FEATURES

28 CPT 2006: Another Year, Another Round of Updates (PDF available)

Cindy Hughes, CPC

The E/M codes for consultations and nursing facility visits reflect some of this year's significant changes.

32 Preparing for an Influenza Pandemic: Vaccine Prioritization (PDF available)

Jonathan L. Temte, MD, PhD

Here's how to determine which patients and employees in your practice should receive the influenza vaccine if a pandemic occurs.

37 Group Visits for Chronic Illness Care: Models, Benefits and Challenges (PDF available)

Raja Jaber, MD, Amy Braksmajer, MPH, and Jeffrey Trilling, MD

With proper planning, group visits can expand your options for managing the care of chronically ill patients.

47 Seven Characteristics of Successful Work Relationships (PDF available)

Alfred F. Tallia, MD, MPH, Holly J. Lanham, MBA, Reuben R. McDaniel, Jr., EdD, and Benjamin F. Crabtree, PhD

Your clinical and financial success may depend on work relationships within your practice.

58 Are You Ready for Medicare Part D? (PDF available)

Holly Biola, MD

Understanding the basics will help you field patients' questions about the new prescription drug benefit.

DEPARTMENTS

14 FRom the editor

Influenza Pandemic: Preparing for the Unpredictable

Robert L. Edsall

How much should you prepare for a crisis that may not happen?

15 editorial

Rekindling the Fire of Family Medicine

William J. Hueston, MD

Dissatisfaction is growing among family physicians and throughout primary care. Can the trend be reversed?

20 Letters

Pure nonsense • Homogenized lemmings, continued • EHRs and disaster management • Improving chronic care • The survey says ...

24 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Vaccination codes for Hib and influenza • Penile nerve blocks during a circumcision • Charging for a sterile surgical pack

27 news & trends

Physicians await action to prevent Medicare payment cuts • Medicare takes first steps toward pay-for-performance

65 practice pearls

Let your dog be your receptionist • Reduce credentialing hassles • Motivate with numbers • Modify patient handouts and forms "just in time" • Avoid burnout • Get rid of waste

67 FPM QUIZ

Earn 3.5 CME credits.

72 the last word

The Firing Squad

Zachary Flake, MD

Breaking up is hard to do, even with difficult patients.

4 Contact us

69 Classifieds