features

28 A Refresher on Medical Necessity (PDF available)

Peter R. Jensen, MD, CPC

Reviewing the rules and examining your coding practices can decrease denials and help you get paid.

37 Finding the Perfect Job (PDF available)

Jack Valancy, MBA

Here's a plan for figuring out which practice is right for you.

44 The Top PDA Resources for Family Physicians (PDF available)

Alvin B. Lin, MD, FAAFP

Here are 15 resources that can make you more effective with your handheld.

50 How to Plan an Open House for Your Practice (PDF available)

Joshua S. Coren, DO, MBA

An open house can help you attract new patients and retain existing ones. Here's how to pull it off in five simple steps.

59 How Does Your Practice Measure Up? (PDF available)

Bruce Bagley, MD

The ability to collect and use data to improve performance is becoming an essential practice management skill.

69 What Family Physicians Need to Know About Pay for Performance
(PDF available)

Scott Endsley, MD, MSc, Geof Baker, Bernard A. Kershner and Kathleen Curtin

Yes, the concept has flaws, but it may also have promise. Regardless, it's headed your way.

DEPARTMENTS

14 from the editor

Sinking Toward a Fertile Chaos

Robert L. Edsall

We may be approaching the failure of the past and the birth of the future of health care.

16 letters

Family medicine vs. retail medicine • Reinventing the specialty, continued • The health plan's job • The pros and cons of sole proprietorship • Dressing the part

20 news & trends

Medicare proposes substantial changes to physician fee schedule • Physician income declines between 1995 and 2003 • Health plans reverse troubling payment policies • Court tosses out suit against health plans

25 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Billing for group visits • Multiple physicians for one patient • Communicating with nursing home staff • Laser therapy • "Get-acquainted" visits • Wound repair • E codes as secondary diagnoses • Telephone counseling

77 practice pearls

Simplify your phone service • Initiating background checks on potential employees • Remind patients to get A1C checks • Manage by walking around • Host a tailgate with drug reps • Encourage vacations • Follow up with your patients • Create templates for study orders

81 FPM QUIZ

Earn 4 CME credits.

84A The FPM Guide to Assembly CME

A tear-out reference to practice management offerings at the AAFP's Scientific Assembly, Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, in Washington.

88 the last word

Diagnosis Du Jour

Zachary Flake, MD

When you happen upon a new diagnosis, a strange phenomenon occurs: Its prevalence increases in your practice.

4 contact us

85 Classifieds

87 authors guide