APRIL 1999

Are economic forces and time constraints threatening what's valuable in family practice?

To realize change, rely on the knowledge and experience of a team such as the authors', which improved the care of patients with diabetes.

Following a program like the author's, you can turn annual physical exams into an ongoing process of prevention and health improvement.

Setting aside slots for same-day and follow-up appointments builds patients' trust — and boosts productivity. Here's how to do it.

Probably no two family physicians work at the same pace. That's natural. It also seems to be an endless source of friction between physicians, of anger and of outright angst. True, in a small group with an “eat what you kill” compensation plan and fee-for-service reimbursement…

Medicare now covers education for patients with diabetes, but be sure the right person is doing the educating.

Coding a combination vaccine administration | Billing for preoperative physicals | Disability evaluations and regular office visits | Payment for family-member visits? | Coding for routine diabetes follow-up | Coding Foley catheter placement

Anti-fraud campaign hits the streets | Y2K Update: Health care worst prepared, says Senate report | Match numbers drop again for family practice | Physicians targeted for unionization drive

Mistaken first impressions | An office manager with connections | Getting into med school | Relaxing

The key isn't always to work harder. Sometimes working smarter really can make a difference.

They may sound promising, but not all systems are created equal. Here's a review of three of the best.

Pediatricians joining family physicians | Using “reciprocal billing” arrangements | Contracting with MSOs | Medicare HMOs and out-of-network providers

Want to get a family physician on the board of directors? Here are helpful dos and don'ts.

Identify the principles that are most important to you.