Lifestyle

There is no escaping EMR in healthcare news these days, and in a few years no one will remember how life was without it.

If the cost of care continues to increase at the current rate ($203 per day), in 20 years the cost of long-term care could rise to more than $180,000 per year. What can one do to prepare for this?

When no-load funds hit the market, load funds had to find a way to compete. That was the birth of B shares, which featured a back-end charge that was levied when the investor sold the shares. Now, a number of fund giants are ditching B shares entirely.

An increase in patient volume is the goal of virtually every practice, and despite current economic struggles, there are still things physicians can do to increase the foot traffic passing through the practice's corridors.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recently issued an alert that scammers are using bogus e-mails referring to a non-existent CDC-sponsored vaccination program to gain access to a consumer's personal information.

It would be a fantasy fulfilled if a machine could really make money without the user going to prison. Dream on no longer. The future is here. Or, in a nod to transparency, it is almost here.

Car buying really shouldn't be an unpleasant experience. It's your chance to buy a technologically advanced, safer vehicle that you can get excited about. Recently I had the opportunity to replace my old beater and am happy to report that it has become easier, no doubt aided by the biggest car buying downturn in decades. Can it actually be fun? Good luck to you on that.

Interest rates on Uncle Sam's debt have been in the tank for the past six months, with bonds earning minimal interest, but the Treasury Department has recently increased those rates, making savings bonds a more attractive investment.

HSBC Bank, owner of one of the largest vaults in the US, recently told its retail clients to find another place to store their gold bars and coins. Operating on already razor-thin margins, the bank has decided to concentrate on more lucrative institutional clients.

In an ideal world informed consumers would insist on software that is easy to understand and easy to use. Unfortunately becoming a fully informed consumer is a lengthy and difficult process.

Patients are becoming more tech-savvy today, preferring self service rather than trying to play telephone- or clipboard-tag with the office. They benefit from the ability to communicate electronically, from any computer, on simple requests to a doctor's practice.

Many states are turning to tax amnesty programs to give their budgets a much-needed shot in the arm. Some tax experts see 10 to 15 states instituting programs next year.

Physician salary and/or a heavy workload makes it easier for employees to rationalize the disappearance of everything from office supplies to medication samples. Do you have the right protocols in place to stop this?

Most advisors to medical practices believe that the avoidance of potential double taxation makes the S Corporation the logical choice; however, this conventional wisdom overlooks the potential benefits a C Corporation can offer.

In the wake of the market debacle, many Wall Street analysts declared that asset allocation was no longer a valid practice. The facts, however, show that those opinions aren't quite on the mark.

Gold is supposed to be the great hedge against inflation, so economists are at a bit of a loss to explain why its value has risen so high recently with deflation being the most recent concern.

The signs of holiday cheer are all around – bright lights, silver bells, festive decorations, scammers stepping up their efforts to separate the unwary from their cash.

Because doctors have significant risks to insure against, are interested in asset protection, building wealth, and finding practice buy-out and estate planning opportunities, they have many reasons to be interested in utilizing CICs.

Despite recent gains, many investors find their portfolios are still loaded with clunkers. As year-end approaches, it may be time see if selling them can save you money on your income taxes.

For those who are gambling that we will see inflation sooner rather than later, commodities are a reasonable bet. They will likely bring big profits for those who are simply willing to be patient, understanding that deflation continues to be a possibility.

Retail experts are saying that, despite the run-up in prices, the gold in your local jewelry store may be a bargain. If jewelry is on your holiday "to-give" list, they say, it's a good time to buy.

To turn a profit for you, a mutual fund must overcome the amount paid out in sales fees. A fund with a front-end load of 5%, for example, has to go up by that much before you get to break-even.

As professionals we are daily preoccupied with a lot of important work and branding may seem trivial. However, we are judged every day, and how we present ourselves affects our ability to do the best job for our patients, affects our bottom line, and therefore how we feel about what we do.

The larger and more complicated the estate, the greater the challenge in developing an encompassing plan to maximize the transfer of wealth to heirs. So, over the next few months, keep an eye on what Congress is doing with regard to federal estate tax law.

As the economy moves out of the ICU, travel consultants warn that current bargains may be gone soon. If you're planning a getaway, it may be best to start planning and booking now.

With crude oil prices climbing to $80 a barrel recently, it�s time to dust off those fuel-miser ideas you were using back when gasoline was going for $4 a gallon.

As alternative investments, managed futures values have a low or negative correlation to traditional investments and can fortify portfolios against the kind of market events that we experienced in 2008.

After months of debate, the House has finalized a healthcare reform bill that the Wall Street Journal recently called "The Worst Bill Ever." The Senate is now bringing a bill to the floor for debate.

Mystery shoppers are seeing an increase in acceptance by healthcare organizations and physician practices as they look for ways to improve their services and create a sense of accountability for everyone.

The recession has taken its toll on charitable giving, but charitable giving consultants say there are a few ways that you can still donate without putting a major crimp in your wallet.