Abstract
This paper outlines two suggested billing plans for medical offices, explaining that the main objective of a financial policy is to effectively communicate the means and methods of payment to the patients. The paper notes that although the financial policies for most medical offices contain the same basic information, the outlined policies feature a sense of fairness and attention to the needs of the customer that will allow the patient to feel good about dealing with the office. The paper concludes that the risk of misunderstandings and nonpayment can be reduced by clearly and succinctly outlining payment terms, as well as the office's role in the billing and collections process.

Outline:
Part A
Medical Associates Financial Policy
Billing
Insured Patients
Medicare Patients
Outstanding Balances
Special Arrangements
Payment Options
Cash Payments
Prepayments
Part B
Works Cited

From the Paper
"For patients who have coverage with an insurance provider, we will bill the insurance company directly for the expenses for which they are liable. This is a service we provide for your convenience. It does not guarantee that the insurance company will cover the expense. Patients will only be billed for costs incurred that the insurance company does not provide. Deductibles and copayments will be made at the time of service."

Tags:insurance, payment, service, copay, debt, patient

Abstract
The paper looks at how SmithKline Beecham, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, was accused of fraudulent billing to Medicare in the late 1908s and early 1990s. The paper discusses the two lawsuits experienced by the company which were related to fraudulent billing.

From the Paper
"SmithKline Beecham, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, was accused of fraudulent billing to Medicare in the late 1908s and early 1990s. The company experienced two lawsuits which were related to fraudulent billing. The first suit involved fraudulent billing by the company directly, while the second lawsuit focused on "kickbacks stemming from its management of three physician-owned laboratories in California" ("Fraud", 2004, sec. 7). Company Response: The company response to the issue was to pay fines to the government."

Tags:business, corporate, compliance

Abstract
This paper explains the current telecommunications income environment with its required high volumes and services such as "Convergent Billing", which creates the potential for severe customer service problems. The author presents the concept of a balanced scorecard system by including a sample scorecard and a scorecard appraisal in the paper. The author concludes that the balanced scorecard is an accurate communication and coordination tool to improve efficiency and identify weaknesses, thus resulting in improved profitability. Tables and figures.

From the Paper
"The telecommunications industry is complex and ever changing. It seems an almost daily occurrence that a newer technology is developed, allowing greater communications capacity at ever-increasing speeds, with better clarity and all at continually decreasing prices. It is common to see advertisements from the larger carriers enticing potential customers to join their ranks with promises of long distance rates that are less than five-cents per minute, a rate that was once thought of as the absolute rock bottom. In fact, with the advent of pre-paid calling cards, the four-cent mark has been recently broken. Consumers theoretically now can get interstate long distance for as low as 3.9 cents per minute. Of course, there are many caveats to these highly marketed low rates, and one should read the fine print very carefully. As in anything else, "let the buyer beware.""

Tags:cost, communication, coordination, tool, identification

Abstract
This paper addresses major concerns surrounding fraudulent billing practices in the healthcare industry including: What types of fraud take place and by whom? Is the system itself, those who use it, or both at fault? Who are the real victims? What is being done to curb fraudulent practices? What are the most effective methods of prevention? It covers perhaps the most important question: Is America ready to embrace more innovative approaches that will allow people to regain control of their healthcare choices, rather than deferring to third parties and the federal government?

From the Paper
"A primary reason why health care costs have escalated so quickly in recent years is the quick change from a cost reimbursement system to a capitation system. Until the early 1980's, doctors and health care providers were reimbursed on a cost basis for whatever work they did for a patient, whether this be by an HMO (if the patient had employer-based or individual insurance) or by the government (if the patient had public insurance.) This system obviously leaves the doctors with no incentive to keep costs at a minimum."

Tags:care, double, Inspector, General, Medicare, Medicaid

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes water restrictions in Lubbock Texas. Specifically, discusses local water restrictions and the block billing system that the city council designed. The paper criticizes Lubbock's introduction of block billing and raising water rates as a tool for water conservation. The paper explains that the billing is based on faulty calculations and will result in home and business owners paying more than their fair share of water costs. The paper suggests that to really gain the support of residents, the City Council should reconsider block billing and the time period used to set the rates, as it is faulty, unfair and results in water mismanagement rather than conservation.

From the Paper
"Block billing is a system of averaging water (or other utility) usage, establishing guidelines, and billing according to an average of water consumption for residential and commercial enterprises. In Lubbock, block billing for water was proposed and adopted in 2006, and went into affect in April 2007. The block billing structure was built on an average from September 2006 through February 2007, but this is a time when consumption is lower than in the warmer summer months. Thus, consumers will be penalized for using normal amounts of water in the summer, because the average is faulty and does not take into consideration the warmer summer weather in Texas. Using a time that water consumption is lower may seem to be a way to ensure consumers conserve more water, but that has already been proved wrong, as the system was only in effect a little over two months when residents were placed on emergency water restrictions."

Tags:conservation, consumption, desalination

Abstract
This paper addresses the present state of the Patients' Bill of Rights, as well as its history and future possibilities. Also explored are the issues of political support, arguments for and against, and major pitfalls in getting this legislation passed into law. The paper attempts to further explain general intentions of the Patients' Bill of Rights. The most pertinent bills specific to the Patients' Bill of Rights are presented and analyzed.

Outline:
Introduction
Arguments For and Against Patients' Bill of Rights
History of the Patients' Bill of Rights
Why the Patients' Bill of Rights has Failed
Summary and Conclusion

From the Paper
"Before exploring the more complex issues involved, it is necessary to understand the general intentions of the Patients' Bill of Rights. Numerous bills involving patients' rights have been presented to the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Discussed in this paper are the most pertinent bills specific to the Patients' Bill of Rights: the 1998 Patients' Bill of Rights, H.R. 3605 and S. 1890; the Bipartisan Patient Protection Act of 2001, S. 1052, S. 872, and H.R. 526; and the 2005 Patients' Bill of Rights, H.R. 2259, H.R. 2650, and S. 1012. In general, federal legislation that safeguards patients' rights is supported by both major political parties and the President, and also has considerable public appeal (Chavez, 2001, 606; Chaddock, 2001, 1)."

Tags:Patients', Bill, of, Rights, medical, legislation

Abstract
The paper outlines the brief history of Bill C-61 and what its key provisions are; the essay subsequently looks at how the new legislation - if ever passed - would tighten regulations vis-a-vis consumer obligations in the realm of copyright but would also impose an anti-circumvention law that, for all intents and purposes, would place ordinary consumers in jeopardy of being sued for merely recording their favourite music or shows for later viewing. At the same time, the paper discusses how the anti-circumvention measures outlined in the proposed bill would undoubtedly create renewed demand for Digital Rights Management software - which would hurt the entertainment sector because it would drive down consumer demand for goods fitted with the new software while simultaneously making a mockery out of the notion of "free TV".

From the Paper
"Definition of bill C-61. Anti-circumvention component of proposed law. Renewed demand for DRM software if legislation passes. Support in entertainment community for C-61. Notion of "fair-use". Greater likelihood of litigation if bill passes. The following paper will look at whether Canada's Bill C-61 is headed in..."

Tags:bill, c, 61, canada

Abstract
This paper reviews and discusses the U.S. Bill of Rights. According to the paper, the Bill of Rights defines procedural rights added to the Constitution. The paper discusses how, under the Fourth Amendment, individual's are protected against unreasonable search and seizures without probable cause. The paper goes on to say that the Fifth Amendment ensures due process, and prohibits self-incrimination and double jeopardy, fair compensation for private property taken by the government and indictment by grand jury. The paper also reviews the Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Amendments.

Outline:
Introduction
Fourth Amendment
Fifth Amendment
Sixth Amendment
Seventh Amendment
Eighth Amendment
Modifying the Eighth Amendment
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Upon founding a new country, we would insist that this right be kept. It is necessary for there to be a system that embraces due process. A speedy and public trial will ensure that the accused doen not spend an unreasonable time in jail prior to trial. This could be considered torture, especially if the accused is innocent."
"The Sixth Amendment is a right that allows for all people to be considered equal under that law until proven otherwise. When determining whether to take a man or a woman's right to life and liberty, there has to be a strict standard that is followed to ensure that those rights are not taken away unnecessarily."

Tags:Bill of Rights, Fourth Amendment, Fifth Amendment, Sixth Amendment, seventh amendment, modifying eighth amendment

Abstract
This paper introduces, discusses, and analyzes the topic of U.S. government and political science. Specifically, it describes the process of how a bill becomes a law in the United States. It further discusses the complicated process, in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, of creating and passing legislation. The writer also presents variables which affect bills becoming laws, such as elections.

From the Paper
"Any member of the Senate or House can introduce legislation. In the House, the bill first goes to the Clerk of the House, and if the Clerk is not there, the bill goes into the "hopper," a box on the Clerk's desk specifically to hold new legislation. In the Senate, the Senator must wait until the "morning hour," a 90-minute session on Mondays and Tuesdays reserved for member speeches and bill introduction. If another Senator objects, the bill introduction must wait until the next day. Once the bill is introduced, it is called the "First Reading" of the bill. In the House and the Senate, more than one representative can sponsor a bill. After the bill is introduced, it is assigned a number and identifier (in the House HR is used, in the Senate it is simply S). The bill also gets the sponsor's name. It then travels to the Government Printing Office, where they make copies of the bill."

Tags:government, law, bill, legislation, Senate, Congress, House, of, Representatives

Abstract
A paper on the topic of the Bill of Rights and the American nation. The paper analyzes why the founding fathers created the Bill of Rights and looks at their fears for the new country.

Tags:bill, rights