2004 Index
January - November/December 2004
AAFP
Are Electronic Records Catching On? (Editor's Page), March 2004, p. 13.
AAFP Congress Moves to Create Political Action Committee, Approves Other Resolutions (Monitor), November/December 2004, p. 39.
BUSINESS PLANNING
Creating a Successful After-Hours Clinic, January 2004, p. 39.
How to Decide Whether to Buy New Medical Equipment, March 2004, p. 53.
Should You Charge Your Patients for "Free" Services? July/August 2004, p. 43.
Starting a Practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area (Ask FPM), November/December 2004, p. 77.
CAREER OPTIONS
Stepping Up to the Challenge (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Recapturing Job Satisfaction (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Solo Is Best (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Reinventing Solo Practice (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
More Tips for Burnout Prevention (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Family Medicine Residencies (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Survey Finds Veteran Physicians Generally Dissatisfied (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Locum Tenens II (Diary), March 2004, p. 85.
Part-Time Practice: Making It Work, June 2004, p. 45.
Role Models (Diary), July/August 2004, p. 54.
Employment for Residents (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
CHRONIC ILLNESS CARE
Patient-Physician Partnering to Improve Chronic Disease Care, May 2004, p. 55.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
High-Energy, High-Return Practice (Editor's Page), October 2004, p. 12.
Asthma Days: An Approach to Planned Asthma Care, October 2004, p. 43.
CODING: CPT
"Overcoding" the Statistics (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
CPT: What's in Store for 2004? January 2004, p. 18.
Emergency Office Services (Coding Q&A), January 2004, p. 22.
Coding Multiple Same-Day, Same-Diagnosis Visits (Coding Q&A), January 2004, p. 22.
Excision vs. Destruction (Coding Q&A), January 2004, p. 22.
Is That Patient New? (Letters), February 2004, p. 17.
Tips for Coding 99214 (Letters), February 2004, p. 17.
How to Code for Observation Services, February 2004, p. 23.
Preventive & E/M Services at a New Patient Visit (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Time-Based Coding (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Same-Day Hospital-to-Hospital Transfer (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Replacing a PEG Tube (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Coding for Depression Without Getting Depressed, March 2004, p. 23.
Prolonged Services Codes (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Coding an "Interview" Visit (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Postcircumcision Service (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Casting & Strapping (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Initial or Subsequent Hospital Care? (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Setting Up Your Charges (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Coding Translator Time (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Blood-Pressure Checks (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Tracheostomy Tube (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Patient Representative (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Cerumen Removal (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Office Spirometry (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding, April 2004, p. 49.
Low-Level Initial Hospital Care (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Office Visit & Injection (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Emergency Inpatient Consultations (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Two Skin Lesion Biopsies (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Lab Prep Codes (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Coding the Use of Dermabond (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Splinter Removal (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Coding a Comparison X-ray (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Are You Coding Accurately? June 2004, p. 20.
Office Visit & Nebulizer Treatment (Coding Q&A), June 2004, p. 24.
Admissions on Separate Dates (Coding Q&A), June 2004, p. 24.
Coding a Discharge Summary (Coding Q&A), June 2004, p. 24.
Understanding When to Use 99211, June 2004, p. 32.
Billing for Your Work With Surgeons, July/August 2004, p. 16.
99211 & Immunizations (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
"Self-Limited, Minor" Problems (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
After Office Hours (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
Multiple Procedures at the Same Visit (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
School Physical Forms (Coding Q&A), September 2004, p. 23.
Hospital Care for Partner's Patients (Coding Q&A), September 2004, p. 23.
Understanding When to Use Modifier -25, October 2004, p. 21.
CPT's Pharmacologic Management Code (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
ECG Code for Symptomatic Patients (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Biopsy Code 11100 (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Cryotherapy for Multiple Warts (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Failed Venipuncture (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
CPT Codes for Wound Care (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Reporting INR (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Trigger-point Injection Codes (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
A Limit to 99214? (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
When Someone Else Discharges Your Hospitalized Patient (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Coding a Flu Shot (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Same-day E/M & Circumcision (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Coding Assessment and CPR (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Observation to Inpatient Status (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Maintenance of a PICC Line (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
CODING: ICD-9
Coding for Depression Without Getting Depressed, March 2004, p. 23.
Coding an "Interview" Visit (Coding Q&A), March 2004, p. 28.
Patient Representative (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
ICD-9 "Omit Code" (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding, April 2004, p. 49.
Billing for Your Work With Surgeons, July/August 2004, p. 16.
ICD-9 Changes: Update Now or Pay Later, September 2004, p. 17.
ICD-9 Code for a TB Test (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Navigating the Medicare Web Site, November/December 2004, p. 31.
ICD-9 Code for Hearing Loss (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Same-day E/M & Circumcision (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
How to Make the Media Your Public Health Partner, May 2004, p. 40.
Getting the Most From Language Interpreters, June 2004, p. 37.
Using Bilingual Staff Members as Interpreters, July/August 2004, p. 34.
Sticking the Landing: How to Create a Clean End to a Medical Visit, July/August 2004, p. 51.
Managing Family Dynamics, July/August 2004, p. 70.
The Big Deal About Small Talk, October 2004, p. 68.
Including Deaf Patients in the Conversation (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
Put Yourself in Patients' Shoes (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
What Patients Want (Monitor), November/December 2004, p. 39.
What Motivates Staff? November/December 2004, p. 54.
Five Ways to Retain Good Staff, November/December 2004, p. 57.
Using Updates to Ease Your Workday and Your Mind, November/December 2004, p. 84.
COMPENSATION
The Stark Truth About the Stark Law: Part II, February 2004, p. 41.
Financial Arrangements for New Physicians (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Compensation Formulas (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Money and Status (Letters), September 2004, p. 14.
Investing in IT Could Get Easier (Monitor), October 2004, p. 28.
Negotiating Your Semi-Retirement Package, November/December 2004, p. 51.
COMPUTERIZATION
What's Worth Scanning Into an EMR? (Ask FPM), January 2004, p. 62.
Creating an Electronic Filing Cabinet, January 2004, p. 65.
A Primer on Wireless Networks, February 2004, p. 69.
Are Electronic Records Catching On? (Editor's Page), March 2004, p. 13.
Communicating With Your Patients Online, March 2004, p. 93.
The Range of a Wireless Network (Letters), April 2004, p. 14.
Electronic Filing Cabinet Tips (Letters), April 2004, p. 14.
Recommendations for the Future of Family Medicine, April 2004, p. 34.
Online Communication With Patients: Making It Work, April 2004, p. 73.
Evaluating the Efficiencies of Technology (Letters), May 2004, p. 21.
What Do You Need to Know About Information Technology? May 2004, p. 62.
Online Consultations Outside Your Patient Base (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Investing in IT Could Get Easier (Monitor), October 2004, p. 28.
An Introduction to Tablet PCs, October 2004, p. 36.
Navigating the Medicare Web Site, November/December 2004, p. 31.
Why It's Time to Purchase an Electronic Health Record System, November/December 2004, p. 43.
COST-EFFECTIVE CARE
"Rational Rationing" Would Improve Quality, Cut Costs (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
DOCUMENTATION
Documenting History (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Documenting Sick-Leave Excuses (Ask FPM), February 2004, p. 67.
Documenting Time (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Understanding When to Use 99211, June 2004, p. 32.
Documenting E/M Services With Checklists (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Delayed Dictation (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
A Tool For Evaluating Patients With Cold Symptoms, October 2004, p. 53.
Coding for a Delivery by the Resident (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Coding for Sports Event Coverage (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Medicare Teaching Rules, November/December 2004, p. 77.
Dictation Reminders (Ask FPM), November/December 2004, p. 77.
EMPLOYED PHYSICIANS
Financial Arrangements for New Physicians (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Signing a Contract Addendum (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
Employment for Residents (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
ETHICAL PRACTICE
Not-So-White Lies (Letters), June 2004, p. 18.
EVIDENCE-BASED MEDICINE
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions, January 2004, p. 53.
The Evidence-Based Medicine Heresy (Editor's Page), February 2004, p. 13.
Making Evidence-Based Medicine Doable in Everyday Practice, February 2004, p. 51.
A Tool for Evaluating Hypertension, March 2004, p. 79.
EBM in AFP (Letters), May 2004, p. 21.
Defending EBM (Letters), May 2004, p. 21.
FACILITIES & EQUIPMENT
The Stark Truth About the Stark Law: Part II, February 2004, p. 41.
How to Decide Whether to Buy New Medical Equipment, March 2004, p. 53.
Equipment Leases (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Waiting Room Entertainment (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Adding Radiology to Your Practice (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Waiting Room Entertainment and Copyright Laws (Letters), July/August 2004, p. 12.
Making Time to Listen, September 2004, p. 45.
Why It's Time to Purchase an Electronic Health Record System, November/December 2004, p. 43.
FAMILY MEDICINE ISSUES
Changing the Perception of Family Medicine (Letters), February 2004, p. 17.
Preserving Family Medicine's Integrity (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Family Medicine Residencies (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Survey Finds Veteran Physicians Generally Dissatisfied (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Fighting for Hospital Privileges, March 2004, p. 69.
Respecifying the Specialty (Editor's Page), April 2004, p. 13.
Recommendations for the Future of Family Medicine, April 2004, p. 34.
What's in a Name? (Diary), April 2004, p. 60.
Proceduralism Would Boost Interest in the Specialty (Letters), May 2004, p. 21.
Family Medicine Match Numbers Rise (Monitor), May 2004, p. 32.
Practicing in an Absurd System (Editor's Page), June 2004, p. 17.
18 Glimpses of Tomorrow (Editor's Page), September 2004, p. 13.
How Different Are Internists and FPs? (Letters), September 2004, p. 14.
Money and Status (Letters), September 2004, p. 14.
Just What Is a Family Physician, Anyway? (Letters), September 2004, p. 14.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
Making a Living and a Life, September 2004, p. 70.
Putting the Family in Family Medicine (Letters), October 2004, p. 14.
Family Medicine (Diary), October 2004, p. 57.
Spoofing Spurious Science (Editorial), November/December 2004, p. 15.
Accentuating the Positive in Family Medicine (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
Rational World a Better Environment for Physicians (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
"Listen" Article Inspires Med Student (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
Two Ways of Looking at a Healthy Practice (Editor's Page), January 2004, p. 11.
Three Steps to an Effective Practice Budget, January 2004, p. 46.
How to Decide Whether to Buy New Medical Equipment, March 2004, p. 53.
Why Every Practice Needs a Payment Policy, April 2004, p. 17.
Calculating Your Costs per Visit, April 2004, p. 41.
Billing Costs (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Making Time to Listen, September 2004, p. 45.
Can You Negotiate Better Reimbursement? October 2004, p. 31.
Starting a Practice in a Health Professional Shortage Area (Ask FPM), November/December 2004, p. 77.
FPM (PUBLICATION)
What Do You Need to Know About Information Technology? May 2004, p. 62.
18 Glimpses of Tomorrow (Editor's Page), September 2004, p. 13.
A Gift for Our Peer Reviewers: CME Credit (Editor's Page), November/December 2004, p. 11.
An Apostle of "Big Ideas" (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
GOVERNMENT ISSUES & REGULATIONS
The Stark Truth About the Stark Law: Part II, February 2004, p. 41.
HIPAA Authorizations (Ask FPM), February 2004, p. 67.
Physicians Support Single-Payer System, Less Paperwork, Says Survey (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Answering Machine Messages (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Business Associate Agreements (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Communicating With Your Patients Online, March 2004, p. 93.
Physician Couples and the Stark Statute (Letters), May 2004, p. 21.
PAs and the Stark Statute (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Referral to a Specialist (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Practicing in an Absurd System (Editor's Page), June 2004, p. 17.
Hipaaposterous, June 2004, p. 68.
Supreme Court Limits Lawsuits Against HMOs (Monitor), July/August 2004, p. 23.
Visitors in the Office (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
GROUP PRACTICE
Implementing Advanced Access in a Group Practice Network, May 2004, p. 35.
Weekend Call in a Group Practice (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
LEADERSHIP
What Makes a Leader? (Letters), February 2004, p. 17.
18 Glimpses of Tomorrow (Editor's Page), September 2004, p. 13.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
Five Ways to Retain Good Staff, November/December 2004, p. 57.
LEGISLATION
Hipaaposterous, June 2004, p. 68.
LIABILITY ISSUES
Malpractice Premium Rates Could Rise Despite New State Laws (Monitor), January 2004, p. 25.
The Cost of White Lies, March 2004, p. 62.
Malpractice Insurance Policies (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Purchasing Tail Coverage (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
Supreme Court Limits Lawsuits Against HMOs (Monitor), July/August 2004, p. 23.
Do You Have the Right Malpractice Insurance Policy? November/December 2004, p. 64.
LIFE BALANCE
Keeping Medicine Meaningful (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Focusing on the Positive (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Words of Encouragement (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Mentors (Diary), January 2004, p. 60.
If, January 2004, p. 80.
Scoped! (Diary), February 2004, p. 64.
The Fine Art of Refusal, February 2004, p. 80.
More Tips for Burnout Prevention (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Locum Tenens II (Diary), March 2004, p. 85.
Teaching Kindness, April 2004, p. 82.
Skunked! (Diary), May 2004, p. 59.
A Good Samaritan (Diary), May 2004, p. 59.
Blending Work and Family, May 2004, p. 72.
Part-Time Practice: Making It Work, June 2004, p. 45.
Losin' It (Diary), June 2004, p. 59.
Hipaaposterous, June 2004, p. 68.
Role Models (Diary), July/August 2004, p. 54.
Making a Living and a Life, September 2004, p. 70.
The Big Deal About Small Talk, October 2004, p. 68.
Creating the Lifestyle You Want (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
Negotiating Your Semi-Retirement Package, November/December 2004, p. 51.
MANAGED CARE
Credentialing Delays (Ask FPM), February 2004, p. 67.
Physicians Support Single-Payer System, Less Paperwork, Says Survey (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Getting Rewards for Your Results: Pay-for-Performance Programs, March 2004, p. 45.
Aetna, CIGNA Settlements Promise Improved Claims Processing, Better Relations With Physicians (Monitor), April 2004, p. 31.
Simplifying the Credentialing Process, May 2004, p. 24.
Exploring the Limits of an Insane System (Editor's Page), July/August 2004, p. 11.
Supreme Court Limits Lawsuits Against HMOs (Monitor), July/August 2004, p. 23.
Should You Charge Your Patients for "Free" Services? July/August 2004, p. 43.
MEDICARE/MEDICAID
Medicare Payments to Increase as Part of Rx Drug Bill (Monitor), January 2004, p. 25.
Screening Fecal Occult (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Desferal Injection (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Physicians' Reimbursement Claims Face Greater Scrutiny (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
The Stark Truth About the Stark Law: Part II, February 2004, p. 41.
Credentialing Delays (Ask FPM), February 2004, p. 67.
Coding for Depression Without Getting Depressed, March 2004, p. 23.
MedPAC Recommends a 2.5-Percent Update for Physicians in 2005 (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Coding Translator Time (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Blood-Pressure Checks (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding, April 2004, p. 49.
Lab Prep Codes (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Coding the Use of Dermabond (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Coding a Comparison X-ray (Coding Q&A), May 2004, p. 29.
Medicare Overpayments (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Understanding When to Use 99211, June 2004, p. 32.
Name Changes and Claims Hassles (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
Exploring the Limits of an Insane System (Editor's Page), July/August 2004, p. 11.
Billing for Your Work With Surgeons, July/August 2004, p. 16.
HCPCS Codes for Nubain & Phenergan (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
Benadryl Injection (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
Backlog in Medicare Enrollment Processing Continues (Monitor), July/August 2004, p. 23.
Should You Charge Your Patients for "Free" Services? July/August 2004, p. 43.
Delayed Dictation (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Hospital Care for Partner's Patients (Coding Q&A), September 2004, p. 23.
Understanding When to Use Modifier -25, October 2004, p. 21.
Reporting INR (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Getting Paid for Depression Care (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
Navigating the Medicare Web Site, November/December 2004, p. 31.
Coding a Flu Shot (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Coding for a Delivery by the Resident (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
Medicare Teaching Rules, November/December 2004, p. 77.
MIDLEVEL PROVIDERS
PAs and the Stark Statute (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
NEGOTIATION & CONTRACTING
Vital Practices Need Adequate Reimbursement (Letters), April 2004, p. 14.
Financial Arrangements for New Physicians (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Purchasing Tail Coverage (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
Can You Negotiate Better Reimbursement? October 2004, p. 31.
Signing a Contract Addendum (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
Negotiating Your Semi-Retirement Package, November/December 2004, p. 51.
PATIENT RELATIONS
Creating a Successful After-Hours Clinic, January 2004, p. 39.
Is the Customer Always Right? Part II (Diary), January 2004, p. 60.
Helping Patients Get Politically Involved (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling, February 2004, p. 35.
A Pain in the Neck (Diary), February 2004, p. 64.
When Customer Service and Patient Care Collide (Editorial), March 2004, p. 14.
Understanding Your Medical Bills: an FPM Patient Handout, March 2004, p. 30.
Creating a Patient-Centered Culture in Your Practice (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
One Thing Leads to Another... (Diary), March 2004, p. 85.
Waiting Room Entertainment (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Why Every Practice Needs a Payment Policy, April 2004, p. 17.
What's in a Name? (Diary), April 2004, p. 60.
How to Make the Media Your Public Health Partner, May 2004, p. 40.
Handling Patients Who Don't Pay (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Getting the Most From Language Interpreters, June 2004, p. 37.
Patients Are Customers Too (Letters), July/August 2004, p. 12.
Using Bilingual Staff Members as Interpreters, July/August 2004, p. 34.
Sticking the Landing: How to Create a Clean End to a Medical Visit, July/August 2004, p. 51.
Horses vs. Zebras V (Diary), July/August 2004, p. 54.
Online Consultations Outside Your Patient Base (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Managing Family Dynamics, July/August 2004, p. 70.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
Group Visits Hit the Road, September 2004, p. 39.
Making Time to Listen, September 2004, p. 45.
"Insuring" the Uninsured, September 2004, p. 51.
Starting the Doctor-Patient Relationship on the Right Foot, September 2004, p. 55.
The Vampire (Diary), September 2004, p. 59.
Family Medicine (Diary), October 2004, p. 57.
Pearl (Diary), October 2004, p. 57.
Getting Paid for Depression Care (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
The Big Deal About Small Talk, October 2004, p. 68.
Put Yourself in Patients' Shoes (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
"Listen" Article Inspires Med Student (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
What Patients Want (Monitor), November/December 2004, p. 39.
Estimating the Risks of Coronary Angioplasty, November/December 2004, p. 71.
Horses vs. Zebras VI (Diary), November/December 2004, p. 74.
A Missed Appointment (Diary), November/December 2004, p. 74.
PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Spoofing Spurious Science (Editorial), November/December 2004, p. 15.
PHYSICIAN PROFILING
Getting Rewards for Your Results: Pay-for-Performance Programs, March 2004, p. 45.
PRACTICE DEVELOPMENT
The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling, February 2004, p. 35.
PRACTICE PROCESSES
Two Ways of Looking at a Healthy Practice (Editor's Page), January 2004, p. 11.
"Doing It All" With Open Access (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Tracking Office-Visit Cycle Time (Monitor), January 2004, p. 25.
Five Strategies for a More Vital Practice, January 2004, p. 31.
Creating a Successful After-Hours Clinic, January 2004, p. 39.
Three Steps to an Effective Practice Budget, January 2004, p. 46.
The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling, February 2004, p. 35.
Documenting Sick-Leave Excuses (Ask FPM), February 2004, p. 67.
Re-evaluate Your Meetings (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Using a Tracking Book for Unresolved Issues, April 2004, p. 56.
Charging for Missed Appointments (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Open Access: Whatever You May Think, It Works (Editor's Page), May 2004, p. 17.
Implementing Advanced Access in a Group Practice Network, May 2004, p. 35.
Handling Patients Who Don't Pay (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Optimize Your Care Team (Monitor), June 2004, p. 27.
Weekend Call in a Group Practice (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
How to Use Scheduling Data to Improve Efficiency, July/August 2004, p. 27.
Billing Costs (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
"Insuring" the Uninsured, September 2004, p. 51.
Starting the Doctor-Patient Relationship on the Right Foot, September 2004, p. 55.
Writing Off Patient Balances (Ask FPM), September 2004, p. 60.
High-Energy, High-Return Practice (Editor's Page), October 2004, p. 12.
Asthma Days: An Approach to Planned Asthma Care, October 2004, p. 43.
A Tool For Evaluating Patients With Cold Symptoms, October 2004, p. 53.
Rational World a Better Environment for Physicians (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
Make Sure Patients Are Ready for the Doctor (Monitor), November/December 2004, p. 39.
Administrative Tasks Cost Practices Thousands (Monitor), November/December 2004, p. 39.
What Motivates Staff? November/December 2004, p. 54.
Five Ways to Retain Good Staff, November/December 2004, p. 57.
Estimating the Risks of Coronary Angioplasty, November/December 2004, p. 71.
Dictation Reminders (Ask FPM), November/December 2004, p. 77.
Using Updates to Ease Your Workday and Your Mind, November/December 2004, p. 84.
PRACTICE SALES & MERGERS
Selling a Practice (Ask FPM), January 2004, p. 62.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions, January 2004, p. 53.
Aspirin Chemoprevention Recommendations (Letters), June 2004, p. 18.
PRODUCTIVITY
Calculating RVUs for FPs (Ask FPM), January 2004, p. 62.
Compensation Formulas (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
QUALITY ISSUES
Two Ways of Looking at a Healthy Practice (Editor's Page), January 2004, p. 11.
Reduce Inappropriate Antibiotic Usage With a SNAP (Monitor), January 2004, p. 25.
Five Strategies for a More Vital Practice, January 2004, p. 31.
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions, January 2004, p. 53.
Is the Customer Always Right? Part II (Diary), January 2004, p. 60.
The Evidence-Based Medicine Heresy (Editor's Page), February 2004, p. 13.
Diagnosing and Treating Strep Throat (Letters), February 2004, p. 17.
"Rational Rationing" Would Improve Quality, Cut Costs (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
Is Your Practice Ready for Change? (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
Making Evidence-Based Medicine Doable in Everyday Practice, February 2004, p. 51.
Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism, February 2004, p. 61.
When Customer Service and Patient Care Collide (Editorial), March 2004, p. 14.
Getting Rewards for Your Results: Pay-for-Performance Programs, March 2004, p. 45.
Fighting for Hospital Privileges, March 2004, p. 69.
A Tool for Evaluating Hypertension, March 2004, p. 79.
Reduce Errors With Incentives (Monitor), April 2004, p. 31.
Recommendations for the Future of Family Medicine, April 2004, p. 34.
Using a Tracking Book for Unresolved Issues, April 2004, p. 56.
A Simple Method for Evaluating the Clinical Literature, May 2004, p. 47.
Patient-Physician Partnering to Improve Chronic Disease Care, May 2004, p. 55.
Aspirin Chemoprevention Recommendations (Letters), June 2004, p. 18.
National Report Card Highlights Opportunities for Improvement (Monitor), June 2004, p. 27.
Optimize Your Care Team (Monitor), June 2004, p. 27.
Acute Otitis Media in Children, June 2004, p. 52.
Patients Are Customers Too (Letters), July/August 2004, p. 12.
Using Bilingual Staff Members as Interpreters, July/August 2004, p. 34.
Horses vs. Zebras V (Diary), July/August 2004, p. 54.
18 Glimpses of Tomorrow (Editor's Page), September 2004, p. 13.
Group Visits Hit the Road, September 2004, p. 39.
High-Energy, High-Return Practice (Editor's Page), October 2004, p. 12.
Determining a Proper Sample Size (Letters), October 2004, p. 14.
Evaluating Clinical Literature (Letters), October 2004, p. 14.
Asthma Days: An Approach to Planned Asthma Care, October 2004, p. 43.
A Tool For Evaluating Patients With Cold Symptoms, October 2004, p. 53.
Estimating the Risks of Coronary Angioplasty, November/December 2004, p. 71.
REFERRAL MANAGEMENT
Referral to a Specialist (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
REIMBURSEMENT
Medicare Payments to Increase as Part of Rx Drug Bill (Monitor), January 2004, p. 25.
Desferal Injection (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Screening Fecal Occult (Coding Q&A), February 2004, p. 27.
Physicians' Reimbursement Claims Face Greater Scrutiny (Monitor), February 2004, p. 31.
The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling, February 2004, p. 35.
Coding for Depression Without Getting Depressed, March 2004, p. 23.
Understanding Your Medical Bills: an FPM Patient Handout, March 2004, p. 30.
Physicians Support Single-Payer System, Less Paperwork, Says Survey (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
MedPAC Recommends a 2.5-Percent Update for Physicians in 2005 (Monitor), March 2004, p. 30.
Getting Rewards for Your Results: Pay-for-Performance Programs, March 2004, p. 45.
Setting Up Your Charges (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Adding Radiology to Your Practice (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
Vital Practices Need Adequate Reimbursement (Letters), April 2004, p. 14.
Coding Translator Time (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Blood-Pressure Checks (Coding Q&A), April 2004, p. 23.
Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding, April 2004, p. 49.
Charging for Missed Appointments (Ask FPM), April 2004, p. 62.
Online Communication With Patients: Making It Work, April 2004, p. 73.
Simplifying the Credentialing Process, May 2004, p. 24.
Medicare Overpayments (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Handling Patients Who Don't Pay (Ask FPM), May 2004, p. 60.
Understanding When to Use 99211, June 2004, p. 32.
Name Changes and Claims Hassles (Ask FPM), June 2004, p. 63.
Exploring the Limits of an Insane System (Editor's Page), July/August 2004, p. 11.
Billing for Your Work With Surgeons, July/August 2004, p. 16.
HCPCS Codes for Nubain & Phenergan (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
Benadryl Injection (Coding Q&A), July/August 2004, p. 19.
Backlog in Medicare Enrollment Processing Continues (Monitor), July/August 2004, p. 23.
Should You Charge Your Patients for "Free" Services? July/August 2004, p. 43.
Documenting E/M Services With Checklists (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Delayed Dictation (Ask FPM), July/August 2004, p. 63.
Hospital Care for Partner's Patients (Coding Q&A), September 2004, p. 23.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
"Insuring" the Uninsured, September 2004, p. 51.
Writing Off Patient Balances (Ask FPM), September 2004, p. 60.
Billing for Precepting (Ask FPM), September 2004, p. 60.
Understanding When to Use Modifier -25, October 2004, p. 21.
Reporting INR (Coding Q&A), October 2004, p. 25.
Can You Negotiate Better Reimbursement? October 2004, p. 31.
Getting Paid for Depression Care (Ask FPM), October 2004, p. 58.
Crunching the Numbers (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
Coding for Sports Event Coverage (Coding Q&A), November/December 2004, p. 35.
A Missed Appointment (Diary), November/December 2004, p. 74.
SCHEDULING
"Doing It All" With Open Access (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
The Outcomes of Open-Access Scheduling, February 2004, p. 35.
Open Access: Whatever You May Think, It Works (Editor's Page), May 2004, p. 17.
Implementing Advanced Access in a Group Practice Network, May 2004, p. 35.
How to Use Scheduling Data to Improve Efficiency, July/August 2004, p. 27.
SOLO PRACTICE
Stepping Up to the Challenge (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Solo Is Best (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Reinventing Solo Practice (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Recapturing Job Satisfaction (Letters), January 2004, p. 14.
Big Ideas to Help Your Practice Thrive, September 2004, p. 27.
Preserving the Solo Physician (Diary), September 2004, p. 59.
STAFFING
Adding Radiology to Your Practice (Ask FPM), March 2004, p. 86.
What Motivates Staff? November/December 2004, p. 54.
Five Ways to Retain Good Staff, November/December 2004, p. 57.
STRESS & CHANGE
More Tips for Burnout Prevention (Letters), March 2004, p. 20.
Creating the Lifestyle You Want (Letters), November/December 2004, p. 21.
TIME MANAGEMENT
The Fine Art of Refusal, February 2004, p. 80.
Rediscovering the Paper Planner, March 2004, p. 100.
Skunked! (Diary), May 2004, p. 59.
Blending Work and Family, May 2004, p. 72.
TOOLS
Three Steps to an Effective Practice Budget, January 2004, p. 46.
Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Clinical Interventions, January 2004, p. 53.
Diagnosing Pulmonary Embolism, February 2004, p. 61.
Understanding Your Medical Bills: an FPM Patient Handout, March 2004, p. 30.
Getting Rewards for Your Results: Pay-for-Performance Programs, March 2004, p. 45.
How to Decide Whether to Buy New Medical Equipment, March 2004, p. 53.
A Tool for Evaluating Hypertension, March 2004, p. 79.
Why Every Practice Needs a Payment Policy, April 2004, p. 17.
Calculating Your Costs per Visit, April 2004, p. 41.
Using a Tracking Book for Unresolved Issues, April 2004, p. 56.
Patient-Physician Partnering to Improve Chronic Disease Care, May 2004, p. 55.
Acute Otitis Media in Children, June 2004, p. 52.
Using Bilingual Staff Members as Interpreters, July/August 2004, p. 34.
Group Visits Hit the Road, September 2004, p. 39.
WEB SITES
Navigating the Medicare Web Site, November/December 2004, p. 31.
