Practice Finance

Using current technology brings efficiency, reduces some of the control risks related to cash and checks, and helps keep the patient responsibility portion of your accounts receivable in check. Consider these three functions in your practice.

Private physicians and hospitals could be treating more veterans in the near future, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to alleviate its overburdened healthcare system amid reports of mismanagement that has led to backlogged treatment.

Real estate costs are one of the highest fixed expenses for most medical practices, but careful negotiating can transform rented office space into an asset.

Individual Retirement Accounts and retirement plan distributions have complicated rules that must be closely followed by physicians hoping to pass on wealth to their heirs. Here's what physicians need to know.

With claim denial rates expected to rise in coming years, here are some of the most common reasons for non-payment and suggestions for ways to capture revenue for your practice.

Many physicians have medical student loans of $180,000 or more, and are interested in finding ways to eliminate this debt through forgiveness. Here's what you need to know.

A reader writes that he has seen no financial benefit from adopting electronic health records in his practice.

The revenue cycle model for a medical practice is more complex than many other businesses, and a line of credit can be a lifesaver for a practice dealing with operational disruptions.

Incident-to billing is a way of billing outpatient services provided by a non-physician practitioner, but it can be confusing. Here's what you need to know.

Facing shrinking reimbursement rates and a growing list of administrative tasks, many primary care physicians are exploring alternative practice options, including direct-pay models.

The nation’s physicians contribute a lot more than health and wellness to their communities-their activity generates $1.6 trillion for the national economy, according to the American Medical Association.

How can physician investors guard against overreacting to large swings in the stock market? Here are strategies to setting asset allocation and rebalancing your portfolio.

Physician employment contracts with hospitals or healthcare systems can be unpredictable. Physician must look closely at compensation, impacts of new payment models, termination clauses, and restrictive covenants.

K.J. Lee, MD, writes to clarify his proposal for a payment system that would reward physicians for improving patients' outcomes.

In the near future, patients will cover more of their healthcare bills as deductibles increase along with access to insurance. It could mean a financial hit if the challenges presented by the trend toward high-deductible health plans are not handled properly by medical practices.

Hiring your family at your medical practice can lower your tax burden and help them with their retirement planning.

With this issue Medical Economics introduces "The Lighter Side," providing you with lifestyle tips for your time away from your practice.

With spring nearly here, consider these sites for a relaxing vacation.

Knowing when it’s the right investment can determine whether you see profit or losses from your real estate venture.

Staff salaries are among a practice’s largest expenses. These tips will help practice managers fine-tune their pay scales and build merit into their compensation plans.

This chart takes a look at why some doctors don't make as much money as the public thinks they do.

Major tax changes for 2013 will continue to hit physician’s wallets in 2014. Here’s what to look out for.

While some states have raised Medicaid payments to physicians to match Medicare reimbursements, others lag behind.

Cosmetic dermatology is a growing market, one that some primary care physicians can use as an ancillary revenue stream to boost their income. But experts say use caution when adding them to your practice.

Coding Expert Renee Stantz provides more details about the new Evaluation and Management codes for 2014 and other Current Procedural Terminology revisions

As primary care practices seek to increase availability to their patients, experts say non-traditional hours can significantly benefit practices financially. Here's how.

As primary care practices consider transforming to the Patient Centered Medical Home framework, one of the key concepts is increasing practice availability to patients. Adding nontraditional hours is worth exploring to meet patient needs and increase profitability.

High-quality care and efficiency – Those are the two points that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) emphasized with the release of its 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

New compensation models will be key as payers look to reward quality vs. volume

The author proposes a new way of paying for healthcare that keeps elements of the fee-for-service model but also takes outcomes into account.