Apr 2004

Features

Recommendations for the Future of Family Medicine

Jennifer S. Bush

Calculating Your Costs per Visit

Jeff Kullgren; Maria D. Sibella

Making Sense of Preventive Medicine Coding

Emily Hill

Departments

Editor's Page

Respecifying the Specialty
Robert L. Edsall

Getting Paid

Why Every Practice Needs a Payment Policy
Maria V. Ciletti

Improving Patient Care

Using a Tracking Book for Unresolved Issues
P. Schludermann

Computers

Online Communication With Patients: Making It Work
Joseph E. Scherger

Balancing Act

Teaching Kindness
James R. Dykes

Coding & Documentation

• Coding Translator Time • Blood-Pressure Checks • Tracheostomy Tube • Patient Representative • Cerumen Removal • Office Spirometry • ICD-9 "Omit Code"

Ask FPM

• Charging for Missed Appointments • Financial Arrangements for New Physicians • Compensation Formulas • Malpractice Insurance Policies

Practice Diary

• What's in a Name?

Monitor

• Aetna, CIGNA Settlements Promise Improved Claims Processing, Better Relations With Physicians • Reduce Errors With Incentives

Letters

• The Range of a Wireless Network

• Vital Practices Need Adequate Reimbursement

• Electronic Filing Cabinet Tips

About the CME Quiz

AAFP members and FPM subscribers can take the CME quiz online at http://www.aafp.org/fpmquiz.

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