MAY 2006

These four components can help you provide care that is more proactive, organized and satisfying.

Learning payers' rules will help you assess the value of hiring an NPP.

It's never too soon to start planning a smooth transition from solo practice to retirement.

Here's what you need to know about this growing trend to give patients access to a portable health record.

Your patients will soon be able to choose between your office and the big-box retailer around the corner when they're feeling sick. Will this trend bring increased competition or cooperation?

Slowly but surely, it's getting easier to help your patients kick the habit.

(But each piece is useful in itself.)

These clinics may be clearing a permanent space for themselves in the health care landscape.

FPM letter

FPM letter

FPM letter

Medicare drug plan enrollment ends; appeals begin | AAFP defends use of high-level E/M codes | TransforMED selects 36 practices to test new model of care

Coding an injection with an office visit | E/M services for unrelated problems on the same day | ED services and admission on the same day | Debridement services | Mini-mental status exams

Model healthy behavior for your patients | Reduce returned mail | Create a simple drug reference for patients | Use a date stamp | Code detailed history with 4,3,2,1 | Let your staff do their jobs | Remember prescription preferences

These six steps can help physicians deal with the stress of their profession before it leads to burnout.