features

33 New Drugs: How to Decide Which Ones to Prescribe
(PDF available)

Philip J. Mohler, MD

Four questions will help you identify which new drugs represent real advances in patient care.

39 Improve Your ICD-9 Coding With Voice-Recognition Macros
(PDF available)

Dale J. Kliner, MD, PhD

A voice-recognition system can automatically insert the correct ICD-9 codes into your dictated note.

45 Precertification, Denials and Appeals: Reducing the Hassles
(PDF available)

Anthony N. Akosa, MD, MBA

These tips can save you time and frustration when dealing with health plans.

51 Getting Off the Collections Treadmill (PDF available)

Kristen Dillon, MD

After repeatedly sending the same accounts to collection, this practice created a new policy to resolve the problem of patients who don't pay.

57 Don't Be a Target for a Malpractice Suit (PDF available)

Edward G. Zurad, MD

Protect yourself with these tips from a family physician who has successfully defended his care and that of other physicians.

DEPARTMENTS

14 from the editor

34 Pieces of Advice Worth Repeating

Robert L. Edsall

You know it's really good advice if you want to hear it again.

16 letters

Reinventing the specialty

25 news & trends

Small but growing numbers of physicians drop health plans • CMS proposes edits of more than 10,000 CPT, HCPCS codes • Colonoscopy guideline could aid FPs seeking privileges • United tests program to pay patients' share of medical bills • Who has the best job in America? • "Steep decline" in competition benefits health insurers • Researchers examine what makes a small medical group exemplary

30 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

99211 for a blood pressure check • OB care before and after a C-section • Counseling when the patient is not present • Diagnosis codes for Medicare's initial exam

69 practice pearls

Identify patients who need a checkup • Remember to consider 99214 • Reconsider records requests • Create an electronic filing cabinet • Build staff morale

71 FPM QUIZ

Earn 4.5 CME credits.

76 the last word

Dressed to Ill

Bobby J. Newbell, MD

If a shirt and tie are too formal and jeans and a T-shirt are too casual, what's a doctor to do?

4 contact us

74 Classifieds

75 authors guide