features

26 Are You Ready to Discuss Complementary and Alternative Medicine? (PDF available)

Janine A. Blackman, MD, PhD

If you haven't been communicating openly about these therapies with your patients, you may be missing a valuable opportunity.

33 Billing for Medicare Part D Vaccines (PDF available)

Kent J. Moore

CMS introduced vaccine administration code G0377 for 2007, but what you will report next year is still unknown.

39 Improving Care With an Automated Patient History (PDF available)

John Bachman, MD

The best way to fill your EHR with patient data might be to let your patients do it themselves.

44 The Art of Apology: When and How to Seek Forgiveness (PDF available)

Richard G. Roberts, MD, JD, FAAFP

If a medical mistake in your practice is worthy of an apology, make sure you offer it skillfully.

departments

10 from the editor

Practice a Half Century Ago and Now

Robert L. Edsall

What good old days? You're $1.35 an hour better off today.

12AThe FPM Guide to Assembly CME

A reference to practice management offerings at the AAFP's Scientific Assembly, Oct. 3-6, in Chicago.

13 opinion

Passion: The Power of Family Medicine

David Switzer, MD

To save the specialty, we need to recognize what makes a good family physician.

15 letters

More on high-low agreements • TransforMED and rebuilding family medicine • Managing your panel size • How do you define "new patient"? • Correction

19 news & trends

AMA challenges United, retail clinics • Union barred from helping doctors negotiate with insurers • Physician compensation • IRS OKs EHR donations from hospitals • P4P doesn't necessarily improve care • Medical group goes public with its fees • Medicare updates PQRI codes • Spending study prompts call for diabetes czar

24 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Multiple procedures at the same visit • Lesion excisions • Performing CPR in the office • Vitamin B12 injections • Supplying oxygen to patients • New vaccines • Glucose tolerance tests • Ordering the CMS-1500 form

50 practice pearls

Reducing no-shows • Prevent medication diversion • Highlight immunizations in charts

52 FPM QUIZ

Earn 3.25 CME credits.

56 the last word

Making the Most of the Daily Commute

Mitchell L. Cohen, MD

Technology can make your commuting time more productive, but don't underestimate the value of simply watching the trees go by.

2 CONTACT US

54 CLASSIFIEDS

55 AUTHORS GUIDE