Physicians Practice Pearls®

Electronic communication between healthcare providers has the potential to radically change healthcare. Referring physicians, consultants, and patients all stand to gain from its use; so why are physicians hesitating?

Reducing patient cycle time and improving patient satisfaction can both be accomplished if you improve your practice's communication channels.

There is much more to billing than just billing; make sure your practice is getting it right.

Many practices fail to appreciate the enormous value of strategic scheduling: a full schedule means a full day of revenue. Because even one missed patient makes a difference, we show you how to stack the deck in your favor.

Many practices make common collection mistakes that when left unattended can sap revenue. Here's what you can do to improve your collection process.

I’m still a doctor, which has never been and will never be a straight 9-to-5 job. Demands, like patients, are unpredictable and often non-negotiable.

Payers are mobilizing their reimbursement models to ensure that they are paying only for "quality" and "efficiency" in medicine.

In the medical world, the way you introduce yourself and others can make or break your relationships - with patients, their families, and your colleagues.

Work flow, technology, and shaking up traditional job duties can all affect staffing needs

It’s important to consult with a healthcare lawyer to make sure the methodology being applied to designated health services (DHS) income in your practice is compliant.

It is vital that practices have systematic ways to address patient collections; the following strategies can help your practice collect all that it is due.

Understanding third-party payers can go a long way to making your life easier.

Before selling any product, physicians must consider all legal and ethical limitations.

Tips for testing job skills - before you hire.

The difficulty in collecting payment from patients has only been augmented by the increase in health care plans with high deductibles.

If like many communities, yours has significant numbers of non-English speaking people with whom neither you nor your staff are able to converse, your practice is at a serious disadvantage.

It's time to say goodbye; here's how to do it without creating collateral damage

QDC codes themselves carry no payment for a claim. However, using the codes correctly may result in a bonus payment from Medicare, and not reporting them successfully will result in a penalty.

Even if you've had a site for years, it's worth reevaluating what information lives there and update it from time to time.

9 steps to creating and preserving your patient pipeline

Although it’s often easier and faster to provide medical care to friends and family, physicians should learn to say “no” more often.

This time of year, there are a lot of inquiries about physicians receiving gifts from patients. Here’s some guidance.

Don't underestimate the power of networking

Feel like you can't do the fee-for-service practice model anymore? Here are several examples of new models in primary care that may the answer for you.

A non-solicitation provision should be carefully tailored to the particular practice and there is no “one-size” approach for everyone.

Providing medical services for free, or at a reduced rate, at your practice comes with some restrictions.

Creating well-written job descriptions for all of your practice's positions is a must-do for your practice.

Because all medical practices are impacted by Medicare cuts ―as most payers tie their fee schedules to Medicare ― it is incumbent upon each of us to step up and make our voice heard.