Practice Management

Medical Economics readers discuss the hassle of pre-certification, advise new doctors to avoid primary care, talk about serving as a mentor, look at why physicians continue practicing, and argue that electronic health record systems should be rejected.

This month's question focuses on how superbills can ease outpatient procedure coding. Find out the answers to this pressing coding question.

Consolidation, cooperation, and planning for the worst are three strategies to consider implementing in light of economic uncertainties facing physicians.

Are you worried about how to pay your practice's overhead in the event of personal disability? There's insurance for such an event.

Six states appear to be on track for meeting all health insurance exchange deadlines.

A baby can give you a new outlook on life and the practice of medicine.

Insurance restrictions, barriers to care, and affordability problems for patients are making U.S. physicians more dissatisfied with their work that their peers in 10 other developed countries, according to a new report.

As more providers access patients' medical data on mobile devices, security concerns are increasing.

More than 100 national and state medical groups have joined together to urge Congress not to eliminate the Medicaid primary care payment boost as part of a deal to avert the looming "fiscal cliff."

Research recently published in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that online visits could produce similar outcomes as in-office visits for a limited number of conditions.

Nearly half of the primary care physicians polled in a recent study say they plan to participate in an accountable care organization within the next year.

The number of PCPs needs to increase by almost a quarter by 2025, but population growth?not healthcare reform?is the primary driver, according to a new study.

Who is to blame for rising healthcare costs? A new report from AMA says the anticompetitive managed care market is responsible, but an insurance trade organization is placing the blame on provider consolidation.

Over a 2-year study period, patients who increased usage of online health records and electronic communications made more office visits that those who didn?t, according to new research from Kaiser Permanente.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services needs safeguards to ensure that all of the $6.6 billion in payments it expects to make through its EHR incentive program from 2011 to 2016 are justified, according to an Office of Inspector General report.

Data breach investigations increased more than 44 times from 2010 to 2011, and most could easily have been prevented, according to a new study from Verizon.

Half of voters said cutting payments to doctors and hospitals should be the top priority to reduce federal spending on healthcare, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 1,202 voters that was conducted online on November 9 and 10.

Physicians' annual income growth has failed to keep pace with pay increases enjoyed by other health professionals, such as pharmacists and dentists, over the last quarter-century.

Medical students who graduate with the median level of medical school debt typically can choose careers in primary care and still meet standard household expenses without incurring additional debt, according to a recent study.

Michael K. Gusmano, PhD, co-director of the World Cities Project, a research scholar at the Hastings Center, and on faculty at New York Medical College and Columbia and Yale universities, discusses what needs to happen to improve care for vulnerable populations.

Hurricane Sandy's destruction underscores the importance of disaster planning.

Tort reform remains an important issue for physicians, but a survey indicates that relief may be at hand for malpractice premiums.

As a doctor, you can see the hardships that can occur if you don't properly save for long-term care. Learn some strategies for preparing for long-term care.

If you're working at a position that will last for less than a year, you may be able to deduct your commuting expenses. Find out the ins and outs of this deduction.

Want to contribute as an expert witness? Here's what you need to know

The downward trend of malpractice premiums continues. Experts believe that both tort reform and the economy have contributed.

PCMHs are one of the new ways to coordinate care, but they require changes in your practice. See what you'll need to do if you want to turn your practice into a PCMH.

Medical Economics readers discuss meaningful use and how going cash-only was a positive change for one practice.

More than 80% of Medical Economics' EHR Best Practices Study participants have successfully implemented their systems as the study approaches the 1-year mark. The participants share how the systems have affected their practices.

Things are changing in the primary arena. Find out how new practice models may help save it.