Practice Management

For the third time, the Federal Trade Commission has delayed enforcement of its identity-theft protection system, or "Red Flags" Rule, which applies to physicians' offices.

Practicing medicine takes on a different feel when you're the only doctor in town. But Jim Selenke, MD, the lone physician in Hudson, Iowa, wouldn't have it any other way.

This is how hospital income guarantees usually work.

I took over custodianship of patient records for a colleague in my call group in exchange for any patients that might transfer to me. Can I charge those patients using new patient codes?

Staffing is my biggest expense. How can I cut back?

The way to optimize your earnings is to optimize communication with your coding and billing staffs. It's a key to successful practice that cannot be overstated: Prioritize internal communication. Listen to your team. Provide feedback. Strategize together.

The challenge: Selling a practice without a broker's help

Primary care physicians report job stress and a chaotic work environment, but researchers found no link between their feelings and an increase in medical errors, according to a recent study.

If you've never tried to negotiate payment schedules with your health plans-or if you haven't had success in the past-the tide may be turning in your favor. Consider it an unexpected result of the nation's growing shortage of primary care physicians.

Many physicians worry that if they install an electronic health record system, they will also have to become computer geeks to keep it operating. I've learned that you don't need to be IT-savvy, but you'll be happier if you are.

There is a middle road wherein standards and expectations of how to practice in a whole new world of real-time data can be established, and it must be addressed so that those who use EHR systems can do their jobs without apprehension and fear.

Medical malpractice liability premiums are at a 30-year low and claims have dropped 45 percent since 2000, according to a recent study.

For a solo practitioner or a small group practice, cross-coverage arrangements are like oxygen: Without them, there is no life-that is, no weekends, no evenings, no vacations, and no holidays.

Take Care Clinic, a subsidiary of Walgreens, announced plans to step up its services offered-including dermatology procedures-at all 345 in-store medical offices.

There is a new, specific code to use when primary care physicians administer an injection of iron.

Third-party payers have been slow to adapt to group medical visits, meaning billing can be difficult.

Patients are more satisfied with their doctors' use of technology when doctors took the time to explain what they were doing with it.

Primary care physicians with Medicare patients could see a 6 to 8 percent payment boost from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in 2010.

One in three physicians' offices does not accept credit cards-a 5 percent increase from 2008, according to a recent survey.

A patient encounter with a nurse does not mean you can automatically bill using code 99211.

It wasn't too long ago that many of us toted around a cell phone, pager, PDA, and a laptop-a veritable RadioShack holstered at our waists. Now most of these devices can be consolidated into a single cell phone.

This is a good example of why buy-ins should be negotiated in advance.

Most states do give physicians discretion on whether to accept new Medicaid patients, just as you have the right to decide whether to take on new patients who aren't receiving public assistance.

Generally, the cost of writing letters is not included as a covered service under managed care contracts.

Since personal health records could be the wave of the future, it is important to understand their risks and benefits.

Patients are not required to provide their social security numbers, even if your practice asks them to do so.

After securing agreements in two states earlier this year, Boston-based physician-visit website American Well has announced plans to expand its services nationwide.

E-mail and voicemail are excellent and convenient means of dealing with prescription renewals, appointment reminders, and other standard administrative tasks.

Almost half of all uninsured U.S. citizens younger than 65 earn enough to afford health insurance but voluntarily don't purchase it, according to research by a Washington, D.C. think tank.

The sports physicals you'll perform for many of your young patients before they go back to school can be done at the same time you do regular well visits.