Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Showing 177–192 of 267 results
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Practice Notes — Rewarding physicians for reducing spending
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 428
Abstract: One of the most talked-about new ideas in health care is rewarding providers for reducing medical spending by giving them a share of the net cost savings. The concept is currently being tested by many payor and provider organizations across the United States. The early results are so promising that providers — including physicians — may see contracts offering this arrangement in the near future. This article discusses the characteristics of the demonstration projects testing the new concept.
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Office staff overworked? — Take the load off by outsourcing certain tasks
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 777
Abstract: With the passage of health care reform come many new rules and regulations. If clinical and office staff are having some trouble getting all the work done — right and on time — perhaps the practice should consider outsourcing certain tasks to outside vendors. This article discusses the kinds of tasks (and not just administrative) that may be suitable for outsourcing and lists three factors that can help determine initial feasibility.
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Why patients change doctors … and what you can do about it
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 779
Abstract: While it’s somewhat common for doctors to “fire” uncooperative or nonpaying patients, the reverse can happen, too: Patients can become dissatisfied with their current doctors and switch to new ones. Obviously, this isn’t good for a physician’s pocketbook or reputation. This article lists seven reasons why patients switch to a new doctor and offers suggestions for fixing these problems.
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It’s time to start thinking about Stage 2 Meaningful Use
Winter 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 813
Abstract: In August 2012, CMS released new “meaningful use” specifications that physicians must implement in their EHR systems to qualify for financial incentives. Meaningful use of certified electronic health record technology (CEHRT) is to be achieved in three stages. Providers that fail to do so by 2015 will see downward Medicare payment adjustments. This article explains what providers must do to meet core and menu objectives and abide by the deadlines. A sidebar shows how physicians should prepare their practices for Stage 2 compliance.
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Is your practice ready? — CMS Stage 2 requirements are drawing nigh
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 585
Abstract: Last February, CMS published a proposed rule defining the “meaningful use” requirements for Stage 2 of its Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Program. It’s expected to issue a final version of the rule in late 2012. Although there will be revisions in response to those comments, enough is known now for physician practices to begin preparing for the changes. This article reviews Stage 1 objectives and discusses Stage 2 proposals, and notes when penalties for noncompliance may apply.
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Don kid gloves when tackling partnership disputes
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 728
Abstract: When partners can’t get along — whether it’s because of personality issues or divvying up responsibilities — running a truly successful practice becomes even more difficult. There are ways to knock out many conflicts but, to do so, it’s necessary to put on kid gloves. This article explains how to share responsibilities, establish a practice vision, resolve issues arising from age differences, and implement a clear, amenable compensation model for physician partners.
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Keeping your head above water — How to breathe easier in tough times
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 798
Abstract: With no clear end to this economic uncertainty in sight, some practices may find themselves gasping for air when it comes to maintaining a strong bottom line. What can they do now to keep their head above water? This article discusses how to implement sound business practices that will make life easier. It shows how to review financial statements, assess employee benefits, and market the practice to gain more patients.
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7 strategies for improving self-pay patient collections
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 664
Abstract: With the increase in health plans requiring members to pay all or part of their office visits, practices are faced with the challenge of asking patients for full payment. This can be upsetting for the patients and uncomfortable for the staff who deal with them. This article offers seven strategies for improving collections from self-pay patients, including preparing for time-of-service collections, setting up prompt-pay discounts, and showing staff how to interact with patients about payment issues.
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How to keep pesky practice costs in line
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 738
Abstract: This article takes a look at several typically “pesky” practice costs and how to keep them in line. It specifically discusses staffing, salaries, health care and retirement benefits, paid time off, overtime, and lease-related operating expenses.
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Practice benchmarking — A 12-step program for improving performance
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 354
Abstract: Benchmarking is the continuous process of measuring and comparing organizational performance against the performance of other comparable physician practices. It demonstrates how the “best in class” achieve their performance levels and gathers the knowledge necessary to reach those heights. This article describes a 12-step program that practices can use to determine where they stand and get the data they need to make productive changes.
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The IRS is watching — Why having an accountable plan is so important
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 849
Abstract: An “accountable plan” comprises policies and procedures for handling and reimbursing employee business expenses according to IRS guidelines. Without such a plan, these expenses must be included in the employee’s gross income, and the amounts are subject to employment taxes and withholding. If a practice fails to report this income and pay the appropriate taxes, it could become subject to back taxes and penalties. This article describes typical employee business expenses and explains the substantiation requirements for an accountable plan.
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E-prescribing: A mandate you simply can’t ignore
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 860
Abstract: E-prescribing allows a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant to electronically transmit a new prescription or renewal authorization to a community or mail-order pharmacy. The use of this functionality is becoming so widespread — and offers such convenience and efficiency for both the doctor and patient — that it can’t be ignored. This article describes what — under the Medicare financial incentive program — a “qualified” e-prescribing system must be able to do, and shows the reader how to implement one. A sidebar chart lists the benefits and barriers to e-prescribing.
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Practice Notes — Ensure your outsourcing arrangement bears fruit
Spring 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 465
Abstract: A practice that’s falling behind in its billing and collections should consider outsourcing those functions. But outsourcing can work either very well or very poorly. This article shows how to ensure the experience is fruitful by researching firms to determine which is best and by ensuring the contract specifics are favorable.
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How to grow your practice with group medical visits
Spring 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 773
Abstract: Group medical visits are a growing trend in physician practices. Under this appointment model, a physician sees and consults with multiple patients in a single setting at one time. There are two types of group visits: the shared medical appointment (SMA), also known as the cooperative health clinic (CHC), and the drop-in group medical appointment. This article describes both types and how they have the potential to satisfy patients and physicians alike.
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Going boutique — Concierge practices gain the attention of many physicians
Spring 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 689
Abstract: Many physicians, increasingly disenchanted with filing claims and wresting reimbursements from public and private payers, are now considering whether to “go boutique” by setting up a concierge practice. This article shows how such a practice works and explains the pros and cons. It also offers 10 steps that can help physicians transition to this new practice model.
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The switch to ICD-10: Are you ready?
Spring 2012
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 882
Abstract: The switch from ICD-9 to ICD-10 for diagnosis and inpatient procedure coding becomes a requirement on Oct. 1, 2013. Its greater coding detail enables better analysis of disease patterns and a wider variety of potential treatment outcomes that can improve care — and it will help physicians streamline claims submissions. But there’s much to do to prepare for it. As this article explains, the preparations should include setting up a transition team to work with third parties to create an implementation plan, to test the new system and to train staffers. A sidebar briefly notes that electronic claims must use the Version 5010 standards for electronic transactions.