Healthcare
Showing 225–240 of 454 results
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Bridging the divide: New ACO physician compensation models
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 392
Abstract: The health care industry continues to move away from the traditional fee-for-service approach toward one where care is largely provided by accountable care organizations (ACOs). As such, hospitals must remain open to the idea of adjusting their physician compensation models accordingly. But pure base-salary models typically don’t adequately account for minimum work standards, while pure productivity plans do little to promote teamwork or incentivize quality over quantity. For these reasons, other models have been gaining favor in ACOs recently. This article describes several.
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Private equity firms offer cash relief to community hospitals
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 657
Abstract: Some cash-strapped community hospitals are finding relief through capital infusions by a private equity firm. Although they’ll surrender a degree of ownership control, engaging in one of these arrangements can help strengthen their cash flow and generate more sustainable profits without necessarily subverting their mission statement. This article explains how a private equity firm can earn profits on a financially distressed community hospital, and how profit-driven ownership can be good for the hospital while preserving its charitable mission.
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4 tips for wise capital spending
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 520
Abstract: After exercising fiscal restraint for years, some hospitals are beginning to again ramp up their capital spending on projects such as health information technology, physician practice acquisition, construction and new services. Whether these facilities are making these expenditures by choice or necessity, this article offers four tips for getting the most bang for the buck: They involve inventory, analytics, due diligence and designating a project manager.
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Are you on the right side of the law? Faulty physician agreements come with a hefty price tag
Spring 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 929
Abstract: In 2013, a hospital system was walloped with a $237 million damages verdict based on physician compensation agreements that violated the Stark Law and the False Claims Act (FCA). And this was all despite its having obtained a three-page pretransaction valuation giving the arrangements the thumbs-up. This article explains how the agreements worked, but notes the critical mistakes that occurred during their preparation. A sidebar discusses whether so-called anticipated referrals constitute a proper basis for finding that a physician’s compensation takes into account the volume or value of referrals.
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Practice Notes – How to benchmark NPPs in your practice
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 412
Abstract: Using nonphysician providers (NPPs) can be an effective way for practices to prepare for the expected influx of 30 million new patients receiving health care coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s new Health Insurance Marketplaces and expanded Medicaid programs. But, for the use of NPPs to work, it’s important for physicians to benchmark NPP performance by identifying performance metrics that reflect their practice’s critical success factors and then using these metrics to set goals and measure progress toward them. This article looks at five categories into which NPP performance metrics typically fall.
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8 tips to help maximize patient self-payment
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 874
Abstract: Along with collecting traditional copayments, physician practices must now worry about steadily increasing patient deductibles. One survey reveals that deductibles as a percentage of the contracted rate increased by at least 20% across the country from 2009 to 2011. This is bad news for the physician because any increase in self-pay is hard to collect. But this article offers some tips — involving work processes, technology and communication — for making that task a little easier. A sidebar looks at a survey that spotlights patient attitudes toward their payment obligations.
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Clinical comanagement 101 – How to reward physicians and medical groups
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 591
Abstract: Clinical comanagement is an arrangement designed to recognize and appropriately reward participating medical groups and/or physicians for their efforts in developing, managing and improving their quality and efficiency. The arrangement may cover inpatient, outpatient, ancillary and/or multisite services. But this article notes that there are numerous hurdles to contend with. It describes two forms of comanagement and the tradeoffs involved.
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Health Insurance Marketplaces – What you — and your patients — need to know
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 713
Abstract: On Oct. 1, 2013, the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA’s) Health Insurance Marketplaces opened in states that have adopted them and on the federal government’s website healthcare.gov. Physicians may find themselves discussing with their patients how to use these new Marketplaces. This article gives an outline of the mandate and describes how the Marketplaces work. It also notes what the policies must cover and the premium subsidies available.
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Computers or clipboards? AMA addresses electronics in exam rooms
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 459
Abstract: A recent American Medical Association (AMA) report provides encouraging news, along with helpful tips, for hospitals that are incorporating exam room computing in their electronic health record (EHR) processes. This article looks at the report’s findings, which conclude that EHRs are expected to improve the quality and efficiency of care delivery, with only minimal negative effects. But doctors themselves play an important role in furthering the success of EHR processes.
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Understanding the new fraud self-disclosure protocol
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 553
Abstract: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) has issued a new Self-Disclosure Protocol (SDP) for violations of federal fraud and abuse laws that substantially revises the prior protocol published in 1998. This article discusses the benefits (and some caveats) of self-disclosure, along with several of the most common issues providers disclose under the SDP.
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The pressure is building on improving quality
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 575
Abstract: Whether it’s from the Joint Commission or the CMS, a medical facility may be slapped with various payment penalties if it doesn’t participate in quality initiatives (QIs) for the Reporting Hospital Quality Data for Annual Payment Update program. Fortunately, there are several strategies it can employ to help keep in good standing with the reporting entities. This article discusses several of them.
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Affordable Care Act – IRS issues updated guidance on Community Health Needs Assessments
Winter 2014
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 842
Abstract: The IRS recently released proposed regulations that provide updated guidance to charitable hospitals on the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) requirements under the Affordable Care Act, the consequences of noncompliance, and reporting requirements. As this article explains, the regulations loosen the CHNA-related penalties and grant some waivers for minor infractions. Key provisions are discussed, along with changes from previous IRS guidance. A sidebar notes that the proposed regulations allow hospitals, in some circumstances, to collaborate on both the reports themselves and the implementation strategies.
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Practice Notes – Patient kiosks may be the wave of the future
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 420
Abstract: In the future, patients may never need to check in with a receptionist to begin a physician visit. Instead, they’ll go to a computer station or pick up a tablet, and check in electronically to verify their personal information, identify medication or allergy changes, and determine insurance eligibility. When connected to EHRs and practice management systems, a kiosk can help streamline the front office, enhance clinical accuracy, and reduce billing errors and denied claims. This article lists some specific services that kiosks can offer, although it notes that kiosks won’t completely replace the need for staff.
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Beware: Malpractice lawsuits can derail your nest egg
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 611
Abstract: Lawsuits run rampant in this nation, and that includes those filed against medical practices and physicians. While malpractice insurance is obviously an essential defense, physicians may also want to consider giving away assets via some simple strategies. This article examines three of them: family limited partnerships, the homestead exemption, and offshore trusts.
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Billing and collections – Harnessing best practices in claim denial management
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 708
Abstract: Claim denials are a huge financial drain on physician practices. If nothing is done to reverse a denial, the revenue that it represents is lost to the practice. Fortunately, there are some best practices that can help manage claims denied by payers. This article discusses how to keep a claim “clean” in the first place, how to respond to a claim denial, and how to prevent future denials. A sidebar looks at analyzing data to reveal the root causes of denials.
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The business imperatives of high-performing practices
Fall 2013
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 806
Abstract: In the face of rapidly changing fiscal and regulatory conditions, physician practices must plan forcefully for the future. They need to focus management attention on the business areas of highest priority and set goals for their improvement. The greatest imperative is to strengthen the practice’s financial competencies, but it’s also essential to engage patients, upgrade clinical systems, improve interconnectivity and enhance data analytics. This article discusses strategies for achieving these goals, while a sidebar looks at a survey in which physicians rank their highest business imperatives.