RX
Showing 241–256 of 263 results
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Opting out of Medicare: Is it a good move for your practice?
Winter 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 683
Abstract: The CMS proposal in early 2008 to cut physician reimbursement rates by 10% led many doctors to wonder whether participation in Medicare was a good idea for their practices. Although the rate cut wasn’t approved, the persistent paperwork and billing problems with Medicare continue. This article explores a way you can continue to see Medicare patients without some of these limitations: Opting out of the program and contracting privately with your patients.
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Plug up those revenue drains – Internal billing and coding audits can help
Winter 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 909
Abstract: Are you losing money because of holes in your billing and coding process? Conducting an internal billing and coding audit will help you plug up these potential revenue drains before your cash flow dries up. This article explains how an internal billing and coding audit can help identify whether physicians are submitting accurate claims for reimbursement — that is, coded according to CPT codes, guidelines and conventions and as required by payor payment policies.
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Fundamentals of a successful practice merger
Winter 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1038
Abstract: Physician practice mergers continue to be a trend in the health care profession. And with good reason: Merging practices immediately gain access to a larger patient base and greater clout in negotiating with payors. Plus, the overhead per physician usually drops, and the two practices are often able to pool capital resources. But there can be downsides. This article explains why a merger shouldn’t be entered into lightly. A sidebar discusses the criteria that will help ensure a merger will be a success.
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Practice builders – Boost revenues by building up your referral network
Fall 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 584
Abstract: Whether you’re opening a new clinic or you’ve been practicing medicine in the same location for decades, you can’t assume that patients will always choose to walk through your doors. This article provides practical ways to beef up your referral network, such as developing relationships with young physicians entering your community and participating in hospital grand rounds and committees. (Updated 8/29/12)
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Vital Stats – National P4P standards take another step forward
Fall 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 312
Abstract: This issue’s “Vital Stats” offers two topics of current interest to physician groups. The first deals with national pay-for-performance standards, which took another step forward when some of the nation’s largest health plans signed the “Patient Charter for Physician Performance Measurement, Reporting and Tiering Programs.” The second topic describes changes made by CMS to its Physician Quality Reporting Initiative to encourage physician participation.
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Recruiting physicians as employees vs. potential partners – What are the tradeoffs?
Fall 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 891
Abstract: A physician who joins a private practice may expect to be offered the opportunity to buy into the practice and become a partner. There are major pitfalls in that option, however, which may make employment a better choice — for both the physician and your group. This article debates the “employee vs. partner” issue so you can better understand the tradeoffs when recruiting new physicians. A sidebar offers tips on what you should look for when interviewing potential candidates for a partnership position. (Updated 8/29/12)
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Be free of paper overload – Create a document management policy
Fall 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 566
Abstract: Even with the spread of electronic health records, many physician groups continue to be inundated with mountains of paper. The resulting clutter can impair your practice’s efficiency and give the impression of an office in chaos. This article outlines a four-pronged document management policy that can help you cut the clutter. (Updated 2/29/12)
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Surviving in a payor-dominated market
Fall 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 787
Abstract: In its 2007 study, Competition in Health Insurance: A Comprehensive Study of U.S. Markets, the AMA states that, in the majority of metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs), a single health insurer dominates the market. Indeed, their data shows that, in 64% of the 313 MSAs, one health carrier controls half or more of the business in HMO and PPO underwriting. This article explains what this payor dominance means for physician practices and offers some ways practices can fight back. A sidebar discusses some of the drawbacks of larger physician groups.
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Practice builders – CDHC: Preparing for it
Summer 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 588
Abstract: With new buying power and greater knowledge of their options, patients are seeking high-quality and convenient health care at reasonable prices. The consumer-driven health care (CDHC) trend promises to change not only the way physician practices operate, but also the nature of the physician-patient relationship. This article explains what your patients want as far as consumer information and amenities. Plus, it describes changes you may need to make to your billing and collection processes.
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Vital Stats – How YouTube can help you too
Summer 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 239
Abstract: This brief article describes a unique marketing tool being employed by a medical group in the rural county of Powys, Wales. The BuilthSurgery group uploads short video clips on YouTube as a means of reaching current and prospective patients with important health information. After reading this article, you may want to rethink some of your marketing strategies.
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It’s time to start measuring the quality of your care
Summer 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 674
Abstract: Today, patients are choosing providers based on quality of care. Your practice can no longer postpone its decision to commit to a practicewide quality program. This article can help you get started. For example, the first thing you must do is get full buy-in from your practice’s leadership. You’ll also need to align compensation methods with your quality improvement objectives. Consumer-driven health care is here to stay: It’s time to get started. (Updated 8/29/12)
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Physicians come, physicians go – A buy-sell agreement can smooth the way
Summer 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 997
Abstract: If yours is like most practices, you’ve seen physicians come and go. Older physicians retire, associates become partners and medical school graduates are recruited. When a physician becomes an owner or partner of the practice, contentious issues may arise regarding asset valuation, division of income and retention of control. This article explains how a buy-sell agreement can help minimize those disputes. A sidebar offers various laws and legal doctrines that should be considered when developing a buy-sell agreement.
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You protect your patients’ health, but what about their identities?
Summer 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 708
Abstract: Patient medical records include several types of personal, nonclinical information. The records may contain driver’s license numbers, Social Security numbers, and even bank account and credit card information. Identity thieves are far more interested in those numbers than any clinical information. This article offers practical advice on how to protect your patients’ personal information.
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Beef up revenues by conducting clinical trials
Spring 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 639
Abstract: In 1990, about 5,000 physicians were conducting clinical research. By 2007, that number had increased tenfold, according to the Urology Times. There’s a good reason for the dramatic increase: Many practices are able to earn as much as $250,000 a year from clinical research. Using a practice’s patient base to carry out clinical research can clearly be a major source of new revenue. However, it’s no cakewalk. This article takes a look at what’s involved.
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Stark law Phase III regulations address fair market value for physician compensation
Spring 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 253
Abstract: On Dec. 4, 2007, Phase III regulations of the Stark law became effective. The Stark law prohibits physicians from making referrals of designated health services payable by Medicare to an entity with which the physician has a financial relationship, unless certain exemptions or safe harbors apply. This article discusses one such safe harbor that was eliminated under the Phase III regs that concerned methodologies for determining fair market value for physician compensation.
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Financing new EHR systems – Which option is best for you?
Spring 2008
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 929
Abstract: Electronic health record (EHR) systems are likely to be a required investment for physician practices in the next few years. At estimated costs of anywhere from $11,000 to $96,000 per physician over a three-year period, many practices simply won’t have the cash on hand to purchase the necessary hardware, software and supporting services. This article delves into the financing options currently available, to help you decide which is the best one for your practice.