decisionhealth Newsletters, Part B News - 2024 Issue 6 (June)
Forced to close temporarily? Mind your patient, payment responsibilities
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Article Overview
This practice management article explains how a medical office should respond when operations are interrupted for more than a brief period. It focuses on patient notification and referral planning, record custody and privacy obligations, telehealth options, and workforce and compensation issues that can arise during a temporary closure. It is aimed at practice managers, physicians, and health care attorneys who need broad guidance on continuity planning.
Why This Topic Matters
Temporary closures can create patient-care, privacy, employment, and contractual problems quickly. Understanding the operational categories covered in this article can help practices assess relevance before reviewing the full guidance.
Article Sections
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Practice management
Introduces temporary practice interruption scenarios and the need for advance planning. Discusses general operational responses when live services are suspended.
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Patients first
Covers patient communication, continuity of care, referral planning, and related practice responsibilities during a closure or service interruption. Also addresses broader patient-service planning concerns.
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No office? Go online
Describes the role of telehealth during an outage or closure and the practical and regulatory considerations that affect whether virtual care is feasible. Notes that suitability varies by practice and patient type.
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Hold the record
Addresses patient record custody, access requests, and privacy/security obligations when the office is unavailable. Includes considerations for electronic and paper-based records.
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What about payroll?
Reviews staffing and compensation issues that can arise during a shutdown, including status of employees and contracted providers. Also discusses planning for contract terms and interruption scenarios.
What You Will Learn
- How temporary practice closures affect patient communication and care continuity
- What broad responsibilities remain with patient records and privacy during an outage
- How telehealth may fit into continuity planning
- What operational and payroll issues can arise for staff and contracted providers
- Why advance contingency planning is important for temporary shutdowns
Who Should Read This
- Practice managers
- Physicians
- Health care attorneys
- Medical office administrators
- Compliance and operations staff
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