PhyNet Navigates the Complex World of Healthcare Regulations to Ensure Affiliate Compliance

PhyNet's deep knowledge of dermatology regulatory compliance hinges on knowing which federal and state regulations apply to your specific practice, ensuring those regulations are being followed correctly, and tracking any changes to laws year to year.

Many practices task a member of the staff with compliance officer duties. PhyNet's network of affiliates and business professionals offer more experience, understanding of regulations, and oversight than any one person could, not only eliminating the need to fit a member of the existing staff into that role, but also handling the necessary compliance tasks with more efficiency and accuracy. The detail-oriented process can be time consuming, and individuals untrained or otherwise inexperienced in compliance issues can be overwhelmed and are taken away from their other duties. With PhyNet's assistance, the physician can have greater confidence in the dermatology regulatory compliance process. In cases where there needs to be some tightening of processes in order to achieve set standards, PhyNet will make the appropriate recommendations or adjustments to minimize disruption.

Why Choose PhyNet for Dermatology Regulatory Compliance Support?

Certain dermatology regulatory compliance regulations apply only to certain practices, determined by where payments come from, the size of the practice, where the practice is located, and other factors. Other regulations must be followed by all practices. Keeping track of current applicable regulations requires constant vigilance and an intimate knowledge of various regulatory bodies and processes, since penalties for failing to follow dermatology regulatory compliance standards can include steep fines.

Dermatologists who want to eliminate the headaches involved with staying abreast of legislation—and the potential headaches of failing to properly comply—join PhyNet for its risk-mitigating dermatology regulatory compliance resources and knowhow.

Examples of Dermatology Regulatory Compliance

Between federal, state, and local regulations, there are multiple standards a dermatology practice must adhere to for proper dermatology regulatory compliance. Some apply to work with patients. Others pertain to the office and work environment itself. A few to consider are:

Affordable Care Act

Section 1557 of this act was written to prohibit discrimination in the provision of medical care, with an aim to protect patients regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability. Not only must this law be followed by certain practices, but a Notice of Nondiscrimination policy must be publicly posted in the office and distributed to patients.

Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments

An amendment to the Public Health Services Act, CLIA was included in a section on standards and certification to ensure laboratory testing on blood and other human-derived specimens meets basic quality standards.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

HIPAA established safeguards to protect patients' private health information, focusing on the twin requirements of privacy and security. This is an issue for all patients, and detailed policies and processes must be established and followed by all providers and staff.

iPledge

This mandatory program sets requirements for any healthcare-related prescription for or dispensing of isotretinoin, which can cause birth defects. iPledge is designed to lower the chances of a pregnant woman being exposed to the drug.

Melanoma Reporting

Each state maintains a central cancer registry, to which diagnosing physicians are mandated to report any new cases of melanoma. Studies have shown that roughly half of all dermatologists are not aware of the reporting requirement, and even many who are aware of it still fail to properly comply.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

This federal body sets numerous regulations for employers throughout the United States in order to protect workers from injury and other health threats, including in the medical industry. Regulations that may apply to a dermatology practice include standards for minimizing exposure to radiation and bloodborne pathogens, as well as more general requirements for marking exits and installing wiring for electrical equipment.

Services Beyond Dermatology Regulatory Compliance

In addition to dermatology regulatory compliance, PhyNet's services also include a host of other medical practice management elements, including accounting, human resources (payroll services and benefits), and practice marketing.

These various services go hand in hand to create an efficient, profitable practice that can expand and grow as the physicians are empowered to spend their time and energy on actually being physicians. Focus can be put on superior patient care where it belongs, as opposed to trying to design processes to stay up with dermatology regulatory compliance.