Patient Engagement & Communications

There are several things to consider before making a change from a traditional practice model.

A new year yields new resolutions. Here are my personal goals for change in 2015, as well as how I hope the healthcare system will change.

Keeping track of contract renewals can be tedious, but there are many techniques medical practices can use to simplify the task.

CMS has finally given physicians a glimpse of its plans to expand reimbursement for telehealth services provided to Medicare beneficiaries.

Many of our patients employ treatments that we would never recommend, and others refuse treatments that we do recommend. Here's how we deal at our practice.

A new survey reveals most physicians feel Medicare quality improvement programs are ineffective, too complex, and too burdensome for physicians and staff.

Here are two key areas where CMS could make adjustments to home health regulations that would benefit not just home health, but the industry in general.

Quality of patient care is paramount, and I hope that the powers that be really think about realistic solutions to improving it.

If a CMS proposal goes into effect, primary-care providers are likely to be called on more often to provide follow-up care (primarily, evaluation and management services).

Many articles describe the benefits of health reform, but look closely and it's clear that problems are mounting for physicians and the healthcare system.

Bundling payments for care episodes is gaining popularity among payers. It is episodic risk-sharing, and it can be risky business for physicians.

If the government can make it appear that doctors are getting rich from Medicare payments, it will be easy to garner support to cut physician payments in the future.

If Medicare cuts become too cumbersome - independent physicians, employed physicians, and patients will suffer.

Fee-for-service reimbursement continues to fall. To survive, practices must explore new opportunities to boost revenue. Let us help you decide the right fit for your practice.

The results of our annual Fee Schedule Survey are here. See where your practice stacks up when it comes to payment for top codes.

The 2014 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule notes preliminary guidelines for receiving separate payment for chronic care management services, beginning in 2015.

Medical practices face many challenges in 2014. Here are 10 of the biggest.

This short summary of the history and elements of physician reimbursement rates will make you better informed than most other doctors.

Medicare physician reimbursements will be slashed by 24.4 percent on January 1. However, a new push on Capitol Hill could put a stop to it.

CMS is moving forward with a proposal to pay doctors for managing more of a patient's care outside of a face-to-face office visit.

An AMA report identifies the 10 states with the least competition among commercial payers.

A recent survey suggests most physicians don't support efforts to move away from fee-for-service reimbursement. Do you?

Physicians considering changing their status as enrolled and participating Medicare providers must be aware of their options and legal requirements.

Why smart policies must reward smart care by physicians.

Consolidation will probably continue to be a strong trend, but it is not the only available option.

Opportunities to practice telemedicine are emerging due to improved technology and reimbursement. Still, there are some legal issues to consider.

It’s becoming increasingly difficult for private medical practices to thrive. Here’s what’s driving the trend toward consolidation.

ICD-10 diagnosis codes are effective Oct. 1, 2014. Set an implementation budget and timeline. Identify ICD-9/ICD-10 differences. Say goodbye to nonspecific codes.

Interactions between payers and providers tend to focus on rate negotiations and fees for service, but health reform is changing that.