossible task, there are plenty of ways around this dilemma that can ultimately benefit everyone involved!

4 Signs You Need To Visit Your Dentist

Muscaro & Martini
Muscaro & Martini

Taking care of your teeth matters since you don’t want to face permanent damage in your mouth. Even if you have a regular checkup with the dentist, you may wonder if you should visit Muscaro & Martini Dentistry as soon as you can. Here are four signs that indicate you may have some serious dental problems.

Sudden Chipping or Cracks

If you don’t care for your teeth, they can get cracks and chips in them. This can also happen if you have a physical accident, such as tripping and hitting your tooth. If you fall and hit your teeth, you should immediately check them for any damage. Make sure you contact your doctor when you come across one of these issues.

Chips and cracks may seem insignificant, but they can lead to serious dental problems. If you notice any sensitivity or pain associated with the chips and cracks, you need to see your dentist immediately. In short, it never hurts to check out your teeth whenever you notice a physical change like this.

Bleeding During Teeth Care

You should brush your teeth and floss them daily to keep them clean. If you notice your gums start to bleed whenever you brush or floss, you should talk with your doctor. This could be a sign of aggravation and other issues with your teeth, so you want to get them checked out when you can.

It can also be a sign of gum disease, giving you another reason to see your dentist. However, if you don’t regularly floss your teeth, they may bleed when you initially floss them. Either way, you should make a note of it if your teeth start to bleed during regular dental care.

Consistent Pain or Discomfort

On top of the previous point, you shouldn’t feel consistent pain or discomfort in your teeth and gums. For example, if you feel pain in one tooth, then that tooth might have a cavity in it. Consistent pain could also be a sign of other tooth-related problems that you may need to look into.

Also, you should pay attention to sudden sensitivities. Sometimes, teeth might become sensitive to heat or cold, causing you to feel pain or discomfort when you eat or drink certain products. If this keeps happening, you should let your dentist know and seek further assistance on the matter.

Receding Gums

Your gums will also recede at times. This can cause problems since the root of your teeth will become exposed to the air and foods, which could lead to cavities at the roots. On top of that, your teeth may start to sting if you have receding gums, causing more discomfort for you when you use your teeth.

Gums can also recede if you brush your teeth too hard. If you think you caused the receding gums with your scrubbing habits, try to brush your teeth lightly. Even if you did cause this to happen, receding gums could be a sign of bone loss, so you should still check in with your dentist.

Conclusion

Muscaro & Martini Dentistry wants to encourage others to take care of their teeth, so make sure you watch for these signs. They will let you know if you start to have problems with your teeth, so you can get them addressed as soon as you can. As you use these points to your advantage, you will protect your teeth and receive help when you need it.

How Does Beer Affect Your Teeth?

Melvin Brewing

Most Americans and people all over the world enjoy a good handcrafted beer whenever they can get one. Drinking beer is a great and fun way to relax after a stressful day at work. Many people socialize while they drink their beer. According to recent statistics the average American drinks about 26.5 gallons of beer each year. Whether you enjoy a beer with your meals, friends, or alone most of us are always looking for the next great beer to try. We all just need to be cautious and understand how beer can affect our teeth.

How Does Beer Affect Your Teeth?

Beer tends to have a negative impact on your teeth, just like all alcoholic beverages. The carbonation that you find in beer turns to carbonic acid when it is inside of your mouth. This acid and all acids can eat away at your teeth enamel if consumed too much or too reguarlly.

When the enamel on your teeth wears down over time it can cause a variety of teeth problems including tooth sensitivity and cavities in your teeth. When your teeth become sensitive you may have a difficult time eating and drinking cold or hot beverages. You may also have sensitivity when eating certain types of foods. When you have cavities it is crucial that you get them treated and properly cared for by professionals before they cause more damage to your teeth and gums.

If you consume too much dark colored beer you may start to notice tooth discoloration. When you drink too much dark colored beer and do not properly care for your teeth the color of your teeth and turn a few shades darker. If you drink beers made with dark fruits, like cherries and blackberries, this problem could get worse quickly.

Some beer is also very high in sugar. When you drink any beverage with elevated levels of sugar you must be careful to understand how these drinks affect your teeth and your health. The sugar that sits in your mouth can contribute to causing plaque that sits on your teeth. This plaque can easily be removed with proper care, however, if it is not removed it can cause gum disease. This serious disease can cause infections and periodontitis.

Choosing The Right Beer

Beer is not considered to be a healthy drink but there are some beers that may be more beneficial for your body than others. High-quality beers, like the beers produced by Melvin Brewing, contain only the highest quality ingredients. Finding beers, like the Melvin IPA and the Melvin Double IPA, that contain lower amounts of sugar have less of a negative impact on your teeth and your overall health. Melvin Brewing features a large variety of beers that vary in color, taste, carbs, and sugar levels. If you want to still enjoy a great beer but take care of your teeth at the same time you should try drinking a beer by Melvin Brewing.

If you are looking for the best beers for your health you should read the ingredients and do some research. Finding beers with low sugar can cause less damage to your teeth. Choosing the right beer for your health and for your taste buds is a difficult task but one that you can achieve. You can also try drinking water in between beers to stay hydrated and wash away some of the sugars.

Taking Care Of Your Teeth

If you are an avid beer drinker it is unlikely that you will change your drinking habits just because it may have a negative impact on your teeth. Rather than giving up something that you love and enjoy you just need to know how to care for your teeth properly.

To ensure that your teeth are as healthy as possible you should always make sure to brush your teeth twice a day. After drinking you should always try to brush and floss your teeth to remove any of the sugar that is sitting on your teeth. Removing the sugar before it turns to plaque or tartar can help prevent cavities, gum disease, and other serious conditions.

It is also crucial that you visit the dentist on a regular basis. We should all strive to visit the dentist at least once a year. The dentist can perform a deep cleaning of your teeth and also give your teeth a visual exam. They will be able to notice any problems before they turn into serious conditions. Early prevention and intervention are key in tooth health and overall well being

How Your Dental Practice Can Benefit From a Public Relations Firm?

nancy behrman communications

Dental practices are businesses with clients. Yes, they’re called patients, but they are their clientele. When we look at it this way, we can see the need for certain business services and public relations is one of them. 

A Shift in Perspective:

According to nancy behrman communications, we have to shift the perspective of the practice and show the benefit. Most dentists are at odds with the prospect of keeping a PR firm. They find little perceived value for a smaller practice. 

What they need to comprehend is that a PR firm is all about the most important ongoing process in their practice—finding new patients.  A PR firm is valuable in a dental practice of any size.  The misconception is that when a dental practice hires a firm for any reason, they must be a large enough practice to afford it.  

There are many ways to incorporate a PR firm into a marketing budget. There are useless common marketing practices. Best to eliminate them and redirect the funds. 

The dentist and their office management team are engaged in the daily operation of the office. A receptionist may write some mediocre copy and a few social media posts instead of finding new clients.

 Not to say that their efforts yield nothing—they do. It’s just not enhancing the ROI in any notable way. So in effect the practice loses money every day that a dedicated human is not seeking new patients. 

What a PR Firm Does in a Dental Practice:

What a PR firm does in a dental office will have a basic strategy. How it’s expressed will vary.

First, they’ll do an analysis of the area the dental practice is in. Based on that, they’ll know what the local demographic listens to and reads along with their internet habits. Where do they work? Where do they play? Who do they hang out with? What do they value?

 There are very sophisticated ways to figure out where the target patient for the practice is. The PR professional creates a strategy to engage and bring in that new patient. 

According to nancy behrman communications PR work is more than just sending out random press releases. It’s about building relationships. The PR pro will form real relationships by addressing the target. They will move in the environment that the data shown.

We execute the movement in a plethora of ways. Those ways are a strategy that’s custom designed for that practice. Some of those things can be events and trade shows. They show up and give a dental-related talk and then get people signed up for an appointment. You can then run a special package for those people.

Charity events are another great way to get out in the public eye and get noticed. Going out on the street with a sign in a character suite. Doing talks at schools to teach kids oral hygiene. 

Only after doing these things and more, the pictures will go into a press release and sent out through the channels. 

It’s who you know

The PR firm will already have formed relationships with local newspaper editors and media stations. So, there’s a lot of connections that the practice won’t have. For whatever the cost, fitting in a PR firm is the most forward moving thing you can do for your practice. None of the other ways that you’re taught to get new patients will top a PR firm.  

What type of person does PR?

The PR professional never waits for the green light from someone else to move forward. The person doing the job creates and innovates. 

How do you choose a PR Firm?

Make sure they’re a good fit for your office, after all they’re representing you. Do they know how to come up with ideas on their own? Do they make it a point to coordinate with the marketing team that you use? 

These are the things to ask and observe. Once the dentist interviews them, they may want to have a second one with the marketing director. These are the people they’ll be working with. Your marketing director should have a good nose for spotting a top-notch PR firm

What Is Considered Medical Malpractice?

Getting any kind of medical procedure is very stressful. Doctors are trusted professionals that heal and repair damaged lives. There are times when things go wrong and lawyers have to get involved. Medical malpractice is when a doctor is negligent in performing some sort of medical procedure or other job functions like prescribing treatment. What qualifies as medical malpractice? Can someone just sue if they don’t like the doctor or their treatment? It can get a little complicated which is why malpractice suits can take a long time. Below are some things to consider if medical malpractice is present or not.

Did an injury result?

This one is a little self-explanatory. Suppose that a person was getting surgery and the surgeon made a mistake that caused their patient harm. This would be a factor in medical malpractice. While it may be simple to understand sometimes fault is what gets complicated.

The obvious thing that most doctors will say is that the injury was an accident and not because the doctor was negligent. This could be true and most times it is. Accidents do happen during surgery and it’s no one’s fault.

Now, let’s say the surgeon failed to follow a guideline or practice that is for the safety of the patient. Then this would be a different matter. Failing to follow safety guidelines could be seen as medical malpractice. It would defiantly be taken into consideration.

Was there a doctor-patient relationship present

A doctor-patient relationship is important for malpractice to be considered. All this means is that you went to a doctor and there an agreement that they would treat you. This establishes that the doctor is obligated to follow a certain set of guidelines when treating a patient.

A situation that wouldn’t be considered a relationship if someone overheard or read a doctor’s opinion on a treatment option. If a person followed it, then they would most likely be at their own fault. There would be no proof that a doctor was under their care so suing for medical malpractice.

Establishing a relationship and injury may seem simple but that doesn’t mean a person should represent themselves. They need a good lawyer and need to know how to look one up. It’s easy to look up lawyers like Douglas Healy for example. This way you can make sure that you’re getting a good lawyer.

Violation of standards

This was brought up earlier with the injury example and standards of care cover a lot more than just surgical practices. All this means is that the care provided is typical of what would come from a reasonably trained and competent doctor. This can cover a lot of issues.

Some of these issues can be the prescription of drugs to a patient. It most likely wouldn’t be a violation of standards if a doctor prescribed a treatment that didn’t work as well as the doctor thought. If it was a mistake that any competent doctor could make, then it might not be medical malpractice. Now if the drugs prescribed are way out of the norm and it resulted in an injury then this would be a good case for malepractice.

This standard also covers surgery but can get a little complicated. If a patient is injured while removing something like a tumor, then would this be malepractice? It would be hard to say. Every surgery comes with some risk of injury or death. Injury or death during surgery isn’t an automatic case for malepractice. It has to be so outside the norm that no competent doctor would do it. This is what gets tricky.

Competence

This is an important factor as competence can be difficult to prove. Now it would obvious if a doctor is grossly negligent and they’re doing something like surgery with dirty tools, no gloves, and cutting things that don’t have to be cut. How would you measure competence if this wasn’t the case? Would a competent doctor never make mistakes? Lawyers often consider the competence of a doctor compared to others in their field to get a baseline.

Would you have a case?

Medical malpractice can be a tricky thing to prove in court. Searching for a good lawyer, like with the site used to look up Douglas Healy, is a good start. Doctors sometimes make honest mistakes but when they don’t, they need to be held accountable

3 Ways Financial Firms Can Help The Health Industry

Rex-Burgdorfer
Rex-Burgdorfer

Though financial firms and healthcare companies operate in two different industries, they can have much more in common than many professionals may believe. The primary reason for this is that organizations in both niches need to operate as businesses, which typically means that the majority will have to focus on income streams.

However, this is something that many firms within the healthcare industry might not excel at. As a result, many medical organizations may find that they’re not performing at an optimal level in this regard. However, as Rex Burgdorfer advisor notes, there are a variety of ways in which financial companies can help healthcare businesses.

While some of these may see obvious, there are a few notable ways that many medical professionals may not have thought of. Each of these can prove to be vital in an organization’s success, especially long-term. As such, it can often be recommended that they take advantage of the services that a financial organization offers.

Debt Financing

This is perhaps the most obvious area where financial firms can help healthcare organizations, as they’ll be able to provide a variety of asset financing services. By doing so, they can help the majority of medical companies to expand the healthcare services that they offer their patients.

In turn, this can have a variety of benefits, with the majority of these coming long-term. Without initial capital, however, this might not always be a viable option.

Manage Resources

The majority of healthcare providers will be able to manage their resources in a viable way, although this often may not be as optimized as they may want. This is especially true when it comes to the financial cost of these resources. However, financial firms are experts in this regard, which is predominantly where they can help.

While this may not be needed when revenue streams are high-quality, this often may not last. As such, many organizations may need assistance in managing their resources during these times. There are a variety of aspects that will need to be looked after in this regard, such as cash flow, expenditure, donations, and much more.

This can often be quite overwhelming for many medical professionals, especially when looking after patients. However, this is where financial organizations excel at.

Manage Financial Health

Every organization needs to ensure that their revenue streams are as well-oiled as possible, although this isn’t something that the majority of healthcare firms excel at. As such, many may find that they’ll need assistance in this regard, which is where many financial organizations can be beneficial.

When doing so, they’ll be able to help medical organizations optimize their income and expenses over time. When doing so, they’ll be able to highlight where medical organizations need to make cuts, if any, and where they can improve financially.

By doing so, they can help healthcare providers stay financially viable and ensure that they can continue looking after their patients in a high-quality manner.

Rex Burgdorfer advisor suggests that medical organizations can benefit significantly from the services that a financial organization offers. Each of these could prove to be a contributing factor in how successful a healthcare provider is long-term.

The majority of these, as highlighted above, can be operational in nature, although many others will naturally focus on the financing of various expansions. As such, the healthcare and financial industries could become increasingly intertwined in the coming years.