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A look at state legislation affecting primary care doctors.

This is how hospital income guarantees usually work.

I took over custodianship of patient records for a colleague in my call group in exchange for any patients that might transfer to me. Can I charge those patients using new patient codes?

Staffing is my biggest expense. How can I cut back?

The way to optimize your earnings is to optimize communication with your coding and billing staffs. It's a key to successful practice that cannot be overstated: Prioritize internal communication. Listen to your team. Provide feedback. Strategize together.

The challenge: Selling a practice without a broker's help

Primary care physicians report job stress and a chaotic work environment, but researchers found no link between their feelings and an increase in medical errors, according to a recent study.

If you've never tried to negotiate payment schedules with your health plans-or if you haven't had success in the past-the tide may be turning in your favor. Consider it an unexpected result of the nation's growing shortage of primary care physicians.

Many physicians worry that if they install an electronic health record system, they will also have to become computer geeks to keep it operating. I've learned that you don't need to be IT-savvy, but you'll be happier if you are.

Medicare will cover an H1N1 test if it is not covered by a state or local health department.

The self-directed IRA can be invested in any investment the IRA custodian and the IRS allow.

Medical malpractice liability premiums are at a 30-year low and claims have dropped 45 percent since 2000, according to a recent study.

For a solo practitioner or a small group practice, cross-coverage arrangements are like oxygen: Without them, there is no life-that is, no weekends, no evenings, no vacations, and no holidays.

Take Care Clinic, a subsidiary of Walgreens, announced plans to step up its services offered-including dermatology procedures-at all 345 in-store medical offices.

There is a new, specific code to use when primary care physicians administer an injection of iron.

I'm starting to consider an exit strategy for when I'm ready to retire from my practice. What do I need to know about handling the sale of my building, tax planning, retirement options, etc.?

Third-party payers have been slow to adapt to group medical visits, meaning billing can be difficult.

Now may be the time to review your original goals for having a retirement plan, then evaluate whether your plan is meeting those goals.

Patients are more satisfied with their doctors' use of technology when doctors took the time to explain what they were doing with it.

It is extremely important that you receive proof that there are accounts holding your plan assets.

Primary care physicians with Medicare patients could see a 6 to 8 percent payment boost from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2010.

One in three physicians' offices does not accept credit cards-a 5 percent increase from 2008, according to a recent survey.

A patient encounter with a nurse does not mean you can automatically bill using code 99211.

It wasn't too long ago that many of us toted around a cell phone, pager, PDA, and a laptop-a veritable RadioShack holstered at our waists. Now most of these devices can be consolidated into a single cell phone.

Be your own boss.

This is a good example of why buy-ins should be negotiated in advance.

Most states do give physicians discretion on whether to accept new Medicaid patients, just as you have the right to decide whether to take on new patients who aren't receiving public assistance.

Generally, the cost of writing letters is not included as a covered service under managed care contracts.