HealthLeadersMedia.com - The Doctor's Office

Primary care brings in more hospital revenue than specialists

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

A survey of hospital CFOs shows primary care physicians generated a combined average of $1,566,165 for their affiliated hospitals in the last year. Other specialties generated a combined annual average of $1,424,917, the lowest average in five years, data shows.

Access to EHR notes lauded by patients, providers

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In a pilot, a system which permits patients to view all the notes in their electronic health records was such a hit with hospital patients and physicians that Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Geisinger Health System are dramatically expanding their OpenNotes programs.

Doctors, trial lawyers back 'Provider Shield' law in Georgia

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Physicians and attorneys—uncommon allies—support a Georgia law that creates a barrier between doctors and "ancillary" payer guidelines in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which could potentially be used as evidence in medical malpractice lawsuits.

AMA raises concerns over EHR workarounds

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Arguing that documenting a full clinical encounter in an electronic health record "can be pure torment," an American Medical Association official describes three time-saving methods physicians have turned to, each of which has the potential for abuse leading to the denial of CMS payments, he says.

Medical school enrollment forecast tempered by residency concerns

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Despite a rosy enrollment forecast, 40% of medical school deans surveyed have expressed "major concern" that the number of available residency training positions will fall short, says the Association of American Medical Schools.

The Doctor's Office, August 2013

Thu, 01 Aug 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Practice management, reimbursement, compliance strategy and healthcare news

'Rapid' rise in physicians �seeking to sell practices

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Physicians—not hospitals—are taking the initiative in seeking hospital-based acquisitions of their practices. This is setting the stage for the evolution of how healthcare is delivered, survey data suggests.

Physicians, chiropractors still out of alignment

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Chiropractors and medical doctors have been clashing for years and there's no end in sight. The dispute may get nastier as the demand for spine care increases while the healthcare reform law promises to extend more reimbursement to DCs.

Email improves patient experience

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Less than one-third of doctors reported emailing with patients in 2012 despite a number of benefits.

Managing physicians may be impossible

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

If management's about taking better care of patients, physicians are a ready audience. If it's about money and costs, they tune out. Yet it's all linked.

Former ACP president: 'We have to be more �efficient'

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Past president of the American College of Physicians says that among physicians' toughest challenges are improving professional relationships and "[getting] rid of the things that add no value

The Doctor's Office, July 2013

Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Practice management, reimbursement, compliance strategies, and news

Does primary care need to be retooled?

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:01:00 GMT

The president of Partners Healthcare and a Harvard University economist contend that primary care in the U.S. needs to be restructured to improve physician business practices and provide more value for patients.

Experiment engages primary care patients and providers

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

At the 2013 Association for Health Care Journalists Conference, a panel of New England primary care providers highlighted what needs to be done for the future. One panelist outlined an experiment happening at one of the oldest and largest hospitals in New England-one that, if successful, could redefine the provision of primary care.

Physicians say quantity of EHR alerts 'excessive'

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Doctors are missing three in 10 patient test results generated by electronic health record systems, research shows. The problem is a matter not only of volume, but of how alerts are communicated.

The rush and resistance to tech

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Resistance to new technology may be futile, but it remains an issue for healthcare.

IPAB repeal arguments weak, for now

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Removing Congress from the process of making decisions about Medicare payments might be a way to get some control over healthcare costs.

Colonoscopy 'potentially inappropriate' for 30% of seniors

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Some providers are overusing colonoscopy for screening purposes in older adults. Research shows wide regional variations in the practice.

EHR a money-loser for most physicians

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Adopting electronic health records (EHR) appears to be a money-losing proposition for most physicians, especially specialists and those in smaller physician groups.

SGIM calls for end to fee-for-service

Sat, 01 Jun 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Fee-for-service medicine is a financially unsustainable payment model that should be phased out by the end of the decade, a study commissioned by the Society for General Internal Medicine (SGIM) recommends.