Theresa Defino

Hurricane Katrina was a stark reminder that the worst thing that can happen sometimes does. Be ready before the clouds darken.

Is your office filled with gossips, backstabbers, high-school cliques, and slackers? You don’t have to live with it. Here’s how to turn even the unhealthiest work environment into a productive, happy, even fun office.

Medicare and many private insurers have been marketing their pay-for-performance programs as “free money” for good doctors. But beware hidden costs.

The government is enforcing HIPAA's privacy and security rules only lightly, but complying with them makes good business sense regardless. Here are some tips for safeguarding your patients in the real world.

It seems like everyone has the ear of a member of Congress or a key state legislator - everyone except you, that is. Have you ever wished that physicians could advocate for their interests as effectively as trial lawyers and insurance companies lobby for theirs? Here's your chance.

They may seem tedious, but written job descriptions can help clarify everyone's responsibilities - and can resolve squabbles before they start. Find out how to write 'em right.

With malpractice lawsuits and pay-for-performance schemes on the rise, it's more important than ever to get patients to follow your advice - but it's also more challenging. We help you sharpen your teaching skills.

Today's young physicians have different priorities than previous generations. They want jobs that allow them to maintain a personal life as well as a professional one. We've got some ideas on how to appeal to this new generation of docs.

A well-run office requires policies on everything from billing to no-shows. Make sure your patients know what your rules are. And ensure they stick to them.

American healthcare is in critical condition. Can anything be done to save it? We scoured the country for the boldest ideas from the biggest thinkers in healthcare. Here's what they told us.

Like it or not - and we don't blame you if you don't - Medicare and private payers are enamored with so-called pay-for-performance models. Here's the scoop on how these programs work, and how to make the best of them.

The vastly publicized Medicare Part D prescription benefit plan has finally come to life. We offer a primer to help your patients (and staff) understand what it's all about.

Ordering too many tests? Avoiding problem patients? Here's how to find the right balance in these litigation-happy times.

When there's a sense of community among the staff, loyalty and productivity are just the beginning.

When Hurricane Katrina forced the nearby hospital to shut down, patients started flooding this little family practice in Hattiesburg, Miss.  Here's how the heroic staff coped.

Looking for an inexpensive way to attract more patients and stay top-of-mind for the ones you already have? A newsletter - either print or electronic - gets the word out for many practices.

Insurance companies are adding functionality to their Web sites - like recredentialing and comprehensive claims management - to make working with them a little easier.

Stories from the trenches: A story about how Wendy Smith implemented an EMR for her practice, making the transition to a paperless charting system.

Some physicians are finding sideline careers as expert witnesses. Others find themselves testifying frequently on an issue dear to them. Still others are forced to defend their choices on the stand. Here's how to prepare for court.

The 15-year-old Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) means physician offices, as places of

Unless you've become a cash-only practice, dealing with payers is inevitable. But it doesn't have to be as painful as you think. We asked some experts from the payer side to offer their insights on how you can do better at the negotiating table.

If you are like 80 percent of Americans who save for their retirement, the money you are socking away will be insufficient to equal your current standard of living.

The Feds have ushered in a remarkable number of demonstration and pilot projects. Here's what it means for you.

How to make Medicare work for you

How to control key financial indicators in your practice

How to tell if your clearinghouse is worth keeping

Tips on caring for older patients

The uses and costs of employee assistance programs

How to cut costs through careful shopping

PAPs, operated by drug manufacturers and other organizations, are a lifesaver to some patients, but they can also be a burden to medical office staff and physicians.