Blog
Create Your Own Future
Does it feel like the comfortable world of O&P is in a bit of upheaval? Do you feel like you are losing some control over your domain? Let’s chat about how you can take charge and create the future you deserve! Join me as we begin a new, transformative journey where you'll learn to reclaim your control through, innovation, strategy, and action. Don’t just react to the future—create it! Don’t get left behind. Read on to start your journey!
To Sell or Not to Sell
I can’t help but hear those words in my head spoken by a Shakespearean actor! But seriously, my blogs are heavily focused on leadership and business strategy. You’d have to be living under a rock to not know that there is aggressive change occurring in our little profession these days. How should we respond? What does this mean for you? What are the risks? Let’s chat…
The Eighth Habit
Do you think you’ve mastered Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits? Think again! Discover the crucial 8th habit that could transform your effectiveness. It’s not just about sharpening your saw – it’s about knowing when to put it down. Don’t miss out on Scott’s game-changing insight. Click here to read the full blog and take your success to the next level!
Does Bureaucracy Drive You Crazy?
I have been preaching process, systems and efficiency for years. But like all things, there is a “dark side” or an unintended consequence of which we must be aware…Bureaucracy! If clear process is good, more clear process is better, right? Way back, when I was learning how to cook (I’m still learning) I found out that adding a little salt while cooking made my eggs taste better. Then I learned about seasoned salt…Oh man…that took my eggs to a whole other level. I wanted to impress some people who were at my house for breakfast, so I added a lot more seasoning salt. No one spit the eggs out (they were too nice), but the eggs were awful. I was so embarrassed. How does this relate to practice management? Read on.
When You Are the Target
Last week we took our companies from good to great and implemented metrics. Now, as we are moving along and kicking butt, the data is taking a turn for the worse. And guess where the bottleneck is…It’s you! Crap. What do I do? I know you all know the answer, but is that really the question? It ain’t easy if you paint a target and find yourself at the center!
Aligning People, Processes, and Tools with Your Mission, Vision, and Values
Last week I wrote about getting the right people in the right seats. I want to expand on that a bit this week to discuss how aligning your people, processes, and tools with strategically crafted mission, vision, and values statements can transform your business. Learn why cultural fit is crucial and how to create a unified, purpose-driven organization that thrives. Take your company from good to great!
Where Are You Going?
Last week I wrote that we all need to be engaged in the fight for recognition as rehabilitative (or habilitative) professionals so that O&P can continue to make an exponential impact in the community of people with mobility impairment. To do that, you must maintain your own viability, so what is your heading?
Touching Lives
It’s not often that I draw inspiration from a TV show, but I recently watched an episode of a medical drama in which a leading character was speaking about a mentor. He was talking about some of life’s lessons he had been taught and one really stuck out for me. It goes to the heart of what I have said about O&P ever since I was exposed to the profession.
Double Trouble in the Best Way
Imagine having a partner who handles all the business headaches while you focus on what you do best: providing exceptional patient care. The Dyad Leadership Model could be the game-changer your practice desperately needs. Click here to discover how this revolutionary approach can alleviate your stress, boost efficiency, and skyrocket your practice's success!
There’s No Substitute for Hard Work.
Discover how an entry-level job can transform your life with these essential lessons! Learn the surprising benefits of high expectations, unshakable courage, and unwavering discipline. Find out why humility, creativity, and personal responsibility are your keys to unlocking a prosperous future. Don’t miss out on the secrets to building character, achieving greatness, and living a happier, more fulfilling life.
What’s Next?
Last week was amazing! We held a meeting in Oklahoma City entitled “Driving Practice Success.” Although we didn’t witness any, those of us who were not locals learned a bit about tornadoes. Those can certainly get your attention! But better still, we had a great group of people who came from Alaska to Florida and Maine to California. It was really great! We had a few key takeaways, and there was a lot of excitement for how OPIE makes life better. And we really didn’t talk much about the new stuff that will blow you away!
Life, Loss, and Legacy
Last Friday, April 19th was a study in contrasts. I got home on Wednesday after AOPA’s policy forum and learned that a childhood friend’s father had just passed away. His funeral was scheduled for Friday, April 19, the same day my mother-in-law wanted to treat us to dinner for my birthday. It was cloudy and unusually cold that day. They say our neighborhood was a bit of a bubble, there were 7 of us, all the same age and our parents all looked out for us. I learned at the funeral of a poem he wrote that guided his life and the advice he gave.
Patient-Centered Care and Advocacy
This week Paul and I had the privilege of participating in AOPA’s Policy Forum on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. I think it’s important to know that advocacy isn’t just for DC. It crucial that the groundswell comes from each local community. You and only you, can start that movement in your hometown. In spite of the fact that Congress is as dysfunctional as ever, we have the best shot ever at getting the Medicare O&P Patient-Centered Care Act passed! This bill will restrict the mail-order drop ship of customized O and P and helps you with Same and Similar rejections. Read on!
Feelings Are Not Facts
There are many leadership articles about the importance of empathy, and I want to come right out at the beginning and state that I am not advocating for the elimination of empathy in the workplace. I believe empathy is a crucial component of effective leadership and essential for successful relationships. Further, I think we have a hard time understanding the difference between empathy and sympathy and therefore feel conflicted as managers trying to manage in an increasingly emotional culture.
Don’t Give Up; There’s Always Hope
This week’s blog is written by Susanne Kasza and was inspired by a recent talk by our Human Resource Consultants. While the subject matter doesn’t make us think of sunshine and butterflies, it is a critically important aspect of practice management. And it is something most of us like to avoid. Read on to see what great insights Susanne has keyed into!
The Secret of Success: REAL Relationships
What if the key to unlocking success wasn't a new marketing strategy, but a new way to think about how you connect with people? Can you imagine a situation where payers don’t discount off Medicare for you? Where referrals give you what you need without hassle? It’s not some utopian dream.
AI in O&P: Friend or Foe?
The promise of artificial intelligence (AI) has captivated healthcare, with visions of robots performing surgery and AI-powered diagnoses taking center stage. I was recently at a conference for medical practice managers where a significant portion of the exhibit hall had vendors promising that AI would make the physician’s life so easy. It would practically be “money for nothing” (I can’t help but sing Dire Straits in my head when I type that!). While the potential for AI is undeniable, its implementation in allied health, particularly in poorly documented, narrowly focused practices like O&P, requires careful consideration.
Academy Recap
This week I help you catch up on the hottest trends in O&P straight from the AAOP 2024 show floor! Discover how to:
Turn everyday assessments into data-driven stories!
Embrace new tech that accelerates wound healing!
Master PROMIS and crush payer justification! (It's already in your OPIE!)
Don't miss out - these insights could transform your practice! If you are still in Chicago, Visit our booth (1025) and read on!
Getting Paid Appropriately
Do you want to get paid appropriately for your work? If you know me, you know that I strongly believe in the power of appropriate O&P intervention. It's incredibly rewarding to see how that care can empower individuals to regain mobility, independence, and a sense of normalcy in their lives. At the same time, it is crucial to educate the rest of the health care community about the fact that the value you bring extends far beyond the immediate improvements observed in your patients. Your meticulous documentation plays a critical role in communicating this value to that broader audience.
Process Matters!
Unlock the Secrets of Practice Success: discover the power of written policies and procedures! From compliance mastery to staff empowerment, learn how to transform your practice. Don't miss out on the key to operational excellence!