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Health-care information technology (HIT) has the potential to cut costs, increase access and improve quality in the U.S. health care system, according to results of a Harris Interactive survey of a nationwide sample of 2,200 adults aged at least 18 years commissioned by the Career College Association and TechAmerica.

Abnormal results on outpatient imaging tests sometimes may not receive timely follow-up even when clinicians receive and read results in an advanced, integrated electronic medical record system, according to a report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

A new Web initiative to be launched in Ohio by several health plans is designed to benefit patients and practices by reducing the time, effort, and expense associated with the paperwork required for office visits.

There are a number of disease processes that must be managed, and doing so offers opportunities for reimbursement that you might not have been aware of.

In these difficult economic times, you may find that more patients are refusing to pay for services rendered and others are complaining more about their care.

I sometimes practice medicine with poor vision too. Here are some of my ailments.

An extraordinary number of physicians fail to stay current in their knowledge of coding, resulting in reduced reimbursement or delayed and denied claims.

Rising operating costs, maintaining physician compensation levels, and implementation of electronic health record systems were the top concerns among Medical Group Management Association members this year.

Diagnosis coding under ICD-10 is similar to that of ICD-9, but will use seven letters or digits, whereas ICD-9 uses three or four digits.

A few colleagues are proposing merging into a small group practice and have invited me to join. How do I determine if this is a good idea?

Are there any types of policies that allow me to change my policy benefits in the future?

The California Nurses Association reported in September that health plans in the state rejected more than one in five claims from 2002 through June 30 of this year.

The decision about when to retire varies considerably from physician to physician and hinges on numerous factors, from age, health, and lifestyle to available assets, debt, and responsibilities.

Medical interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes won't reduce health costs over the long term, according to a recently published study, but that doesn't mean they don't offer benefits.

Buying a local competitor's practice at the right price is often a cost-effective way to grow your existing practice.

Some of the long-term care insurance policies I am researching allow for an indemnity benefit. Can you explain what that means and what advantages it may provide?

Healthcare costs are expected to increase by 10.5 percent over the next 12 months, according to Aon Consulting.

I think I am busy enough to support an associate. Are there quantifiable measures I can apply to determine whether I should recruit someone?

My investment portfolio has declined significantly in the last 18 months. Are there any tax benefits owed to me?

Only about one in four drivers age 55 or older are aware that the medication or medications they take may affect their performance behind the wheel, according to an August survey by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Preparation is the key to conducting successful interviews-and to hiring the ideal physician.

In order to encourage providers to adopt EHR technology, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has informed state Medicaid directors that the federal government will reimburse states for 100 percent of incentive payments made to healthcare providers showing "meaningful use" of electronic health records.

The Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology has published more information on its $598 million grant program to go towards 70 Health Information Technology Regional Extension Centers.

A one-year evaluation study from the Group Health Cooperatives demonstrates that a medical home model in conjunction with health information technology could solve the nation's primary care physician shortage.

The Medical Group Management Association is asking the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to hasten the reporting of electronic health record data for the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative P4P program, according to a letter from the organization.

The Federation of American Hospitals sent a letter to federal health IT officials asking them to drop "meaningful use" proposals that would require healthcare providers to meet quality improvement targets in order to qualify for federal incentive payments.

I've had several negative experiences with the insurance reimbursement system and am thinking of going with an all-cash concierge-style practice. Should I?

To help you get control of your financial future, Medical Economics offers our annual exclusive list of the 150 best financial advisers for doctors.

I have an adjustable-rate mortgage that I've had no problem paying, but it's about to go up in a few months and I'm afraid it'll be too expensive. What can I do?

I have several credit cards, two of which have sizable balances. Is there a way I can manage my debt in a way that improves my credit score?