Billing and Collections: Rules to Code By
With thousands of complex coding rules and a busy practice to run, some billing mistakes are inevitable. And every mistake costs you money. What to do? With our help, learn how to avoid the most common coding blunders, and get paid on time (almost) every time.

Coding: Your Top Coding Concerns Solved
Tips from our biweekly e-mail newsletter. This issue: Getting clearance for pre-op services.

Editor’s Note: The Curse of Longevity
For every U.S. healthcare dollar spent on the average 35- to 44-year-old, about $4.50 is spent on the average person aged 75 and older. This phenomenon, though seemingly self-evident, is relatively new. Read what our executive editor has to say about American healthcare “becoming a victim of its own success.”

Healthonomics: Handling the Changes Wrought by Medicare D
We’ll let the pundits haggle over whether Medicare D is helping seniors. We’re concerned with how it’s affecting you. If changing formularies and requests for new scripts are wearing you out, try these recommendations for making things easier.

In Practice: Do As I Say … Pretty Please?
Why noncompliant patients come to see you in the first place is a mystery, but we have some pointers on getting through to even the most recalcitrant — and how to protect yourself when nothing works.

Patient Relations: Your Complete Guide to Patient Service
Providing excellent care isn’t enough to keep your patients happy — and smiling patients are the key to a successful practice. Here’s a simple five-step guide to providing a total patient service experience, from the appointment call to follow-up.

Physicians Practice Pearls: The Value of First Impressions
“Doctor’s office — please hold,” is not what anyone wants to hear when calling your practice, especially for the first time. Teach staff how to handle your calls properly.

Second Opinion: ‘Professionalism’ — No Substitute for Medical Ethics
Pulmonologist Jerome Arnett Jr. on the folly of so-called medical “professionalism.”

Start It Up: Planning — How to Launch a Practice
Our six-part series on everything you need to know to open a practice begins this month with a comprehensive guide to the crucial planning stages. Whether you’re just thinking about starting out on your own, gung-ho to get going, or even running your own practice already, you can’t miss this series.

Technology: Learn to Love Your Nerd
They can be a little intimidating, those IT geeks, what with their tech jargon and oh-so-superior attitude. But it’s your practice. Those are your computers. Here’s how to foster a positive relationship with the experts who keep them humming.

The Administrator’s Desk: Selecting an EMR
Administrators have a crucial role in the EMR-shopping process. You’re the adviser, manager, and head cheerleader. But you’re not the decision-maker. Here’s how to walk the line with grace.

The Bigger Picture: Try a Little Tenderness
Trying to get better results from your payers? Start by putting your dukes down.

The Law: Audits 101
So you’re being audited by Medicare or a large private payer. Now what? First, don’t panic. Second, check out our pointers on how to limit the damage. Plus: Advice for avoiding the dreaded audit in the first place.

The Tech Doctor: All About Blogs
Ever thought about starting your own online journal, or “blog”? It may be good for business, and it’s easier than you think.