RX
Showing 81–96 of 263 results
-
How to create a fair wage structure for your medical practice
Fall 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 467
Abstract: Apparent wage inequities can create resentment among staff. A practice can generally handle this, though, via a smart wage structure and policy. This article suggests that developing a fair wage structure requires adequate research and detailed job descriptions. It notes that it’s also important to consider the value of benefits, such as health insurance, paid time off and holidays, flexible scheduling, and continuing education opportunities.
-
The ins and outs of health insurance – Handling high-deductible plans
Fall 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 533
Abstract: Low-deductible health plans tend to have extremely expensive monthly premiums. As a result, an increasing number of patients are coming into physicians’ offices with high-deductible plans. This article explains that, while for routine care this is unlikely to be a big problem, for expensive procedures many patients may be unaware of just how much of the procedure fee they’ll have to cover themselves. The article notes that medical practices need to make it as easy as possible for patients to pay their bills — and obtain high-quality health care at the same time.
-
The art and science of patient scheduling
Fall 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 616
Abstract: How do physicians determine the right amount of time to devote to each patient while limiting wait time? Obviously, efficiency is a goal — but not at the expense of caring for patients. Physicians commonly use one method, or a combination of a few different ones, when setting up patient scheduling in their offices. This article discusses several of these methods and points out that it won’t hurt for physicians to revisit their scheduling method from time to time to help maintain the optimal approach.
-
Head off problematic physician behavior at the pass
Fall 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 915
Abstract: Of the issues and problems that can arise in a medical practice, disruptive behavior on the part of a physician is one of the most difficult to address. This type of behavior can jeopardize a practice — hurting its reputation and even potentially leading to lawsuits and possible legal charges, depending on the nature and severity of the behavior. This article offers some strategies to help address these issues, including following through with a written performance improvement plan. A sidebar lists some tips for dealing with disruptive staff.
-
Do you want a dynamic practice? Choose and use the right key performance indicators
Summer 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 510
Abstract: Within a medical practice, it’s possible — though not necessarily desirable — to measure anything and everything, ranging from the number of patients per day to the amount of time spent on phone calls. This article explains that physicians need to track key performance indicators over time in order to generate action plans that will lead to both profits and patient satisfaction.
-
5 commonsense strategies for preventing physician discord
Summer 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 664
Abstract: When physicians in the same practice disagree about how to handle job responsibilities, administrative issues or other matters, they can sow discord that can make the problems even worse. This article notes that it’s important to foresee this possibility and have strategies in place for resolving issues before the practice becomes completely dysfunctional. Emphasizing leadership, treating everyone equally and reviewing the payment system are among the actions to take that will increase everyone’s job satisfaction over the long term.
-
Navigating a shifting landscape – Solutions to top practice management challenges
Summer 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 699
Abstract: New challenges for medical practices crop up whenever Medicare and Medicaid policy, or the economy, changes. Still, a handful of problems typically rise to the top. This article provides some ideas for solving these problems before they become overwhelming, including how to handle administrative burdens and recruit and retain skilled staff. Savvy doctors who recognize they are business owners as well as physicians will ensure the practice runs smoothly and profitably while continuing to offer high-quality patient care.
-
The pros and cons of offering ancillary services
Summer 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 816
Abstract: Before deciding whether to offer ancillary services such as anesthesia or diagnostic testing, physicians need to answer two questions: First, will the services improve patient care? Second, are the physicians interested in, and willing to manage, the implementation of those services? This article suggests some factors for physicians to consider, including upfront costs, service support costs and regulatory issues. A sidebar lists several ancillary services a practice could offer, depending on its specialties and needs.
-
Accident vs. intention: 6 ways to improve office protocols
Spring 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 434
Abstract: To generate efficient and effective medical office protocols, it’s important to think intentionally about processes and develop systems that staff can use as guidelines for meeting the practice’s goals. This article lists six strategies, including keeping the focus on patients and communicating with staff, to help a medical practice ensure that protocols are well thought out — rather than random and confused.
-
What are the elements of a medical practice business plan?
Spring 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 689
Abstract: Physicians tend not to get serious about a business plan until they need to go to a bank and ask for money. But there are plenty of other reasons to have a business plan — starting with the fact that physicians are, after all, running businesses. This article suggests four key elements of a good business plan, such as a marketing plan and a financial budget. By getting professional advice and generating a business plan early — and then revisiting it and restructuring it as the practice changes — a physician will be able to stay ahead of the curve in this rapidly evolving business.
-
A good fit – Making the right staffing decisions for your practice
Spring 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 700
Abstract: For a medical practice to maintain profitability and stay current with the latest value-based services and patient care trends, it needs the support of a qualified and engaged staff. This article lists several principles that can help generate more enlightened management of practice human resources. These include establishing detailed criteria for a position before beginning recruitment and making sure that each licensed person “works at the top of their licenses” — performing the highest-level tasks that he or she is allowed to perform.
-
How the TCJA could affect physician practice owners
Spring 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 971
Abstract: The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is the most sweeping federal tax legislation since 1986. It includes significant changes for individual taxpayers, many of which will have a major impact on higher-income taxpayers like physician practice owners. This article notes some of the relevant tax law changes and explains how they may affect physicians. A sidebar discusses the implications of both the alternative minimum tax exemption increase and the estate tax exemption increase.
-
Surviving — and thriving — in a changing practice landscape
Winter 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 486
Abstract: Health care reform and declining reimbursements in many specialties have created increasing stress and uncertainty for physicians in private practice, often leading them to shift to hospital or medical practice employment. This article offers physicians some tips for navigating the current complex medical world, whether in private practice or employed. The article stresses the need for physicians to educate themselves about the options to ensure their practices thrive and grow.
-
How to handle a Medicare audit
Winter 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 592
Abstract: Generally speaking, the question isn’t if you get a Medicare audit, it’s when. It’s important for physicians and medical practices to understand how a Medicare audit works, so that they can handle one successfully. This article explains the two types of Medicare audits and offers some strategies for dealing with them, including reading the audit letter carefully, submitting a copy of the complete record, and ensuring all medical records and copies are legible. The article adds that the key is to stay cool, document everything — and consult with an attorney and financial expert.
-
Steps to take to improve claim acceptance
Winter 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 620
Abstract: A medical practice’s financial health and stability greatly depends on having claims accepted. Claim denials are avoidable errors that disrupt the billing process. This article discusses how to ensure that claims are accepted on first submission, noting that this requires taking specific steps early in the revenue cycle. In addition to offering suggestions on how to respond to any claim denials that arise, the article points out that the best tactic is to make any necessary systemic changes to the billing process to prevent denials from happening in the first place.
-
Quality vs. volume – How should physician compensation be determined?
Winter 2018
Newsletter: Rx for Practice Management / Practice Management Advisor
Price: $225.00, Subscriber Price: $157.50
Word count: 893
Abstract: Increasingly, hospitals, health systems and the federal government are pushing for “pay for quality” or “pay per performance” over the more traditional “pay for volume” as the underlying structure for physician compensation. This article offers some examples of hospitals that have switched the payment emphasis to the quality model. It also discusses some of the assumptions on which these models are based. The ongoing issue is that benchmarks for quality aren’t well documented — and are often fuzzy at best. A sidebar displays one of the most influential lists of quality measures in health care, which was developed by the National Academy of Medicine.