Coding: Your Top Coding Problems Solved
Tips from our twice-a-month email newsletter. This issue: why you should read the CPT manual.

Finance: Accountant Recount
Are you using your brother-in-law Larry to handle all your practice’s accounting? Big mistake — unless Larry happens to have a good understanding of the peculiarities of healthcare economics and can do more than fill out tax forms. Your practice is your livelihood. You need a pro.

Marketing: Keep ‘Em Coming
Building a decent flow of referred patients requires more than just hanging your shingle. You need to develop positive relationships with their primary physicians. Here’s a step-by-step approach.

My Best Idea: Cash and Carry Healthcare
Brian Forrest, MD, explains how he got happier — and wealthier — by dumping insurance payers.

PayerView: You be the Judge — PayerView Reveals Who Treats Physicians Right
Tired of being judged by payers? Here’s your chance to turn the tables and judge them. With help from our friends at athenahealth, we give you the second annual PayerView rankings. It’s a report card that uses real claims data to judge dozens of local and national payers on how well they treat you, the physician. Compare this data with your own; then strive to change what isn’t working.

Physicians Practice Pearls: You Earned It, Now Collect It
More of your practice’s revenue is coming directly from patients. Better bone up on your collections processes.

Publisher’s Note: The Power of Your Words
Sometimes what you say is stronger than any treatment or medications you may prescribe.

Second Opinion: Sorting Out the Players
A Virginia psychiatrist on nonphysician providers.

Technology: Backing Up to Move Forward
Congratulations, you’ve finally moved into the 21st century by purchasing that EMR. Now don’t let yourself get blown into the Stone Age by failing to properly back up your new electronic files.

The Administrator’s Desk: Succeeding Where Others Often Fail
The five biggest mistakes managers make — and how to avoid them.

The Bigger Picture: No More HR Headaches?
It seems that more practices are turning to third parties to take over hiring, firing, and managing staff. Sounds good. But be careful.

The Great Practice Makeover: Overhead Headaches
What do you do when your overhead seems beyond your control? Makeover maven Laurie Hyland Robertson helps a North Carolina OB/GYN practice find the answers.

The Law: Reduce Your Malpractice Risk
Ever wish you had a can of lawsuit repellant? Well, now you do. Follow our easier-than-you-think advice to reduce your chances of ever being sued for malpractice.

The Tech Doctor: Best-of-Breed or Integrated Systems?
If you’re looking for an EMR, you’ll have to decide between scrapping your current practice management system and starting fresh, or combining your existing system with your new EMR.

Your Money: Educate Your Kids without Going Broke
Sending your kids to college will cost even more than you think. Here are some novel strategies we bet you haven’t heard before.