FEATURES

16 CPT 2008: A Glimpse of the Future of Family Medicine? (PDF available)

Cindy Hughes, CPC

This year's new codes cover evaluations done over the phone or online.

22 Preventive Medicine: Giving Patients the Hard Sell (PDF available)

Linwood W. Watson, MD

Your patients will be better off if you take a more active approach and consistently advocate for prevention.

25 Demystifying Computer Networks for Small Practices (PDF available)

Glen Stream, MD, and Justin Fletcher, PhD

With the right features and proper security, your network can improve your practice's efficiency and make your job easier.

32 Transforming Your Practice: What Matters Most (PDF available)

Katherine Gottlieb, MBA, Ileen Sylvester, MBA, and Douglas Eby, MD, MPH

When customers drive the system, it changes everything - for the better.

DEPARTMENTS

6 from the editor

The Snake on the Torch

Robert L. Edsall

The Academy's new symbol gives it a lot to live up to.

7 opinion

Does Primary Care Need Medicare?

Douglas Iliff, MD

Its payment system undervalues primary care, and its regulations include jail time for physicians' mistakes. What's not to love?

11 CME QUIZ

Earn 2.75 CME credits.

13 letters

Home sweet medical home • The latest word on OB care in family medicine

14 news & trends

Congress delays potential cuts in Medicare pay for six months • ACP backs single-payer system • United Healthcare paying attention to image • Study examines doctors' professionalism

41 practice pearls

Find formulary information quickly online • Remember the power of "we" • Let the EOB substitute for a bill • Create a partnership between billing and front-desk employees • Ease children's fear of exams

43 Coding & Documentation

Cindy Hughes, CPC

Diagnosis codes for PPD test • Comparing E/M code usage • Denials for injury codes • Requirements for 99374 • Coding for cosmetic procedures • Medicaid and G codes • Instructions for inhaler use

48 the last word

Doing What Has Always Worked

Sanford J. Brown, MD

Progress is never free, and it isn't all it's cracked up to be.

8 CONTACT US

45 CLASSIFIEDS