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Physician Practice Perspectives
03/01/2007

Physicians who voluntarily submit data to CMS under certain quality measures will be able to receive a 1.5% pay increase beginning July 1. The incentive requires physicians to report their information using information technology. The measure-similar to the one already in place for hospitals-marks the latest effort by the Bush administration to restrain runaway spending on physician services under Medicare.

03/01/2007

Medical malpractice. These are perhaps the two most feared words in the healthcare industry. Whether you're a physician or a physician practice staff member, the onset of a liability lawsuit is scary and overwhelming. The key to winning the case before it even begins is to keep fool-proof medical documentation. "From the malpractice standpoint, I just can't think of another variable that has as much impact in defending a case," says Paul Frisch, general counsel to the Oregon Medical Association.

03/01/2007

Most adults have some difficulty understanding basic health instructions, according to a health literacy study by the National Center for Education Statistics. The results illustrate a growing need for improved communication among physicians and their patients. "The most important point to make and convey to physicians and practices is that it's really important to communicate in a clear and understandable manner to all your patients," says Barbara DeBuono, MD, senior medical advisor for public health and policy at pharmaceutical company Pfizer and chair of the board at the Partnership for Clear Health Communication, a national coalition dedicated to improving health literacy.

03/01/2007

Ensuring that provider services are billed and coded appropriately so that the documentation meticulously matches the coding is a momentous task for providers and their staffs. Coding for OB/GYN billing can be particularly confusing. The coding information mentioned below should help to capture all services rendered and billed for Pap smears, the birth of twins, and add-on codes while staying within compliance guidelines.

03/01/2007

You're not concerned about employee theft. You trust your staff. You know them to be loyal and dedicated individuals who would never steal from the practice. After all, the healthcare industry attracts only honest, caring, compassionate individuals, right? For the most part, the answer to the above question is yes. However, physician practices are no less at risk of employee theft than any other business. According to a recent survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, embezzlement costs businesses about $50 billion per year, the majority of which involve theft directly out of an employer's resources or assets.

03/01/2007

How taking 20 minutes a day for yourself can improve productivity, patient satisfaction, and staff retention As a physician, your daily pace can be brutal and time can seem to fly by. You balance the needs of providers, the demands of patients, and the operations of your business all at once. Time spent on yourself, however, can make a huge difference in your professional life. By taking 10-20 minutes a day away from work, you can improve productivity, increase patient satisfaction, and help boost staff morale.

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