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Letters discuss writing kind notes, working "part time," and the justice system here and abroad.

More than 70% of primary care and multispecialty practices are on the path to becoming Patient-Centered Medical Homes, according to a new study, and some new technology is helping them gather the patient information they need to achieve that status. Learn about some products that can help your practice conduct affordable patient surveys.

More affordable medications, courtesy of Medicare Part D, mean that more elderly adults now receive care in your office instead of in more costly hospitals and nursing homes, a new study suggested. See what effect that has had on care as well as cost.

Opponents of Medicare?s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula are hoping their YouTube video goes viral. The American Academy of Family Physicians and 10 other physician-led groups released the YouTube video as part of a coordinated effort to infect Congress with the desire to eliminate the SGR in any deficit-reduction plan. Here?s a preview.

The effort to cap medical malpractice judgments in North Carolina looked like a lost cause when Gov. Beverly Perdue vetoed the bill, but the state House of Representatives overrode her veto to limit noneconomic damages to $500,000 for a negligent physician. Some 30 states have some form of malpractice caps, but legal challenges abound.

More than 90% of medical practices responding to a recent survey said that it would be ?very? or ?extremely? burdensome to meet the requirements of the proposed ?accounting of disclosures? rule. Read more to find out what several associations are suggesting in place of that rule.

DrFirst?s release of the first application available nationwide and approved by the Drug Enforcement Agency for e-prescribing of controlled substances should make e-prescribing easier for physicians?and prescription abuse a little harder for patients. Learn more about the product and how you may no longer have to maintain a dual prescribing system?paper for controlled substances and electronic for everything else.

What does it take to achieve a high level of brand equity? Focus, hard work and consistency.

Despite concerns about Medicare payments, a new study shows that the acceptance rate for patients with private insurance actually fell more than among those with Medicare in recent years.

According to a New York Times article, individuals, arranged by the federal government, were to pose as new patients, calling physicians' practices up to three times to ask for expedited appointments.

Physician alignment is the most serious obstacle to forming accountable care organizations, according to a new study.

Physicians saw patients less often last year, and fewer patients began drug therapy for chronic conditions, according to a report.

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals ruled recently that the state's cap on medical malpractice pain and suffering damages is constitutional. The court approved a lower court's decision to reduce a lawsuit award from $1 million to $500,000, in accord with an amendment enacted by the state legislature in 2003.

How to minimize liability from potential auto accident.

As a doctor, you are probably able to enjoy a more generous lifestyle than most other families. But having that lifestyle also means you will require more savings to support your standard of living in retirement.

One reason to have an office manager in a medical office is to have someone to whom patients - and staff - can complain without interrupting the doctor.

The author resolves to practice medicine on her own terms.

Letters discuss empathy, partners in care and lifestyle changes and prescribing practices.

Find out the advantages of establishing your own insurance company.

These practice management pearls are derived from Medical Economics' readers and editorial board members and reflect years of experience.

More and more physicians are choosing to incorporate their practices.

Federal healthcare reform will result in more or fewer Americans receiving health insurance through their employers, depending on which studies you choose to believe.

Modifier 33 has created much confusion in the coding and billing world. Learn why.

To increase parity between specialists and primary care providers (PCPs) and address the growing shortage of PCPs, the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) has called on the AMA/Specialty Society Relative Value Scale Update Committee (RUC) to change its structure to give greater representation to primary care fields.

If you open your own pharmacy, determine whether it would be profitable.

The authors dispute a recent New York Times' article assertion that the reason for physician shortage is related to the female gender.

Learn how health information exchanges can benefit physicians in paper-based practice.

How to update your practice management system.