Can You Negotiate Better Reimbursement?
Gregory J. Mertz, MBA, FACMPE
With the right data and a reasonable approach, you can overcome some inequities in payers' fee schedules.

An Introduction to Tablet PCs
Ronald L. Machado, MD
With this technology, you can access and update electronic medical records from anywhere - with a keyboard or a pen.

Asthma Days: An Approach to Planned Asthma Care
Kurtis S. Elward, MD, MPH, FAAFP
Find out how one practice has improved care and outcomes for its asthma patients and increased practice revenue at the same time.

GETTING PAID
Understanding When to Use Modifier -25
Thomas A. Felger, MD, and Marie Felger, CPC, CCS-P
This code can help you to get reimbursed for the extra work you do at certain visits.

CODING & DOCUMENTATION
Answers to Your Questions
Kent J. Moore
CPT's pharmacologic management code • ECG code for symptomatic patients • Biopsy code 11100 • Cryotherapy for multiple warts • Failed venipuncture • CPT codes for wound care • Reporting INR • Trigger-point injection codes • ICD-9 code for a TB test

IMPROVING PATIENT CARE
A Tool for Evaluating Patients With Cold Symptoms
Thomas J. Weida, MD
A problem-specific encounter form can simplify your documentation and improve patient care.

BALANCING ACT
The Big Deal About Small Talk
Carla Jardim, MD
Chitchat isn't idle. It can actually improve the doctor-patient relationship and increase your job satisfaction.

EDITOR'S PAGE
High-Energy, High-Return Practice
Robert L. Edsall
If you can find the energy for practice improvement, you can make life better - and not just for your patients.

LETTERS
Determining a proper sample size • Evaluating clinical literature • Putting the family in family medicine

MONITOR
Investing in IT could get easier • FP income comparisons

PRACTICE DIARY
Sanford J. Brown, MD
Family medicine • Pearl

ASK FPM
Visitors in the office • Getting paid for depression care • Signing a contract addendum • Employment for residents

Cover illustration © 2004 Timothy Cook

Copyright © 2004 by the American Academy of Family Physicians.
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