Technology

Last-minute strategies to meet e-prescribing requirements

If you aren't e-prescribing today, you're facing a 1% cut in Medicare Part B payments next year and a 1.5% penalty in 2013—but there's still time to squeeze in the required 10 e-scripts before June 30 if you act quickly. With days to go before the deadline, use these tips to implement what you have or choose an e-prescribing program you can start using right away. » More

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The Medical Entrepreneur is a best-selling business book authored by Steven M. Hacker, MD. Dr. Hacker is available for consultation or speaking engagements.
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HEALTH LAW & POLICY

Be prepared: A hospital is likely to come knocking

Are the days of solo and small physician practices numbered? Very likely for most practices, according to two recent surveys that indicate the trend of hospitals employing physicians is continuing unabated and raising new issues for all parties. Make sure you know how to protect your interests in negotiations with a future hospital employer. » More

PRACTICE FINANCE

Primary care pay increases, but not enough

If you are a primary care physician, the good news is that your median compensation probably increased from 2009 to 2010. The bad news is that you still are making substantially less – sometimes less than half as much – as some of the higher-paid medical specialties. Now, the AAFP is seeking to do something about who determines the relative value of physician services. » More

LIABILITY & RISK MANAGEMENT

Outpatient malpractice claims catching up to inpatient

Diagnostic issues are most likely to get you sued in the outpatient setting, according to a new analysis of reports to the National Practitioner Data Bank. The analysis published in JAMA also noted that the number of paid malpractice claims originating in the outpatient setting is catching up to the inpatient setting, but that the mean payments remain much higher for inpatient claims. » More

Medical training helps NY judges speed settlements

An innovative new program is providing abbreviated medical education to New York judges so they can quickly dispose of frivolous malpractice suits and speed settlements of others. The "judge-directed negotiations" concept, which began in the Bronx and is being expanded with a $3 million grant, offers some significant benefits to physicians facing the ordeal of a lawsuit. » More

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT

Study: Staff communication critical to quality efforts

When it comes to clinical transformation, information really is power. And, if you don't share enough information to empower staff, you are likely not to get the results you want. That was the lesson from a recent study by the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) and McKesson, the health care technology company. Your practice can plan now to avoid those problems. » More

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