Practice Management

Everyone has a story to tell-and we want to hear yours. The entries are already starting to pour in for Medical Economics' 2011 Doctors' Writing Contest, and we would like nothing more than to add your compelling story about practicing medicine or the business of medicine to the mix.

Employers that offer their employees limited medical plans are impacted by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, since they are considered group health insurance plans.

Some physicians have held their financial ground during the tough economy by innovating at their practices. Anne Trussell, MD, a solo internist in Little Rock, Arkansas, added ancillary cosmetic services to boost revenue at her practice when some patients limited office visits due to the cost. She always has kept her overhead low, so expanding services was the solution during these challenging times.

If cost is a significant consideration and you can tolerate the hospital's primary care EHR templates, you should research any offers by local hospitals to subsidize your EHR purchase if you choose their system

Consider some low-risk retirement benefit options to offer employees instead of a 401(k) plan.

Learn about split billing for Medicare patients who come to the office for preventive visit and have multiple, serious, chronic medical conditions.

In 2009, Iowa had 2.6 physicians for every 1,000 residents, below the 3.2 physicians per 1,000 residents average in the United States, according to one source.

Running a medical practice efficiently is one of the keys to flourishing in tough economic times, says one expert. When it comes to accounting and finances, examine several areas for possible improvement.

Learn how to profit share in your practice.

Practice ownership should come with benefits, according to one expert.

You'll need to ask yourself two questions before proceeding with coding for these procedures.

You recommend numerous strategies to your patients to help them stave off illness or to improve their health. When it comes to your medical practice, however, do you know what steps to take to make it strong and fit?

Medical Economics convened a panel of experts to discuss the things you can control to strengthen your medical practice to withstand factors beyond your control. We share their advice related to operations, practice valuation, front office matters, and accounting and finances.

Consideration of how to handle regrets over the decisions of patients riddled with life challenges.

Through ZPIC audits, the government is becoming better able to successfully identify fraud, waste and abuse, and becoming more effective in successfully prosecuting those at fault.

Understand legal responsibilities to patients once you sell your practice.

Buying or selling a medical practice is a lot like buying or selling anything.

Letters address career contentment, electronic health records, and midlevels.

Proper investment in the staffing and technology related to day-to-day operations can improve the impression your medical practice conveys and help insulate it from economic downturns and other events beyond your control.

Follow the 10 "time commandments" to effectively manage your time and complete tasks.

Learn how to brand your practice.

One doctor recounts his recovery from a curious and not completely diagnosed illness.

Know your IT options when implementing an electronic health record system.

The medical practice of the future may resemble the Santa Monica, California, multispecialty practice Oceanside Wellness Center, depicted on the show "Private Practice," according to one business consultant.

Physicians may ignore a patient's contextual information, such as transportation needs or economic situation, which may lead to clinical error.

One medical clinic is caught off-guard by a flood, which forced a first temporary shutdown in its 46-year history.

Seven out of 10 primary care physicians report that they still would choose a career in primary care today, according to a survey.

Letters address flawed boards, EHRs, and midlevel providers.

Few events bring out doctors' already strong desire to help others like a natural catastrophe.

How to handle electronic health records upgrade issues.