Practice Management

Everyone wants the best for his or her kids-and for the younger generation in general. That's why we were interested to find out how the readers responding to this year's Medical Economics Continuing Study would answer when we asked if you would recommend that your child or a friend's child pursue a career in medicine.

While 85% of physicians were aware of the financial incentives for implementing an electronic health record system, more than 35% did not know that they face government-assessed financial penalties for not complying.

Learn how to determine hospitalist inpatient service fees.

Most primary care physicians worked longer hours last year than they did in 2008, but saw about the same number of patients.

Learn the ins and outs of development of an employer-based clinic partnership.

Know your lease terms and how these will impact decisions you make in practice.

Understand how to bill appropriately while employing NPs. Also, learn about market data for reimbursement.

The new AAFP president told thousands of his colleagues attending the AAFP's 2010 Scientific Assembly early this month in Denver that "now is our time."

Ever wonder about the pros and cons of a father/son practice?

Understand whether it is wise to institute an electronic health records system just prior to retirement.

Learn how to be reimbursed for a diabetic foot exam on the same day as an office visit. Also, understand nuances of advanced beneficiary notice of noncoverage.

Rural health clinic in Indiana enables one physician to have a rural practice centered on preventive care.

One in five Americans chose not to seek medical care for a recent illness or injury, with 4 out of 10 citing cost as the primary factor, according to one survey.

Determine a reasonable amount to spend on office rent for a new family practice office.

A medical practice has a lot of moving pieces, so the management function-the integration of the parts-is especially important.

How to weigh whether to buy an office space or renew a lease.

The total number of osteopathic physicians this year is 70,480 up from 67,167 last year, according to a report released in September.

Determine how to set a rate for subletting office space to another physician.

Everyone has a story to tell-and we want to hear yours. The entries are already starting to pour in for Medical Economics' 2011 Doctors' Writing Contest, and we would like nothing more than to add your compelling story about practicing medicine or the business of medicine to the mix.

Employers that offer their employees limited medical plans are impacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, since they are considered group health insurance plans.

Some physicians have held their financial ground during the tough economy by innovating at their practices. Anne Trussell, MD, a solo internist in Little Rock, Arkansas, added ancillary cosmetic services to boost revenue at her practice when some patients limited office visits due to the cost. She always has kept her overhead low, so expanding services was the solution during these challenging times.

If cost is a significant consideration and you can tolerate the hospital's primary care EHR templates, you should research any offers by local hospitals to subsidize your EHR purchase if you choose their system

Consider some low-risk retirement benefit options to offer employees instead of a 401(k) plan.

Learn about split billing for Medicare patients who come to the office for preventive visit and have multiple, serious, chronic medical conditions.

In 2009, Iowa had 2.6 physicians for every 1,000 residents, below the 3.2 physicians per 1,000 residents average in the United States, according to one source.