On Physicians’ Responses to Payment Changes‏

Expect the Unexpected? By Nancy Chockley, PhD President & CEO National Institute for Health Care Management   Across the Blogosphere – Expert Voices Reducing unit prices is one possible weapon in the battle to stem rising health care spending, but this approach can have unintended consequences if utilization increases by more than prices have fallen. [...]

Will the PPACA be Repealed [A Poll]?

Will Obama Care, or the Affordable Care Act [ACA], be repealed before 2014?                    

About the Mortgage Electronic Registry System

Loan Help or Hindrance? By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA, CMP™ [Editor-in-Chief] According to their website, Mortgage Electronic Registry System [MERS] is an innovative process that simplifies the way mortgage ownership and servicing rights are originated, sold and tracked. Created by the real estate finance industry, MERS eliminates the need to prepare and record assignments [...]

Understanding Patient [Client] Satisfaction

The Fine Art of Exceeding Expectations By Dr. David E. Marcinko MBA, CMP™ By Dr. Gary L. Bode CPA www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com   Patient [client] satisfaction occurs when patient perceptions exceed their expectations. They get an intangible “something extra” from the visit, above what they paid for.  We’ll concentrate on managing patient perceptions of their physicians in [...]

Do Passwords Protect the Identity of Patients?

Essay on eDR and eHR Data Integrity By D. Kellus Pruitt DDS “ADA Tip: Password protection is the responsibility of each workforce member. Strong alphanumeric passwords provide a strong defense against unauthorized electronic system intrusion. Passwords that cannot be guessed, that are not publicly posted, and that are changed on a regular basis will help your [...]

What is Universal Life Insurance and How Does it Work?

Insurance Basics for Medical Professionals By Jeffrey H. Rattiner, CPA, CFP®, MBA   After determining the need for insurance and the amount to purchase, the doctor-client and financial planner’s next task is to match those needs to the doctor-client’s objectives to determine what type of policy the client should purchase. The life insurance industry features [...]

An ME-P Thanksgiving Day 2010 Tribute

A Letter from the Publisher-in-Chief By Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA, CMP™ Washington, DC: “I do therefore invite my fellow citizens … to set apart … a day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent father who dwelleth in the heavens.” — Abraham Lincoln Dear ME-P Readers & Subscribers These words were spoken in the [...]

Doctors Will Replace App Stores as Main Distribution Channels for Mobile Health Apps

ADVERTISEMENT In the Year 2015? By Markus Pohl research2guidance | The Mobile Research Specialists phone: +49 (0) 30 60 989 3363 mobile: +49 (0) 178 4007736 fax: +49 (0) 30 60 989 3369 email: mp@research2guidance.com www.research2guidance.com   Dear Publisher Dr. David Edward Marcinko Please review this brief survey and press release. We think it is [...]

Celebrating National “Opt-Out” Day with Video

Wednesday – November 24, 2010 From the Electronic Privacy Information Center Today is the day that ordinary citizens stand up for their rights, stand up for liberty, and protest the federal government’s desire to virtually strip us naked or submit to an “enhanced pat down” that touches people’s breasts and genitals. You should never have to [...]

Should Doctors Make the Patient Internet Portal Leap?

An ME-P Readers Survey By Staff Reporters   Patient Portals In healthcare, for example, the use of patient website portals is a hotly debated topic. These are [should be]  sophisticated HIPPA compliant and secure Web sites offered by medical practices to help engage patients electronically, with the promise of better service and care for patients [...]

What is the Role of a Physician-Focused Financial Advisor?

Changing Times – Demand Changing Roles By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA, CMP™ Editor-in-Chief www.HealthcareFinancials.com As a financial advisor for more than 15 years, it has been my experience that many doctors who require assistance in developing a comprehensive personal financial plan also need help with implementing any investment planning recommendations. While perhaps not so [...]

On Dental Economics and Truth in Advertising

About Dentistry iQ D. Kellus Pruitt DDS I just read a misleading press release on Dental Economics subsidiary Dentistry iQ that is presented as a credible article titled “Guardian Recognized as One of the Nation’s Leading Dental Carriers by Benefits Selling Magazine Readers” (no byline). http://www.dentistryiq.com/index/display/news-display/1307102704.html “NEW YORK, Nov. 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The [...]

The ME-P Recommends: Financial Planning and Risk Management Handbooks

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What is Variable Life Insurance and How Does it Work?

Insurance Basics for Medical Professionals By Jeffrey H. Rattiner, CPA, CFP®, MBA   After determining the need for insurance and the amount to purchase, the doctor-client and financial planner’s next task is to match those needs to the doctor-client’s objectives to determine what type of policy the client should purchase. The life insurance industry features [...]

A Brief History of the ME-P

Enhancing Health 2.0 Connectivity for Physicians and their Financial Advisors By Staff Reporters   The Medical Executive-Post [ME-P] was launched in 2006, and was a resounding success. We first went online in October 2006 with an overwhelmingly positive response. Readers and subscribers alike reported finding it a credible source of information with more than half [...]

Inviting Debate with eDR Stakeholders

An ME-P Exclusive – Almost By D. Kellus Pruitt DDS I really, really love being provocative in my neighborhood that I know so well. It just doesn’t seem fair. In fact, for five years, I’ve watched the electronic dental record [eDR] market very closely, and I tell you, something big is moving under the radar. If [...]

A Funny [Poignant] Video about Health Insurance

What Exactly Do Patients Know and Understand? By Staff Reporters   This video illustrates the current state-of-the-art regarding patient understanding of health insurance reimbursement and physician income. But, should it be played in all doctors offices’ and waiting rooms? Title It is titled: “What the public does not know about doctors and insurance.” Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y00kxCn7m0s Assessment [...]

The Fiscal Commission Publishes A Draft Report

National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform By the Children’s Home Society of Florida Foundation   In a surprise press conference on November 10, 2010, Co-Chairs Erskine Bowles and Alan Simpson of the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform decided to release a preliminary report. Bowles is a Democrat who served as the Chief [...]

eHRs by 2014?

How’s the $19-B eHR Mandate Going? By D. Kellus Pruitt DDS In 2004, President Bush declared that all Americans’ health records will be digital by 2014. Upon taking the office 2 years ago, President Obama also adopted the popular, HIT industry-supported bi-partisan goal. Will the mandate make a difference – even if we kick in [...]

1 in 7 Hospitalized Medicare Beneficiaries Harmed by their Health Care?

According to a New Government Report By Marian Wang ProPublica, Nov: 16, 2010, 3:30 pm   One out of every seven hospitalized Medicare beneficiaries experiences an “adverse event,” which means the patient is harmed as a result of medical care. That’s according to a study released today [1] by the Department of Health and Human Services’ [...]

Is ARRA Stimulus Money for Dentists?

Now is the Time to Say “No Thank You” to the ADA By D. Kellus Pruitt DDS A few days ago on Twitter, @techguy said: “@Dentrix, Are you guys helping dentists get access to the ARRA EHR Stimulus money?” This morning I “retweeted” his question to the electronic dental record giant: “That’s a great question, [...]

An Emerging Values-Based Healthcare Payment Model

Understanding Non-Traditional Physician Reimbursement Paradigms By Staff Reporters www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com According to Brian Knabe MD, Mark Fendrick, MD and Michael E. Chernew, PhD, instead of the one size fits all approach of traditional health insurance reimbursement, a “clinically-sensitive” cost-sharing system that supports co-payments related to evidence-based value for targeted patients seems plausible. The New Model In this [...]

Understanding Hospital Denial Management

An Essay on Rejected Medical Claims and Invoices By Ross Fidler   www.HealthcareFinancials.com Typically, denied and rejected hospital claims quickly surface as a source of multi-millions  of dollars in revenue leakage and unnecessary expense. Struggling Payers Payers have been struggling for decades with increased hospital costs; and the Affordable Care Act of 2010 [ACA] will [...]

What is Whole life Insurance and How Does it Work?

Insurance Basics for Medical Professionals By Jeffrey H. Rattiner, CPA, CFP®, MBA   After determining the need for insurance and the amount to purchase, the doctor-client and financial planner’s next task is to match those needs to the client’s objectives to determine what type of policy the client should purchase. The life insurance industry features [...]

Autumn 2010 Update from the ME-P Editors

What We Are Up To – Now By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™ [Publisher-in-Chief] By Prof. Hope R. Hetico; RN, MHA, CMP™ [Managing Editor] To All ME-P Readers and Subscribers Gosh, it’s been an incredibly busy summer and last few weeks. So much for a fall-break! Our Latest Textbook Release For example, the Institute [...]

Integration as a Competitive Strategy in Healthcare Reform

Understanding Horizontal and Vertical Integration By Robert James Cimasi MHA, AVA, CMP™ Health Capital Consultants, LLC St. Louis MO www.HealthcareFinancials.com Several potential benefits are associated with the integration of companies in the same or related industries. These synergistic benefits depend upon the type of companies and their integration strategies, as well as whether the anticipated [...]

The Testamentary Letter?

More Emotional than a Will or Trust By Staff Reporters   Many doctors and medical professionals, on drafting their wills or trust documents, feel that these legal documents do not adequately convey the emotional qualities that may be important when assets are passed after death. A testamentary letter can be used to convey such concerns, [...]

About the Healthcare Blue Book Consumer Website

Establishing Price Transparency for Medical Goods and Services By Staff Reporters   The website Healthcare Blue Book http://www.healthcarebluebook.com is provided free to consumers. The site presents a reported fair price to pay for a healthcare service or medical product when the patient is paying cash at the time of treatment; adjusted for geography and zip [...]

On the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s Legislative Appropriation for Dental Plans

Fair Warning – Texans By Darrell K. Pruitt DDS Just like capitation dental plans, in the long run, poor, sick children in hospitals don’t save Texans money THHS Commission’s Legislative Appropriation As part of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s legislative appropriation request, the Agency is quietly pushing for approval of a short-sighted proposal [...]

What is Term Life Insurance and How Does it Work?

Insurance Basics for Medical Professionals By Jeffrey H. Rattiner, CPA, CFP®, MBA   After determining the need for insurance and the amount to purchase, the doctor-client and financial planner’s next task is to match those needs to the client’s objectives to determine what type of policy the client should purchase. The life insurance industry features [...]

On Medical Practice [Business] Succession Planning

A Process of Financial Steps By Dr. David Edward Marcinko, MBA CMP™ [Editor-in-Chief] www.HealthcareFinancials.com Succession planning is a dynamic process requiring current ownership and management to plan the medical practice or company’s future, and then implement the resulting plan. As a financial planner and advisor myself, I see many doctors and clients approach business [practice] [...]

The Asset Allocation Decision for Physician Investors

A Historical Perspective for all Lay and Medical Professionals By Manning & Napier, Inc. http://www.manning-napier.com/ Introduction   To a large extent, your investment objectives are driven by your investment time horizon and the needs for cash that may arise from now until then.  Once these objectives have been set, you must decide how to allocate [...]

A Physician Query on “Used” eMR Billing System Value?

Understanding Residual Worth “Ask an Advisor” Submitted by an Anonymous, MD   Greetings! I am in a three man Neurology practice. Five years ago we invested in an all inclusive EMR / billing system with A4 Health Systems and Allscripts. The system cost close to $60,000 and has been constantly upgraded (for “free”). There are also yearly “maintenance” [...]

Financial Planning and Risk Management Handbooks from iMBA, Inc

For Doctors and their Financial Advisors By Staff Reporters • http://www.jblearning.com/catalog/9780763733421/ • http://www.jblearning.com/catalog/9780763745790/ For more on these topics, see the handbooks below:    Get our Widget: Get this widget! Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources: iMBA Inc: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com Health Dictionary Series: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/product/9780826105752 Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790 Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421 Healthcare [...]

Useful Managed Care Provider, Staffing, Activity and Financial Trends

Part Two By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA [Publisher-in-Chief] If you read this ME-P regularly or have read my earlier blogs, you know that I am writing a book on practice management for the private medical practitioner. The Business of Medical Practice [Transformational Health 2.0 Skills for Doctors]; third edition: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com Link: Front Matter BoMP [...]

Mental and Physical Well-Being for [Physician] Boomers and Their Retirement Plans

By Somnath Basu PhD MBA President – AgeBander Thousand Oaks, CA A  Pew Research Center study[1] on the effects of financial stress on health finds 42.4% of respondents in a survey on the subject indicated that their health had been affect by financial problems. The study also found that 1 in 8 baby boomers were raising [...]

On the Election Results of November 2010

Gauging the Impact of the Affordable Care Act? Question: ME-P readers and others have been asking us – what does the election outcome mean for health care and the ACA? Answer: In short, not as much as many think, according to Steve Pizer JD and Austin Frakt PhD of the Incidental Economist. Link: http://theincidentaleconomist.com/wordpress/what-the-election-means-for-health-care/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheIncidentalEconomist+%28The+Incidental+Economist+%28Posts%29%29 Conclusion [...]

Survey for Primary Care Physicians and Specialists

For Sales and Services Activities By Michele von Dambrowski Strategic Health Care Marketing (V) 914-967-6741 Dear ME-P Colleagues To better understand how hospitals and healthcare systems are pursuing sales and service activities directed to primary care physicians and specialists, Corporate Health Group is conducting its Third Benchmarking Survey.  The national survey will help spot new [...]

Smartphone Apps Market Model Takes mHealth Market to New Level

ADVERTISEMENT Will mobile apps become the killer application of the mHealth market? By Markus Pohl                                                                                    research2guidance / The Mobile Research Specialists phone: +49 (0) 30 60 989 3363 mobile: +49 (0) 178 4007736 fax: +49 (0) 30 60 989 3369 email: mp@research2guidance.com   Dear Dr. Marcinko,   New research by research2guidance concludes that mobile applications and the [...]

US Budget Deficits Require Both Spending Cuts and Tax Increases

The CRFB Speaks By Children’s Home Society of Florida Foundation   The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) has published a release on October 20 that discusses some of the options to tackle the federal deficit. According to a Bloomberg News poll, there are two major issues that are foremost in the minds [...]

Events Planner: November 2010

ADVERTISEMENT Events-Planner: NOVEMBER 2010 By Staff Writers “Keeping track of important health economics and financial industry meetings, conferences and summits” Welcome to this issue of the Medical Executive-Post and our Events-Planner. It contains the latest information on conferences, news, and relevant resources in healthcare finance, economics, research and development, business management, pharmaceutical pricing, and physician/entity [...]

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