Practice Management

A new study finds that patients with COPD experience a decrease in physical activity over time, leading to further physical decline.

EHR technology may not be the greatest, but it is a necessary part of most medical practices. Here are three ways to make it work better.

Increasing your income is great, but make a future plan for that added money rather than just spending more right away

A successful EHR implementation should begin well before the vendor arrives at your practice

A new study notes that while men and women have similar risk factors for asthma flare-ups, the latter are hospitalized at a greater rate.

A large chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patient network is in the works.

Here are some of the more unusual ICD-10 codes coming to practices Oct. 1, based on where they occur: land, sea, or air.

A new study indicates the inclusion of a pharmacist on diabetes patient care teams can benefit patients and reduce healthcare costs.

A new study shows the positive effects of patient care checklists on those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

The MGMA, among others representing medical practices, is asking CMS to delay the Stage 3 rules of meaningful use to benefit physicians and patients.

In obese adults with asthma, losing weight can help reduce asthma severity, according to the results of a Canadian study.

IBM and Medtronic are teaming up to create new personalized diabetes management solutions.

The recently-formed National Association of Physicians and Surgeons (NBPAS) is calling on its members to encourage the hospitals where they practice to accept NBPAS as an alternative pathway to recertification.

In this Q&A, Medical Economics speaks with Ernie Chaney, MD, FAAFP, a practitioner of family medicine both before and after the passage of Medicare.

Five years after the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and 18 months after the beginning of the health insurance exchange, primary care physicians are wondering: Where is the influx of new patients?

Key coding considerations when treating patients with depression

The American Board of Internal Medicine's finances and widespread dissatisfaction with its maintenance of certification (MOC) requirements have not shaken the organization’s faith in its policies or its president and chief executive officer, Richard Baron, MD, MACP.

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health.

Legislators and physician organizations took last year’s failed attempt at reform and pushed it through in a different political climate

Medical Economics looks back on the reporting we did before and after the passage of Medicare 50 years ago to see what came to pass, what didn't, and what's in the future

On the 50th birthday of Medicare, Medical Economics looks back at this landmark legislation and the effect it has had on physicians and healthcare in general.

Is 2015 the year you decide to open an urgent care practice? If you are interested in urgent care medicine, you are not alone. Growth is expected to continue as patients seek immediate access to medical care and lower-cost alternatives to emergency department visits. Despite the rewards, urgent care medicine comes with risks-especially for physicians unprepared for the business demands of operating an urgent care center.

The annual battle over the Medicare Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula has come to an end. But the program that replaces it will be Medicare’s leap into the world of value-based payment and risk sharing, and the resulting changes will have a massive impact on how physicians are reimbursed.

Medical Economics is proud to unveil the honorable mention entries in our 2015 Physician Writing Contest. We believe the essays exemplify what connecting with your patients is truly about, and demonstrate the levels of heart, determination, and empathy you strive to bring into every exam room, every day. Thanks for reading.

Thanks in part to the growing prevalence of chronic disease among American adults, more and more commercial health plans are introducing chronic care management programs. However, the effectiveness of these programs has been hindered by limited patient engagement and the reluctance of doctors to change the way they practice, according to a recent study.

Maintaining healthy accounts receivable (AR) is essential to strong financial performance, but it’s easy for practices to feel overwhelmed or become complacent when it comes to keeping this piece of the revenue cycle on track. Here's some strategies to keep your AR on target.

A good coder is integral to a high-functioning medical practice. Here's what to look for, where to find the ideal candidate, and how to confirm credentials.

Anders Gilberg of the Medical Group Management Association discusses the effect of a Supreme Court decision challenging part of the Affordable Care Act.

For newly-minted physicians, a big financial decision is: Do I pay off my loans or invest for retirement? Here's help.

One of the most important things that a practice can do is provide for adequate staff training on a new EHR system. Here are four steps for success.