A three-step guide to coding for multiple skin procedures in a single visit
Follow these three steps to bill correctly, avoid denials, and make sure you’re not leaving revenue on the table when you perform skin biopsies and lesion removals.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/skin_procedure_coding.html
What a waiting room liaison can do for your office
An existing staff member might be able to take on these duties to keep your waiting room clean and running smoothly.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/waiting_room_liaison.html
Medicare webinar on glucose supplies scheduled for Feb. 11
The webinar will include guidelines for coverage along with the information patients and suppliers need from physicians.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/glucose_supplies_webinar.html
A simple way to build trust with young patients
Doing this one thing during a visit can get pediatric appointments off to a good start by showing kids you care about them and respect them.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/pediatric_patient_trust.html
Social Media for Doctors: Taking Professional and Patient Engagement to the Next Level ...
Feb 1, 2020 - Some of the top family physicians on social media share their best practices for building a following and avoiding common pitfalls.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p19.html
The 2020 Medicare Documentation, Coding, and Payment Update -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is trying to make Medicare documentation less burdensome and planning more changes that should result in a pay raise for family physicians in the future.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p8.html
Coding & Documentation - Jan-Feb 2020 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - Vaping-related illness | Billing Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries | Electrocardiogram recorded by a Holter monitor | Lung function tests
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p33.html
Primary Care First: Practice Assessment Checklist -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - Starting in 2021, PCF will be open to primary care clinicians practicing in 26 participating states and regions. Use this checklist to assess your practice’s readiness to participate in PCF, including care delivery capabilities, data infrastructure, and potential financial impact.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p25.html
Improving the Waiting Room Experience -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - Adding a touch of tech, a dose of education, and plenty of creature comforts to your waiting room can make it more palatable for patients.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p14.html
Why Family Physicians Should Not "Just" Be Family Physicians: Rethinking Roles in ...
Feb 1, 2020 - In some settings, the cause of burnout isn’t having too much work - it’s having the wrong type of work.
Family Practice Management : Opinion
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p5.html
Physician Well-Being: Prioritizing Your Own Health Through a Personal Health ...
Feb 1, 2020 - You can’t take care of others optimally unless you first take care of yourself. Start today.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p27.html
Goal-Setting Theory for the New Year -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - Research points to four factors that will help make your goals more effective.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p3.html
Listening to the Little Voice Inside -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - That nagging little voice can sometimes save you from a medical mistake, so don’t ignore it.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p38.html
Thank You, FPM Peer Reviewers (2019) -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - We would like to thank the following peer reviewers for their valuable contributions to FPM during 2019.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p4.html
Practice Pearls - Jan-Feb 2020 -- FPM
Feb 1, 2020 - Navigate patients’ anxiety about pelvic exams | Ask older patients these questions to assess dementia risk | Tell patients up front how much time you have
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0100/p34.html
Five ways to stop making excuses and start practicing self-care
You cannot effectively take care of others or sustain a career in medicine unless you take care of yourself. Here are five ways to start.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/physician_self_care.html
Team documentation: who does what during the visit?
Team documentation can boost physician efficiency, but which tasks should you delegate and which tasks should you keep?
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/team_documentation_process.html
One thing every physician can do to help change health policy
Physicians, who see firsthand the effects poor health policy can have on a community, can be a powerful voice to help bring about change. Here’s how.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/health_policy_change_tip.html
Six ways to make your practice more efficient and your patients more satisfied
Tips for making sure patient phone calls are returned, appointment scheduling is user-friendly, insurance changes have been logged, and more.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/improving_practice_efficiency.html
Screening for childhood trauma history
Several screening tools can help you identify patients whose health may be affected by adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/screen_for_aces.html
CMS testing diagnostic imaging referrals program in preparation for mandate
The Appropriate Use Criteria program will require an extra step before ordering advanced imaging starting in 2021, unless it's repealed.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/AUC_test_phase.html
New codes for responding to portal messages
The 2020 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule update includes new payment opportunities for addressing medical needs through an online patient portal.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/portal_messaging_codes.html
Four things to focus on as you set new goals for the new year
Four evidence-based factors can guide you to goals that are attainable and sustainable, but also challenging and meaningful.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/goal_setting_theory.html
This app tracks licenses, certifications, and CME
This free mobile app can keep track of your state licenses and certifications and send you alerts when they’re close to expiring.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/license_certification_app.html
A template for referring seniors to community organizations
Community partners can help geriatric patients stay healthy. Here’s a ready-made template for referring patients to services offered by organizations near you.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/community_organization_referrals.html
Wanted: Bank information to pay APM bonuses
The federal government has posted a list of clinicians it owes bonus money. Here's how to find out if you're on it, and how to claim your cash if you are.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/APM_banking_info.html
Burnout prevention: get rid of stupid stuff in your practice
Although burnout in health care is largely a system problem, individual physicians can take steps to lighten their burden. Here are five ideas to help you get started.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/burnout_prevention.html
The right way to respond to high-maintenance patients
When patients are pushy, needy, or entitled, you may be tempted to give in to their demands or refer them away, but there’s a better way to respond.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/high_maintenance_patients.html
Four tips for writing visit notes suitable for your patients to see
As transparency increases and more patients gain access to their health records, make sure your visit notes follow four best practices.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/transparent_visit_notes.html
The top Medicare changes to know for 2020
The annual Medicare update includes changes to documentation requirements, coding and payment.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2020_Medicare_update.html
Five changes that will affect physician payment and productivity in 2020 and beyond
There are new codes for online digital E/M, blood pressure monitoring and other common services.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/medicare_update_2020.html
Four ways to target blood pressure control
Four steps to get your patients on the path to better blood pressure.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/blood_pressure_control.html
A quick tip for last-minute gynecologic exams
This prep method can save time when a patient needs an unplanned Pap smear.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/pap_bundles.html
Check your final 2019 MIPS eligibility status
The QPP Participation Status Tool tells physicians if they are required to report to the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) for the 2019 performance year.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/QPP_participation_status.html
Nine measurements for evaluating the quality of your dementia care
A nationally recognized, evidence-based, group of metrics physicians can use to evaluate their current level of dementia care and improve upon it.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dementia_care_quality.html
A basic model for behavioral health integration
You can get paid to integrate basic behavioral health check-ins into your practice.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/basic_behavioral_health.html
FPM/STFM award goes to MedStar Franklin Square for innovative care coordination program
The 2019 Practice Improvement Award recognizes Medstar Franklin Square Family Health Center for its efforts to improve care and reduce utilization for high-risk patients through intensive care coordination.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/practice_improvement_award_winner_2019.html
Three questions to ask before making a major change
Asking these three questions before making a big change in your practice can help everyone affected stay united.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/major_change_questions.html
New Medicare home health payment feature has implications for physician orders
Home health changes coming to Medicare in 2020 won't affect physician payments, but could change how much information home health providers request in physician orders.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/home_health_coding.html
Five reasons you can’t get things done in your organization
Author Peter Senge offers several laws that govern organizational behavior. Five of them are particularly apropos to physicians who are trying to build something new within their organizations but facing resistance.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/five_laws_of_organizations.html
Advance Care Planning: How to Have the Conversation You Want With Your Patients -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - More patients are receiving intensive care in their last days of life, even though studies show that most don’t want it. Family physicians are uniquely positioned to make sure patients’ wishes are recorded and respected.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p18.html
The Right-Sized Patient Panel: A Practical Way to Make Adjustments for Acuity and ...
Dec 1, 2019 - Do you have the right number of patients on your panel? Here’s a process and a spreadsheet for calculating and adjusting your panel based on actual patient behavior.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p23.html
Practical Ways to Address Physician Burnout and Improve Joy in Practice -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - It starts with one simple principle: Get rid of stupid stuff in your practice. Here’s how.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p7.html
Bringing Behavioral Health Into Your Practice Through a Psychiatric Collaborative Care ...
Dec 1, 2019 - Learn how to implement an integrated behavioral health program that will more than pay for itself while increasing patients’ access to care.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p11.html
Coding & Documentation - Nov-Dec 2019 -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - Work relative value units | Vaccination refusal | Marijuana use | Lesion treatment for new patients | Patient discharge without seeing patient
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p30.html
Taking the Fear Out of Error Disclosure -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - What if we could talk about medical mistakes without fear of judgment or punishment?
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p36.html
A Jury of One's Peers -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - FPM depends on readers like you to review submitted manuscripts and help us deliver useful, high-quality content.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p6.html
Practice Pearls - Nov-Dec 2019 -- FPM
Dec 1, 2019 - Liven up your exam rooms | Be prepared for last-minute gynecologic exams | Use nudges to encourage behavior change
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/1100/p31.html
A tool for calculating the right-sized patient panel
Here's a five-step method for right-sizing your patient panel.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/right_sized_patient_panel.html
How to respond if a teen patient’s parent wants access to records
If the parent of an adolescent patient contacts you or your staff wanting to know why the teen visited your practice, the teen patient’s information must be kept private if any of these situations apply.
Family Practice Management : FPM
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/adolescent_patient_privacy.html