Practice Management

Learn how to run a better staff meeting.

These practice management pearls are intended to help fill in the gaps of being a better businessperson.

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 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) gave physicians a break in its recently proposed rule on meaningful use requirements for electronic health records (EHRs). The revision would allow eligible providers (EPs) to ?continue to report clinical quality measure results as calculated by certified EHR technology by attestation? through 2012. Previously, CMS had required eligible providers (EPs) to start submitting quality measures electronically to CMS next year.

Overwhelmed by changing reimbursement models, emerging regulations and adopting new technology? You?re not alone. Respondents to a recent survey said four of the top five ?considerable or extreme challenges? they face relate to these operational issues.Three of the most troubling issues for practices had not even been on practice group leader?s radars in previous years.

Prescription drug abuse is the nation?s fastest-growing drug problem, and, unless primary care practices take appropriate precautions, it also could become one of their fastest-growing regulatory and liability issues. With increased regulation on the horizon, a new study recommends ways that physicians can improve prescribing practices for opioids and other often-abused drugs.

Money isn?t everything, but 35% of primary care physicians (PCPs) say it is the most important factor in changing practices. Compensation was 50% more important to PCPs in evaluating a professional move than location or quality of practice, the most significant factors for residents and fellows.

When patients seek your help in getting a device that can allow them live at home instead of having to move to a long-term care facility, you have to navigate through a confusing maze of Medicare regulations to submit the order, only to find out that you are being blamed for the latest government healthcare expense boondoggle. What is really behind a recent government report blaming physicians for insufficient documentation for power wheelchairs?

State medical boards and legislatures are responding to public demands that information about disciplinary action against physicians be timely and easy to get by publishing disciplinary, criminal, and liability histories online. But what about the physicians' rights?