Resources
Hill Physicians makes these resources available to our physicians.
Advance Directives | Guidelines for Physical Examinations |
Medicare Risk Adjustment Diagnosis Codes and Superbill Tool | Supervision of Mid-Level Practitioners
See Clinical Guidelines for other provider resources.
Hill Physicians encourages our physicians and practice staff to become familiar with the requirements of California’s laws on Advance Directives for Health Care and POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) to be sure to have the proper materials and information available for patients.
Printable Resources for Providers and Patients
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Learn more about Advance Directives for Health Care at the Caring Connections website
here.
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Download the California-specific Advance Directive for Health Care
here.
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Learn about POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)
here.
(POLST forms available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Farsi, Korean, and Russian)
You will need Acrobat Reader to read these files. You can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website.
Guidelines for Physical Examinations
To ensure a circumspect environment for patients during physical examinations, Hill Physicians recommends that all physicians use the Garman Guidelines, published by the Medical Board of California and originally presented by J. Kent Garman, MD.
Garman Guidelines for Physical Examinations
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Allow patients to disrobe and dress in private and offer cover gowns and appropriate drapes.
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Have one of the office staff in the room whenever possible, especially during breast and pelvic exams.
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Improve your communication with the patient about the reasons for and methods of examinations.
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Avoid any flirtatious behavior toward patients.
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Ask someone else to review your office procedures regarding physical exams with a view toward avoiding any risky procedures or making necessary changes.
Source: California Physician's Legal Handbook 2001, pages 22:46, 22:47. The handbook is available through the California Medical Association online bookstore.
Medicare Risk Adjustment Diagnosis Codes and Superbill Tool
Accurate chart documentation and diagnosis reporting are critical components of Medicare reimbursement. Hill Physicians encourages providers to use the latest Medicare Risk Adjustment Diagnosis Codes.
As of January 2004, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a risk model based on chronic additive conditions. Previously, CMS based reimbursed solely on demographic information.
The CMS Risk Adjustment model pays more accurately for the predicted health cost expenditures by adjusting payments based on health status as well as demographics. As a result, reimbursements are higher for less healthy members and lower for more healthy members. Health status is re-determined each year based on diagnoses reported through claims/encounter data.
Hill Physicians has developed a Superbill Tool to help ensure accurate CMS diagnostic coding.
Supervision of Mid-Level Practitioners
Hill Physicians requires our providers to supervise the care provided by mid-level practitioners -- physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners – to ensure the highest quality of care is delivered to patients.
Read the complete Guidelines for the Supervision of Mid-Level Practitioners. 
You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and print these files. You can download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader from the Adobe website.