FEATURES

38 Creating a High-Performing Clinical Team (PDF available)

L. Gordon Moore, MD

Delivering top-notch care requires more than individual skill and motivation.

45 EHRs in the Exam Room: Tips on Patient-Centered Care (PDF available)

William Ventres, MD, MA, Sarah Kooienga, FNP, and Ryan Marlin, MD, MPH

With a thoughtful approach, you can maintain your focus on the patient.

48 Patient Balances: Getting to the Root of the Problem
(PDF available)

Kristen Dillon, MD

In less than a year, this practice cut its accounts receivable in half by changing its approach to billing.

59 Implementing Open-Access Scheduling in an Academic Practice (PDF available)

Jeffrey R. Steinbauer, MD, Karla Korell, BS, Jennifer Erdin, BBA, and Stephen J. Spann, MD, MBA

This group overcame staffing complexities on the road to open access.

71 How Consumer-Driven Health Plans Will Affect Your Practice (PDF available)

Brandi White

This new way of paying for health care could realign the doctor-patient relationship and reduce the role of third-party payers, but only if it's done right.

DEPARTMENTS

14 from the editor

Fishing for 'Pearls'

Robert L. Edsall

You can turn practice tips into money and fame (well, a little of each, anyway).

18 editorial

Disabled ... or Otherwise Enabled?

James Glazer, MD

Family physicians have become the arbiters of disability, and it's a tough job.

23 letters

Medicare Part D • Rekindling the fire, continued • Medical necessity and level-IV visits

29 news & trends

Aetna makes it official: no more bundling of E/M codes • Medicare pilot uses care coordinators to manage patients' chronic diseases • Internists predict "impending collapse of primary care" • EHR adoption could be slower than expected • FPs implement new approaches to care • Legal opinion supports FPs who perform endoscopic procedures

33 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Hospital admission following an office visit • When PAs perform surgical procedures • Emergency office services • ICD-9 code for tick removal • Immunizations at a preventive visit • Performing and interpreting X-rays

81 practice pearls

Create a coding resource guide • Benchmark for success • Allot salaries and distributions correctly • Promote professionalism • Reduce your malpractice risk

87 FPM QUIZ

Earn 4.5 CME credits.

92 the last word

What to Do When the Thrill Is Gone

J. LeBron McBride, PhD, MPH

With a little soul-searching, you can conquer boredom in your life and work.

4 contact us

89 Classifieds

91 authors guide