Recommendations for the Future of Family Medicine
Jennifer Bush
Where do you begin the enormous task of retooling family medicine and reforming health care? Family medicine's leaders offer a road map.

Calculating Your Costs per Visit
Jeffrey T. Kullgren, MPH, and Maria D. Sibella, MA
Do you know what it costs your practice to provide an adult physical, a well-child exam or an office procedure? A "unit cost analysis" will tell you that and more.

Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding
Emily Hill, PA-C
Find out how to properly code and bill for the preventive services you provide.

GETTING PAID
Why Every Practice Needs a Payment Policy
Maria V. Ciletti, RN
Putting your expectations in writing helps encourage patients to pay at the time of service.

CODING & DOCUMENTATION
Answers to Your Questions
Kent J. Moore
Coding translator time • Blood-pressure checks • Tracheostomy tube • Patient representative • Cerumen removal • Office spirometry • ICD-9 "omit code"

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE
Using a Tracking Book for Unresolved Issues
Peter Schludermann, MD
This simple strategy will help you and your staff reduce errors and provide better follow-up care.

COMPUTERS
Online Communication With Patients: Making It Work
Joseph E. Scherger, MD, MPH
Find out what it takes to communicate successfully with patients online - and get reimbursed for it.

BALANCING ACT
Teaching Kindness
James R. Dykes, MD
This family physician learned from personal experience that kindness is at the core of healing.

EDITOR'S PAGE
Respecifying the Specialty
Robert L. Edsall
Are you ready for the rebirth of family medicine?

LETTERS
The range of a wireless network • Vital practices need adequate reimbursement • Electronic filing cabinet tips

MONITOR
Aetna, CIGNA settlements promise improved claims processing, better relations with physicians • Practice Pearls

PRACTICE DIARY
Sanford J. Brown, MD
What's in a name?

ASK FPM
Charging for missed appointments • Financial arrangements for new physicians • Compensation formulas • Malpractice insurance policies