Practice Management

A physician we hired didn't work out, so we had to let him go after a few weeks. At that point, his credentialing with Medicare still wasn't complete. How can we get reimbursed for the Medicare patients he saw?

What can you do when an insurance carrier continues to deny clean claims?

The hospital where I have privileges provides a free answering service. If a patient or physician needs to speak to me after hours, he calls the hospital, and the operator there forwards the call to my cell phone or pager. Am I violating antikickback laws by accepting this service?

I sometimes waive coinsurance for patients struggling to make ends meet. I tell them to ignore the bills and collection letters I send because I'll just write off their balances as bad debt. Is this legal?

Is there an opening at your practice? Follow the author's four-step path to find the best person for the job.

The author built up her practice and became a local celebrity by writing a newspaper column.

These key questions can encourage patients to change their eating habits and shed pounds.

This doctor learned that reading others' chart notes is not enough.

You can't always count on getting top dollar, but there are still ways to get the best deal possible.

Patients with multiple health problems and multiple meds often ask-in many cases, repeatedly-why they take so many pills or why they need a particular drug. A time-consuming review of the function of each medication generally follows, along with a discussion of the benefit to the patient, indications and contraindications, and possible alternatives. Since this typically occurs after I've completed a physical exam, can I use code 90862 "Pharmacologic Management" in addition to the level of service for these patients?

While reviewing old accounts, we discovered numerous payment errors involving patients with primary and secondary coverage. Often, when the primary insurer issued a payment, our staff made an adjustment based on the allowed amount indicated on the EOB. Then the secondary insurer paid a portion of the write-off. The question now: Who should get the refund--the insurer or the patient?

One of my associates is treating the father of the senior partner in our corporation and billing Medicare for his services. It's my understanding that CMS doesn't permit a physician to bill for medical services provided to his own family members or those of other doctors in his group, but others in our practice disagree. Who's right?

When you practice medicine in the palm of your hand, you'll want a smartphone and cutting-edge programs. Here are the best.

We didn't participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for 2007, but would like to do so this year. Where can we find reliable information about the changes in codes and reporting measures that took effect in January 2008, and how to use them?

One of my patients has sued the hospital where I attended him. His lawyer wants to ask me some questions about the case. I haven't been named as a defendant. Should I talk with the attorney?

Several of my patients have said they'd follow me to my new practice. However, there's one I'd prefer not to continue to see because he's extremely hostile and verbally abusive. Since I've been his physician in the past, am I obligated to see him at my new office?

I declined to renew my provider contract with an insurer whose reimbursements are too low. Who should notify the affected patients--the health plan or me? If it's up to me, what should I say?

The author and her partner bet that patients would pay out of pocket for extra service. They were wrong.

Even the busiest physician can find time to convey caring and concern.

Newspaper ads? The Internet? Public speaking? Here's how to choose the most effective business-builders-and avoid those that don't work.

You can't ignore a patient's missed appointment. Looking closer can help boost practice income, and prevent litigation.

We didn't participate in the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative for 2007, but would like to do so this year. Where can we find reliable information about the changes in codes and reporting measures that took effect in January 2008, and how to use them?

CMS recently alerted us that we need to start billing Medicare using our National Provider Identifier. We're already doing this because we've been under the impression that this has been a requirement for some time. Can you clarify?

Recently our hospital underwent a Comprehensive Error Rate Testing audit. I have since been notified that because there were no records found for 25 percent of my billed visits, I owe Medicare an enormous amount of money. I have no control over how the hospital manages its records or which ones were requested and produced. Does CMS have the authority to do this and, if so, what should I do?

These doctors boosted their income and increased patient satisfaction by tailoring their practice to the local population.

This determined ER physician taught himself a second language so he could communicate with all his patients.

Here's how to progress from gentle to firmer methods-and when to resort to a collection agency.

We perform diagnostic testing in our office. One member of our group looks at the results while the patient's still in the office, uses that information to help determine the plan of care, but doesn't dictate the results until weeks later. We submit the claim for the testing immediately after we see the patient, but should we hold all claims until the findings are documented?

Much as I don't wish to, I may have to stop providing my patients with injections. The reimbursement doesn't cover the cost of the drug, much less the cost to administer it. Any tips on how to deal with this problem?

Our group owns an ambulatory surgery center. We heard that Medicare changed the ASC payment system effective Jan. 1, as well as the list of ASC-approved procedures. Will these changes affect our bottom line?