Doctors' Legal Forum - Medical Economics

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Doctors' Legal Forum is the physician's guide through the legal minefield of today's medical practice.

Medical - Legal Q&A

Q&A: When legal documents include patient records

Is it ok to include patient records in legal documents?

Beware the pitfalls of EHR licenses, donations

Adoption of electronic health records has yet to hit "critical mass" in the healthcare industry because of the perceived high cost. Before you look into cheap or free options, get to know the risks.

Featured Articles

Successfully navigating the Medicare enrollment appeals process

The Medicare enrollment process represents one of the federal government's primary lines of defense against health-care fraud.

Malpractice Consult

Consignment closets, 'stock and bill' arrangements still a viable option

In the age of heightened regulatory scrutiny, you may question whether consignment closet relationships are legal. If properly structured they can be especially beneficial to patients in need of expensive medical devices.

EHR templates: Time-saver or patient safety risk?

Electronic health record usage is soaring due to a confluence of several factors. That doesn't mean the prefab templates they come with are risk-free.

When is informed consent not required?

In general, the only person or entity capable of giving consent is a patient with capacity, a legal guardian of a minor or incapacitated person, or a court of competent jurisdiction.

Optimism may reduce malpractice risk

Taking responsibility for the health and life of other human beings requires a great optimistic contention that one can do the job as well as, or better than, others, and that the results will be as good as possible.

Potential problems exist in the Medicare enrollment process

When the Medicare program first began, providers enrolled using a single two-page form. Today it's not that simple, so knowing the rules ahead of time will best position you to receive timely payment.

Successfully navigating the Medicare enrollment appeals process

The Medicare enrollment process represents one of the federal government's primary lines of defense against health-care fraud.

Beware the pitfalls of EHR licenses, donations

Adoption of electronic health records has yet to hit "critical mass" in the healthcare industry because of the perceived high cost. Before you look into cheap or free options, get to know the risks.

EHR security: Confluence of law, patient protection, benefit to physicians

Electronic health records are changing the paradigm of medical practice by making increasing volumes of information more central to patient care.

Electronic health records use exposes you to care and legal risks

The lay and medical press frequently extol electronic health record systems for their potential to improve coordination of care and access to patient information from disparate locations at the click of a mouse, to allow patients and caregivers to discuss and plan care based on that information, and to enhance the monitoring of quality of care.

Sharing records can be challenging in a group

Understand the appropriate way to handle documentation in a clinic.