HealthLeaders Media PhysicianLeaders - December 31, 2009 | Physicians Must Adapt, Evolve in 2010 View as a Webpage | Subscribe for Free Physicians Must Adapt, Evolve in 2010 Elyas Bakhtiari, Managing Editor Although some uncertainty persists, particularly with one major obstacle remaining for healthcare reform legislation, in 2010 providers should start getting a clearer picture about the future of healthcare. Adapting and preparing for these changes will be the big challenge for the coming year. [Read More]   December 31, 2009 Editor's Picks Cardiologists sue Sebelius over Medicare cuts Heart specialists have filed suit against Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in an effort to stave off Medicare fee cuts for office-based imaging procedures. The lawsuit charges that the government's planned cutbacks will deal a major blow to medical care and force thousands of cardiologists to shutter their offices, sell diagnostic equipment and work for hospitals, which charge more for the same procedures. The cuts were intended to curb the growth of outpatient imaging and increase reimbursement for primary care, but this lawsuit demonstrates why those goals will be so hard to reach. Everyone wants to improve the healthcare system, as long as it doesn't cut into their paycheck. [Read More] Meaningful Use, EHR Standards Proposals Released by HHS The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Improvement Technology on Wednesday released for public comment two anxiously awaited regulations providing both the details of "meaningful use" and the standards to improve the efficiency of health information technology used nationwide by hospitals and physicians. These are the standards that will determine how physicians are reimbursed for EHR implementation under the HITECH Act, so review them thoroughly. [Read More] 10 Issues that Congress will Need to Resolve in Final Reform Bill PhysicianLeaders didn't run last week, but by now you know that the Senate passed its version of healthcare reform legislation on Christmas Eve. Now, the House and Senate must reconcile their two versions into a final bill that both chambers must vote on before President Obama can sign reform into law. While there is agreement on the broad framework for reform, there are some contentious issues that must be resolved. Here are the top 10. [Read More] AAFP President Says Health Reform Bill a Good Start for Addressing Physician Shortage In his column this week, my colleague John Commins looks at how healthcare reform might improve the supply of primary care physicians. Lori Heim, MD, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, says she is encouraged by several provisions in both the House and Senate reform bills that begin to address the nation's dire shortage of primary care doctors. [Read More] Success Story: Sisters of Mercy Health Learn how the Sisters of Mercy implemented changes to improve service quality through IBM Service Management solutions. These solutions facilitate a business process transformation that fosters a culture of productivity and continuous improvement. Download the free copy of Success Story: Sisters of Mercy Health. (This headline is sponsored by IBM.) [Read More] Business Rx Give Doctors Tools to Better Working Environment It is hard to imagine a more uncertain time for the healthcare industry in the United States. What should remain constant in any leadership model is giving the physicians as much support as possible to create an effective working environment. [Read More] Physician News Medical billing code monopoly explains AMA's support for health plan, critics say Chicago Tribune - December 28, 2009 Visiting Physicians Association to Pay $9.5M to Resolve Allegations John Commins, for HealthLeaders Media - December 28, 2009 Medical sales reps work alongside doctors, even in operating rooms Washington Post - December 28, 2009 Doctors seek out cure for inefficiency Chicago Tribune - December 24, 2009 Health bill will keep Mass. overhaul intact Boston Globe - December 23, 2009 Audio Conferences/Webcasts January 25, 2010: Marketing Oncology: Service Line Strategies for Marketers January 22, 2010: Joint Replacement Service Lines: Alignment and Business Strategies for a Changing Environment On Demand: Women's Health: Building a More Profitable Service Line With Existing Assets Sponsored Headlines Harnessing effective asset management in an uncertain economy from IBM Building a successful validation process and compliance support with IBM Maximo solutions Managing healthcare assets and optimizing asset utilization with IBM asset management tools Learn how Sisters of Mercy Health achieved its asset management goals in partnership with IBM One kid, 3 ER admissions, 12 back-end systems. One eHealth ecoSystem. Learn how MEDSEEK is improving the patient experience. From HealthLeaders Magazine 20 People Who Make Healthcare Better The very essence of healthcare is to make a difference for good. In our annual HealthLeaders 20, we offer profiles of some who are doing just that. [Read More] Running the OR Like a Business Who Really Rules? Value vs. Volume: Can We Pay for Quality? Are You a Health Leader? Service Line Management Emerging Service Lines Hospitals that lead the way in emerging service lines may find themselves positioned to be market leaders in the future. Here's a look at which services are emerging and why. [Read More] Implanted cardiac device testing is scant, study finds IL-based Advocate Christ Medical Center adding kidney program Wound Healing Centers Benefit Hospitals Financially, Strategically PhysicianLeaders Forum Top 10 Ways to Determine Your Readiness for ACOs: Contributor Laura P. Jacobs, MPH, senior vice president with The Camden Group, offers 10 questions to help you prepare for the transition to an accountable care organization. [Read More] Audio Feature iPhone Imaging: Asim F. Choudhri, MD, author of a study about iPhone imaging software, talks about how mobile technologies could change how physicians practice medicine. [Listen Now] Sponsored by Emdeon Sponsor PhysicianLeaders Contact Paul Mattioli, Sr. Director of Sales, at pmattioli@healthleadersmedia.com or call 800.639.7477. Resources From HealthLeaders Media Sign up to receive our new, free e-mail publication that offers concise updates on the top nursing leadership headlines, as well as best practices, practical advice, and expert strategies from nurse industry thought leaders. 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 HealthLeaders Media book that combines expert tips with marketing samples, tools, forms, and checklists that will help grow your practice.

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