Operations

The time to plan for a natural disaster is when the sun is shining - in other words, right now.

One of your employees has succumbed to addiction. What should you do?

A physician uses her drug samples to help out needy patients, but worries she’s putting herself at risk. Who gets her goodies?

A busy internal medical practice learns to push back at payers’ administrative requirements.

Getting a new staffer on board is only the first step to easing your office’s work load. It’s just as important to train her properly, lest she become more a liability than an asset.

Cardiologist David Mokotoff remembers a patient who was demanding, abrasive, and obnoxious - and whose estate sued him for malpractice. The doctor’s biggest regret: That he hadn’t done better by old Dan.

As healthcare changes, so do patient confidentiality issues. Insurance companies aren’t the only ones demanding to see patient charts: lawyers, auditors, and even employers want a peek. Here’s our guide to navigating privacy issues.

Autodialing machines can be a nuisance, but using them for appointment reminders is a cheap, easy way to reduce no-shows.

If you accept credit cards, and you should, you’ll want to be aware of these hidden fees that card processors charge.

Your patients are going online to get their health questions answered. Might as well point them to sites they can trust. Here’s a good start.

What do you do when your claims keep getting denied by the same payer, seemingly without explanation?

Not ready for an EMR? No problem. Start with baby steps to reduce your paper.

Insurers are slowly figuring out how to pay for online consultations. The time has come to get on the bandwagon.

Yes, there is a way to make more money; by providing better care - and you needn’t wait for some P4P program or “medical home” experiment to get started.

How to make the most of extra services in tough times - and when to cut bait on failing ancillaries.

Building a team takes work, but it’s well worth the effort. Here’s how to avoid the “every-man-for-himself” mentality.

You’ve heard it all from patients who have outstanding accounts. How can you tell a genuine plea for help from a sob story, and when does it matter?

Shake off the cold-weather blahs with these can’t miss spirit warmers.

We like to mix it up at Physicians Practice. So this year, we’ve developed six new columns, a snappy new format, and will feature our fave physician-written essays. Who says practice management can’t be fun? Never fear, your favorite columns will return to provide the expert advice you’ve come to expect from Physicians Practice.

Watch out for these common cross-training missteps.

The economy is deteriorating. And healthcare is no longer “recession proof.” Here’s your guide for getting through the worst of times.

It’s a common problem: How do you find competent administrative staff willing to work part time? We help one practice solve this conundrum.

Got a bad-tempered doc on staff? Don’t let him (or her) ruin a perfectly good practice.

We’ll keep our eyes peeled for trends and changes that may affect your practice. This month: The government is offering incentives to physicians who prescribe electronically. Here’s the lowdown.

Each issue we’ll help you steer clear of hidden pitfalls. This month: Your favorite employee is sweet to you and patients, makes the World’s Best Brownies, and never takes a vacation. But is she robbing you blind?