Kansas Medical Professionals – Ensuring Your Patients Understand Your Billing Policies

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One of the biggest quibbles patients have with their healthcare providers is over the legitimacy of a bill.  We all know just how expensive healthcare can be, and it is unlikely that patients have the ability to pay all of their medical bills without health insurance.  Even with health insurance, patients are still stuck paying a significant portion of their medical expenses in the form of deductibles, co-pays for office visits, and the cost of prescription medication.  Because many patients do have difficulty managing their medical expenses, it is no wonder that they are more meticulous when it comes to reviewing bills they have received from healthcare providers.

Managing Patient Billing Disputes

When a patient comes into your office (or calls your office) to question a particular bill, it is always important to first make sure the patient is aware of your billing policies.  While most healthcare providers have language in the initial paperwork given to patients that specifically define the provider’s billing policies, many patients claim to not understand the policies, or indicate that they do not remember agreeing to such policies.  One way to address this issue is to not only ensure the patient reads the billing policies, and signs an acknowledgement form, but to also have a verbal discussion with the patient to confirm that there is a full and complete understanding of the billing policies.

Even if your billing policies are clear, patients may still complain about the cost and will simply state that they are unable to pay.  In such cases, it is a good idea to work with the patient to formulate a payment plan that best suits the patients.  Even if a patient is only able to make a small monthly payment towards his or her balance, this is something that helps your practice collect past due payments, but it also provides patients with peace of mind that they can continue to receive care and not worry about a looming medical bill.

Further, to make clear to your patients that billing policies are important, and to better inform your patients about the care they are receiving, some healthcare providers have considered itemizing medical bills in greater detail.  This is not unlike the explanation of benefits patients receive from their medical insurance providers; however, when patients receive such detailed information from their medical providers, they may be less inclined to dispute the legitimacy of a particular bill.  Overall, open communication with your patients regarding billing policies is essential, and while there will always be those few patients that complain, the majority of patients will understand what is expected of them.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are a medical professional, you likely know just how frustrating and stressful billing matters can be.  Some patients may even complain to the Kansas Board of Healing Arts if they are unhappy with a particular medical provider.  Oftentimes, complaints are without merit; however, it is essential to have a strong advocate by your side if you are facing a complaint.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney who has the experience and skill you need to fight any complaint or disciplinary action.  Ms. Sanger has helped numerous clients keep their Kansas professional licenses, and as a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, she knows what to expect from those in charge of investigating complaints and other allegations of misconduct.  If you are facing the potential loss of your professional license, it is crucial that you speak with an attorney as soon as possible.  Danielle Sanger has the resources and dedication to help you overcome a very challenging time.  To speak with Ms. Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office to schedule your free consultation by calling (785) 979-4353.

Kansas Teachers – Knowing When to Draw the Line

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Over the past decade, many teachers across the country have been disciplined, and even arrested in some cases, for having inappropriate sexual relations with students.  Most of these occurrences involve high school teachers and high school students; however, there have been some cases where middle school teachers and students have had inappropriate sexual relations.

While many teachers have certainly crossed the line by having a sexual relationship with a student, there are also situations where allegations may be untrue or grossly exaggerated.  If a student reports that an inappropriate relationship exists between a student and a teacher, school administration officials will take such allegations very seriously, even if there is evidence to suggest no relationship exists.  It is frustrating and unfortunate that many teachers are falsely accused of such serious and inappropriate conduct year after year.

Do What You Can to Protect Yourself

Many teachers accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with a student are well-liked by the majority of the student body.  When a teacher is well-liked, students may feel more comfortable speaking with that teacher.  Along with this comfort comes the possibility that a student may take something the wrong way.  A teacher’s kindness can sometimes be misinterpreted for affection, and when a teacher does not welcome a student’s inappropriate passes, that student may become upset and retaliatory.

While teachers should certainly not compromise their work ethic or alter the overall nature of their relationships with students, there are a few steps teachers can take to reduce the risk that they may be accused of having a sexual relationship with a student.  Such steps include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Have a class-wide conversation with students to discuss the importance of healthy student-teacher relationships, and why it is important that such relationships never go beyond anything more than teacher and student;
  • When speaking with a student individually, teachers should do so during normal school hours, such as right before, during, or right after the school day has ended, and not in the late evenings or weekends;
  • Minimize your discussion with students to school-related matters as much as possible;
  • Avoid having one-on-one discussions with students in an empty classroom with the door shut, where no witnesses are nearby; and
  • Be cognizant of the “rumors” you hear from students, as rumors are often how false allegations erupt.

There is no easy way to prevent the chance that you may be falsely accused of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student.  However, if you take small, realistic measures, such as those described above, you will be better able to handle false allegations in the future, whether those allegations are against you or another teacher.  Documentation is everything, so it is important to keep a record of any meetings you have with students.  Such documentation will help down the road should an investigation unfold.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you are a Kansas teacher facing disciplinary charges, it is essential that you retain a highly skilled Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  The Kansas State Department of Education takes all complaints very seriously, especially in situations where a child may be involved.  Regardless of whether or not disciplinary action by the Kansas State Department of Education is legitimate, it is vital that you have an attorney by your side ready to defend your rights and help you keep your Kansas teaching license.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office is a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas who now devotes her law practice to representing Kansas professionals who are facing the potential loss of their licenses.  If you would like to speak with Ms. Sanger about your situation, contact the Sanger Law Office today to schedule your free consultation by calling (785) 979-4353.

Kansas Pharmacists – A Small Mistake Could Cost You Your License

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The pharmaceutical industry continues to boom year after year as our population grows older, and as new medications enter the market place.  Such a booming industry makes for very busy pharmacies.  Pharmacists fill prescriptions for hundreds of patients on a daily basis.  It takes keen attention to detail to ensure that each patient’s prescription medication is being filled in accordance with a physician’s orders.  Given that many patients take multiple prescription medication, it is especially important that pharmacists are cognizant of potential drug interactions.

Patients rely on both their physicians and their pharmacies to get the right medication at the right dose.  As medications look more and more alike, it is not surprising that patients receive the wrong medication and/or the wrong dose.  This is a problem that most pharmacists are aware of, and they take precautionary measures to limit the risk that such mistakes will occur.

However, no system is perfect, and mistakes are bound to happen from time to time.  When it comes to filling the wrong medication, the wrong dose of a medication, and/or a medication that elicits an adverse drug interaction, a patient’s life may be at risk.  Many patients are familiar enough with their medications that they would recognize when they have been inadvertently administered the wrong medication and/or the wrong dose of a medication.  However, there are some patients who are not fully aware of how their medication looks and wouldn’t even think to double-check as to whether or not they are taking the correct medication, especially for our elderly population.

Consequences of Filling the Wrong Prescription for a Patient

Many mistakes pharmacists make do not result in a life-threatening situation to patients.  But, the mere chance that a patient could be seriously harmed by such a mistake may be enough to put your Kansas pharmacist license at risk.  It may seem unfair that one mistake could cost you your license; however, many patients have died throughout the country due to a pharmacist’s mistake, so the Kansas Board of Pharmacy takes the misadministration of prescription medication very seriously.

If you are a pharmacist and you have made the mistake of administering the wrong medication, the wrong does of a particular medication, and/or a medication that elicits an adverse drug interaction, you should not assume that you are going to lose your Kansas pharmacist license.  It is unlikely that a pharmacist will lose his or her license if a mistake did not result in harm to a patient, but the possibility is always there.  As such, it is important to take additional precautionary measures to ensure such small, yet risky mistakes, do not happen.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

We all make mistakes, but professionals are held to a higher standard, so any mistake could be detrimental to their careers.  If you are at risk for losing your pharmacist license, no matter what the reason may be, it is imperative that you consult with a highly skilled Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney as soon as possible.  There is too much at stake, and you need a strong advocate by your side.  At the Sanger Law Office, Danielle Sanger helps Kansas pharmacists and other professionals fight to keep their licenses.  While you may have a tough road ahead, Danielle Sanger will do her best to prove that you deserve to keep your Kansas pharmacist license.  As a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, Ms. Sanger has experience both as a prosecutor and defense attorney.  This prior experience helps Ms. Sanger provide her clients with well-rounded and superior legal representation.  If you would like to discuss your situation with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353 to schedule your free consultation.

Kansas Attorneys – The Ethics of Referring Cases

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Case referrals in the practice of law are rather ordinary, as not every attorney is able to handle any given type of case.  For example, if you are a family law attorney and receive a call from a potential client regarding a personal injury matter, you would likely refer that potential case to another attorney who may have more experience with that area of the law.

The simple act of referring a case from one attorney or law firm to another in and of itself is rather harmless.  After all, it is in the client’s best interest that he or she is receiving quality and competent legal advice from an attorney with the relevant skill and experience to handle that particular type of case.  However, there is a slippery slope that all Kansas attorneys should be aware of.

When referring a case to another attorney or law firm, the referring attorney cannot be compensated if he or she did absolutely no work on the case.  On the other hand, if an attorney investigates a potential case on his or her own, and does any other type of work on the case, that attorney may be able to receive compensation for that work.  For example, if you are a personal injury attorney, and you have “worked up” a car accident case, such as obtaining medical records, filing a complaint, and any other legal work associated with the case, you do have a legitimate stake in the case if you ultimately refer it to another attorney, whatever the reason may be for the referral.

One problem associated with the referral of cases occurs when attorneys do minimal or no work on a case, yet expect to get a percentage or some other measured compensation, and this is in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, both in Kansas, and in all other states.  Not all attorneys are aware of the scope of the rules regarding case referrals, and they may receive compensation for a case they may not have done any work on, simply because of a misunderstanding of the rules, and not through any intentional misconduct.

The “Referral Fee”

Many attorneys speak in terms of “referral fees,” and this can get them into trouble because there’s a connotation that an attorney can get a fee simply for sending a case along to someone else.  While most attorneys understand that a “referral fee” cannot be obtained unless legitimate work was done on the referring case, some attorneys mistakenly or unintentionally cross the line that is drawn by the Rules of Professional Conduct.

It is also crucial to have an understanding that a referral mean is not really what it says.  A referral fee that many attorneys speak of is simply the compensation the referring attorney is entitled to for the work he or she has done on the case.  The Kansas Office of Disciplinary Administrator would certainly take issue with an attorney who is essentially receiving payment for sending a case on to another attorney or law firm.  As such, you should take all measures possible to ensure your current referral practices comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys.

Contact Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation

While you may not be at risk for losing your Kansas law license, it is still important that you are aware that disciplinary action is possible if you do not adhere to the rules of professional conduct when referring cases to other attorneys.  To ensure that you have a full understanding, you should consider speaking with a Kansas Professional License Defense Attorney.  Danielle Sanger of the Sanger Law Office devotes her law practice to helping her clients fight to keep their Kansas professional licenses, no matter what the particular profession may be.  As a former Assistant Attorney General of Kansas, Danielle Sanger has unique experience that allows her to better prepare and represent her clients’ interests and rights.  If you would like to speak with Danielle Sanger, contact the Sanger Law Office today by calling (785) 979-4353 to schedule your free consultation.