| HealthLeaders Media PhysicianLeaders - February 5, 2009 | Are Bundled Payments the Answer? |
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Are Bundled Payments the Answer?
Elyas Bakhtiari, Managing Editor
Fee for service has to go, that much we know. Among its many flaws as a reimbursement system, perhaps its greatest is that it offers few financial incentives for preventative medicine and primary care, which will become increasingly important to meeting the growing demand for healthcare services in coming years. So the multi-billion dollar question now is: What replaces fee for service? [Read More] |
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February 5, 2009 |
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Editor's Picks
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Congress: No ban on physician-owned hospitals
For the seventh time in 18 months, Congress has cut language out of a bill that would shutdown or limit growth of physician-owned hospitals. I wrote a few weeks ago about language in the House version of the SCHIP bill that targeted physician ownership. Luckily, the Senate version didn't have the restrictions, and they were left out of the final compromise bill. But make no mistake: This isn't the last time we'll see attempts to restrict physician ownership in federal legislation. Some very powerful interests will keep lobbying to limit competition. [Read More]
Most hospital patients can't identify their doctors
Roughly 75% of people in a study from the University of Chicago couldn't identify a single doctor assigned to their care during a hospital stay. Of the remaining 25% who responded with a name, less than half were correct. Given the stress many patients are under, combined with the often multidisciplinary and fast-paced care teams, I guess you can't expect patients to always remember physician names. Still, aren't patients supposed to be getting more involved in their own care these days? It turns out there is one way to leave an impression with patients, however. Patients who are unsatisfied with their care are more likely to remember physician names. [Read
More]
Med students twice as depressed
A new study suggests that one in five medical students suffers from depression, compared to an average of one in ten in the general public. African American students and women were particularly prone to depression. However, the problem doesn't seem to continue after medical school—residents surveyed had depression rates more similar to the national average. [Read
More]
Court rejects Medicare data disclosure
A federal appeals court has denied a Freedom of Information Act request by a consumer group seeking disclosure of physicians' Medicare billing records. Consumers' Checkbook claims the data could help monitor quality and the waste of federal dollars. However, the AMA and HHS opposed the request, largely on the grounds of protecting physician privacy. [Read
More]
Healthcare reform after Daschle
Over at our Lead Time blog, HealthLeaders Media Editor-in-Chief Jim Molpus speculates about possible replacements for Tom Daschle as nominee for head of HHS. Daschle's departure probably won't completely derail healthcare reform efforts, but it will definitely stall the process. [Read
More] |
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Business Rx
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Follow the Work Plan to Improve Compliance
Every physician office needs a compliance plan—a written document that outlines proper policies and procedures for coding, billing, and managing other regulations that apply to physician practices. Ideally, your compliance plan will keep you out of hot water with the Office of Inspector General and health plan or government auditors. [Read More] |
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Physician News
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Ethicists debate doctors who keep it personal
USA Today - February 3, 2009
Survey: Texas doctors say insurers' paperwork hurts patient care
Dallas Morning News - February 5, 2009
Doctors hanging out their shingles as members of Congress
Chicago Tribune - February 5, 2009
Tampa doctor accused of damaging medical centers
St. Petersburg Times - February 3, 2009
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Audio Conferences/Webcasts
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February 20, 2009: ED Overhaul 2009: Five Improvements to Make Today
February 12, 2009: Incentive-Based Compensation Plans to Enhance Physician Performance
On Demand: Service Line Strategies Workshop 2009: Women's Health
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| From HealthLeaders Magazine |
Flat-World Healthcare
Globalization is no longer an uncertain trend in the future. Providers must refine their organizational strategy to compete in a marketplace that is broader than ever before. [Read More]
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| Service Line Management |
A Spinal Shift
As minimally invasive procedures consume a larger portion of spinal care, provider organizations have many opportunities—and challenges—in an increasingly outpatient service line. [Read More]
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PhysicianLeaders Forum
The Evolution and Importance of the Medical Home: Contributors Jim Hardy and Diana Verrilli share insights from the 2008 McKesson Health Solutions Leadership Forum and discuss how the medical home may be the answer to many of healthcare's current problems, but only after the model evolves beyond its current phase. [Read More] |
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Audio Feature
Five-Minute House Call with Country Doctor of the Year: An interview with David Watson, MD, a family practitioner for more than 50 years in Yoakum, TX, who was recently named Country Doctor of the Year by physician staffing group Staff Care. [Listen Now] |
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Resources From HealthLeaders Media
Improve patient satisfaction, CAHPS scores, and quality with the strategies and tools in Physician Entrepreneurs: The Quality Patient Experience.
Learn how to harness the power of a large organization, either by expanding the practice or partnering with hospitals, private investors, or other physician groups, with Physician Entrepreneurs: Strength in Numbers.
Read about the latest business strategies to help you grow beyond traditional practice models in Physician Entrepreneurs: Going Retail.
Start marketing your practice or refine your existing marketing program with Physician Entrepreneurs: Marketing Toolkit, a new HealthLeaders Media book that combines expert tips with marketing samples, tools, forms, and checklists that will help grow your practice. |
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