Practice Management

Patients in the United States made an estimated 1.1 billion visits to physician offices, and hospital outpatient and emergency departments in 2006, an average of four visits per person per year.

A new report from the National Association of Community Health Centers cites a severe shortage of primary care physicians as the nation's biggest barrier to universal health care.

I need to hire a new office manager. Should I invite my other key employees to interview the final candidates?

When making notes in a patient's record, I often indicate possible conditions that might be worth checking out. But a colleague says that could invite malpractice trouble. Is he right?

Recently, a difficult patient said she was switching doctors and asked us to transfer her records to another practice, which we did. Then she changed her mind and called us for another appointment. Could we have turned her away? And how can we avoid this situation next time?

Billing for services in nursing facilities depends on extent of care.

Doctors not yet credentialed can bill for services in some states.

Dealing with patient phone calls after hours is no easy task. Protecting yourself from liability in these cases takes good communication skills and thorough documentation.

Long viewed as an unaffordable luxury, physician midlevels, such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can improve patient care-and your practice's bottom line.

Medical Economics spoke with physicians from five of the 32 practices that participated in an AAFP demonstration project that focused on a new model of patient-centered care.

One of my staffers is periodically rude to patients and sloppy with paperwork. I've spoken to her about it several times but she keeps backsliding. I'd like to fire her. How do I protect myself in case she tries to sue me?

Two physicians' time may not be combined to make up the 30-74 minutes of critical care required to bill a 99291.

Advance payments are available to practices in need of financial help until claims processing issues are resolved.

Some billing locations require nine-digit zip codes for payment.

Multiple procedures utilizing the same code can result in a lower rate of payment.

Four practice management consultants describe strategies they've found most effective in helping their clients collect what they're owed by third-party payers.

A summary of current articles that pile on your desk

How do I dismiss a noncompliant patient from my practice?

Can I charge for a new-patient visit at a new practice if I saw the patient at my previous practice?

I treat many high-risk patients, what's the best way to limit my liability for those who are noncompliant?

Joining a new practice doesn't require a new National Provider Identifier.

Services that have never been covered by Medicare don't require an ABN modifier in order to bill the patient.

We are having difficulty getting paid for visits that occur on the same day that procedures are done in the office, even though we are using modifier 25. Any suggestions?

Can we reward valued patients with gas cards, or does that violate governmental regulations?

Malpractice insurance rates dipped by an average of 4 percent across the country in 2007, but in primary care specialties, the cost of insurance continued to be one of the highest practice expenses.