Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Showing 241–256 of 267 results
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Maximizing income while controlling costs
Spring 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 802
Abstract: It’s becoming harder to make money practicing medicine. Payors are trying to push physician reimbursements down; operating expenses are moving relentlessly upward. You don’t need an MBA to understand the basic arithmetic of profits in a medical practice: They’re the net result of costs subtracted from income. So profits can be increased by either raising income or reducing costs. This article discusses how to achieve both.
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How to assert more clout with health plans and hospitals
Spring 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1094
Abstract: Over the last two decades, the health care industry has undergone steady consolidation toward a few very large institutions and, perhaps as a result of that trend, the medical profession has lost a lot of clout. Some physicians have surrendered to this trend and become employees of hospitals and managed care organizations. If you prefer to remain in private practice, there may be another option for you. But it requires achieving more “bulk” in the marketplace. This article explains how to get the clout you need. A sidebar offers tips on gaining even more bargaining power.
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Practice builders – Taking the plunge into medical spas
Winter 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 577
Abstract: To help boost revenue, some physicians are expanding their practices to include minimally invasive, cosmetic medical procedures. Dermatologists and plastic surgeons aren’t the only ones offering these services: Internists, ob/gyns and cardiologists are moving into the market, often providing the services through a separate facility configured as a “medical spa.” This is more than the expansion of an existing practice — it’s a new venture. Therefore, to help ensure its success, you must draft a formal business plan, based on market research and your short- and long-term goals. This article offers some tips.
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Vital Stats – Satisfy your patients; earn more money
Winter 2009
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 168
Abstract: This issue’s “Vital Stats” takes a look at how patient opinions can positively affect physician salaries and practice revenues. Some interesting numbers published in the MGMA Performance and Practices of Successful Medical Groups: 2007 Report Based on 2006 Data back up that conclusion.
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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.