MGMA13 Conference Provides Answers Amid Healthcare Changes

Physicians and medical practices are experiencing a time of great change - from the effects of the Affordable Care Act to the looming switch to ICD-10 in 2014 to continued pressures from declining reimbursements and rising overhead costs.

At this year's Medical Group Management Association Annual Conference in San Diego, attendees will learn more about these major changes in healthcare and, more importantly, how their practices can adapt, change course, and survive.

Two of the main themes of this year's conference are the subject of a pair of articles from Physicians Practice featuring MGMA13 presenters: managing risk at your medical practice and improving your financial performance. Whether you plan on traveling to San Diego or not, these are important issues likely affecting your practice today.

Conference Kickoff

MGMA13, which takes place Oct. 6 through Oct. 9, features top healthcare industry experts, product vendors, and other thought leaders.

The conference kicks off Oct. 6 with a presentation entitled "Flying in Formation: The High-Performance Climb," by former Blue Angels pilot and current CEO of the Centerpoint Companies, John Foley. Foley will discuss team alignment strategies for medical practices, hospitals, and other healthcare organizations.

You can follow Foley's speech in real time, at 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST on our Twitter account.

Before, during, and even after this year's MGMA13 Conference, Physicians Practice will provide in-depth coverage, bringing you a package of articles, audio podcasts, and video clips to enhance your experience in San Diego, or feel like you are there if you can't attend in person.

Session Recaps

From learning more about accountable care organizations (ACOs) and Patient-Centered Medical Homes to surviving a HIPAA breach or audit, be sure to check in daily at Physicians Practice's Conference Insider page, which will feature all of our onsite coverage from MGMA13 .

Our editors will attend several educational sessions and share what they learn with you, to use in your own medical practice. Throughout this year's conference, they will be covering sessions on some of the top industry issues today.

Also, you can subscribe to our MGMA13 RSS feed, getting the latest news as it is posted to PhysiciansPractice.com.

Session Previews via Podcast

Not sure which sessions to attend at MGMA13? Not attending this year’s event, but want to hear from some of the speakers? In either case, we’ve got you covered.

Physicians Practice presents a series of podcasts with MGMA13 speakers who will give you a sneak peek at their MGMA13 sessions and valuable tips that you can start applying today.

This year's podcast series includes:

• A discussion on ever-evolving physician compensation plans with MGMA's Donna Knapp and Todd Evenson.

• Tips on creating a value-based medical practice with John Lutz of Huron Consulting.

• Alignment strategies to aid long-term survival among healthcare partners with Vic Arnold of Huron Consulting.

• A discussion with Marymount Hospital's Michael O'Connell on tips to make your medical practice a safer space for patients and staff.

• Insight on typical components in payer agreements, including possible "deal breakers," from Penny Noyes of Health Business Navigators.

We also spoke to other presenters at MGMA13 for additional previews of their sessions on incorporating the lean management philosophy into medical practices and how to fix a troubled EHR implementation.

Video Previews

Can't decide which educational and general sessions to attend at MGMA13?

Let our editors help with their picks for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at the conference. Each editor provides her top picks for the day, with must-see sessions and happenings for you.

We also have a pair of interactive session previews by consultant Meryl Luallin on patient satisfaction improvement tips and consultant Carol Alexander on key considerations for physician alignment. These brief session previews will let you hear directly from the speaker and walk away with tips and information instantly.

Social Media

Want the latest news and information from MGMA13 as it happens? Be sure to follow Physicians Practice on Twitter using the hashtag #MGMA13 for the latest events from San Diego.

You can also get current MGMA13 news from our staff via Facebook - be sure to "Like" the content you think is best - and join the members of our LinkedIn group for discussion on various practice-management topics being addressed at this year's conference.

For all the latest from the MGMA13 conference, be sure to visit our Conference Insider page.