Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Showing 209–224 of 263 results
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Practice Notes – 8 ways to manage the complex world of CMS billing rules
Fall 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 409
Abstract: Doing business with the CMS puts physician practices in close touch with an extraordinary level of administrative complexity — convoluted rules and regulations; spreadsheets marked by arcane labels and multiple revisions; additions, addendums and supplements issued throughout the year; and hundreds of CPT codes involved in the billing process. But this article lists eight simple, practical ways to minimize the frustration that’s part of dealing with the CMS.
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Outsourcing can help improve your bottom line and results
Fall 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: Outsourcing can be a benefit to many practices, but it’s important to think through the decision before sending work offsite. This article explains that one should begin by doing a cost-benefit analysis, and lists three factors to consider in determining feasibility. But, if the answer is “yes,” outsourcing can improve operations, reduce costs, and eliminate responsibilities and hassles for physicians and administrators.
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Ready for an extreme medical office makeover?
Fall 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 744
Abstract: An office that presents an unappealing, uncomfortable environment for both patients and employees can contribute to reduced productivity. So an office that hasn’t been updated in a while might need an extreme medical office makeover. This article notes that there are two broad areas of concern in the design of a practice facility — appearance and functionality— and describes how they can aid healing and improve quality of care.
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Reform-driven patient demand – The ripple effects of PPACA are vast
Fall 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1013
Abstract: Apart from the variety of regulatory and reporting requirements imposed on physicians by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), the increased insurance coverage it grants will likely produce a surge in the number of people seeking medical care. This article describes what to expect and lists a number of ways that practices can prepare themselves. A sidebar explains why practices should look at whether their present mix of people, patients, payors, services and facilities is commensurate with what the practice wants to be and wants to achieve in the future.
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Practice notes – Incentive payments for “meaningful use” of EHR
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 509
Abstract: CMS is eager for physician practices to deploy electronic health record (EHR) technology as soon as possible. It has proposed two incentive-driven programs — one through Medicare and the other through Medicaid — to encourage “meaningful use” of EHR systems. Physicians are required to participate in one of the programs, and most are expected to choose the Medicare program. This article looks at the “meaningful use” provisions, and the stages in which they’re to be carried out.
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What’s their secret? – Why some practices thrive and others don’t
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 850
Abstract: Top-performing physician practices don’t achieve their success by accident. Outstanding results are the product of regularly measuring financial and other practice performance and taking action to continually improve. Important areas to focus on include charges and collections; patient flow; referral sources; fee schedules; salaries and benefits; and gross collection percentages per payor.
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7 steps to smarter, timelier collections
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 678
Abstract: In times when cash flow may not keep pace with patient flow, it’s important to ensure that one’s practice collects for every procedure and every patient. This article offers seven suggestions, including assigning billing employees to certain insurers; keeping an eye on accounts receivable aging; creating an office manual; and providing performance incentives.
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Medicare fraud and abuse allegations: Minimizing the damage
Summer 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 802
Abstract: The complexity and constantly changing nature of the Medicare regulations on prohibited practice behavior makes violations almost inevitable. But the Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) offers some safeguards. They include an audit of operating policies and procedures; implementing a training program to familiarize staff with regulations; providing staff with easy methods for reporting potential problems or violations; and uncovering violations before an outsider does. A sidebar to this article discusses how to voluntarily disclose such self-discovered violations.
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Practice Notes – How to best manage practice risks
Spring 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 492
Abstract: When physicians consider risk management, most will immediately think of their medical malpractice insurance coverage. And rightly so. But, in addition, there are certain insurance policies that every practice should carry. Before soliciting bids, physicians should take inventory of current coverages, identify where their practice has too much or too little protection, and prepare a matrix of coverages comparing wants and needs.
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Those who take care of others … should take care of their retirement benefits, too
Spring 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 853
Abstract: Any physician getting ready to retire, or simply move to another practice, will need to decide what they want to do with their retirement account from the job they’re leaving. Options include taking a lump-sum distribution, making a direct rollover into a traditional IRA or to a new employer’s 401(k) plan, or leaving the assets where they are. But there are pros and cons involved, depending on one’s age, income and retirement goals.
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Will the medical home trend transform how you practice medicine?
Spring 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 737
Abstract: If the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) trend continues to gain ground, it will most likely involve every type of provider and require dramatic changes in health care delivery. Key to the PCMH concept is “whole-person orientation,” in which the personal physician is responsible for meeting all of the patient’s health care needs or arranging appropriate care through other qualified professionals. But transforming a medical practice to a PCMH is a major undertaking that requires a series of incremental changes. Doctors will need to tailor their conception and implementation of the PCMH model to the distinct characteristics of their practice.
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Health care reform: What you can expect from the new law
Spring 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 871
Abstract: Health care reform … at last. But what does it mean to physician practices? According to one authority, it will place a huge load on physician practices by releasing pent-up demand for health care services from an additional 18 million newly insured people and new Medicaid users. With more patients, physicians in all specialties will have the opportunity to increase their revenues, although some critics maintain that it will redistribute income away from primary care providers and misalign monetary incentives for doctors. This article discusses the impact on Medicare payments, along with incentive payments and cost savings through streamlined health insurance claims processing procedures. Tort reform and the prospects for reform of the sustainable growth rate formula are also explored. A sidebar shows an upside and downside of the legislation as it affects the business side of a practice.
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Practice Notes – Reduce the risk of employee theft
Winter 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 494
Abstract: In 2008, the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) estimated conservatively that 3% of all health care spending, or $68 billion, is lost to health care fraud. Physician practices can experience their own types of fraud — through employee theft. This article offers a few tips to minimize the risk.
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Hospital-owned group practices – Breaking the ties that bind
Winter 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 809
Abstract: Today, when many hospitals are in the buying mode, some practices are ready to join up but are wondering, “What if I want out in a few years?” Breaking up isn’t easy. Physicians must be prepared to deal with federal regulations, employee benefits, patient accounting and other day-to-day details, or else perhaps join another physician network instead of buying back the practice. Those who do buy will need to hire an appraiser to establish the practice’s fair market value; determine what proportion of profits or losses can be attributed to the physicians in the practice; and develop an exit strategy that covers the potential consequences of unwinding in the future.
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ACOs can help assure quality and slow cost growth
Winter 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 709
Abstract: An “accountable care organization” (ACO) is a combination of primary care and specialist physicians, hospitals and other care providers that accepts collective responsibility to meet patients’ health care needs. ACOs are considered the ideal vehicle for achieving the integration and cooperation demanded by “bundled payments.” But group practices will need strong leadership to carry out the many changes involved. Doctors will need to either acquire hard-core business skills and assume major management roles, or be willing to hire professional business managers to whom they can delegate significant business decisions.
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Is your practice’s compensation system fair?
Winter 2010
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 874
Abstract: Many physician groups are operating with compensation systems that were developed years ago for reasons that may no longer be relevant in the current environment. But, before embarking on changing one’s current system, it’s important to review all aspects of compensation. Does the system account for all costs incurred, or only a subset of expenses? In allocating revenues and expenses, does the system use RVUs, equal shares or professional service charges? This article looks at the components of a fair package, and discusses how to fairly compensate physicians whose professional duties, time commitments and outside activities vary. A sidebar discusses pending health care legislation, and the impact that reform will have on all health care providers.