Part B News | Physician Practice Perspectives

E-mail your way to better communication with patients

10/20/2003

The risk that private information could end up in the wrong hands often discourages physicians from using e-mail to communicate with patients. But e-mail can save time, allow for more physician-patient interactions, and preserve confidentiality as long as physicians know the limitations and set up proper safeguards to protect the information.

'Separate procedures' the key phrase for modifier -59

10/20/2003

If you're not sure when to use modifier -59, you're not alone. Many physician practices have difficulty interpreting the guidelines for its use. Modifier -59 is known as the "last resort" modifier, but you'll probably run into situations where you'll need it to get paid. Understanding the meaning of the term "separate procedures" can help you use the modifier appropriately and be paid properly.

Manage software decisions to bolster financial outlook

10/20/2003

If you want to strengthen your practice’s financial outlook, you’ll need to find solutions that will do the following:

• Eliminate labor expenses that add no value to service

• Reduce accounts receivable days and improve collections

• Improve communications

• Increase revenue

Consider the following tips to improve the business end of your practice:

Use the query and reporting power of your practice software

Conversion rates to fall in 2003 physician fee schedule

10/21/2002

Conversion rates to fall in 2003 physician fee schedule

Doctors: Start your HIPAA compliance engines!

10/21/2002

Doctors: Start your HIPAA compliance engines!

New ABN memo has docs under tighter reigns

10/21/2002

New ABN memo has docs under tighter reigns

Practices face legal liability for careless hiring

10/21/2002

Practices face legal liability for careless hiring

Stark decision leaves CMS open to more Medicare challenges

10/21/2002

If your practice has a financial arrangement with or owns a lithotripsy center, you no longer have to worry about violating the Stark law when you refer patients to the center. The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia July 12 ruled that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) overstepped its bounds when it included lithotripsy services among the designated health services covered under Stark. The ruling means that many physician-owned lithotripsy ventures do not need to fit into one of Stark's exceptions to comply. The ruling allows physicians to refer patients

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