States to lose ability to divert Medicaid payments -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is eliminating a 2014 rule that allowed states to divert Medicaid payments to third parties.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/Medicaid_final_rule.html
One way to increase physician autonomy and job satisfaction -- FPM
Physician autonomy is crucial to fostering job satisfaction and a culture of continuous quality improvement and creative problem solving. Unfortunately, physician autonomy is shrinking in many health care organizations. Here's one solution.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/physician_autonomy.html
Motivational interviewing: four steps to get started -- FPM
Motivational interviewing is a brief counseling technique that can be effective at helping patients overcome reluctance and make behavioral changes, such as losing weight or quitting smoking. The OARS acronym highlights four essential aspects.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/motivational_interviewing.html
Four bad habits you need to break when it comes to email -- FPM
To reduce the intrusion of email into your daily work life, stop doing these four things.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/email_bad_habits.html
CMS Primary Care Initiative provides new payment models -- FPM
The Primary Care Initiative announced by CMS will give family physicians new payment streams aimed at increasing value-based care.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/CMS_Primary_Care_Initiative.html
Three steps to coding for Medicare wellness visits -- FPM
The Medicare annual wellness visit and the initial preventive physical examination provide a number of benefits to patients and physicians. Follow these suggestions to get properly reimbursed.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coding_wellness_visits.html
Eight things to do before you quit your job -- FPM
High demand and job dissatisfaction may have family physicians considering leaving their practice for a new one. These eight steps could make the transition easier.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/leaving_a_practice.html
What standing orders can do for your practice -- FPM
Standing orders allow nurses, medical assistants, or other health care team members to perform certain clinical tasks, freeing the physician to focus on complex care. Here's how to make standing orders work for you.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/potential_standing_orders.html
Four tools to help you identify patient medications that need to be deprescribed -- FPM
If your patient is taking multiple medications, some of which may have become unnecessary or harmful, use these four tools to begin the process of deprescribing.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/deprescribing.html
Family physician pay goes up, satisfaction with pay goes down -- FPM
An annual survey of physician compensation shows a healthy gain for physicians. How do you compare?
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_compensation.html
How to get support for your health policy goals -- FPM
Public officials can be a great resource for helping you achieve changes in local health policy. Here are four steps to get elected leaders on your side.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/elected_officials.html
Four ways to better care for patients with a history of childhood trauma -- FPM
When caring for patients with a history of childhood trauma, some simple shifts in your communication habits can signal to patients that your practice is a safe space for them and help avoid re-traumatization.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/childhood_trauma.html
Stop multitasking, and do this instead -- FPM
Constantly switching your focus from one task to another comes at a cost, decreasing your cognitive ability and productivity. What’s a better approach?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/stop_multitasking.html
Practices gain a second chance to review 2017 QPP results -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is giving practices additional time to review 2017 Quality Payment Program performance data before making it available for public view.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2017_performance_data_review.html
How to handle negative reviews -- FPM
As patients increasingly use online reviews to express their opinions about their medical care and search for doctors, practices need to be paying attention to this information.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/negative_online_reviews.html
A new way to earn MIPS credit in 2019 -- FPM
A new study of how physicians collect and report quality measures to Medicare is looking for participants. Successful members will get MIPS credit.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/Improvement_activity_credit.html
Five mobile apps to improve your personal and professional productivity -- FPM
Physicians have lots on their plate and limited time. These top-rated mobile apps will help you make the most of it.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/productivity_apps.html
Three ways to get patients to use your portal -- FPM
If you want more of your patients to communicate with you through your online portal, follow these three strategies.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/portal_use.html
What to say when antibiotics are unnecessary -- FPM
This Oregon-based physician discusses how she handles discussions with patients who demand antibiotics when they are not necessary or useful.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/unnecessary_antibiotics.html
Skin Deep: How to Properly Code for Biopsies and Lesion Removal -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - Learn about the new skin biopsy codes, and follow these tips to make sure you get full credit for the skin procedures you perform.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p15.html
Medicare Wellness Visits: Reassessing Their Value to Your Patients and Your Practice --...
Apr 1, 2019 - Providing Medicare wellness visits can be challenging but can improve quality and practice revenue.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p25.html
Coding & Documentation - Mar-Apr 2019 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - Coding for immunization counseling | How to report after-hours clinic services | Who is eligible for chronic care management?
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p31.html
Unlocking Clues to Current Health in Past History: Childhood Trauma and Healing -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - Adverse childhood events can have enduring effects on patients’ health, but these four steps can help promote healing.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p5.html
Five Mobile Apps to Help You Organize Your Work and Your Life -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - The demands on physicians’ time have never been greater. These apps can help you keep up.
Family Practice Management : SPPACES: App Reviews
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p11.html
Rediscovering the Secret of Quality -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - It’s probably not what you think.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p4.html
Practical Strategies to Achieve Your Health Policy Goals -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - As a physician, you can have a powerful voice in bringing about change in your community. Here’s how to go about it.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p20.html
Creating a Culture of Intrinsic Motivation -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - External motivators don’t work for long.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p36.html
Practice Pearls - Mar-Apr 2019 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2019 - Pave a trail for sedentary patients | Identify what matters to older patients | Reduce the time you spend on email
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0300/p32.html
Five signs of possible medication diversion in your practice -- FPM
The misuse by patients of prescription medications, especially controlled substances, is a major problem for primary care physicians. Look for these signs of potential medical diversion.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/medication_diversion.html
Why being humble can make you a better leader -- FPM
Physician leaders do not necessarily need big, self-confident personalities to attract and inspire their teams. Here are some reasons why some humility can go a long way.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/humble_leader.html
Billing for multiple skin procedures: three steps -- FPM
If you perform more than one skin procedure for the same patient on the same day, follow these three special billing rules to get the correct payment.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/multiple_skin_procedures.html
Few receive negative payment adjustment in first year of MIPS -- FPM
The vast majority of clinicians who were eligible for and participated in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System in 2017 will avoid a negative payment adjustment to their Medicare claims during the 2019 payment year.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/MIPS_payment_update.html
How to attract more kid patients to your practice: four tips -- FPM
Having young patients on your schedule can add some fun and variety to your workday. To grow this patient population, consider these four tips.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/caring_for_kids.html
Three things to consider before you start screening for social determinants of health ...
Social needs can complicate a patient’s health issues, but before you add another screening, answer these three questions.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/social_needs_screening.html
The secret to motivation at work -- FPM
People who receive extrinsic rewards for doing their jobs learn and produce more slowly, but those with intrinsic motivation invest more deeply and progress farther. Three factors make all the difference.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/intrinsic_motivation.html
Three principles for improving patient satisfaction with service -- FPM
Practices can focus on improving these three areas to boost patient satisfaction with the quality of their care.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/improving_service.html
How to get sedentary patients to exercise -- FPM
This Maryland-based practice created a special area trail guide to help patients get out of their house and get walking.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/sedentary_patients.html
Five mobile apps to encourage mindfulness -- FPM
Five mobile applications to help patients use mindfulness to treat depression, chronic pain, tobacco use disorder, and other problems.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/mindfulness_apps.html
Less than a month left to submit 2018 MIPS data -- FPM
Physicians eligible for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System in 2018 have only a few more weeks to report your quality measures.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/MIPS_2018_deadline.html
CMS finds errors in MIPS payment adjustments -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says it is working to fix errors in how this year's MIPS payment adjustments were applied to some physicians.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/incorrect_MIPS_payment.html
Two ways to address difficult emotions in the exam room -- FPM
When patients display negative emotions in the exam room, such as anger or frustration, asking them about their feelings can feel risky. Using these two strategies can help you better address patients’ difficult emotions and protect the healing process.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/difficult_emotions.html
Ten steps to better practice efficiency -- FPM
Proven techniques borrowed from the manufacturing industry could help your practice operate more efficiently. Here are 10 steps to help eliminate bottlenecks in your workflow and save time.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/office_efficiency.html
How to properly code for a Pap smear -- FPM
Screening for cervical cancer is often included in the physical exam portion of a preventive medicine service. Follow this advice to see when you can bill separately for a Pap smear.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/pap_smear.html
The accurate valuation of office visits: one thing you can do -- FPM
The relative value of office-based E/M codes is being reviewed. To help inform that review, family physicians can take this one critical step.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/ruc_survey.html
New reports look at family medicine office visit billing -- FPM
Here's what to do with that Medicare comparative billing report you may have received analyzing how you bill family medicine office visits.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/comparative_billing_reports.html
Two simple ways to improve patient satisfaction with visit length -- FPM
How do you prevent the patient complaint My doctor didn’t spend enough time with me, especially if you can’t increase visit length? Research points to two techniques that can help patients feel more satisfied with the amount of time you spend with them.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/visit_length.html
Three myths about HIPAA -- FPM
Although HIPAA has existed for more than 20 years, many organizations still struggle to interpret the law correctly. When their interpretations are too strict, it can make physician and staff jobs harder than they need to be. Here are three common myths about HIPAA.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/hipaa_myths.html
Time to check your 2019 MIPS eligibility status -- FPM
If you are unclear whether the Merit-based Incentive Payment System applies to you in 2019, use this tool to check your eligibility.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_MIPS_eligibility.html
A checklist for better dementia care plans -- FPM
Physicians may not be able to control many facets of dementia care, but this checklist can help you tackle the cognitive, functional, and behavioral losses that most matter to patients and their families.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dementia_care.html
Why did that idea flop? -- FPM
Are you committing one of three key mistakes that can prevent sustainable change from taking hold in your practice?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/idea_flop.html