features

21 Level-II vs. Level-III Visits: Cracking the Codes (PDF available)

Thomas A. Waller, MD

Once you learn the rules, choosing the right code is easier than you think.

27 CPT 2007: New Codes, New Rules and New Opportunities (PDF available)

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Your superbill should reflect revised codes related to anticoagulation management, lesion destruction and more on Jan. 1.

33 What Do We Really Know About Patient Satisfaction? (PDF available)

C. Carolyn Thiedke, MD

A review of the literature reveals practical ways to improve patient satisfaction and compelling reasons to do so.

41 Grade Your Payers: The Final Call for Survey Responses (PDF available)

Take our survey online or on paper by March 1 to grade your health plans on their payment rates, claims processing, contracts and more.

departments

8 from the editor

Where We're Coming From

Robert L. Edsall

FPM's aim is to help you succeed now and in the long term.

11 letters

Saving the sample closet • Flu vaccine distribution • Pharmacists as nonphysician practitioners

12 news & trends

CMS bumps pay for point-of-care A1C tests • Congress halts Medicare cuts at last hour, establishes bonus for data reporting • Rising overhead hurts FP profits • Retail clinics continue to make news

18 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Hospital admission and discharge • Assessing older drivers • Tdap injections

45 practice pearls

Enrolling in Medicare • Escort your geriatric patients to the exam room • Keep your staff safe • Use metaphors to increase patient compliance • Get to know your staff with games at staff meetings • Display family pictures in your exam rooms

47 FPM QUIZ

Earn 2.25 CME credits.

52 the last word

Auld Lang Syne: Practice Management Resolutions for the New Year

Mitchell L. Cohen, MD

It's time to set some practical goals that will improve your life as a family physician.

2 CONTACT US

49 CLASSIFIEDS

51 authors guide