Lifestyle

What do long term care and cash value insurance have to do with you? More than you think. Part two of this article focuses on tax, investment, and insurance issues that differ greatly for physicians.

If ownership by directors plays an economically and statistically significant role in fund performance, it stands to reason that funds in which directors have low ownership significantly underperform.

Want a really good hedge fund manager that outperforms? Recent data suggests that your search need not be complicated - simply hire a woman.

There are plenty of reasons to keep your wallet in your pocket when asked about an extended warranty, but they can be worth it if the item costs more than $1,000.

Have you noticed how many people are writing books lately? Maybe some colleagues and competitors in your field have recently become published authors. Do you wonder if becoming a published author is for you?

Financial advice geared towards the average reader or listener ignores the unique financial situation of the physician. By heeding it, healthcare providers expose themselves to much unnecessary risk.

Paying points to a mortgage lender could shave as much as a full percentage point off your loan rate. As attractive as that may sound, however, it doesn't always make sense to pay.

Physicians' exposure to identity theft doesn't end at protecting a patient's health and financial information. They must also ensure that their own personal information is not at risk. The following strategies will help you prevent red flags from becoming major problems.

While some funds will beat their relevant index by several percentage points, the problem for the average investor, say Wall Street analysts, is trying to figure out which funds will do it.

Like coins stashed in a cookie jar, the money in tied up in that bond is idle; it's better to cash it in and put it to work.

Our representative organizations have long existed largely to maintain the external status quo, and in doing so, are losing ground. We need to modify our training curricula to acknowledge the need for teamwork, leadership, and better business understanding. But we do not have the people or structure poised to get ourselves there.

On Wednesday, December 30th, HHS released its Interim Final Rule on Meaningful use. This rule is applicable to covered entities who chose to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid EHR Incentive Programs.

Recently, novel and cost-effective financial assistance has become available to independent minded investors. Certain websites enable clients to create and maintain their own portfolios, use index tracking investments, and charge only a flat fee.

In addition to the hassle of tightened security measures, airline passengers could be paying as much as $60 when checking two bags on a flight.

It would help if we had some reasonable idea of what our potential as business owners and professional employees could be. We know that medical practices leak money, but how much? Maybe we're not as far off the mark as we thought.

Heirs of those who die will owe no estate tax in 2010, no matter how large the estate. Like any issue that has to do with the tax code, however, things aren't that simple.

One looks at the results in the first week of active trading and another looks at results for the entire month. This year, so far, the forecasts are looking good, as stocks posted a 2.67% increase in the first five trading days of 2010.

Insurance consultants warn that policy loans should be considered as a source of emergency cash when no other options are available.

When you travel, it's important to remember that the same level of careful planning you put into your practice should be dedicated to maximizing your travel dollars. After all, it's the nickels and dimes that kill you.

The future of interoperability is sharing critical information at the point of care, providing all physicians within a patient's care continuum with a longitudinal medical record.

The real estate market continues to send out mixed signals on where home prices are going. Many rural and suburban areas never experienced a true real estate bubble, so prices haven't retreated very much.

Everyone makes mistakes; that's why they make erasers. But when it comes to medical billing, the mistakes can be costly. For example, it is estimated that billing errors can lead to loss rates of up to 10% of a physician practice group's revenue. That's significant money. Outsourcing, however, can eliminate those errors by putting all or portions of a practice's billing operation in the hands of specialists.

Want to do better with your investments this year? According to some financial psychologists, the answer may be to stem the flow of financial news you take in every day.

Some observers are questioning whether the IRS, which is already dealing with budget shortages, inadequate staffing, and obsolete computer systems, can handle the new duties prescribed to it as part of healthcare reform legislation.

It's often said that the holidays are the perfect time of year for giving. That's true, but charitable giving is a rewarding and beneficial endeavor any time of the year. It benefits those around you, and for physicians, it places a positive light on their medical practice.

Novartis, which was widely tipped to snap up Nestle's stake as soon as its option allowed, also aims to buy out the 23 percent held by minority shareholders for $11.2 billion, ending uncertainty over whether or not it would seek full control.

David Cordani, who started as chief executive officer of the health insurer officially on January 4, believes a bigger international presence is critical to increasing Cigna's bottom line.

The government estimated 94 million individual shots were needed, thinking that everyone would need two jabs for immunity against the illness. Doctors now say a single vaccination is sufficient.