Healthcare
Showing 289–304 of 454 results
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4 relationship-building strategies to boost your bottom line
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 531
Abstract: Higher operating costs, more regulation and less reimbursement — as well as increased time demands on physicians and practice managers — are making it harder for practices to stay in the black. It’s important to focus on things such as how to reduce costs and improve collections — but it’s also necessary to take time to look for ways to build strong relationships with patients, payors and vendors, as well as with employees. This article offers four relationship-building strategies to improve the success of a practice.
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Cash flow 101: Submit clean claims to avoid denials
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 728
Abstract: To ensure a practice’s cash flow keeps flowing, it’s necessary to win more appeals on claim denials and, better yet, reduce denials by submitting clean claims in the first place. This article discusses what accounts for most denials and looks at the importance of having a certified coder working on both the front and the back end of the process. It also lists critical items that should be included in an appeal and suggests creating a team to examine the reasons for denials.
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Is there an M&A in your practice’s future?
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 977
Abstract: Mergers and acquisitions (M&As) are fast becoming the route to financial survival for physician practices. Increasing numbers of practices are deciding to do deals to escape the ever-tightening walls of higher operating costs, increased regulation and shrinking reimbursements. But M&As typically involve complex strategic business transactions — so caution is the watchword. This article looks at different types of M&As and the steps to take to plan for one. A sidebar offers four specific tips to help ensure a smooth transition.
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The Court has ruled — How the PPACA may affect your practice
Fall 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 567
Abstract: The U.S. Supreme Court issued the most significant ruling of its 2011-12 session by upholding the constitutionality of most of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). This article examines the direct results of the ruling and shows what physicians can expect.
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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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7 tips for enhancing hospital performance
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 384
Abstract: What “extra” things does a top-performing hospital do to distinguish itself from competitors? This article offers seven strategies for enhancing performance that don’t receive enough attention — including forecasting service demand more accurately; evaluating postacute care alternatives for their cost, quality and utilization; and training and recruiting a new breed of physicians.
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Population health management — Hospitals work to refocus health care delivery
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 632
Abstract: The latest role of hospitals seems to be assessing and proactively managing the health and wellness of large patient populations, if not entire communities. Population health management (PHM), as this practice is called, requires hospitals to radically refocus their health care delivery. This article discusses three essential concepts underlying a PHM program and lists some or all of the following benefits that hospitals can expect from one.
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Health care analytics signal the start of a new era
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 1209
Abstract: Genomic data, clinical trial data, electronic health records, claims data, health outcomes metrics and research study results can all be brought together through analytics — commonly defined as “the science of analysis” — to enable new treatment modalities and support better clinical decisions. As this wave sweeps through the health care industry, hospitals need to prepare for it. This article explores some of the basic elements involved and shows how analytics can improve both the business and practice of medicine. A sidebar explains the importance of using an information agenda when dealing with analytics.
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Improving your profit margins: It isn’t just a pipe dream
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Healthcare Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 923
Abstract: Persistent reductions in Medicare payments, state Medicaid cuts since the economic downturn and continued demands for uncompensated care have pushed some hospitals to the brink of insolvency. But across-the-board efforts to trim department budgets further and deeper will go only so far. The long-term answer is to pinpoint profit-building strategies throughout the organization. This article looks at reducing readmissions, implementing a population health management program, addressing shortcomings in the OR and ER, adding service lines, controlling supply costs, and outsourcing services.
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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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Physician awareness of Rx costs boosts patient compliance
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 846
Abstract: Prescription medications account for nearly 10% of total U.S. spending on health care, and an even larger share of the average patient’s out-of-pocket medical spending. Yet, despite the impact of prescription costs on patient finances and drug compliance, physician awareness of retail prescription costs has remained spotty, according to several studies, even as increases in the cost have skyrocketed. This article lists several actions physicians can take to maintain accurate information about prescription costs. This can lead to greater patient compliance and keep patients returning to the practice.
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The measure of your success: 4 key financial metrics for physicians
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 479
Abstract: All financial data are not created equal, and some metrics provide more bang for the buck than others. This article describes four of the most important metrics for monitoring a practice’s financial health: days in receivable outstanding, percentage of receivables over 120 days, net collection rate and denial rate.
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Is in-house lab testing right for your practice?
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 688
Abstract: Both practices and patients can benefit when lab tests are performed in-house and results are available during the office visit. Patients can avoid trips to a commercial lab and thus be diagnosed and treated more promptly. Moreover, their lab costs may be lower. And the practice can potentially enjoy a new revenue source. However, this article looks at a couple of key factors to assess the pros and cons of in-house testing.
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Navigating the ins and outs of esMD
Summer 2012
Newsletter: Vital Signs
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 868
Abstract: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is launching a new program — Electronic Submission of Medical Documentation — that could help physicians keep a lid on documentation-related costs by helping to streamline the collection, submission and review process. This article examines how the program will be phased in and how practices can take advantage of it. A sidebar explains some of the mechanics of participation.