Physicians Practice Pearls®

As a physician, the decision to participate in new healthcare exchange plans may not be up to you. Make sure you understand all the nuances.

Technology is an important factor in improving the way you care for your patients. Unfortunately too many practices fail to use it to communicate with them.

While the decision to change to a direct-pay practice can be the most difficult one a physician can make, there is a second decision that is nearly as difficult: What to charge for services.

The ICD-10 transition will require a significant change in mindset for practice administrators and staff alike. The time for excuses is past.

Keeping A/R within healthy limits will become more difficult as health reform rolls out. Here are nine steps your practice can take to collect all that it is due.

Applying lean thinking is becoming more prevalent as declining reimbursements and health reform pressures drive practices to operate more efficiently and at lower cost.

Without everyone's cooperation in your practice, change results can be compromised. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid sabotage.

Do you ever wonder if you come across as caring and compassionate or curmudgeonly? This quiz will help you ascertain how you are perceived by others.

I am now nearly a year out from opening a direct-pay practice. I have not gone bankrupt or crazy. Here are some important things I've learned.

You work hard to earn the respect of your patients and colleagues. Don't let errant virtual communications tarnish your image.

Here are 10 time-saving apps and technology tips that can make your personal and professional life easier.

Docs are not limited to selling their practice to stay afloat. Banding together with other practices to share resources may strengthen your business.

When you are sick, dealing with a difficult organization is the last thing you want to do. Here are some easy ways to endear your practice to its patients.

Work responsibilities, family time, and community activities can make it challenging to maintain a realistic schedule. Here are six steps to success.

The key to providing perks is to understand what is meaningful to employees. Obtain their input and design perks that reward hard work and dedication.

While "quality" has been an important buzz-word for practices, it is not the same as "value." Here's how to tell the difference.

Pay-for-performance programs are beginning to shift to emphasize outcomes. Here's what your practice needs to know about new initiatives.

Your front office is the face of your practice, therefore, it should be a top priority to hire and retain quality staff members.

From billing to compliance to human resources, there is a multitude of ways you can outsource key practice functions to lighten your load.

Here is a five-step strategy you can use to develop a buzz-worthy brand that lets patients know exactly what to expect at your practice.

Do you know what type of role you want your practice manager to take on? Be clear about your expectations upfront.

Front-desk embezzlement schemes are typically the result of loose collection protocols and minimal oversight. Don't be caught lacking.

A key partner in the ICD-10 transition is your claims clearinghouse. Here are six key questions to ask now to be sure you are both ready.

But if the facts on the use of modifier 25 are clear, why are practices and hospital systems paying back millions of dollars for the incorrect use of modifier 25?

You've received recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, now be sure to market that fact effectively to prospective and current patients.

Effective patient registration, insurance verification, and claims processing are essential to maintaining practice viability. Here's what you need to know.

Higher rates of medical staff turnover are most likely related to workplace stress. What can you do to help?

Here are five attention-saving skills you can employ to ensure your focus is patient-centric, while still utilizing mobile technology.