features

28 Improving Office Practice: Working Smarter, Not Harder (PDF available)

Christine A. Sinsky, MD

Seemingly simple strategies can transform your practice.

37 How to Fire a Staff Member (PDF available)

Gino J. Benedetti, JD

Following clear guidelines will help you handle this sensitive situation efficiently and professionally.

45 Effective Work Relationships: A Vital Ingredient in Your Practice (PDF available)

J. LeBron McBride, PhD, MPH

It takes time and effort to create positive work relationships, but the payoff is worth it.

49 Negotiating a Contract With a Health Plan (PDF available)

Christine L. Jones, BS, and Terry L. Mills Jr., MD, FAAFP

You'll manage the process confidently if you ask these questions before it starts.

DEPARTMENTS

14 from the editor

FPM Is Expanding Its Panel of Reviewers

Robert L. Edsall

We need your help to keep FPM practical, authoritative, readable and, above all, useful.

16 letters

Closing the sample closet

22 news & trends

Take Care clinics in Portland close quickly • Another flu season, another vaccine delay • Study examines surveys of EHR usage • IOM issues report on pay for performance in Medicare • Physicians clash with United over contracts, payments, policies

27 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Using 82270 and G0107 for fecal occult test • Average charges for E/M codes • Time-based coding • Preoperative consultations

63 practice pearls

Detecting signs of fraud • Hold a flu shot clinic • Document visits with Instant Text

67 FPM QUIZ

Earn 3 CME credits.

74 the last word

Fixing Patients vs. Fixing Bicycles

Christopher Wenner, MD

"If X then Y" rarely works when you're dealing with patients.

4 Contact us

71 Classifieds

73 authors guide