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Medical Economics Insider: Save your practice

Check out our inaugural edition of our interactive publication, featuring in-depth reporting, expert insights, exclusive data, and more!

Medical Economics Insider: Save your practice


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.

Some physicians are finding that running two separate practices-or a hybrid concierge practice that includes traditional fee-for-service-can be a smart economic model. Attracting patients willing to pay extra for conveniences or more extensive care can ease the financial strain of treating patients for whom third-party reimbursements are declining.

Mobile health (mHealth) is a confusing landscape, to be sure. IMS Health, which rates mHealth apps and provides a formal mechanism for app prescribing, estimates there are 63,000 health apps in the Apple and Google stores. The number and variety make it difficult for physicians to find and recommend the good ones. As a result, prescribing mHealth apps is new to most physicians.

Narrowing networks

The return of narrow networks has been blamed largely on the Affordable Care Act (ACA). But the trend, similar to health maintenance organizations, re-appeared before the creation of the ACA’s health insurance exchanges. Physicians must learn how to cope with this movement and decide when it makes financial sense to be included in narrow network plans.

The obstacles facing practicing physicians are numerous, but can be overcome with the help of great ideas put into action effectively. In order to foster the sharing of new ideas among physicians, Medical Economics introduces Practice Innovators, an ongoing, periodic series spotlighting your colleagues who are breaking new ground in medical practice-and succeeding.

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.