THE MEDICAL ECONOMICS LIBRARY

Index of Articles
January - June 2003

Abortion

• Teenage abortion: Parents need to know. Mar 21, p. 130

Alternative Medicine

• Alternative medicine ain't disco. Mar 7, p. 90

Assistants

• Practice Pointers: Let employees know where they stand. Feb 7, p. 38
• I don't want "indispensable employees". Feb 21, p. 46
• How do your staff salaries stack up? Apr 11, p. 32

Billings

• Practice Pointers: When you ask for payment, do it right! Jan 10, p. 58
• Missed the HIPAA deadline? Now what. Feb 7, p. 74
• Practice Pointers: Better billing, better collections. May 9, p. 73
• Practice Pointers: Outsource billing? Here's how. May 23, p. 30

Cars

• 9 ways to curb car insurance costs. Feb 21, p. 72
• Is your rental car covered? Apr 25, p. 51

Clinical Practice

• Bone scans at the drug store? Jan 10, p. 67
• Have you been vaccinated? Apr 25, p. 57
• Can "phase IV" trials work for you? Jun 6, p. 58

Coding

• Coding Consult: What's the difference between these modifiers? Jan 10, p. 16
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about. . . repeat treatment for removing a wart · discharging the dead · emergency treatment. Jan 24, p. 17
• Coding Consult: Casting and strapping rules. Feb 7, p. 22
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about. . .reduced price for -52 · IV infusion therapy · the difference between nail avulsion and excision. Feb 21, p. 19
• Coding Consult: Getting paid for house calls. Mar 7, p. 24
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about . . . Holter monitor · same-day discharge · Medicare and ABNs. Mar 21, p. 30
• Coding Consult: Ambulatory BP monitoring. Apr 11, p. 20
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about. . .DRE payment · O2 administration · coding an admission that goes bad. Apr 25, p. 19
• Coding Consult: Calling—and coding—the shots. May 9, p. 24
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about. . . choosing V-codes · doing sports physicals · fluorescein staining. May 23, p. 19
• Coding Consult: Make valve coding an open-and-shut case. Jun 6, p. 22
• Coding Consult: Answers to your questions about. . . telephone orders · stool testing · stitch removal. June 20, p. 18

Colleagues

• Are you liable for a colleague's mistake? June 20, p. 33

Compensation

• Where has all the money gone? Jan 10, p. 72
• The HMO lawsuit: Is the end in sight? Jun 6, p. 33

Competition

• FTC to doctors: Price fixing won't fly. May 9, p. 85

Computers

• Five ways to save money on printers. Jan 10, p. 20 Computer Consult
• "What's your e-mail address, Doctor?". Jan 24, p. 66
• Don't play solitaire, and other office computer rules. Feb 7, p. 31 Computer Consult
• Missed the HIPAA deadline? Now what. Feb 7, p. 74
• Practice Management Systems: Here's what to look for. Feb 7, p. TCP1 Special Technology Section
• Are tablets the right computer Rx? Mar 7, p. 28 Computer Consult
• The key to a HIPAA-safe computer system. Apr 11, p. 62
• HIPAA update and other computer news. May 9, p. 30 Computer Consult
• EMRs: What you need to know. May 9, p. TCP1 Special Technology Section
• Build an EMR for next to nothing. Jun 6, p. 29 Computer Consult

Death & Dying

• The night I almost played God. Jan 24, p. 47
• What do we steal? Mar 7, p. 52 Grand Prize: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Last Word: Why I go to patients' funerals. June 20, p. 88

Drugs

• Compliance: Focus on the basics. Jan 10, p. 53
• Rx cost control: What's your role? Feb 21, p. 27
• Pain control: Did Dr. Lewis cross the line? Mar 7, p. 106
• 16 Rx safeguards that also safeguard you. Apr 11, p. 99
• Can "phase IV" trials work for you? Jun 6, p. 58
• Hire a pharmacist? June 20, p. 23

Education

• The Way I See It: It's med school, not boot camp. Jan 10, p. 76
• Financial Problem Solved! "My kids' college fund is low." Feb 7, p. 50
• Financial Problem Solved! "College costs are $70,000 a year". May 23, p. 63

Employment

• Structuring a buy-in that works. Feb 21, p. 69
• Is the locum lifestyle right for you? Mar 21, p. 78
• For us, workers' comp may not work. May 23, p. 49

Equipment

• Add services without big debt. Apr 11, p. 49
• High-tech phones: Saving way more than a buck or two. Jun 6, p. 84

Estate Planning

• Having a baby? Don't forget these financial safety nets. Jan 24, p. 60
• Financial problem solved! "I'll have huge capital gains taxes!" Apr 25, p. 70

Ethics

• The night I almost played God. Jan 24, p. 47
• What would you do? Fraud and hospital privileges. Jun 6, p. 50

Expenses

• How do your staff salaries stack up? Apr 11, p. 32

Family

• Major commitment, minor investment. Jan 10, p. 44
• Having a baby? Don't forget these financial safety nets. Jan 24, p. 60
• It's not easy to quit medicine. Jan 24, p. 77
• Go with your gut. Mar 21, p. 86
• How I got my wake-up call. Apr 25, p. 80

Fees

• The payoff in house calls. Mar 21, p. 63
• Last Word: Shoplifting? No, reimbursement. May 23, p. 110

Foreign Health Care

• Practical tips for medical volunteers. Mar 21, p. 57

Government & Politics

• FTC to doctors: Price fixing won't fly. May 9, p. 85

Group Practice

• Structuring a buy-in that works. Feb 21, p. 69
• My longest year. Mar 7, p. 59 Young Doctor Award: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• What's your practice worth? Apr 11, p. 106

Health Insurance

• What's the fallout if patients pay? Mar 7, p. 32
• We fired our biggest payer. Mar 7, p. 94
• Credentialing made easy. Apr 11, p. 90

Health Policy

• Have you been vaccinated? Apr 25, p. 57

Home

• Interest-only mortgage? Think hard. May 9, p. 100

Hospitals

• Overworked doctors sue for a breather. Apr 25, p. 44

Humor

• Last Word: Shoplifting? No, reimbursement. May 23, p. 110

Insurance

• Having a baby? Don't forget these financial safety nets. Jan 24, p. 60
• 9 ways to curb car insurance costs. Feb 21, p. 72
• Malpractice: Is going bare the only option? Mar 21, p. 97
• Financial problem solved! "I need another retirement vehicle". Apr 11, p. 104
• Is your rental car covered? Apr 25, p. 51
• Practice Pointers: Insurance every practice absolutely must have. Apr 25, p. 73
• Could a malpractice mega-verdict wipe you out? May 23, p. 89

Internet

• "What's your e-mail address, Doctor?". Jan 24, p. 66
• Don't play solitaire, and other office computer rules. Feb 7, p. 31 Computer Consult
• Will sex merchants invade your Web site? Apr 11, p. 25 Computer Consult
• HIPAA update and other computer news. May 9, p. 30 Computer Consult

Investments

• How to work with a financial planner. Jan 24, p. 18 Investment Consult
• Financial problem solved! "I need another retirement vehicle". Apr 11, p. 104
• The lessons I've learned. Apr 25, p. 20 Investment Consult
• Investment Consult: Dividends look better than ever. May 23, p. 20
• If you get a cold call from a broker. May 23, p. 40
• Investment scams. Jun 6, p. 73
• Financial Problem Solved! "This investment seems risky". June 20, p. 45

Investments—Bonds

• Making bonds pay off. Mar 21, p. 33 Investment Consult

Investment—Mutual Funds

• Financial Problem Solved! "We don't know what funds to keep". Feb 21, p. 76
• Financial Problem Solved! "I'm leery about mutual funds". Mar 7, p. 79
• Know your mutual funds. Mar 21, p. 90
• Picking a mutual fund. Apr 11, p. 59
• Investment Consult: Don't buy high-flying funds. June 20, p. 20

Investments—Real Estate

• Have real estate prices peaked? Feb 21, p. 23 Investment Consult
• Financial Problem Solved! "Being a landlord sounds good". May 9, p. 83

Investments—Stock

• Investments: Sound tips for your situation. Jan 24, p. 25
• Investment Insider: Martin Weiss on the future of Wall Street. Mar 7, p. 43
• Financial Problem Solved! "I'm leery about mutual funds". Mar 7, p. 79
• My do-it-myself mutual fund. Apr 11, p. 83
• Investment Derby: Can three pros pick winners? Apr 25, p. 87
• How to find the truth in an annual report. Jun 6, p. 47

Law

• The threat worse than malpractice. Feb 21, p. 38
• Pain control: Did Dr. Lewis cross the line? Mar 7, p. 106
• The target of a "shotgun" suit fires back. Apr 11, p. 43
• HIV: To tell or not to tell. May 9, p. 35
• For us, workers' comp may not work. May 23, p. 49

Malpractice

• Can your patient's victim sue you? Jan 10, p. 24
• A legal crusader's solution to the malpractice mess. Jan 24, p.42
• You've been sued. There's help. Feb 7, p. 56
• Protect your assets before you're sued. Feb 21, p. 82
• The threat worse than malpractice. Feb 21, p. 38
• Malpractice: Healthy baby--hefty award? Mar 7, p. 83
• "The medical liability system is melting down". Mar 21, p. 49
• Malpractice: Is going bare the only option? Mar 21, p. 97
• The target of a "shotgun" suit fires back. Apr 11, p. 43
• 16 Rx safeguards that also safeguard you. Apr 11, p. 99
• Malpractice: The big secret about confidential settlements. Apr 25, p. 22
• HIV: To tell or not to tell. May 9, p. 35
• My very weird lawsuit. May 9, p. 51
• The Way I See It: Tort reform isn't enough. May 9, p. 101
• Could a malpractice mega-verdict wipe you out? May 23, p. 89
• Alter records, lose the case. Jun 6, p. 40
• The Way I See It: No-fault is the way to go. Jun 6, p. 71
• Are you liable for a colleague's mistake? June 20, p. 33

Managed Care

• We fired our biggest payer. Mar 7, p. 94
• Shedding light on the "dark side". Mar 21, p. 74
• Why I wouldn't give in to Rachel. Mar 21, p. 93
• Credentialing made easy. Apr 11, p. 90
• Clip and Copy: Helping patients appeal insurance denials. May 9, p. 118
• When an insurer won't pay. May 9, p. 91
• The HMO lawsuit: Is the end in sight? Jun 6, p. 33
• How IPAs are changing. June 20, p. 52

Medical Economics Interview

• Medicare Cuts: Frank words from the top. Jan 10, p. 96
• A legal crusader's solution to the malpractice mess. Jan 24, p. 42
• Investment Insider: Martin Weiss on the future of Wall Street. Mar 7, p. 43
• "The medical liability system is melting down". Mar 21, p. 49
• FTC to doctors: Price fixing won't fly. May 9, p. 85
• Investment Insider: Gary Shilling on the dangers of deflation. June 20, p. 28

Medical Economics Surveys

• Teenage abortion: Parents need to know. Mar 21, p. 130

Medical Profession

• What an FP's week is really like. Jan 10, p. 36
• The Way I See It: It's med school, not boot camp. Jan 10, p. 76
• It's not easy to quit medicine. Jan 24, p. 77
• Who taught you what medicine is? Feb 7, p. 47
• My longest year. Mar 7, p. 59 Young Doctor Award: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Teenage abortion: Parents need to know. Mar 21, p. 130
• "My first inclination was to hit him in the mouth". Apr 11, p. 70 Honorable Mention: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Don't quit your day job. Apr 11, p. 89
• Retire early? These docs did—and came back. May 23, p. 43
• Do you care too much? May 23, p. 64
• Stressed out? Try this. May 23, p. 74

Medicare/Medicaid

• Medicare Cuts: Will patients pay the price? Jan 10, p. 81
• Medicare Cuts: Frank words from the top. Jan 10, p. 96
• Medicare audit? You can handle it. Jan 24, p. 53
• Missed the HIPAA deadline? Now what. Feb 7, p. 74
• Rx cost control: What's your role? Feb 21, p. 27
• The payoff in house calls. Mar 21, p. 63
• Thinking of opting out of Medicare? June 20, p. 62
• Clip and Copy: Letting patients know why you've quit Medicare. June 20, p. 74

Office

• Get the best deal on an office lease. May 9, p. 62
• Adding a lab: Is it right for you? Jun 6, p. 90

Organized Medicine

• "The medical liability system is melting down". Mar 21, p. 49

Patients

• "What's your e-mail address, Doctor?". Jan 24, p. 66
• Last Word: When all else fails... Jan 24, p. 112
• Extra! Extra! A practice newsletter. Feb 7, p. 61
• What do we steal? Mar 7, p. 52 Grand Prize: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Alternative medicine ain't disco. Mar 7, p. 90
• The payoff in house calls. Mar 21, p. 63
• Why I wouldn't give in to Rachel. Mar 21, p. 93
• Want more young patients? Apr 25, p. 30
• Look behind a patient's words. Apr 25, p. 52
• Last Word: Experience or evidence? Apr 25, p. 112
• When the snowbirds return. May 9, p. 105
• My Wednesday off. May 23, p. 77
• When the doctor is in(accessible). June 20, p. 47
• Last Word: Why I go to patients' funerals. June 20, p. 88

Peer Review

• What would you do? Fraud and hospital privileges. Jun 6, p. 50

Personal Finances

• Major commitment, minor investment. Jan 10, p. 44
• Financial Problem Solved! "My daughter wants a loan." Jan 10, p. 57
• Got cash for emergencies? Jan 10, p. 65
• Investments: Sound tips for your situation. Jan 24, p. 25
• Finanical Problem Solved! "I'm too deep in debt." Jan 24, p. 51
• Financial Problem Solved! "My kids' college fund is low." Feb 7, p. 50
• Personal records: What to keep, what to toss. Feb 7, p. 73
• Call your financial adviser--asap. Feb 21, p. 58
• Financial Problem Solved! "We don't know what funds to keep". Feb 21, p. 76
• Protect your assets before you're sued. Feb 21, p. 82
• Financial Problem Solved! "I'm leery about mutual funds". Mar 7, p. 79
• What to keep in a safe deposit box. Mar 7, p. 96
• Financial Problem Solved! "I'll never be able to retire!" Mar 21, p. 73
• My do-it-myself mutual fund. Apr 11, p. 83
• Financial problem solved! "I need another retirement vehicle". Apr 11, p. 104
• Top tips from top financial advisers. Apr 25, p. 39
• Financial problem solved! "I'll have huge capital gains taxes!" Apr 25, p. 70
• Will you outlive your nest egg? May 9, p. 41
• Tax "tips" that can land you in jail. May 9, p. 69
• Financial Problem Solved! "Being a landlord sounds good". May 9, p. 83
• Interest-only mortgage? Think hard. May 9, p. 100
• Make the most of pension law changes. May 23, p. 24
• Financial Problem Solved! "College costs are $70,000 a year". May 23, p. 63
• Grading your financial adviser. Jun 6, p. 57
• Investment scams. Jun 6, p. 73
• Financial Problem Solved! "I need to choose a pension plan". Jun 6, p. 89
• Investment Insider: Gary Shilling on the dangers of deflation. June 20, p. 28
• A guide to advisers' credentials. June 20, p. 61

Personal Life

• Practical tips for medical volunteers. Mar 21, p. 57
• Carpe diem, my new mantra. Apr 11, p. 94
• How I got my wake-up call. Apr 25, p. 80
• For us, workers' comp may not work. May 23, p. 49
• Do you care too much? May 23, p. 64
• Stressed out? Try this. May 23, p. 74

Practice Management

• Point/Counterpoint: Do you really need an office manager? Jan 24, p. 88
• Extra! Extra! A practice newsletter. Feb 7, p. 61
• Practice Management Systems: Here's what to look for. Feb 7, p. TCP1 Special Technology Section
• Don't have time? Read this. Mar 7, p. 72
• We fired our biggest payer. Mar 7, p. 94
• Practice Pointers: Outsourcing is in. Mar 21, p. 38
• Credentialing made easy. Apr 11, p. 90
• Practice Pointers: Better billing, better collections. May 9, p. 73
• Clip and Copy: Helping patients appeal insurance denials. May 9, p. 118
• Faster, cheaper transcription. May 23, p. 54 Honorable Mention: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Clip and Copy: Medical record evaluation form. May 23, p. 92
• We've always been HIPAA-compliant. Jun 6, p. 80
• High-tech phones: Saving way more than a buck or two. Jun 6, p. 84
• Adding a lab: Is it right for you? Jun 6, p. 90
• Clip and Copy: Keeping tabs on practice finances. Jun 6, p. 104
• When the doctor is in(accessible). June 20, p. 47

Practice, Special Types

• Is the locum lifestyle right for you? Mar 21, p. 78

Primary Care

• What an FP's week is really like. Jan 10, p. 36

Professions, Other

• Bone scans at the drug store? Jan 10, p. 67
• Onion root mitosis, fetal pigs, and me. Mar 21, p. 68
• Shedding light on the "dark side". Mar 21, p. 74
• If you get a cold call from a broker. May 23, p. 40
• Retire early? These docs did—and came back. May 23, p. 43
• Grading your financial adviser. Jun 6, p. 57
• Hire a pharmacist? June 20, p. 23
• A guide to advisers' credentials. June 20, p. 61

Records

• Personal records: What to keep, what to toss. Feb 7, p. 73
• The key to a HIPAA-safe computer system. Apr 11, p. 62
• HIPAA update and other computer news. May 9, p. 30 Computer Consult
• EMRs: What you need to know. May 9, p. TCP1 Special Technology Section
• Faster, cheaper transcription. May 23, p. 54 Honorable Mention: 2002 Doctors’ Writing Contest
• Clip and Copy: Medical record evaluation form. May 23, p. 92
• Build an EMR for next to nothing. Jun 6, p. 29 Computer Consult
• Alter records, lose the case. Jun 6, p. 40
• We've always been HIPAA-compliant. Jun 6, p. 80

Retirement

• Financial Problem Solved! "I'll never be able to retire!" Mar 21, p. 73
• Will you outlive your nest egg? May 9, p. 41
• Make the most of pension law changes. May 23, p. 24
• Retire early? These docs did—and came back. May 23, p. 43
• Financial Problem Solved! "I need to choose a pension plan". Jun 6, p. 89

Solo Practice

• Last Word: Whatever happened to service? Feb 21, p. 100
• Going solo: How four doctors are making it work. May 9, p. 106
• Going solo: Start-up basics. May 9, p. 114

Specialty Practice

• Overworked doctors sue for a breather. Apr 25, p. 44

Taxes

• Answers to your tax questions . . . About family affairs. Jan 10, p. 32
• Answers to your tax questions . . . About itemized deductions. Jan 24, p. 82
• Your 2002 taxes: Find all the breaks you can. Feb 7, p. 78
• Your 2002 taxes: Getting organized pays off. Feb 7, p. 99
• Your 2002 taxes: Moves you shouldn't make. Feb 7, p. 102
• Answers to your tax questions . . . About business income and expenses. Feb 7, p. 109
• Answers to your tax questions. . . About investment income and losses. Feb 21, p. 35
• Answers to your tax questions. . . About education and retirement. Mar 7, p. 65
• Answers to your tax questions. . . About special situations. Mar 21, p. 53
• Financial problem solved! "I'll have huge capital gains taxes!" Apr 25, p. 70
• Tax "tips" that can land you in jail. May 9, p. 69

Travel

• Traveling safely in an unsafe world. Apr 11, p. 77