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Health insurer Wellpoint plans to collaborate with health plans in four states on a new online cost transparency initiative.

Patient education company Vivacare has expanded its free, online library of patient handouts to include a wider range of specialties, including family medicine.

Two healthcare information technology experts have penned an open letter to President Obama, warning him against investing too many federal dollars in existing electronic health records systems.

The Medical Group Management Association launched a national campaign earlier this month to require health insurance cards to be machine-readable and accepted at every medical practice by 2010.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services earlier this month granted a two-year deadline extension to 2013 for the transition from ICD-9 codes to the greatly expanded ICD-10 codes.

Physician retirees face unique challenges when looking for volunteer options, but their skills are needed.

Do I absolutely need to buy tail coverage before I retire?

How would we go about finding a group purchasing organization? Are there any guidelines to keep in mind when shopping around for one?

Can you describe the two or three most important benchmarks for a family medicine practice and the ideal target ranges for each one?

A dose of humor from the pages of Medical Economics

My spouse works in my medical practice. Should he be paid?

Is it better to give stock that has appreciated or depreciated to a charity?

Because my income is too high, I cannot make a deductible or Roth IRA contribution. Is there any advantage of making non-deductible IRA contributions?

I've made some recent investments in my practice that have caused me to take on some debt. My understanding is that the interest paid is not deductible. Any suggestions on how to better structure my debt?

Is my practice liable for a partner's questionable business expenses?

CMS now mandates that retroactively billing for a physician in the credentialing process must be completed within 30 days.

In some instances it is appropriate to use modifier –50 for bilateral procedures.

Proper phrasing is essential when documenting a consultation; avoid using the words "referred" and "referral."

As for reducing the risk of liability in a malpractice claim, the most a voicemail service can do is prove that the patient either did or did not receive the test result and any message along with it.

Volunteering can improve lives near and far - especially your own.

Despite volatility in the stock market, 60 percent of U.S. consumers say they are not altering their investment choices, according to a survey by a market research firm.

Even with a single-payer, government-operated health system, it's tough for solo doctors to make a go of it in Great Britain.

Which is more serious: heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease? Though they are basically the same thing, the "medicalese" name distorts the perception of the condition as more serious, according to a recent study.

Almost 40 percent of office-based physicians are at least dipping their toes in the electronic health record waters, according to a government survey.

The Food and Drug Administration is considering an advisory committee recommendation to ban the use of two drugs for asthma treatment in adults and children.

Quality ratings, legislating morality, technology challenges

Sometimes, the best place for care isn't the best place for the patient's finances or for family considerations. But sometimes it's still the best choice to make.

Medical Economics joins a volunteer group's monthly mission to a clinic in rural Mexico.

The one constant in life is change. A successful retirement plan must take that philosophy into consideration.

Physicians who admit errors may face the opprobrium of their peers, the anger and disappointment of their patients, legal entanglement, and economic loss.