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Showing 33–48 of 59 results

  • Another “red flag” on the regulatory front — New FACTA rules seek to curb medical identity theft

    Spring 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1042

    Abstract: In November 2007, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued regulations known as “Red Flag Rules” as part of the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003 (FACTA). The purpose of the Red Flag Rules is to address the growing incidence of identity theft, including financial and medical identity theft. This article discusses the new rules and how practices can integrate the revised regs into their operations.

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  • Understanding the nuances of PQRI

    Spring 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 538

    Abstract: The Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) is a program designed to improve the quality of care provided to Medicare beneficiaries. In general, the quality measures consist of “a unique denominator (eligible case) and numerator (clinical action) that permit the calculation of the percentage of a defined population that receive a particular process of care or achieve a particular outcome,” according to the CMS 2009 PQRI Implementation Guide. This article explains the nuances of this important Medicare-related program.

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  • E-mailing, E-banking … E-prescribing? — Medicare offers incentives for going electronic

    Spring 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 851

    Abstract: For physicians, the electronic world, love it or hate it, is here to stay. Succinctly defined, e-prescribing (sometimes called e-Rx) is the transmission of prescription or prescription-related information through electronic media. This article explores this technology and its advantages, including the fact that Medicare is now providing an incentive to those providers who are willing to use it.

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  • Review your Medicare ABCs to stay competitive in 2009

    Spring 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 774

    Abstract: Most everyone has heard the old adage “Everything you need to know you learn in kindergarten.” For medical practices in 2009, when it comes to Medicare and staying competitive, that old adage may be truer than ever. This article points out key areas, such as e-Rx and PQRI, that practices need to review to stay competitive.

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  • Difficult times call for increasing physician efficiency and productivity

    Winter 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 747

    Abstract: In difficult economic times, increasing top-line revenue is a very important strategy. However, investing in risky new ventures, offices or equipment typically is not. How can practices increase revenue quickly without investing heavily in time or fixed costs? By increasing physician efficiency and productivity. This article offers some tips.

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  • Building a successful hospital-physician employment model

    Winter 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 714

    Abstract: Hospitals and health systems are employing physicians at an increased rate. Why? The economic impact of rising costs of running practices, an inability to recruit young physicians into private practice, the decrease in reimbursement and the challenges of running a private business all have physicians looking for alternatives to private practice. This article examines how organizations can mitigate the risks of this employment model.

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  • Key indicators: The pulse of a practice

    Winter 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 964

    Abstract: Well-run practices have a set of data points called “key indicators” that partner physicians track on a regular basis. This information is often conveyed in reports that go by a number of titles, including “key indicator reports,” “flash reports,” or “business markers.” What the reports all have in common is a concise measurement of the health of the practice at a given point in time — ideally, early enough to be proactive in detecting and resolving problems. This article takes a closer look at this important tool for managing practice financials.

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  • The economy and your practice — 4 steps to riding out the storm

    Winter 2009
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1117

    Abstract: The new year brings a new president with a new plan for controlling and delivering health care. And with competition for new physicians growing and patients paying more for their care than ever before, every practice needs a plan for riding out the storm. This article offers four steps for navigating the rough seas ahead.

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  • The importance of goal setting

    Fall 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 696

    Abstract: In today’s fast paced and high-demand world, the daily tasks of clinical practice and administration can get lost in day-to-day activities. Long-term goals for the practice seem to collide with the task of balancing life obligations, which results in time constraints and crisis management. Setting goals is extremely important for individuals as well as practices. This article provides three steps to goal-setting success.

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  • Holding successful, productive meetings — Do you know what it takes?

    Fall 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 577

    Abstract: Managed meetings are a necessity to a well-run medical practice. Yet meetings can also be seen as big time wasters if certain guidelines aren’t followed. This article offers tips on key aspects of any meeting, including the agenda and rules.

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  • Clinical integration: The what, how and why

    Fall 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 869

    Abstract: The current buzz phrase in the physician practice managed care arena is “clinical integration.” For the last 30 years, the health care industry has searched for the best available approach to coordinate care among primary care physicians, specialists, ancillary services and hospitals while decreasing the overall cost to patients. This article explores why it’s now clinical integration’s turn to step up to the plate.

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  • What should be included in your employee manual?

    Fall 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 976

    Abstract: Whether you have a small medical practice or a large group, human resources (HR) policy manuals are an absolute necessity. Having these manuals in place will prevent wasted hours spent resolving HR issues rather than conducting productive business processes. HR policy manuals communicate an understanding between employees and their employers on topics such as their rights, obligations and the business environment. This article explains how to get started.

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  • How to survive the November election (and other impending challenges)

    Fall 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 818

    Abstract: Whether you are a partner in a private practice model or an employed physician in a hospital-owned group practice model, it is vital that you provide leadership — especially in today’s uncertain times. And with the current state of the economy, the high price of fuel and goods, health insurance premium increases, reimbursement decreases, and a new president and Congress on the horizon, these times are definitely uncertain. This article looks at some strategies that health care providers can employ to mitigate the many economic “what ifs” they face.

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  • Fostering successful physician-hospital relations

    Summer 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 829

    Abstract: Many hospitals develop physician-relations departments to promote good relationships with their referring physicians. But the true test of success in the relationship is whether hospitals enable these managers to facilitate better relations. Do these relations managers take the time to really listen? Can they act upon what physicians are telling them? This article suggests some tried-and-true ways to foster successful physician-hospital relations.

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  • Impending Medicare cuts offer options, opportunities and obstacles

    Summer 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 1112

    Abstract: Over the past five years, Medicare has proposed cuts to professional and technical fees for physician services. Each year these cuts have been stopped or delayed, but they’re inevitable at some point in the near future. And even if the proposed budget cuts don’t go into effect this year, the professional and technical fee cuts are likely to occur as a result of the increased demand. This article discusses the impending cuts and offers tips on how physicians and health care organizations can begin preparing for them.

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  • Assess your billing/collections process by asking the right questions

    Summer 2008
    Newsletter: Vital Signs

    Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50

    Word count: 894

    Abstract: One area that every medical practice should regularly assess is billing/collections. Asking the right questions, and investigating the responses if necessary, can help management decide whether there’s an issue that needs to be addressed. This article provides a handy checklist to do just that.

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