QUESTION: Is there a Board rule or regulating preventing me from treating my wife in a PI case?

ANSWER. No there isn’t. However, most insurance companies may set you up for a trap. The question they always ask – don’t you usually treat your family for free? So, treating your wife professionally invites a Conflict of Interest charge. Best practice would want you to refer your wife to a trusted colleague.

QUESTION: Insurance companies always demand copies of the chart notes. My doctor believes patients are completely unaware of the HIIPA release they sign. How do we get our claims paid and protect the patient?

ANSWER. Insurance companies if they have properly signed HIIPA releases are entitled to all the PI records. The doctor cannot worry about the patient’s rights. Those rights are protected by the law. Otherwise, why would insurance ever pay unless they know how badly the patient was hurt.

We offer up to 15 hours about PI approved by the Board, for on-line C.E. Credit. All you need to do is to go to http://shawnsteel.myicourse.com. Have a look

You will see what courses are available and you can get up to 6 hours of C.E. this year alone.

Our friend Gary Lewkovich DC writes about things good patients should not do.

1. GAP – the larger the gap the weaker the case. Most people when they hurt seek care. The longer the delay the less credible. The doctor must “explain” the gap to show the patient was hurting.
2. INCONSISTENT TRESTMENT PATTERNS. It never looks good that the patient missed appointments in the last two weeks of December.
3. DOCTOR HOPPING. Carefully screen those patients---they might be gypsies.
   
   
4. ATTORNEY HOPPING. Each attorney gets a piece of the fee. The more attorneys the less valuable is the case to the last attorney.
5. EXCEEDING ACTIVITY RESTRICTIONS. If the patient insists on climbing Mt Whitney and relapses it’s his fault.
6. ASSISTING OWN RECOVERY. Patients who don’t do their home therapy are not sympathetic witnesses.
7. REFUSING SECOND OPINION. Refusals can cause permanent damage to the case. And could be dangerous to the patient’s health.
8. REFUSING TO COMMUNICATE. Some patients don’t tell everything to their doctor. If they have a drinking or drug problem the doctor needs to know.
9. HIDING PAST HISTORY. Often the great hammer against good PI cases. Convince the patient you can work with any pre existing issue.
10. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS. Each patient needs your counseling how PI really works.

   

From the Oregon border to the Mexican. We examine any potential case in California to see if we can substantially help your patient. Just call our 800-626-0003 or check our web site: www.shawnsteel.com