Posted by Lin Dworshak on Mon, Jun 17, 2013 @ 10:00 AM
There is a reason there are provider practices called "best practices.” They fall into a category of healthcare practices that are determined to not only strive for that excellence in every aspect of their healthcare delivery but also achieve it.
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Posted by Robert Kimball on Wed, Jun 12, 2013 @ 10:29 AM
Over the past few years many have transitioned into an EHR/EMR from a paper chart. Many have succeeded and a few others have not. What is the difference? What makes one physician group more successful then another?
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Posted by Lin Dworshak on Mon, Jun 03, 2013 @ 08:42 AM
Consumer Reports has started ranking physicians and other healthcare providers in recent issues. Although most patients generally rated their physicians highly, they were less pleased with their interactions with staff. Overall, 87 percent of respondents said their doctor always showed respect for what they said, and 84 percent said their doctor always explained things in a way that was easy to understand. But only 57 percent said that front-office employees were always as helpful as they should be--a survey result that should capture the attention of practice leaderships.
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Posted by Lin Dworshak on Wed, Aug 01, 2012 @ 09:34 AM
Like everyone, I have been glued to the TV watching the Olympics. Last night as I watched the American Women win the gold in gymnastics, I couldn't help but think about some parallels between health care business practices and going for the gold.
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Posted by Patrick Ales on Thu, Apr 12, 2012 @ 07:45 AM
How To: Determine If You Should Implement a No-Show Fee, or Not By: Andy Popple
One of your physicians storms into your office at 2:00 p.m. and rants about another no-show in their clinic. With great animation he says, “Every no-show costs me money. I want you to implement a no-show fee starting Monday”. It is time to take a deep breath and think. You are the administrator and as such, need to be the voice of logic and reason. Should your practice implement a no-show fee? After all, “everyone” is doing it.
This question is on the front burner in health care practices across the country as reimbursement continues to decline and cost pressures increase. While it is true that one missed appointment or procedure may not have a significant impact, one per day could. For example, the Medicare allowable for a level two established patient visit is around $42 while a level three new patient visit is around $105. This represents a revenue opportunity between $7,500-$19,000 per year 1. Clearly, this could be material to a given practice. Okay, you are the administrator and a decision is in order: implement a no-show fee or not.
The purpose of this “How to guide” is to help you, make the right decision for your practice.
To answer to this question requires appropriate analysis in two critical areas:
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Posted by Patrick Ales on Mon, Oct 03, 2011 @ 07:30 AM
I have been thinking about the term “state of the art” in relationship to current medical facilities. One must keep in perspective that, what is currently “state of the art” in Pumpkin Vine, Alabama, may be behind the times in a larger city such as Chicago or New York!
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Posted by Patrick Ales on Mon, Sep 26, 2011 @ 07:45 AM
Clinical integration has been around since the very beginnings of medicine in the US. A physician coordinating his services with a hospital, a nursing home, a home care organization, rehab and physical therapy. Health care delivery has never been a "one man show". Physicians have long realized the value of dialog with other physicians and organizations. Value added protocols for patient care are shared and copied by many physicians, especially for some chronic illnesses like diabetes and asthma. Business models that deliver good patient care plus enhance bottom lines are also shared and tweaked to geographic and population preferences.
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Posted by Patrick Ales on Thu, Sep 15, 2011 @ 07:45 AM
Posted by Patrick Ales on Tue, Sep 06, 2011 @ 08:05 AM
So what have we learned in 2 millennia?
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Posted by Patrick Ales on Sun, Aug 28, 2011 @ 08:00 AM
I recently read a blog on the dilemma of health care reform. In it were some quite hilarious statements by those commenting.......my favorite is this ...." If the few profiteering independent physicians are akin to petty thieves, then corporate medicine is like organized crime." An amazing comment to me about an industry that is and always has been dedicated to the health and well being of patients.
That being said, like all other industries, health care struggles to capture every dollar owed.
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