2011 Fee Schedule Survey: Change Is in the Air
As practices continue to deal with declining reimbursement, federal and commercial payers are exploring new payment models aimed at case-management in lieu of traditional fees for services. Here's how to prepare and respond.

Plus: The results of our annual Fee Schedule Survey are in.
See where your practice stacks up when it comes to payment for top codes.

Defending Yourself Against a Medical Malpractice Claim
You've heard all the guidance about the importance of good patient relations and documentation as a way of avoiding a malpractice suit. But you think you may have a problem. Here's what to do when you get the first hint that a lawsuit may be coming.

Monitoring Revenue Cycle Management at Your Medical Practice
You've purchased the technology needed to keep tabs on your practice's operations. Now make sure you're looking at the right reports.

Paying for Technology in Your Practice
Are you one of the (many) practices spending more than what's necessary for hardware, software, and services? You don't have to be.

Protecting Your Medical Practice's Data
Data loss happens at physician practices more than you might think. Here's the scoop on how to implement a good data-backup plan.
 

TALK NERDY TO US

TAKE OUR TECH SURVEY FOR A CHANCE AT $500!

What are physicians saying, thinking — and doing — when it comes to implementing office technologies? Help us to help you find out by completing our easy survey.

Physicians Practice wants to hear all about it -- and we're willing to pay. Just go to the 2012 Tech Survey to complete our easy survey, and enter to win a $500 Visa gift card. It only takes five minutes. And remember to check out the results in the July/August 2012 issue of Physicians Practice.

The contest will run through February 29th. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. See official rules for full details, available here.

Thank you for your participation!
 

PHYSICIANS — TELL US WHAT MAKES YOU TICK

TAKE THE GREAT AMERICAN PHYSICIAN SURVEY FOR A CHANCE AT $500!

Who is the modern American physician? Help us get a comprehensive picture of the attitudes, lives, and thinking of doctors today by filling out our annual Great American Physician Survey and sharing your thoughts on everything from career, to work-life balance, to family, to healthcare reform and politics. These are challenging times in healthcare, and the physician community is changing rapidly. Here's your chance to be part of a survey that will help explain what makes today's physicians tick.
 

Physicians Practice wants to hear all about it -- and you can win $500 for helping us. Just go to the 2012 Great American Physician Survey to complete our easy survey, and enter to win a $500 Visa gift card.

Then, check out the results in the September issue of Physicians Practice.
 

The Great American Physician Survey will run through May 15, 2012. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. See official rules for full details.

Looking for Free CME?
Earn CME Credits for reading Physicians Practice articles. Click here to go to our free online CME activities.

Read "The Work of Art that Has Most Influenced My Career" this month's topic in our Physician Writer Search series. Emergency medicine physician, Theresa M. van der Vlugt, writes about finding beauty and inspiration in unexpected places.

If you've ever dreamed of being a published writer, or just have something you'd like to say, check out the Physician Writer Search. Each month, we give you a topic and a deadline, and you give us 1,000 to 1,250 words. If we select your submission, we'll publish your column in a future issue, to be seen by 200,000 of your colleagues, and we'll pay you $250.

Think about the April 2012 topic: "I feel I'm successful when ... " and then submit your essay! 

Physicians are subjected to many demands in the course of treating their patients: not the least of which are administrative tasks. Then there are the twin challenges of not enough time and too many patients. After you get through a particularly frustrating day, what is it that gives you the most satisfaction?