Learning and implementing best practices in operations can prevent mistakes, maintain a consistent flow of business to better meet patient demands and keep our clinical practice effective and productive. Below are a few updates of interest to our employees.

Tip of the month: Verify 2019 insurance benefits

It's a new year, which means many of our patients may have changes in their insurance coverage. You can make lives better by asking your patients if they have had any change in insurance and by asking to see their insurance card for verification. This simple question can make sure our patients are happy by ensuring benefits are correctly applied to their statement before they pay. It also eases the process for your colleagues in accounting and the patient services call center.

Feb. 11 Epic upgrade requires Knowledge Center Training

Everyone will benefit from the new training available in Knowledge Center that will help you understand how the Epic upgrade taking place on Monday, Feb. 11, will affect you and your work. If you have any questions, please contact Diana Burnett.

The required training modules are listed below. Access them by using this link to the Knowledge Center and navigating to the Course Catalog.

Closed for President's Day, Monday  2/18/19

All UT Health San Antonio practices will be closed in recognition of President's Day on Monday, Feb. 18.

The phone operators at 210-450-9000 will be available to answer calls on these days.

New employee orientation

The next new employee orientation will be on Friday, Feb. 8. Contact Theresa Lomperski for more information.

Pediatric specialties moving to Westgate Medical Center

UT Health Physicians' pediatric specialty practices will be moving early this year to the Westgate Medical Center from the Medical Arts & Research Center. The specialty practices that will be housed at the Westgate Medical Center include:

• Pediatric allergy
• Pediatric neurology
• Pediatric hematology

Obstetrics and Gynecology offering specialty services at UT Health Stone Oak and UT Health Hill Country

Urogynecology (female pelvic health) services are now available at UT Health San Antonio's Stone Oak location in the Atrium at North Central Baptist Hospital. 

Reproductive health and fertility services will be offered at UT Health Hill Country beginning this March. For more information, please contact Lynette Babilonia.

Your practice operations team is here to support all of you in your effort to provide exceptional care to UT Health San Antonio patients. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to your practice operations leaders: Casey Peterson, senior director of practice operations; Jeanette Hernandez, director of practice operations; Johnna Nerios, director of practice operations; and Dina Wright, director of practice operations.