Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Johnson & Johnson splitting its consumer health care business into separate company
Separation will allow both entities to respond more quickly to changing markets
Employees paying an average of $5,969 annually for family insurance coverage
Since 2011, average family premiums have increased 47%
Patients still skipping medical treatments
Finances playing a big role in why.
Doximity revenue hits $79 million in second quarter
Revenue increase reflects a 76% jump compared to the same period last year
What do medical practices need to know about cash flow?
Set up the right system for success.
Fed begins to phase out bond-buying program
Says substantial progress made toward stable inflation
Common costs practices can cut to save money
There are a lot of little strategies that can add up to big savings.
Kareo and PatientPop merge to focus on modernizing health care practices
The goal of the new company is to help independent practitioners succeed in consumer-driven health care
How established practices develop bad cashflow habits
Having a successful practice is great, but you are probably still leaking money.
How closely does cashflow need to be monitored?
Keeping a close eye on cashflow is the only way to guarantee you’re getting the most profit out of your practice.
The importance of staff training in collecting money
Having good processes in place is great, but it won’t do you any good if the staff isn’t trained on them.
Is offering financing a good idea for a practice?
Patients are more likely to pay if you give them more options.
HHS launches plan to prevent overdoses
More than 840,000 people died from overdoses between 1999 and 2019
What are common cashflow mistakes practices make?
Don’t let bad processes costs you money.
Patients still don’t understand payment options
How much they are responsible for and overall communication are concerns.
Why are so many health organizations embracing non physician practitioners?
Health organizations can better control non-physicians even if money isn’t an issue.
Patients often want an appointment as soon as possible, and don’t understand the difference between a physician and a non-physician provider
All types of providers are needed for a health care team, but should these teams be led by doctors?
Are health care organizations using the physician shortage as an excuse to install non physician practitioners in roles that a doctor should be leading?
Patients often don’t understand the different levels of training required by practitioners, so organizations often push non-physicians into more roles.
How has the physician shortage exacerbated the physician burnout problem?
Increasing demands on physician time and not being able to treat all patients takes a toll.
Why have rural and underserved areas suffered more physician shortages during COVID?
Early retirements and a declining population of practitioners make staffing difficult.
What has COVID taught us about the physician shortage in the U.S.?
A bad problem got even worse as the pandemic swept through the country.
What does a practice need to approach collections?
Treat the process as an important cog in your revenue generation.
How can you tell who is making a genuine effort to pay you and who is lying to avoid paying?
Listen carefully and search for mutual solutions.
Cancer care costs U.S. $156.2 billion – mostly in drug expenses
Medication is the biggest expense for breast, lung, lymphoma, and colorectal cancers
How can you handle patient collections without creating ill-will?
Empathy and financial options go a long way.
How important is consistency when it comes to patient collections?
Following the same guide for everyone avoids problems.
How do you determine who to send to collections?
Create a process that everyone should follow.
Telehealth usage surges, but satisfaction declines
Telehealth technical challenges frustrate many patients
What mistakes do practices make when it comes to collections?
Take the right approach to maximize your return.
More non-physicians projected to handle primary care
Increasing retirement and proliferation of non-physician practitioners driving changes