Janis Oshensky Lobbies Congress – Not Dentists

Posted on July 16, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Show Me the Math

By Darrell K. Pruitt; DDS

I have noted here far too many times how it disappoints me that Delta Dental Plans Association vice president Janis Oshensky repeatedly chooses to turn to politicians rather than discuss Delta Dental’s arguably egregious and harmful policies with me, a dentist. I intend to put a stop to such disrespect one PR expert at a time if necessary.

Long ago I warned Oshensky that if she didn’t talk to me, she should probably just shut up in order to preserve what’s left of her Internet reputation. Since by posting her Letter to the Editor on POLITICO.com today, she obviously ignored my advice, this highly critical comment will reliably join three others of mine on her first page soon enough. Her employer is sacrificing her like a pawn.

The following comment is the one I posted on POLITICO.com in response to Oshensky’s letter. It might just help the vice president to finally come to a decision on this issue one way or the other. Either way, marketplace conversation like this cannot help but lead to safer air for the community … My pleasure.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0709/24873.html

Dear POLITICO.com Editor:

This comment and subsequent invitation to Janis Oshensky is in response to the Delta Dental Plans Association vice president’s July 14, 2009 letter to you. Her letter is the most recent message she successfully sent Congress using a political news Website. Even though Ms. Oshensky holds the position of VP of dental relations as well as public policy, she has avoided answering this dentist’s questions about Delta Dental’s policies for months. If Ms. Oshensky is willing to do so, I would love for her to join me in discussion of Delta Dental’s taxation subsidy right here on POLITICO.com so that our lawmakers can witness a more balanced view of the issues.

Hello – It’s Me

Hello. My name is D. Kellus; Pruitt DDS, and I’m a practicing dentist in Fort Worth, Texas. It is my professional opinion that my patients are harmed by the policies of managed care dental plans like that sold by DDPA because there is no accountability to their clients or dentists. There is barely any accountability to those who select and pay for Delta’s products – dental patients’ naive bosses.

Like virtually every US citizen, your readers probably couldn’t care less about the dental industry. It is precisely because dentistry has been uninteresting for decades that make the microcosm of health care incredibly interesting to me. Let me uncover for your appreciation the event horizon in dental history. You could learn about more than just dentistry.

If left to natural forces of human nature, what happens to value when there is no accountability? For example, what do the 1975 East German Trabant and the 1979 Ford Pinto have in common? By popular vote, those products not only represent the two worst automobiles ever made, but the state shielded both manufacturers from accountability to consumers. Poor quality happens.

Oshensky argues against the taxation of managed care dental benefits like those sold to employers by Delta Dental. Let me offer that if Delta’s product were taxed like income, its value would quickly dive below the market threshold that attracts purchasers’ consideration.

Allow Me to Show-You the Math

Recently, Delta Dental of Michigan lost the accounts of thousands of GM retirees when their group dental benefits were cut in bankruptcy negotiations with UAW. Suddenly, Delta found itself forced to market their product to individuals who for once have the choice to keep their money. Faced with true competition for healthcare dollars, Delta leaders desperately cobbled together individual policies for the retirees who want to continue with their coverage. Even though Delta did everything possible to lower the cost of their coverage, the cheapest of the plans they offered still runs about $30 per person per month, and covers only 50% of everything, including preventive. So for premiums of $360 per year plus half the preferred providers’ 20% to 30% discounted fees, is this a bargain for Michigan retirees?

Free Markets

In my free-market, fee-for-service practice, if a patient comes in for two cleanings and routine x-rays during a year, 100% of my bill is $208. This is the market price in my neighborhood that is continually challenged by lively competition with other dentists for new patients who may not even have dental benefits. Those customers pay in full at the time of visit, just like most people whose bosses purchased Delta Dental Plans.

Value Comparisons

So let’s compare value of Delta Dental’s product with cash. If I were a Delta Dental preferred provider, my fee of $208, less Delta’s 25% discount would be $156. Never mind that my wife has problems with my 70% cut in pay, let’s move on.

The patient’s half of the $156 I earned is $78. $360 + $78 = $438. So for one uneventful year of discounted dental services with a dentist chosen from a list of names, a patient can expect to spend more than twice as much than if they paid the free-market price at the point of service.

Assessment

Not only is that hardly a bargain, but it is my opinion that managed care dentistry is dentistry by the lowest bidder with no quality control. That should be enough meat to get this conversation rolling. Now it’s your turn Ms. Oshensky. I think you have to admit that you’ve got holes to mend in the dental relations part of your job.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Tell us what you think. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Subscribe Now: Did you like this Medical Executive-Post, or find it helpful, interesting and informative? Want to get the latest ME-Ps delivered to your email box each morning? Just subscribe using the link below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Security is assured.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Ethics, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Practice Management, Pruitt's Platform | Tagged: ADA, Darrell Pruitt, DDPA, DDS, delta dental, Delta Dental Michigan, dentists, DMD, GM, HMO, Janis Oshensky, managed dental care, POLITICO, PPO, UAW | 3 Comments »

ADA / IDM Breakup – You Heard it Here First

Posted on July 14, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Will CareCredit be the Next ADA Subsidiary to Fail?

I saw a warning sign last week.

By Darrell K. Pruitt; DDS

My aggressive writing hobby has understandably brought me in hard contact with public relations people whose job is to insulate good ol’ boys from accountability – even if it means taking hits for the team and staining their reputations. Let’s face the fact we all of us involved in public relations know but don’t dare discuss: Depending on the ethics of one’s employer, PR professionals are sometimes used up like expendable pawns. And avoiding bylines for press releases no longer shields anyone from accountability.

I often silently stalk PR employees (Gasp!) on the Internet who work for sleazy companies just to better understand them. I’ve discovered that it is not hard to find and exploit the weaknesses of those whose heart isn’t behind selling their employer’s product. Sometimes all it takes is a fistful of transparency to cause defenseless representatives to completely shut up, and that alone makes our neighborhood safer. Committee-approved methods of evasion are as simple-minded as committees, so it doesn’t take long to figure them out – exposing the shameful ethics of those who sign off on the use of lame, institutional trickery.

For example, here’s a very popular, traditional PR trick: If a huge business entity such as the ADA has bad news they can no longer keep secret from customers, professional PR-types will advise their bosses to post bad news on a Friday to soften the blow. When traditional leaders find that they can no longer sidestep accountability, delaying accountability until a busy news day is the next best thing one can purchase. Even though the tricks seem simple, there are people who study evasion science as part of obtaining a degree in marketing.

So how good is the ADA’s PR team? How much time did ADA members’ employees buy for leaders before they had to quietly acknowledge an expensive failure?

On July 10, a Friday, “ADA/idm to phase out service” was posted on ADA News Online without a byline. (Another PR trick: When the ADA posts an orphan without a name, it means someone is ashamed of the bastard.)

http://www.ada.org/prof/resources/pubs/adanews/adanewsarticle.asp?articleid=3655

“ADA Business Enterprises, Inc. (ADABEI), a wholly owned ADA subsidiary, announced today that ADA Intelligent Dental Marketing (ADAidm) of Salt Lake City, one of its joint venture companies, is no longer able to provide marketing services to its customers due to significant production and operational difficulties.”

Now the ADA must refund money to members in a depressed market. Could this embarrassment for our professional organization have been quietly avoided instead of delayed and magnified? I personally started seeing clues of CEO Trajan King’s reticence long ago, and warned ADA leaders in Chicago about my concerns. Nobody ever responded to my numerous, sincere warnings.

These are highly critical times on Capitol Hill and our patients trust us to represent their welfare. Dentists are their last hope, because there is nobody else who cares. Practicing dentists are solely responsible for assuring the benevolence of our niche market, and we are losing control publicly. Disasters like the ADA/IDM make the ADA look foolish to Congress, and word gets around fast on the Internet.

This morning, I read an article posted on The NY Times titled “Study Measures the Chatter of the News Cycle, “ written by Steve Lohr.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/13/technology/internet/13influence.html?_r=1

Researchers at Cornell used powerful computers and sophisticated algorithms to accomplish an unprecedented analysis of news articles and comments on the Web during the 2008 presidential campaign. They studied the characteristics of the news cycle by scanning 1.6 million mainstream media sites and blogs for repeated phrases and tracking the history of their appearances.

Lohr writes: “The researchers’ data points to an evolving model of news media. While most news flowed from the traditional media to the blogs, the study found that 3.5 percent of story lines originated in the blogs and later made their way to traditional media.”

The study also shows that traditional news outlets are still quicker than blogs by 2.5 hours. I should now point out that the Cornell study was performed using data from very popular, huge news items collected during a presidential election – not hidden, niche news like dentistry’s.

If you are involved in the dental industry, where are you more likely to read time-sensitive news about our profession first? In an ADA publication, or from D. Kellus Pruitt; DDS?

Whereas traditional media is 2.5 hours quicker with popular topics, I scooped traditional ADA News Online by three weeks when I posted “ADA/idm – A bad union after all?” on the PennWell forum.

http://community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/forum/topics/adaidm-a-bad-union-after-all

So what about the warning sign I saw concerning CareCredit – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the ADA?

When Trajan King, former CEO of the defunct ADA/IDM partnership refused to acknowledge my questions, I immediately suspected something was terribly wrong with the union of my non-profit professional organization and his for-profit Utah advertisement company. Six months later, my fears were confirmed. Now then, I hope it grabs someone’s attention that I see the same warning signs coming from the ADA’s CareCredit business. Note this date: July 13, 2009.

On Thursday, July 9, CareCredit purchased a press release on dentalblogs.com: “CareCredit Adds 24-Month, No-Interst [sic] Payment Plan” (no byline).

http://www.dentalblogs.com

Since dental problems only get worse, I consider the idea of extending credit to dental patients is a benevolent thought during these hard financial times. I also say that the offer appears to have been put together out of generosity and not greed like the ADA/IDM disaster. However, at 4:54 pm on the same day that CareCredit’s press release was posted, I submitted a difficult question for the anonymous author of the piece who works PR for CareCredit – and is an ADA employee.

“If the Red Flags Rule is not delayed for the third time in three weeks, how will it affect those who offer Care Credit?”

I was given the hopeful response “Your comment is awaiting moderation,” but days later there is no sign that my question is being considered at all. Please, oh please ask yourself: What could CareCredit leaders be hiding and how much will it end up costing ADA membership?

I will not be ignored by anyone. Today, I submitted two follow-up questions on dentalblogs.com. I considered warning the anonymous moderator that this is being simulposted on other blogs, as well as described on Twitter, but then I thought, why spoil the fun? Let the leaders of the ADA Business Enterprises, Inc. (ADABEI) get word of my e-Attack from their colleagues. Won’t they be surprised!

Oh, and for those who are wondering what happened to ADA/IDM CEO Trajan King – he quit.

Dear Dentalblogs.com moderator:

On July 9 at 4:54 pm, I submitted a sincere question concerning how the Red Flags Rule will affect ADA members who sign up for CareCredit. Instead of posting it with the promise of an answer, you regretfully chose to censor an ADA member. Today, July 13, I have a second and third question: Why did you ignore my first one and who is your boss?

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Ethics, Health Insurance, Information Technology, Marketing & Advertising, Media Mentions and PR, Pruitt's Platform, Research & Development | Tagged: ADA, ADA Business Enterprises, ADA/IDM, ADABEI, American Dental Association, CareCredit, Darrell Pruitt, dentists, IDM, Intellignet Dental Marketing, red flag rules, Steve Lohr, Trajan King | 12 Comments »

Government-Enabled Patient “Bounty Hunters”

Posted on June 30, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Spider Webbing Technology May Trip-Up Miscreant Doctors

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA CMP™

Under the Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA), the U. S. Department of Health and Human Service (HHS) have operated an “Incentive Program for Fraud and Abuse Information.”

In this program, HHS pays $100 – $1,000 to Medicare recipients who report abuse in the program.

To assist patients in spotting fraud, HHS has published examples of potential fraud, which include:

medical services not provided;
duplicated services or procedures;
more expenses, services, or procedures claimed for than provided (upcoding/billing);
misused Medicare cards and numbers;
medical telemarketing scams; and
no-medical necessity.

Real Health Fraud Exists

There is no question that real fraud exists. The Office of Inspector General of HHS saved American taxpayers a record $32 billion in 2006, according to Inspector General Glenn A. Fine.Savings were achieved through an intensive and continuing crackdown on waste, fraud, and abuse in Medicare and over 300 other HHS programs. To discourage flagrant allegations, regulations require that reported information directly contribute to monetary recovery for activities not already under investigation. For the DRA in 2009, this includes the following:

promoting state False Claims Acts (section 6032);
enhancing the Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, with “red flags” (PL 108-159); see http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-108publ159/content-detail.html
employee education about false claims recovery (section 6033);
augmenting the Medicaid Integrity Program (section 6034);
enhancing third party recovery (section 6035); and
“mining” medical claims for potential fraud with the help of sophisticated computer technology algorithms – called “spider-webbing” – which locate a common insurance claim denominator and then follow the thread throughout claims review. Indicators of possible fraud include doctors charging more than peers; providers who administer more tests or procedures per patient; providers who conduct medically “unlikely” procedures; providers who bill for more expensive procedures and equipment when there are cheaper options; and patients who travel long distances for treatment.

Assessment

CMS and private companies are able to save far more money by detecting fraud before claims are paid than recovering the money after the fact. And so, a further erosion of patient confidence can be expected as CMS, and private insurers, assume the “bounty hunter” view of healthcare providers.

Conclusion

Of course, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Do you feel like the hunter; or the hunted? Tell us what you think? Do you ever – or never – fear the spider? Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

For details about how to report an abuse, see www.usdoj.gov/oig/FOIA/hotline.htm.

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Ethics, Health Insurance, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology | Tagged: CMS, david marcinko, DRA, Fair and Accurate Credit Transaction Act, false claims act, fragmented billing, Glen A. Fine, healthcare abuse, healthcare fraud, HIPAA, HSS, Incentive Program for Fraud and Abuse Information, Medicaid Integrity Program, medical claims mining, medicare, medicare cliams mining, spider webbing, unbundled medical billing, unbundling, www.healthcarefinancials.com | 5 Comments »

IRS Warning on Hospital Charity Care

Posted on June 28, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

On Hospital Community Benefit Laws

By Staff Reporters

According to an Internal Revenue Service survey of nearly 500 not-for-profit hospitals in May 2006, only nine percent of total revenues were dedicated to community charity care. The report warned charity [Samaritan] and not-for-profit healthcare entities that attempts to set a percentage threshold for determining tax-exempt compliance may have a:

“disproportionate impact on hospitals, depending upon their size, where they are located their community benefit mix, and other hospital and community demographics.”

In a follow-up, February 12, 2009, the IRS reported on executive compensation of the same tax-exempt hospitals”.

Link: http://greisguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/eo_interim_hospital_report_072007.pdf

Existence Justification

While the question whether tax-exempt hospitals are providing enough charity care to justify their tax exemption remains, the report failed to reach specific conclusions on whether existing community benefit standards are appropriate and if tax-exempt hospital executives are being compensated too richly. The findings also serve as a caution to long term acute care hospital [LTACH] governance and compensation committees. The CEOs and CFOs of these entities should note that a similar survey may be performed on for-profit hospitals in the near future.

Defining “Community Benefits”

According to Jason Greis, of the Gries Guide on LTACHs, on February 12, 2009:

“The current ‘community benefit’ standard was established by the IRS in 1969 in Revenue Ruling 69-545. The standard sets out factors to be considered in measuring community benefit, including: (i) a board made up of a broad base of community members; (ii) an open medical staff; (iii) participation in Medicare and Medicaid; (iv) application of surplus funds toward improving facilities, equipment, patient care, medical training, research, and education; and (v) a full-time emergency room open to all regardless of ability to pay (the emergency room standard applies differently to tax-exempt Long Term and Acute Care Hospitals [LTACH] that do not maintain a full array of emergency department services). Under the current community benefit standard, individual hospitals are given flexibility to determine what services will-best serve their communities.”

Today, some pundits suggest that if Congress doesn’t establish new charity care requirements imminently, the IRS should revert to its community benefit standard above, and revise down or eliminate the tax exemption.

Link: http://greisguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/eo_interim_hospital_report_072007.pdf

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Should non-profit hospitals be evaluated more carefully by the IRS for their community benefit? Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Accounting, Ethics, Funding Basics, Health Law & Policy | 4 Comments »

About the MS Office® eMR Project

Posted on June 19, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Programming a Powerful eMR – or – Jumping the Shark?

By Ann Miller; RN, MHA

Recently we communicated with Al Borges MD, founder of the Office eMR Project. He is quite an innovative guy. His passion – eMRs for the physician masses – through an infra-structure already largely in place?

The Problem: You want to use a great eMR but you can’t afford to pay for it.

You have a growing medical office that is completely paper based, and wish to capture the efficiencies of an electronic medical record (eMR) system. But, many eMR systems on the market are complicated, expensive and have been known to actually slow down the typical office workflow. You have used the MS Office® suite of software products in the past and appreciate its power, but you don’t know how to use it to set up a great eMR that perfectly suits your needs.

An Alternative

Alternatively, you can purchase an inexpensive MS Office® based proprietary eMR, but you might wish to write an add-in to incorporate add certain features to this basic, but excellent eMR platform. So, what do [can] you do?

CCHIT Takes a Hit

http://www.emrupdate.com/blogs/emrinterviews/archive/2006/10/09/CCHIT-takes-a-hit-from-Washington_2C00_-D.C.-area-doctor-who-claims-new-certification-group-restrains-free-trade-in-EMR-_2800_Electronic-Medical-Record_2900_-software.aspx

https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/03/02/cchit-is-prejudiced-and-lacks-diversity-%e2%80%93-an-indictment/

A Solution: Open Source Programs

According to Dr. Borges, one may use his web site to get the answers to program your eMR. His site discusses these very issues. It is continuously growing, with a host of free programs, position papers and forum discussions that touch on a wide variety of topics. These include general information on the use of MS Office® in the medical office, programming the various components of MS Office®, and those political topics that affect how we use health information technology [HIT].

Two Program Versions

There are 2 major eMR programs available – the MS Word® eMR Project (MSWP) and the MS Access® eMR Project (MSAP). But, is the Office eMR Project of Alberto truly an interoperable solution – a digital solution – or something else?

Website: http://www.msofficeemrproject.com

Jumping the Shark

Jumping the Shark is a phrase coined by Jon Hein and used by TV critics to denote the point in a show where the plot veers off into absurd story lines in a desperate attempt to attract viewers. Shows that have “jumped the shark” are typically deemed to have passed their peak. On the other hand, is Dr. Borges a Cassandra at his peak … who just happens to be correct?

MSFT Discussion Groups for Al Borges, MD

http://www.microsoft.com/office/community/en-us/default.mspx?query=alborg&dg=&cat=en-us-office&lang=en&cr=US&pt=3a4e9862-cdce-4bdc-8664-91038e3eb1e9&catlist=&dglist=&ptlist=&exp=&sloc=en-us

Making eHRs Illegal?

For example, did you know that the democrats want to make use of non certified eHRs illegal in NJ? The bill allegedly provides specifically as follows:

“On or after January 1, 2011, no person or entity is permitted to sell, offer for sale, give, furnish, or otherwise distribute to any person or entity in this State a health information technology product that has not been certified by CCHIT. A person or entity that violates this provision is liable to a civil penalty of not less than $1,000 for the first violation, not less than $2,500 for the second violation, and $5,000 for the third and each subsequent violation, to be collected pursuant to the “Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999,” P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.).”

Link: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2008/Bills/A4000/3934_I1.HTM

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Is the Office eMR Project a panacea to the eMR conundrum, or a hybrid? What about CCHIT; is it certified – does it have to be? Users and early-adopters, we need your opinions! Has the “shark been jumped” here; or not? Tell us what you think. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Information Technology, Interviews, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Research & Development | Tagged: Al Borges, Alberto Borges MD, CCHIT, EHRs, EMRs, health information technology, HIT, MS Office eMR Project, MS Office® suite, MSAP, MSWP, Office eMR project, open source eHRs, open source eMRs, PHI | 4 Comments »

Medical Negligence and the “Burden of Proof”

Posted on June 18, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Understanding the Malpractice Trial Process

By Dr. Jay S. Grife; Esq, MA

In all civil trials, the plaintiff, as the accuser, has the burden of proving his case. Much like a criminal defendant, a civil defendant has no burden and is presumed “innocent” of any claim by the plaintiff. As a result, if the plaintiff presents no evidence, or insufficient evidence to support his claim, the defendant wins without having to present his case. The burden the plaintiff carries is that he must prove his case by what is called a preponderance of the evidence. In other words, the plaintiff must prove it is more likely than not that he should win. The best way to visualize this burden is to imagine a set of scales. If the scales are even, or tipped in favor of the defendant, then the plaintiff has not carried his burden, and loses. In order to prevail, the plaintiff must tip the scales in his favor.

Proving Medical Malpractice

To prove a case of medical malpractice, a plaintiff-patient must present evidence that the defendant-doctor was negligent, and the plaintiff does this by proving the treatment provided was below the applicable standard of care. The “standard of care” is the care and skill that a reasonably prudent practitioner would provide in treating a patient. It is established by the medical community at large, and is constantly evolving. Care that violates the standard of care today may not necessarily violate the standard of care several years ago. This distinction is an important one, since most cases take several years to get to trial. The standard of care is never based on the outcome of the case; a bad result does not necessarily mean a violation of the standard of care.

The Medical Expert Witnesses

Expert medical testimony is required to establish a violation of the standard of care in virtually all medical malpractice cases. A plaintiff who fails to present the required expert medical testimony in a medical malpractice case will lose. The plaintiff must also produce expert medical testimony that the alleged negligence caused the injury.

For example, suppose that a patient’s widow brings a medical malpractice case against a surgeon who admitted the patient for removal of an AO plate embedded in bone. The plaintiff-widow alleges that the surgeon should have done something to prevent a pulmonary embolism, which occurred three days after the patient was dismissed from the hospital, killing him. The patient might have an expert who would testify that she would not have removed the AO plate, but left it in place. Such testimony does not carry the burden of proving care below the standard required of the surgeon. Indeed, in most cases, the standard of care allows a practitioner to choose from a variety of treatment options within an acceptable range. Mere testimony by an expert witness that “I would have treated this patient differently” is insufficient to establish a breach of the standard of care. The bad result also is not itself proof of any negligence. Nor is there any evidence that the doctor caused the patient’s death (i.e., that the embolism would not have occurred without the alleged negligence of the surgeon). Therefore, doctor wins on all elements.

Assessment

Have you ever been involved in a medical malpractice trial; or other healthcare litigation process? The Medical Executive-Post readers are interested in hearing your story.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Ethics, Professional Liability, Quality Initiatives, Risk Management | Tagged: burden of proof, david marcinko, defendant, expert witness, jay grife, malpratice trial, medical expert, medical liability, medical malpractice, medical negligence, medical risk management, plaintiff, proving malpractice, standard of care | 11 Comments »

Discount Brokerages versus On-Line Brokerages

Posted on June 15, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Physicians Must Appreciate the Differences

By Daniel B. Moisand; CFP® and the ME-P Staff

Here are a few questions for all physician-investors to consider in 2009:

1. True or False?

The key to investment success is to pay as little for a trade as possible.

2. True or False?

The higher the number of trades in an investment account, the better the investment results.

3. True or False?

The majority of revenue of a discount or on-line brokerage comes from trades.

A: The answers should be crystal clear! False, False and True. It is almost entirely that simple.

Cost Control

Much like a medical practice, keeping costs down is an important objective of personal finance but, it is certainly not the key to success. There are many studies that show that active trading garners inferior results compared to a longer term buy and hold type of strategy. One of the most publicized recently was conducted by a UC-Davis team led by Dr. Terrance Odean. The study examined the actual tracing activity of thousands of self-directed accounts at a major discount brokerage over a six-year period. The results were clear. Regardless of trading level, most of the accounts underperformed the market and showed that the higher the number of trades, the worse the result.

Of Bulls and Bears

While the U.S. markets were on a dramatic upswing a decade ago, the general interest level in them increased as well. More households owned financial assets than ever before. Demographics drive much of this surge. The older edge of the baby boom generation is finding that as the children leave home, they have more income than ever before and saving for retirement becomes a higher priority. The proliferation of defined contribution [401-k, 403-b] retirement plans has also forced more people to take responsibility for their long-term security. When, the US stock market was on a tear; one would have be wise to remember an old Wall Street saying – “Don’t confuse brains with a bull market.” Unfortunately today, far too many self-directed investors did not heed the warnings. The media is full of stories about investors whose portfolios were decimated by the recent bear market. While this loss of wealth is somewhat tragic, in almost all cases the losses were made possible by poor planning and/or poor execution that a mediocre advisor would have avoided.

The Business of Advice

One also cannot conclude that everyone is acting as his or her own investment advisor. The advice business continues to thrive. Sales of load mutual funds have continued to grow, as has commission revenue at full-service firms. No-load funds have continued to grow as well and gain market share from the load funds. However, it would be inaccurate to tie that growth to do-it-yourselfers. Much of the growth of no-load funds can be attributed to the advice of various types of advisors who are recommending the funds. In addition, several traditionally no-load fund families have begun to offer funds through brokers for a load.

The Discounters

For physicians and all clients, the primary attraction to a discounter is cost. Everyone loves a bargain. Once it is determined that it is a good idea to buy say 100 shares of IBM, the trade needs to get executed. When the trade settles one owns 100 shares of IBM, regardless of what was paid for the trade. There is no harm in saving a few bucks. However, the decision to buy the IBM shares and when to sell those shares will have a far greater impact on the investment results than the cost of the trade as long as the level of trading is kept at a prudent level. The fact is that most good advisors use discount firms for custodial and transaction services. The leading providers to advisors are Schwab, Fidelity, and Waterhouse.

Ego Driven

In addition to cost savings, discounters appeal to one’s ego for business. Everyone wants to feel like a smart investor; especially doctors. Often, marketing materials will cite the IBM example and portray the cost difference as an example of how the investor is either stupid or being ripped off. There is also a strong appeal to one’s sense of control. An investor is made to feel like they are the masters of their own destiny. All of this is a worthy goal. One should feel confident, in control, and smart about financial issues. Hiring a professional should not result in losing any of these feelings, rather solidify them. Getting one’s affairs in order is smart. The advisor works for the client so a client should maintain control by only delegating tasks to the extent one is comfortable. Knowing that the particular circumstances are being addressed effectively should yield enhanced confidence.

Sales Pressure Release

The final reason people turn to discount and on-line brokerages is to avoid sales pressure. Unlike the stereotypical stockbroker, no one calls to push a particular stock. Instead, sales pressure is created within the mind of the investor. By maintaining a steady flow of information about stocks and the markets to the account holders, brokerages keep these issues in the forefront of the investor’s minds. This increases the probability that the investor will act on the information and execute a trade. Add some impressive graphics and interfaces and the brokerage can keep an investor glued to the screen. The Internet has made this flow easier and cheaper for the brokerages, lowering costs and increasing the focus on trade volume to achieve profitability.

Assessment

The pressurized information flow however, does little to protect investors during a bear market. Ironically, this focus on trading is one of the very conflicts investors are trying to avoid by fleeing a traditional full service broker.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. What are your feelings on discount and internet brokers? Tell us what you think. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, CMP Program, Financial Planning, Portfolio Management, Recommended Books, Risk Management | Tagged: certified financial planner, certified medical planner, CFP, CMP, common stock, daniel moisand, david marcinko, DDS, discount broker, DO, DPM, Dr. Terrance Odean, Fidelity, financial advisors, Financial Planning, internet broker, Investing, load funds, MD, Mutual Funds, no-load funds, online broker, Schwab, stock broker, stock shares, Waterhouse, www.certifiedmedicalplanner.com | 2 Comments »

Meet Richard A. Berning MD

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Our Newest “Thought-Leader”

By Ann Miller; RN, MHA

The Medical Executive-Post is proud to introduce Richard Berning MD as our newest thought-leader for medical practice management modernity.

About Dr. Berning

Dr. Richard A. Berning attended the University of Cincinnati – College of Medicine. He is a pediatric cardiologist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics who practices in Hartford, CT. His patients call him “DrRichB.”

PrivatePractice.MD [An Emerging Network]

PrivatePractice.MD (pronounced “Private Practice dot MD”) is an emerging Health 2.0 community of experienced physicians in private practice, and the supporting experts and advisors who help them start and manage private medical practices. It is the brain-child of Dr. Berning who believes that a well-run medical practice results in better patient care, physician income and quality of life. Health care is rapidly changing and is destined to change at an even faster pace in the future.

The Website

According to the website, experienced doctors can discuss business decisions with other experienced experts in each of the listed aspects of managing the business side of medical practice. Questions about practice structure, partnership issues, medical billing, electronic medical records, quality control, staff and other medical office management issues are addressed; and others are in development. Physician-specific issues such as credentialing, medical malpractice, and insurance, investing, pensions and retirement planning are also discussed. A job board will soon list opportunities, and a classified ad section will list new and used equipment and real estate for sale, trade or barter. The goal for PrivatePractice.MD is to be a deep resource for all medical providers in private practice today.

Assessment

We are in luck, too! Rich has promised to publish his most exciting ideas and innovative works on our blog. He is also available through PrivatePractice.MD. So, let’s give a warm ME-P “shout-out” to Dr. Richard A. Berning, our newest “thought-leader.”

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Feel free to send in your comments whenever Rich posts. Visit his site, sign-up for his newsletter, and let the discussions begin.

Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Ask-an-Advisor", "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Managed Care, Practice Management | Tagged: cardiologist, DrRichB, pediatric cardiology, pediatrics, PrivatePratice.MD, richard berning | 1 Comment »

About AllHealthCareJobs.com

Posted on June 13, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

The Dice Purchase

[By Scot Melland]

I am pleased to announce that Dice Holdings now owns AllHealthcareJobs.com.

A Medical Career Web Site

AllHealthcareJobs.com is a leading online career site dedicated to matching healthcare professionals with the best career opportunities in their profession.

Known for its unique search engine, AllHealthcareJobs.com allows hiring managers and recruiters to quickly locate and recruit highly-qualified healthcare professionals in more than 500 available job specialties across the healthcare industry. In fact, more than 50 percent of AllHealthcareJobs candidates have at least five years experience in the industry and encompass a wide range of healthcare fields such as nursing, allied health, laboratory, pharmacy and medicine.

Assessment

AllHealthcareJobs.com joins Dice’s other specialized job sites and job fairs in providing the most skilled and experienced professionals for affiliated job openings. If you have any questions or are interested in learning more, contact us at 1.877.386.3323 or visit www.AllHealthcareJobs.com. Thank you for your continued support.

Regards
Scot Melland
Chairman, President & CEO
Dice Holdings, Inc.
3 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10016
1.877.386.3323

Conclusion

Your thoughts and comments on this ME-P are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development | Tagged: Dice Holdings, healthcare jobs, healthcare professionals, HealthcareJobs.com, medical employment, medical jobs, medical professional jobs, Scott Melland | 2 Comments »

Understanding the PHI “Minimum Necessary” Rule

Posted on June 12, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Protected Health Information and HIPAA

By Richard J. Mata; MD, MIS, CMP™ [Hon]

One important concept of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] is the “minimum necessary” rule, which states the minimum use of Protected Health Information [PHI] to identify a person, such as a social security number, home address, or phone number.

Only the essential elements are to be used in transferring information from the patient record to anyone else that needs this information.

Financial Information Included

This is especially important when financial information is being addressed. Only the minimum codes necessary to determine the cost should be provided to the financial department. No other information should be accessed by that department. Many institutions have systems where a registration or accounting clerk can pull up as much information as a doctor or nurse, but this is now against HIPAA policy and subject to penalties. The “minimum necessary” rule is also changing the way software is set up and vendor access is provided.

Human Resources

Another challenging task is keeping up with the number of people who access PHI, because the privacy regulations allow a patient to receive an accounting of anyone who has accessed their information, both internally (within your hospital, Emerging Healthcare Organization, or medical entity) and externally (such as through your business associates). The patient has the right to know who in the lengthy data chain has seen their PHI. This sets up an audit challenge for the medical organization, especially if the accountability is programmed internally. When other business associates use this PHI without documenting access to a specific patient’s PHI, no one would be accountable for a breach in privacy.

http://www.findbookprices.com/author/Hope_Hetico

One way to track access is through a designated record set, which contains medical or mixed billing records, and any other information that a physician and/or medical practice utilizes for making decisions about a patient. It is up to the hospital, EHO, or healthcare organization to define which set of information comprises “protected health information” and which does not, though logically this should not differ from locale to locale.

Assessment

Overlaps from the privacy regulations that are also addressed in the security regulations are access controls, audit trails, policies on e-mail and fax transmissions, contingency planning, configuration management, entity and personal authentication, and network controls. For more information about the Security Standards final rule; reference the Federal Register.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Glossary Terms, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Research & Development, Sponsors | Tagged: designated record set, Dictionary Health Information Technology Security, eHR, eMR, federal register, HIPAA, hope hetico, minimum necessary, PHI, protected health information, Richard Mata, www.healthdictionaryseries.com | 1 Comment »

Capital Sources for Hospitals

Posted on June 10, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Understanding the Liquidity Crunch -with- Publisher’s Interview

By Calvin W. Weise; MBA, CMA, CPA

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Hospital are struggling in the current financial crisis, and like most of us, liquidity is scarce. In general, hospitals have three sources of capital: equity from earnings, equity from donations, and long-term debt.

Equity from Earnings

Earnings generate cash, and a portion of that cash is available to fund capital investments. Besides funding capital investments, cash generated from earnings is used to fund working capital. As operations grow, more working capital is required to fund the difference between the operating receivables and operating payables since days of revenue in receivables tend to be a good deal higher than days of expense in payables. Additionally, cash on hand should increase as operations grow so that days of cash remain constant or increase. Once working capital has been adequately funded, any remaining cash generated from earnings is available to invest in capital.

Donations

Most not-for-profit hospitals engage in active fundraising to generate donations. Donations are a good source of capital in certain markets. Often, fundraising initiatives are less useful than they appear due to the costs expended in the fundraising activities. It is important to ensure that all the costs incurred in fundraising activities are properly attributed.

Long-Term Debt

Borrowing long-term debt has been an important source of capital for hospitals and will continue to be. Debt is particularly attractive due to the low cost associated with borrowing on a tax-exempt basis. Long-term debt, borrowed on a tax-exempt basis, is probably the lowest cost form of capital available to hospitals. Tax-exempt borrowing is fairly complex due to the tax regulations affecting it. Because of its complexity, the costs associated with these transactions are quite high, making it less practical for small borrowings.

Assessment

Tax-exempt borrowing transactions require many lawyers and high-priced investment bankers. Credit rating agencies and credit enhancers are also typically involved. Accessing the tax-exempt markets requires a good bit of sophistication and expertise. Despite these requirements, this capital is highly attractive to hospitals and should be used whenever possible.

Interview

Read: Dr. David Edward Marcinko’s recent interview on the current status of hospitals.

Link [unedited version]: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/04/01/medical-news-of-arkansas-interviews-dr-marcinko/?preview=true&preview_id=9094&preview_nonce=d9039cf076

Link [edited version]: http://www.arkansasmedicalnews.com/news.php?viewStory=738

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. What is the financial status of your hospital, today? How has the cash flow crisis affected it; and your practice? Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Health Economics, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Investing, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: calvin weise, charity care, david marcinko, for-profit hospitals, HealthcareFinancials.com, Hill-Burton Act, hospital capital sources, hospital capitalization, not-for-profit hospitals, pro-bono healthcare, SHIPs, tax-exempt hospitals | 2 Comments »

Health Care Uses for Twitter [Suggestions for Micro-Sharing]

Posted on June 9, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Health Care Should be the Leader in MicroSharing – Why isn’t It?

[By Staff Reporters]

According to by Phil Baumann, RN BSN; @ www.PhilBaumann.com

“Twitter may either be the greatest time wasting prank ever played on the internet community – or- it may be the best thing since sliced bread. It’s easy to make the first case if you read the public time-line for a few minutes. It’s a bit harder to make the second, but I’ll do my best to make it. Specifically, I’d like to take a stab at offering 140 health care uses for Twitter. Twitter’s simplicity of design, speed of delivery and ability to connect two or more people around the world provides a powerful means of communication, idea sharing and collaboration. There’s potency in the ability to burst out 140 characters, including a shortened URI. Could this power have any use in healthcare? After all, for example, doctors and nurses.”

Assessment

Read the 23 page white-paper here:

Link: http://blogs.usask.ca/medical_education/archive/2009/02/140_healthcare.html

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Information Technology, Marketing & Advertising, Media Mentions and PR, Practice Management, Research & Development | Tagged: betwittered, healthcare communications, micro-sharing, microsharing, phil baumann, tweet, tweets, twitter, twittering, URI, www.PhilBaumann.com, www.twitter.com | 19 Comments »

Doctor – Are You on Your Way to $5.5 Million?

Posted on June 8, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Update 2015

[By Staff Reporters]

[Initially Published on September 16, 2008]

As a physician, how much do you need in your retirement kitty to finance your golden years?

It was a vexing question when this article was first written by Physician’s Money Digest’s Editor-in-Chief, Gregory J. Kelly, and is an even more vexing dilemma in 2009. It is also one that most physicians tend to ignore; hence the reprint.

Assessment

And so, for those doctors curious about whether they’ll be living on Easy Street, or Skid Row, when they hang up their stethoscope, it helps to do some basic math and to review this link:

Read: http://www.hcplive.com/print.php?url=http://www.hcplive.com/publications/pmd/2005/95/4030

Channel Surfing the ME-P

Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.

More:

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Comprehensive Financial Planning Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners(TM)

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Financial Planning, iMBA, Inc., Recommended Books | Tagged: david marcinko, Financial Planning, peter kelly, physician's income, physician's money digest, physician's net worth, physician's retirement, physician's salary, www.healthcarefinancials.com, www.medicalbusinessadvisors.com | 6 Comments »

Essential Insights on Successful Physician Budgeting

Posted on June 6, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Special Report for all Medical Professionals

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA

By Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA

What: A Special Report Prepared upon the Request of “Podiatry Today”

Who: Dr. David E Marcinko and Hope Rachel Hetico; MHA

Topic: Essential Insights on Successful Budgeting

Reporter: Jeffrey Hall [Editor “Podiatry Today” Magazine]

Where: Internet Ether

Although some doctors might view a budget as unnecessarily restrictive, sticking to a spending plan can be a useful tool in enhancing the wealth of a medical practice. These authors emphasize keys to smart budgeting and how to track spending and savings in these tough economic times. The universal applicability to all doctors is obvious.

Read the Report Here

Link: http://www.podiatrytoday.com/essential-insights-on-successful-budgeting

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated?

Subscribe: Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Financial Planning, Glossary Terms, iMBA, Inc., Interviews, Recommended Books, Sponsors | Tagged: budgeting, david marcinko, Financial Planning, financial planning physicians, hope hetico, medical budgeting, podiatry today, www.certifiedmedicalplanner.com, www.healthdictionaryseries.com, www.medicalbusinessadvisors.com | Leave a comment »

Credit Card Acceptance in Medical Practice

Posted on June 4, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

One-third of Physician Practices Not Accepting CCs

By Staff Reporters

The Physician Office Credit-Card Acceptance Survey, by SK&A Information Services, an Irvine, Califironia based provider of healthcare information solutions and research, suggests physician practices are limiting credit card [cc] payments because patients are being adversely affected by high interest rates, maxed out credit limits and a more challenging ability to qualify for unsecured credit.

Assessment

Read this report in HealthcareFinance News, on May 29 2009, by Richard Pizzi,

http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/one-third-physician-practices-do-not-accept-credit-card-payments

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Do our physician ME-P readers accept CCs? Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Sponsors Welcomed

And, credible sponsors and like-minded advertisers are always welcomed.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2007/11/11/advertise

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Accounting, Practice Management, Risk Management, Surveys and Voting | Tagged: credit cards, healthcare information solutions, Physician Office Credit-Card Acceptance Survey, SK&A Information Services, unsecured debt | Leave a comment »

About Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc

Posted on May 27, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Independent Custom Benchmark Groups

By Staff Reporters

Department of Labor [DOL] regulations under ERISA, and specifically pending section 408(b)(2), requires that retirement plan sponsors obtain fee disclosures for their plans and that all fees be “reasonable” for services provided.

Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc. [FBi] was launched to support plan sponsors, advisors, consultants, record-keepers and other plan service providers in addressing this obligation. Fiduciary Benchmarks helps document a thorough and objective process and well-informed decisions. This is an increasingly important topic for hospitals, healthcare systems, CXOs, CFOs, sponsoring medical entities and many modern physician-executives.

Background

Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc was founded in October 2007 with the express purpose of providing pension and retirement plan benchmarking services. The genesis of the firm was recognition by FBi principals that the marketplace did not have an efficient and affordable way to help plan sponsors meet their fiduciary obligation to determine if plan fees are reasonable.

Progressing Past Current Approaches

Existing marketplace approaches to assessing fee reasonableness (including the use of simple averages books, issuing RFIs, participating in a mock RFPs or actually taking a plan to market) were falling short in terms of validity and/or the time, effort and disruption involved. These gaps continue today.

FBi Modern Approaches

FBi spent more than a year sharing their methodology and reports with the marketplace. They solicited and considered feedback from record-keepers and TPAs, advisors, consultants, independent auditors and ERISA attorneys. As a result, products are claimed to be well vetted and improved.

Link: http://www.fiduciarybenchmarks.com

Fiduciary Report [The Duty to Use Outside Sources]

“Fiduciaries are not expected to be experts. They may reasonably rely on the assistance of others in performing required investigation of and data gathering process. One of the key issues in determining whether reliance on the expert is reasonable is whether the expert is independent and unbiased.”

-Fred Reish

Assessment

In order to remain independent and conflict free, FBi does not perform any traditional investment consulting, plan monitoring and/or record-keeper search work. FBi offers benchmarking services, where desired, by plan sponsors, directly. Fiduciary Benchmarks, Inc. is a completely independent company.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated; especially from FAs, wealth managers, CPAs, CFAs and CMPs™? Experienced customer opinions are appreciated. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
PODIATRISTS: www.PodiatryPrep.com
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Ethics, Financial Planning, Investing, Portfolio Management, Practice Management, Professional Liability, Recommended Books, Retirement and Benefits, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: 408(b)(2), DOL, ERISA, FBi, fiduciary accountability, Fiduciary Benchmarks Inc, financial advisors, financial planners, Fred Reish, retirement plans, wealth managers | 7 Comments »

Beware the Faux Medical Journals

Posted on May 26, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

When is a “Journal” … not a Journal?

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

Publisher-in-Chief

Allow me to begin this post by making the unusual disclosure that I was the Editor-in-Chief of a print guide in healthcare finance and economics [aka periodical or journal].

Formally, the title was: Healthcare Organizations [Financial Management Strategies]. At 2 volumes, and more than 1,200 pages, it was quite a job to update it quarterly. And, with more than two dozen contributing authors, it was a labor of love indeed. Alas … no more!

Varying Levels of Credibility

Now, we doctors know that medical journals are not all alike. There are different levels of “credibility.” Some are peer-reviewed, others not. Some are trade magazines. Frankly, some “real” journals are better, and more respected than others. Some entrenched journals are in decline, while other emerging journals are leading-edge in the health 2.0 space. Still others, like the formerly esteemed Journal of the American Medical Association [JAMA], have been accused of outright censorship.

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/04/02/is-jama-censoring-physician-dissent/

Adventures

Of course, doctors also know that pharmaceutical companies routinely offer us reprints of articles from medical journals that are favorable to their products. But, news of a Merck-sponsored publication for doctors in Australia has come to light in a personal injury lawsuit over Vioxx. It raised more than a few eyebrows in international medical publishing circles. It may have even crossed the line of journalistic, not to mention medical, ethics.

Read: Merck Paid for Medical ‘Journal’ Without Disclosure; by Natasha Singer, May 13, 2009.

Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/14/business/14vioxxside.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1242313549-xaAEwW4MCd7pJh9OdgWdUQ

Mis-Adverntures

Tracy Staton wrote more about these mis-adventures in a story, dated May 14, 2009, in FiercePharma.

Analysis and Apology

Analysis in the Pipeline: http://seekingalpha.com/article/136942-merck-and-elsevier-cross-the-line-in-joint-medical-journal?source=yahoo

Libology Mea Culpa: http://www.libology.com/blog/tag/excerpta-medica

Assessment

Perhaps; Merck ought to read our Medical-Executive Post on health journalists?

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/battered-health-journalists

Or, our Medical-Executive Post on medical experts, reporters and journalists?

Link: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2009/03/09/healthcare-experts-versus-health-journalists

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Drugs and Pharma, Ethics, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Op-Editorials, Recommended Books, Risk Management | Tagged: big-pharma, david marcinko, Drugs, JAMA, medical journals, Merck, Natasha Singer, pharmaceticals, Tracy Staton, Vioxx, www.healthcarefinancials.com | 12 Comments »

Economic Facts your Dentist Doesn’t Want You to Know

Posted on May 25, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Some Office Visit Schedules Linked to Insurance Payment

By D. Kellus Pruitt; DDS

http://thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/21/herb_denenberg/doc4a15404e56e5f308210565.txt

Here is the link to an article written by Herb Denenberg titled: “Some Facts Your Dentist Doesn’t Want You to Know”. In it, he shared with his readers some information about dentistry that is hard to find. I submitted the following comment.

Dear Herb Denenberg,

Yours was a great article, and as a dentist with 27 years in a comfortable practice and 32 years in an expensive marriage, I find your cost-saving points oh so painfully accurate. Nevertheless, I must honestly agree that not only can some patients safely go a year or more between check-ups (ouch!), but many don’t need bitewing x-rays every year either (Good thing neither my patients nor my wife read the stuff I write).

Of BiteWing X-Rays

Readers who are hopefully from places other than the east side of Fort Worth can easily understand that the more treatment and x-rays I recommend, the more money I make. I must honestly add that my devoted and trusting dental patients, like most Fort Worth dentists’ patients, are reliably willing to accept my recommendations for these kinds of procedures without questioning the need. Let me put it this way: Annual bitewings are an easy $56 sale, mostly because fee-for-service insurance pays for them at 100% anyway. (If an angry dentist should ask who told you that, it wasn’t me). That is why it should not be taken lightly my approval of the advice about dentistry published in the book “1,001 Things They Won’t Tell You.” And; they won’t, sometimes.

Ethics and EBD

True to ethics I learned at the University of Texas dental school, in San Antonio (UTHSC), in the last six months, my hygienists and I have been determining which patients are safe to go a year and a half without routine bitewing x-rays. They are commonly taken every year simply because it has always been that way, and that interval was adopted as the minimum time most insurers allow. As readers can see, not a hint of Evidence-Based Dentistry [EBD] was involved in that determination. It was just a 1950’s guess.

Extended Prophylactic Schedules

This week we found four candidates in our practice for extended schedules. Our honesty will save these patients (their insurance companies) money by eliminating unnecessary care. And I really, really hate saving insurance companies money, on principle alone.

In My Defense

In my defense of continuing to maintain a large number of my patients on 6 month prophys and 12 month x-rays – and with the hope of restraining local dentists from throwing rocks through my windows – let me say up front that most people still need the old-school schedule in order to prevent disease. And, a few of the more fragile cases need x-rays and cleanings even more often than insurance allows.

Assessment

My patients and I are fortunate that I can freely charge the prices I deem necessary in order to put my patients’ interests above my wife’s. Let’s face it. Ethics are invisible to dental patients and they are not free. Ethics are a precious courtesy that dentists who accept managed care insurance find themselves forced to eliminate because contracts prevent them from raising fees as the market demands. Managed care dentistry is dentistry by the lowest bidder with no quality control. I only wish that someone would have pointed out that chunk of information in the book. Now, I’d better have my wife go ahead and start my car in the morning when she grabs the paper.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Ethics, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Practice Management | Tagged: ADA, bite wing X-rays, cavities, Darrell Pruitt, DDS, dental visits, DMD, EBD, evidence based dentistry, Herb Denenberg, UTHSC | 7 Comments »

Understanding Periodic or New Employee Practice Compliance Audits

Posted on May 22, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Perform and Improve as Needed

By Patricia Trites MPA, CHBC; with Staff Reporters

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

There are several types of compliance audits that a medical practice, clinic or healthcare organization might need to perform. The starting point, discussed elsewhere on this ME-P, is to obtain a baseline audit. The next step is periodic audits or reviews that are performed after information is obtained from the baseline audit.

Periodic Audits

Periodic audits are performed on an on-going basis. Depending on the volume of billing, these may occur weekly for a large multi-specialty ambulatory clinic to quarterly for a small medical practice. These periodic audits can be random or scheduled. Sometimes in the process of seeing how things run, a surprise review can be informative to staff and practitioners.

New Employee Audits

New employees require regular training and reviews until there is confidence in their capabilities. Background checks are often helpful to find out whether there are any potential conflicts. In hospitals, health plan offices, surgery centers, and other regulated facilities, background checks are a normal part of the credentialing process. This process typically includes Medicare violations, which would show up on the National Practitioner Data Bank report. However, independent medical practices do not have access to this type of information and may have to rely on other organizations to obtain the information. The OIG and the General Services Administration both maintain a database of excluded persons and entities that can be accessed through the Internet. As part of the organization’s initial and periodic audits, queries of these two databases should be performed for all employees and independent contractors (like locum tenens physicians). Failure to do so can put the practice at risk of large civil money penalties ($10,000 for each occurrence) and liability for refunds of all claims the excluded individual had part in providing or billing.

Assessment

Additional audits can be performed whenever new employees are added, or if there are complaints or issues that arise in the course of business; prn.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated? What interesting, informative or strange tidbits have you uncovered in your auditing processes?

Subscribe: Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Ethics, Managed Care, Practice Management, Risk Management | Tagged: audits, baseline audit, compliance, david marcinko, GSA, HMO, hope hetico, locum tenens, medicare, Medicare Advantage, Medicare audits, medicare billing, Medicare compliance audit, medicare compliance audits, Medicare HMOs, Medicare plans, National Practitioner Data Bank, new employee audit, OIG, Patricia Trites, www.healthcarefinancials.com, www.healthdictionaryseries.com | Leave a comment »

Military Electronic Dental Records [eDRs]

Posted on May 21, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

US Defense Department Leads the Way

By Staff Reporters

According to Peter Bauxbaum on May 13, 2009, the Defense Health Information Management System [DHIMS] is in the process of deploying AHLTA [Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application] Dental; a module eDR included with the new AHLTA 3.3 release.

It is the U.S. military’s first integrated dental and medical electronic health record.

Link: http://govhealthit.com/articles/2009/05/13/dod-electronic-dental-record.aspx?s=GHIT_190509

Assessment

And so, when will eHRs for osteopaths [eOsteoRs], podiatrists [ePodRs] and optometrists [eOptRs] become available? Is this an occasion when the military is an early HIT adopter?

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Military Medicine, Quality Initiatives, Research & Development | Tagged: AHLTA, AHLTA 3.3, Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application, DHIMS, EHRs, EMRs, HIT, IT, Military Medicine, Peter Bauxbaum, US Defense Department | 12 Comments »

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Primer for Physicians

Posted on May 20, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Free ARRA Webinar Series

By Staff Reporters

Are you ready to maximize American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) opportunities in your medical practice?

The Webinar Series

This webinar series is designed to support physician practices as they prepare for a new health care environment. As new information becomes available, experts and health care leaders representing diverse sectors will review key components of ARRA and offer insights on the impact to the physician community.

Topic: Stimulus 101: Basics of the Health Information Technology Provisions

When: Thursday, May 21, 12:00 PM CST

Presenters:

Glen Tullman, Chief Executive Officer – Allscripts
Margaret Garikes, Director of Federal Affairs – AMA

Assessment

Plus, hear from practices using eHR systems and how they made the transition.

Registration: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/schedule/display.do?udc=1ip8sqjax7frw

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post, and webinar series, are appreciated; especially from seminar participants. Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to the ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Information Technology, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Research & Development, Videos | Tagged: Allscripts, AMA, ARRA, EHRs, EMRs, Glen Tullman, HIT, HITECH, IT, Margaret Gariks, webinar, www.healthcarefinancials.com, www.healthdictionaryseries.com | 6 Comments »

Predicting the Next Domestic Economic Implosion

Posted on May 17, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Emerging Financial Doomsday Scenarios

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

Publisher-in-Chief

Recently, I was pondering the extreme instability that we are facing in this country today, in the two professional sectors in which I work, live and enjoy: [1] health economics and finance; and [2] medicine and medical practice management. In other words; from healthcare and Wall Street reform, to the housing mess and rising unemployment rates; these are challenging and at least, changing times.

The Question

And so, any cogent thinker may reasonably ask: where will the next domestic financial blow-up be? And, what economic doomsday scenario do you predict; and how will it affect the healthcare industrial complex?

The Choices

Commercial mortgage debt foreclosures because they have lagged the home mortgage fiasco, but may be deeper, wider and larger than ever imagined.
Life insurance and annuity companies since these entities have watched their investment portfolios sink and their variable annuity business models implode. Moreover, annuity benefits are being cut, premiums are rising and transparency is increasing.
Health insurance and healthcare reform since the country can not afford the Obama Administration’s current deficit spending and medical initiatives that will spark long term inflation.
Wall Street, the SEC, FINRA, Financial Planner’s Board of Standards, broker-dealers, etc., as the public demands increased competency, fiduciary accountability and transparency in their dealings within a client-focused culture.

Assessment

Of course, our astute ME-P readers may have other ideas that are certainly welcomed; especially from our informed CPA, CFA, CMP™ and FA readers. Physicians, CEOs, CFOs, nurses, politicians, economists and all ME-P readers and subscribers may opine, as well.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Health Economics, Investing, Op-Editorials, Point-Counter Point, Recommended Books | 8 Comments »

On Medical and Other Patient-Centric Specialty Homes

Posted on May 15, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

New Guidelines Released

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

[Publisher-in-Chief]

According to Chris Silva, AMA News on May, 12 2009, new medical home guidelines have just been released.

Physician Input

Four physician organizations have developed new guidelines for medical home projects to ensure consistency and help define how a patient-centered home model should look. The 16 guidelines include recommendations on who should collaborate on the projects, how they should choose practices to participate, what type of support should be provided to practices, how practices should be reimbursed, and what each project should do to analyze and report results.

Link: http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/05/11/gvse0512.htm

Assessment

Physician groups hope clarity and consistency will lead to broader acceptance of the programs. But, what about mental health homes or dental homes; how about podiatry or optometric homes, etc? What about patient mobility?

Is this concept even viable given our increasingly mobile society? Or, is this philosophy fixed in the last century; especially in light of the Obama Administration’s HIT, and eHR initiatives? Was the fluid health 2.0 culture even considered? What are we missing?

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Quality Initiatives, Research & Development, Sponsors | Tagged: Chris Silva, david marcinko, dental homes, EHRs, HIT, medical homes, obama, patient centric medical homes | 15 Comments »

Securing Medical Professional Liability Insurance Coverage

Posted on May 12, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Tips for Doctors Looking for Malpractice Insurance

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

[Publisher-in-Chief]

The following are buying tips for healthcare professionals who are shopping for medical professional liability insurance coverage:

** Shop well in advance of your renewal or expiration date. Your agent should have all of the necessary information to the insurer at least six to eight weeks before your coverage expires. See below for more tips and the type of information your agent will need.

** If you do not know an agent who can place your coverage, the Bureau of Insurance has a list of agencies that are licensed and appointed with at least one of the insurers on the Bureau’s list of “Insurers Writing New Business for Physicians and Surgeons.”

Contact one or two agents and be sure to ask each agent which insurer will be contacted for a quote. Ask the agent if an application will also be submitted to a surplus lines broker. If so, ask for the name of the surplus lines broker and ask which surplus lines insurers will be contacted. Provide this information to the other agent to avoid multiple applications being submitted to one insurer from different agents. If the application is being submitted to a surplus lines broker, be sure to ask the agent for information on the coverage provided and specifically request information on exclusions.
If the agent recommends coverage through an unlicensed company (such as a surplus lines insurer or a risk retention group), be aware that, in the case of insolvency, the insured will not have coverage through the [State] Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association. However, if the healthcare professional has had several claims or an open claim, they may only be able to obtain coverage through a company not licensed in their state.
Ask the agent for information on the financial rating of the company and if the surplus lines insurer has its own guaranty fund. Also, if shopping, the medical professional should feel free to check with the Insurance Bureau of their respective state to see if the company and agent are licensed or authorized to do business.
The agent should fully understand the healthcare professional’s business. If incorporated, ask the agent what coverage is needed to protect the corporation as well as any individual doctors.
Ask the agent about the availability of “tail coverage” or if the new insurer will provide coverage for “prior acts.” If coverage is offered with two insurers, ask the agent what each insurer charges for “tail coverage.” This information may help in deciding which insurer has the most competitive price.
Complete the application for coverage in its entirety. Don’t omit any information and be sure to provide as much detail as possible, especially about prior claims. Many insurance companies want 10 years of information. They may also request information about any risk management practices and procedures.
Discuss deductible options with your agent. These may help lower your premium.
Find out if the insurance company offers any risk management or loss prevention programs. Such programs may lower the premium and help reduce exposure to losses.

Assessment

The author has been an expert medical witness in both state and federal court. He is a former licensed insurance agent and certified financial planner, advisor and consultant.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. Have you ever considered a more modern liability coverage method, such as an RRG, etc?

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

Subscribe Now: Did you like this Medical Executive-Post, or find it helpful, interesting and informative? Want to get the latest E-Ps delivered to your email box each morning? Just subscribe using the link below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Security is assured.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Career Development, Professional Liability, Recommended Books, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: Bureau of Insurance, david marcinko, hope hetico, insurance agent, malpractice, malpractice insurance, medical liability, professional medical liability coverage, property casualty insurance, risk retention group, surplus line broker, tail coverage | 7 Comments »

Non-Traditional Property and Liability Insurance Coverage for Doctors

Posted on May 9, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Review of Other Insurance Forms for Medical Providers

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

Publisher-in-Chief

Obviously, not all forms of P and L insurance coverage can be described in detail on this post. However, the healthcare professional or medical practitioner should consider these other forms of commercial property and liability coverage.

Directors and Officers Liability Insurance

The officers and directors of large practices, or healthcare facilities can be held personally accountable, and thus liable, for breaches of their duties by a number of parties.

Commercial Automobile / Vehicle Insurance

As the name suggests, this coverage provides protection for any commercial vehicles owned and operated by the healthcare corporation. If the practice or facility owns automobiles or other vehicles that are used in the “usual and customary” business activities, this coverage is required. The policy-owner should be aware of the nine classifications of automobiles insured to ensure that coverage is appropriate.

Commercial Umbrella Liability Insurance

This coverage is very similar to the umbrella coverage that falls under the personal coverage area. Again, risks above the limits established by the underlying commercial liability coverage trigger the umbrella policy. The word of caution for this coverage is “Read the Provisions Carefully” as there is little standardization among insurance companies. Make sure the umbrella policy covers what you want it to cover, with the right limits of benefits and “trigger” points, with proper exclusions, and proper endorsements (if being used specifically for a medical practice.)

Employee Benefits Liability Insurance

Virtually each medical practice or healthcare facility has employee non-cash benefits in addition to their payroll. These benefits usually include group insurance and some form of retirement plan (a 401(k), for example). Nevertheless, each of these benefit packages expose the employer to liabilities under state and federal statutes. Employee Benefits Liability Insurance covers an employer, or if so stipulated by some policies, the employees who act on behalf of the employer, against liability claims involving alleged errors or omissions, or improper advice or administration of the employee fringe benefit plans. For example, an employer may be liable for not enrolling an employee on a timely manner resulting in no medical coverage. Frequent litigation also arises out of violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) of 1974. Since 1974, the provisions and reach of this Act has become massive and errors can occur.

Disclaimer: The author is a former licensed insurance agent and certified financial planner and advisor.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. What have we missed, and who might wish to update this post?

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, iMBA, Inc., Insurance Matters, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Professional Liability, Recommended Books, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: 401-k, 403-b, auto insurance, automobile insurance, business insurance, david marcinko, directors and officers liability insurance, employee benefits liability insurance, ERISA, hope hetico, medical practice insurance, property insurance, umbrella liability insurance, www.certifiedmedicalplanner.com, www.medicalbusinessadvisors.com | 1 Comment »

Long-Term Care Insurance

Posted on May 5, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

A Review for Doctors and Advisors

By Gary A. Cook; MSFS, CLU, ChFC, LUTC, RHU, CFP®, CMP™ (Hon)

Long-term care (LTC) insurance is considered one of the newest forms of personal coverage insurance. LTC insurance is designed to transfer the financial risk associated with the inability to care for oneself because of a prolonged illness, disability, or the effects of old age. In particular, it is designed to insure against the financial cost of an extended stay in a nursing home, assisted living facility, Adult Day Care Center, hospice or home health care. It has been estimated that two out of every five Americans now over the age of 65 will spend time in a nursing home. As life expectancy increases, so does the potential need for LTC. One unfortunate consequence of being the “new kid on the block” is the lack of actuarial data specifically collected for this style of policy. This results in policy premiums being underpriced to sustain the claims currently being experienced. During the first half of 2003, at least three insurance companies stopped writing these policies because of their losses. Those insurers remaining in this market are expected to increase premiums quickly. Unless these policies can be profitable for the company, their future will be an uncertain one.

Medicare

Any discussion of LTC must begin with an understanding of what Medicare is designed to cover. Currently, the only nursing home care that Medicare covers is skilled nursing care and it must be provided in a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. Custodial care is not covered. Most LTC policies have been designed with these types of coverage, or the lack thereof, in mind. To qualify for Medicare Skilled Nursing Care, an individual must meet the following conditions:

Be hospitalized for at least three days within the 30 days preceding the nursing home admission;
Be admitted for the same medical condition which required the hospitalization; and
The skilled nursing home care must be deemed rehabilitative.

Once these requirements are met, Medicare will pay 100 percent of the costs for the first 20 days. Medicare covers days 21 to 100 along with a daily co-payment, which is indexed annually. After the initial 100 days, there is no additional Medicare coverage. Medicare Home Health Services cover part-time or intermittent skilled nursing care, physical therapy, medical supplies and some rehabilitative equipment. These are generally paid for in full and do not require a hospital stay prior to home health service coverage.

Critical LTC Policy Features

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Insurance Association of America, there are seven features that should always be included in a good long LTC policy:

Guaranteed renewable (as long as premiums are paid, the policy cannot be canceled).
Covers all levels of nursing care (skilled, intermediate and custodial care).
Premiums remain level (individual premiums cannot be raised due to health or age, but can be raised only if all other LTC policies as a group are increased).
Benefits never reduced.
Offers inflation protection.
Full coverage for Alzheimer’s Disease (earlier contracts tried to eliminate this coverage).
Waiver of premium (during a claim period, further premium payments will not be required).

In addition, there are another seven features considered to be worthwhile and are included in the better LTC policies:

Home health care benefits
Adult day care and hospice care
Assisted living facility care
No prior hospital stay required
Optional elimination periods
Premium discounts when both spouses are covered
Medicare approval not a prerequisite for coverage.

ADLs

Most LTC policies provide benefits for covered insured’s with a cognitive impairment or the inability to perform a specified number of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These ADLs generally include those listed below and the inability to perform two of six is generally sufficient to file a claim:

1. Bathing: Washing oneself in either a tub or shower, or by sponge bath, and includes the task the getting into and out of the tub or shower without hands-on assistance of another person.

2. Dressing: Putting on or taking off all necessary and appropriate items of clothing and/or any necessary braces or artificial limbs without hands-on assistance of another person.

3. Toileting: Getting to and from the toilet, getting on and off the toilet, and performing associated personal hygiene without hands-on assistance of another person.

4. Transferring: Moving in and out of a bed, chair or wheelchair without hands-on assistance of another person.

5. Eating: The ability to get nourishment into the body without hands-on assistance of another person once it has been prepared and made available.

6. Continence: The ability to voluntarily maintain control of bowel and/or bladder function, or in the event of incontinence, the ability to maintain a reasonable level of personal hygiene without hands-on assistance of another person.

Other Issues

Another issue concerning ADLs is whether the covered insured requires “hands-on” assistance or merely needs someone to “stand-by” in the event of difficulty. Obviously, LTC policies that read the latter are considered more liberal.

Long-Term Care Taxation

Some LTC policies have been designed to meet the required provisions of the Kassenbaum-Kennedy health reform bill, passed in 1996, and subsequently are “Tax Qualified Policies”. Insured’s who own policies meeting the requirements are permitted to tax deduct some of the policy’s premium, based on age, income and the amount of total itemized medical expenses. The major benefit of the tax-qualified LTC policy is that the benefit, when received, is not considered taxable income. There are several initiatives in Congress, however, which would expand and simplify these deductibility rules.

Assessment

Regardless, the medical professional or financial advisor [FA] should investigate the opportunity afforded them through their current form of business, or client use, for any purchase of a LTC policy. And, small businesses may be permitted to deduct LTC premiums on a discriminatory basis.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated. What have we missed, and who might wish to update this post?

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Career Development, Glossary Terms, iMBA, Inc., Insurance Matters, Practice Management, Recommended Books, Retirement and Benefits, Sponsors | Tagged: ADLs, Alzheimer's disease, david marcinko, elder care, elder law, gary cook, HIPAA, home health care, hope hetico, insurance, Kennedy-Kassenbaum, long term care insurance, LTC, LTCI, Medicaid, medicare, nursing home care | 9 Comments »

Essential Insights on Successful Physician Budgeting

Posted on May 4, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Avoiding Common Cash Flow Budget Mistakes

[By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™]

[By Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA, CMP™]

[Publisher-in-Chief and Managing Editor]

Although some doctors might view a budget as unnecessarily restrictive, sticking to a spending plan can be a useful tool in enhancing the wealth of a practice. We emphasize the keys to smart budgeting and how to track spending and savings in these tough economic times.

Money and Happiness

There is an aphorism that suggests, “Money cannot buy happiness.” Well, this may be true enough but there is also a corollary that states, “Having a little sure reduces the unhappiness.” Unfortunately, today there is more than a little financial unhappiness in all medical specialties; not just the specialty of podiatry – where this article first appeared as a free-lance writing project. The challenges range from the commoditization of medicine, aging demographics, Medicare reimbursement cutbacks and increased competition to floundering equity markets, the home mortgage crisis, the squeeze on credit and declines in the value of a practice. Few doctors seem immune to this “perfect storm” of economic woes.

Most Doctors Financially Hurting Today

Far too many physicians, dentists and other medical providers are hurting and it is not limited to these above-average earning professionals. However, one can strive to reduce the pain by following some basic budgeting principles. By adhering to these principles, most physicians can eliminate the “too many days at the end of the month” syndrome and instead develop a foundation for building real wealth and security, even in difficult economic climates like we face today.

Three Budget Types

There are at least three major budget types. [1] A flexible budget is an expenditure cap that adjusts for changes in the volume of expense items. [2] A fixed budget does not. [3] Advancing to the next level of rigor, a zero-based budget starts with essential expenses and adds items until the money is gone. Regardless of type, budgets can be extremely effective if one uses them at home or the office in order to spot money troubles before they develop.

Assessment

For the purpose of wealth building, medical professionals may think of a budget as a quantitative expression of an action plan. It is an integral part of the overall cost-control process for the individual, his or her family unit or one’s medical practice.

Read the entire article: http://www.podiatrytoday.com/essential-insights-on-successful-budgeting

Channel Surfing the ME-P Have you visited our other topic channels? Established to facilitate idea exchange and link our community together, the value of these topics is dependent upon your input. Please take a minute to visit. And, to prevent that annoying spam, we ask that you register. It is fast, free and secure.

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Accounting, Career Development, Financial Planning, iMBA, Inc., Practice Management, Research & Development | Tagged: budgeting, cash flow, cash flow crunch, david marcinko, fixed budget, flexible budget, hope hetico, podiatry today | 2 Comments »

Advisor’s Checklist for Physicians Seeking Insurance

Posted on May 3, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Background, Education, and Certifications

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

Publisher-in-Chief

The following are sample questions and information gathered for Professional Liability Coverage

The Checklist

**Medical specialty information by percentage of practice.

**Information on medical education, including information on medical school, internship information, residency information, and fellowship information, if any.

**Information on medical experience, including information on military discharge (DD214), public health service, moonlighting, ‘locum tenens’, and private practice information. Have dates and locations available. Other information includes:

Information on completed continuing education hours in the past two years.
Publications, speeches, instruction, etc.
Information on medical licenses, including state, license number, expiration dates, and current status.
Information on board certifications.
The above information may be contained in a Curriculum Vita, if you have one.
On an “as applicable” basis:
Complete details including dates and outcomes of any board certification revocations or suspensions, license revocations or suspensions, alcohol or drug addictions and treatments, criminal or sexual misconduct charges, or Medicare or Medicaid charges.
Previous Insurance Information
Insurance history, including the name, policy number, whether the coverage form was occurrence or claims made, policy period, limits of liability, deductible amount, and prior acts date, for your current carrier, and your first, second, third, and fourth prior carrier, if applicable.
Information on any insurance company cancellations or non-renewals.
If your current policy is a claims-made policy, whether you are obtaining tail coverage from your current insurance company.
Copies of prior policies, if available.

Current Medical Practice Information

Information on supervision and employment of residents, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives and other physicians;
Information on networks or managed care organizations associated with (IPA, PHO, MSO, etc.), including group name, type of organization, and relationship;
Information on other contractual relationships other than PPOs, HMOs, IPA, etc;
Full information on all hospital privileges, including hospital name, location, and type of privilege.
Information on any suspension, denial, revocation, restriction, or other sanctioning of hospital privileges.

Classification and Specialty Identification

Full information on procedures performed, including details of surgeries, average number of patients seen weekly, specialty practice areas, etc.

Prior Claims History (if any)

For each claim, patient’s name; date of occurrence; insurance carrier; location of occurrence; date claim was reported; date claim was closed (if applicable); copies of subpoenas, pleadings, or judgments; amount reserved on your behalf; and amount paid on your behalf. Provide as complete a description of the allegations as possible.

Important Note

This checklist is provided as a guide to assist the Healthcare Professional in gathering the information that insurance companies typically request. Discuss this checklist with your agent to identify additional information as needed.

Assessment

The author has been an expert medical witness in both state and federal court. He is also a former licensed insurance agent and certified financial planner.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated.

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Career Development, Health Law & Policy, iMBA, Inc., Insurance Matters, Practice Management, Professional Liability, Recommended Books, Sponsors | Tagged: CRNA, david marcinko, DD214, HMO, hope hetico, IPA, liability insurance, malpractice, MCO, Medicaid, medical malpractice insurance, medicare, PPO | Leave a comment »

On Baseline Medical Practice Compliance Audits

Posted on April 28, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Establishing a Reference Point is Key to Success

Submitted by Pati Trites; MPA, CHBC with Staff Reporters

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

There are several types of compliance audits that a medical practice, clinic or healthcare organization might need to perform. The starting point is to obtain a baseline audit. The next step, discussed elsewhere on this ME-P, is periodic audits or reviews that are performed after information is obtained from the baseline audit.

Baseline Audits

Baseline audits are preliminary assessments to develop a reference point. Until a medical practice or healthcare organization establishes a track record with items such as coding accuracy or documentation to support medical necessity, it is difficult to determine any performance issues. In the spirit of Total Quality Management [TQM], the information that is shared should be done in a non-punitive manner to demonstrate that the intent of the process is to create a positive environment geared towards fixing the problems. A baseline audit can help any organization understand where the program is and establish a reference for future activities.

Assessment

Additional audits can also be performed whenever new employees are added, or if there are complaints, or issues that arise in the course of business.

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated? Have you ever discovered an untoward past event, or interesting prior fact, with your baseline audit?

Subscribe: Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Health Law & Policy, Managed Care, Practice Management | Tagged: base line audits, compliance audits, david marcinko, hope hetico, medical compliance, medical necessity, Medicare audits, Medicare compliance, Pati Trites, quality medical management, TQM, www.healthcarefinancials.com | 1 Comment »

Understanding the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act

Posted on April 26, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

An Important and Contemporary Issue – Once Again

[By Patricia Trites; MPA, CHBC, CMP™ (Hon) with Staff Reporters]

The Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA) is receiving increasing scrutiny from prosecutors during these times of financials stress and credit tightening. The statute is intended to ensure that all patients who come to the emergency department of a hospital receive care, regardless of their insurance or ability to pay. Both hospitals and physicians need to work together to ensure compliance with the provisions of this law.

Triad of Requirements

EMTALA imposes three fundamental requirements upon hospitals that participate in the Medicare program with regard to patients requesting emergency care.

First, the hospital must conduct an appropriate medical screening examination to determine if an emergency medical condition exists.

Second, if the hospital determines that an emergency medical condition exists, it must either provide the treatment necessary to stabilize the emergency medical condition or comply with the statute’s requirements to affect a proper transfer of a patient whose condition has not been stabilized. A hospital is considered to have met this second requirement if an individual refuses the hospital’s offer of additional examination or treatment, or refuses to consent to a transfer, after having been informed of the risks and benefits of treatment.

Third, EMTALA’s requirement is activated if an individual’s emergency medical condition has not been stabilized.

Hospital Transfers

A hospital may not transfer an individual with an unstable emergency medical condition unless:

(1) the individual or his or her representative makes a written request for transfer to another medical facility after being informed of the risk of transfer and the transferring hospital’s obligation under the statute to provide additional examination or treatment;

(2) a physician has signed a certification summarizing the medical risks and benefits of a transfer and certifying that, based upon the information available at the time of transfer, the medical benefits reasonably expected from the transfer outweigh the increased risks; or

(3) a qualified medical person signs the certification after the physician, in consultation with the qualified medical person, has made the determination that the benefits of transfer outweigh the increased risks, if a physician is not physically present when the transfer decision is made. The physician must later countersign the certification.

On-Call Responsibilities

One area of particular concern is physician on-call responsibilities. Physician practices whose members serve as on-call hospital emergency room physicians are advised to familiarize themselves with the hospital’s policies regarding on-call physicians. This can be done by reviewing the medical staff bylaws or policies and procedures of the hospital that must define the responsibility of on-call physicians to respond to, examine, and treat patients with emergency medical conditions. Physicians should also be aware of the requirement that, when medically indicated, on-call physicians must generally come to the hospital to examine the patient. Patients may be sent to see the on-call physician at a hospital-owned contiguous or on-campus facility to conduct or complete the medical screening examination due to the following reasons:

all persons with the same medical condition are moved to this location;
there is a bona fide medical reason to move the patient;
qualified medical personnel accompany the patient; and
teaching physicians may participate.

Channel Surfing the ME-P

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Ethics, Glossary Terms, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, iMBA, Inc., Managed Care, Practice Management, Recommended Books | Tagged: CMP, david marcinko, emergency care, emergency department, Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act, emergency room, EMTALA, ER, healthcare, hope hetico, hospital, medicare, Pati Trites, www.healthcarefinancials.com, www.healthdictionaryseries.com | 9 Comments »

Sherlock Expense Evaluation Report [SEER]

Posted on April 24, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

ADVERTISEMENT

Plan Management Navigator

By Marco Georeno

Ph: 215-628-2289

Please find attached the April 2009 edition of Plan Management Navigator. In it we provide an update on the timing of the Blue Cross Blue Shield universe and the Independent / Provider-Sponsored editions of the Sherlock Expense Evaluation Report (SEER). In addition, we expect to circulate the benchmarking surveys for the Medicaid and Medicare universes on or about June 1st, for completion by July 20^th, 2009.

Benchmarking Studies

If you are interested in participating in our benchmarking studies please contact us as soon as possible. Additional information about SEER is available at www.sherlockco.com/seer.shtml or by contacting Doug Sherlock (sherlock@sherlockco.com).

Best Practices for the Healthcare Enterprise

We also endeavor to provide an enterprise view of best practice. Best practice is typically considered to be the most efficient way of achieving a desired outcome. We believe that the best way of determining the best practice in its most practical application is to start with an overall objective and weigh all particular practices in light of how they contribute to that overall objective.

In that vein, over the next several months, Sherlock Company will be offering web conferences focused on best practices. The first conference will address activities within Customer Services, as well as activities or effects in other functional areas. This web conference will be held on Wednesday May 20th at 2:30 PM, Eastern Time. The costs will be $225. Participation is free of charge to health plans participating in our 2009 benchmarking studies. If you are interested in participating, please email Erin Sawchuk (erinsawchuk@sherlockco.com) or call at 215-628-2289.

Assessment

This edition of Navigator also discusses the latest private health plan Dashboard results for the trailing three months ended January 31, 2009.

Link: navigator

Sincerely,
Sherlock Company

Marco Georeno – Analyst
mgeoreno@sherlockco.com

Fax: 215-542-0690

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated?

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Health Economics, Managed Care, Monthly Reports, Practice Management, Research & Development, Sponsors | Tagged: Blue Cross, Blue Shield, douglas sherlock, Goereno Marco, health econoics, health maintenance plans, healthcare enterprise, Healthcare Finance, HMO, Managed Care, MCO, Medicaid, medicare, Plan Management Navigator, SEER, Sherlock Company, Sherlock Expense Evaluation Report | Leave a comment »

Become a Published Print Author with Us

Posted on April 22, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

The Business of Medical Practice [3^rd Edition]

By Hope Rachel Hetico RN, MHA, CMP™

[Managing Editor]

Dear Colleagues,

As you may know, we are commencing work on the third edition of our best selling book: The Business of Medical Practice

TOC 1st: http://www.amazon.com/Business-Medical-Practice-Maximizing-Doctors/dp/0826113117/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231111232&sr=1-8

TOC 2nd: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Invitation to Contribute

Accordingly, we would be honored for you to consider contributing a new or revised chapter, in your area of expertise, for a low-effort but high-yield contribution. Our goal is to help physician colleagues and management executives benefit from nationally known experts, as an essential platform for their success in the healthcare 2.0 business industry. Many topics are still available: [health accounting and costing; law, policy and administration; Medicare fraud and abuse; coding and insurance; HIT, grid and cloud computing; finance and economics, competitive models, collaboration and leadership, etc].

Support Always Available

Editorial support is available, and you would enjoy increasing subject-matter notoriety, exposure and public relations in an erudite and credible fashion. As a reader, or preferably a subscriber to the ME-P, your synergy in this space may be ideal. Time line for submission of a 5,000-7,500 word chapter is ample, and in a prose writing style that is “wide, not deep.”

A Health 2.0 Initiative

And, be sure to address health 2.0 modernity. Update chapters from the second edition are also available.

Definition: https://healthcarefinancials.wordpress.com/2008/09/12/emerging-healthcare-20-initiatives

Assessment

Please contact me for more details, if interested. A best selling-book is rare; while a third-edition volume even more so. Join us in this project. Regardless, we trust you will remain apostles of our core ME-P vision, “uniting medical mission and financial profit margin”, promoting it whenever possible.

Front Matter Link: frontmatter1advancedbusinessmedicine4

Contact Info:

MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

770.448.0769

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Accounting, Book Reviews, Contest Entrance, Ethics, Experts Invited, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Marketing & Advertising, Media Mentions and PR, Nominations Sought, Practice Management, Quality Initiatives, Recommended Books, Research & Development, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: Accounting, authors, authors books, Best Medical Practices Workgroup, best seller, Business of Medical Practice, CEO, CFO, contributors, COO, cost acounting, CXO, david marcinko, DDSs, DOs, editors, experts, health 2.0, health 3.0, health administratino, health administration, health journalists, health policy, healthcare business, hope hetico, IT, lawyers, MDs, medical administration, medical management, medical practice management, nurse executives, nurses, physician-executives, practice administration, Practice Management, print journalism, publishing, publishing collaboration, third edition, writers, writing, www.medicalbusinessadvisors.com | Leave a comment »

Will the SEC Protect eMRs [Welcome to my Healthcare Nightmare]

Posted on April 21, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

A Frightening Progressive Policy Institute [PPI] Report – Redeux

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CMP™

[Publisher-in-Chief]

It is no surprise to ME-P readers, that I am a big fan of Dr. Regina E. Herzlinger, the Nancy R. McPherson professor of business administration and chair at Harvard Business School. I quote her often, in our books, despite her recent MA fiascos chronicled here. I am also a competitive medical analyst, IT devotee and health economist, who was a CFP® designee for more than a decade; before my fiduciary reformation. In her books, Creating New Healthcare Ventures and Market Term in Healthcare, Regi rightly states that many medical professionals are becoming depressed at the current state of affairs in healthcare, and want to give up their careers, entirely. We all know that many doctors, like me, no longer wish their kids to follow our professional footstep [Busia; please don’t roll-over in your grave – I know what I am doing – RIP].

But, is the same emerging trend true for FAs?

Medical Career Changers

For example, Gigi Hirsch, MD, a former ER physician and instructor at Harvard Medical School grew so disenchanted with clinical medicine, that she ditched her career and started her own business, MD IntelliNet, in Brookline, Mass. The company places doctors in non-traditional jobs by pairing them with venture capitalists and other businesses seeking physicians. Of course, this re-engineering and formal re-education has been the experience of my personal career journey, as well.

“Don’t Give up Practice, Yet”

And, Herzlinger implores in her book, Market Driven Healthcare, “don’t give up practice, yet.”

Patients Concerned Too

On the other hand, patients and healthcare consumers are also worrying about the looming so-called governmental free-for-all regarding healthcare delivery, mandated benefits and taxes, federally mandated electronic medical records, and data collection reportage and security; etc. Can you say “Big Brother” or “Command and Controll?”

Assessment

So, now may be the time to review Regi’s op-ed piece and policy report, penned for the PPI back, in 1999. It concerns patient and consumer healthcare protections. And, in this time of an Obama administration push for national healthcare – perhaps a prescient word to the wise might be sufficient.

Link: herzlinger

Conclusion

Your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated? Should there be a healthcare SEC surrogate, much link the financial SEC? Or, would another governmental agency be as incompetent as Wall Street’s SEC and FINRA? Do we want FA wonks directing our healthcare needs? As an SEC controlled broker-dealer, and/or FA drone, should you even pursue same in your financial planning practice? What about the independent’s, CFPs and RIA’s? Feel free to review our top-left column, and top-right sidebar materials, links, URLs and related websites, too. Then, be sure to subscribe to this ME-P. It is fast, free and secure.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Ask-an-Advisor", "Doctors Only", Alerts Sign-Up, Book Reviews, Breaking News, Career Development, Ethics, Financial Planning, Managed Care, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Quality Initiatives, Research & Development | Tagged: CFP, CMP, Creating New Healthcare Ventures, david marcinko, fiduciary financial advisors, financial advisors, FINRA, Gigi Hirsch, health economists, MA, Market Term in Healthcare, MD Intellinet, Medicare Advantage, ntional healthcare, obama, progressive policy institute, regina herzlinger harvard business school, SEC, socialized medicine | 5 Comments »

More about Healthcare Organizations [Financial Management Strategies]

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Our Print-Journal Preface

By Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA, CMP™

As Managing Editor of a two volume – 1,200 pages – premium quarterly print journal, I am often asked about our Preface.

A Two-Volume Guide

As so, our hope is that Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies] will shape the hospital management landscape by following three important principles.

What it is – How it works

1. First, we have assembled a world-class editorial advisory board and independent team of contributors and asked them to draw on their experience in economic thought leadership and managerial decision making in the healthcare industrial complex. Like many readers, each struggles mightily with the decreasing revenues, increasing costs, and high consumer expectations in today’s competitive healthcare marketplace. Yet, their practical experience and applied operating vision is a source of objective information, informed opinion, and crucial information for this manual and its quarterly updates.

2. Second, our writing style allows us to condense a great deal of information into each quarterly issue. We integrate prose, applications and regulatory perspectives with real-world case models, as well as charts, tables, diagrams, sample contracts, and checklists. The result is a comprehensive oeuvre of financial management and operation strategies, vital to all healthcare facility administrators, comptrollers, physician-executives, and consulting business advisors.

3. Third, as editors, we prefer engaged readers who demand compelling content. According to conventional wisdom, printed manuals like this one should be a relic of the past, from an era before instant messaging and high-speed connectivity. Our experience shows just the opposite. Applied healthcare economics and management literature has grown exponentially in the past decade and the plethora of Internet information makes updates that sort through the clutter and provide strategic analysis all the more valuable. Oh, it should provide some personality and wit, too! Don’t forget, beneath the spreadsheets, profit and loss statements, and financial models are patients, colleagues and investors who depend on you.

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Assessment

Rest assured, Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies] will become an important peer-reviewed vehicle for the advancement of working knowledge and the dissemination of research information and best practices in our field. In the years ahead, we trust these principles will enhance utility and add value to your subscription. Most importantly, we hope to increase your return on investment [ROI] in some small increment.

Visit and Order Now

Specialty Technical Publishers

8 – 14th Street

Blaine, WA 98230

1-800-251-0381

orders@stpub.com

http://www.stpub.com/pubs/ho.htm

TOC: http://www.stpub.com/pdfs/toc_ho.pdf

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post, complimentary e-companion are appreciated. If you would like to contribute material or suggest topics for a future update, please contact me. Subscribers, have we attained our goals and objectives, as a work-in-progress in this preface statement?

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Accounting, Book Reviews, Career Development, Ethics, Experts Invited, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Managed Care, Media Mentions and PR, Practice Management, Practice Worth, Professional Liability, Quality Initiatives, Recommended Books, Research & Development, Risk Management, Sponsors, Taxation | Tagged: ARs, ASC, asset management, capitation, CEO, CFO, claims management, clinics, competitive healthcare strategies, COO, cost management, CPT codes, CXO, david marcinko, DDS, dentists, DO, doctors, DPM, EHRs, EMRs, EMTALA, endowments, EOQ, ePHRs, health fraud, health information technology, Healthcare Organizations, HIPPA, hope hetico, hospitals, IBNRs, ICD-10, ICD-9, inventory management, MD, Medicaid, medical compliance, medical practices, medicare, MedPAC, nurse executives, nurses, OSHA, osteopath, Patriot Act, physician-executives, physicians, podiatrist, Sarbox, social medicine, workplace violence | Leave a comment »

What HMO’s Seek in Private Managed Care Contracts

Posted on April 12, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Whole Sale – Not Retail – Medicine is Growing

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA, CPHQ, CMP™

[Publisher-in-Chief]

The conversion to managed healthcare, and capitation financing, is a significant marketing force and not merely a temporary business trend. More than 60% of all physicians (MD/DO) in the country are now employees of a MCO, HMO, PHO, etc. Those that embrace these forces will thrive, while those opposed will not.

Achieve Geographic Desirability

After you have evaluated the HMOs in your geographic area, you must then make your practice more attractive to them, since there are far too many physicians in most regions today. The following issues are considered by most MCO financial managers and business experts, as they decide whether or not to include you in their network.

General Standards:

1. Is there a local or community need for your practice, with a sound patient base that is not too small or large? Remember, practices that already have a significant number of patients have some form of leverage since MCOs know that patients do not like swithcing their primary care doctors or pediatrician, and women do not want to be forced to change their Ob/Gyn specialist. If the group leaves the plan, members may complain to their employers and give a negative impression of the plan.

2. A positive Return on Investment (ROI) from your economically sound practice is important to MCO’s because they wish to continue their relationship with you. Often, this means it is difficult for younger practitioners to enter a plan, since plan actuaries realize that there is a high attrition rate among new practitioners. On the other hand, they also realize that more established practices have high overhead costs and may tend to enter into less lucrative contract offerings just to pay the bills.

3. A merger or acquisition is a strategy for the MCO internal business plan that affords a seamless union should a practice decide to sell out or consolidate at a later date. Therefore, such as strategy should include things as: strong managerial and cost accounting principals, a group identity rather than individual mindset, profitability, transferable systems and processes, corporatized form of business, and a vertically integrated organization if a multi-specialty group.

4. Human resources, capital and IT service to synergism with existing MIS framework? This is often difficult for the solo or small group practice and may portend the need to consolidate with similar groups to achieve needed economies of scale and capital, especially in areas of high MCO penetration.

5. Consolidated financial statements conforming to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principals), IRC (Internal Revenue Code), OIJ (Office of the Inspector General), and other appraisal standards.

6. Strong and respected MD leadership in the medical and business community? MCO’s prefer to deal with physician executives with advanced degrees. You may not need a MBA or CPA, but you should be familiar with basic business, managerial and financial principals. This includes a conceptual understanding of horizontal and vertical integration, cost principals, cost volume analysis, financial ratio analysis and cost behavior?

7. Be willing to treat all conditions and types of patients. The adage,”more risk equates to more reward” is still applicable and most groups should take all the full risk contracting they can handle, providing they are not pooled contracts.

8. Are you a team player or solo act? The former personality type might do better in a group or MCO driven practice, while a fee for service market is still possible and may be better suited to the latter personality type.

9. Valid license, DEA narcotics license, CME, adequate malpractice insurance, board qualification/certification, hospital privileges, agree with the managed care philosophy, and have partners in a group practice that meet all the same participation criteria. Be available for periodic MCO review by a company representative.

Specific Medical Office Standards MCOs Desire

· Clean, presentable with a professional appearance.

· Readily accessible with barrier free design (OSHA).

· Appropriate medical emergency and resuscitation equipment.

· Waiting room to accommodate 5-7 patients with private changing areas.

· Adequate capacity (i.e., 5,000-10,000 member minimum), BP and office assistants for the plan.

· Office hour minimum (i.e., 20 hours/week)

· 24/7 on-call coverage with electronic tracking.

· MCO approved sub-contractors.

Assessment

Always remember, in the game of negotiations, today’s enemy – may be tomorrow’s ally.

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Career Development, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Practice Management, Recommended Books | 1 Comment »

More JAMA [Hypocritical] Censorship on Big-Pharma Funding

Posted on April 7, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Janus-Like Opposing Views Becoming Contentious

[By Staff Reporters]

According to Tracy Staton, the Journal of the American Medical Association may be fighting to keep long-running internal arguments over conflicts-of-interest with big pharma a secret. But, in public, it’s advocating strict limits on industry funding for medical associations.

JAMA Proposals

A set of proposals published recently in JAMA, calls for associations such as the American Society of Clinical Oncologists, to refuse general budget support from drug and device companies. Currently, many specialty physicians’ groups are partly funded by industry. Companies also sponsor conferences, physician fellowships and buy ads in the societies’ journals. The proposed guidelines would allow associations to continue to accept industry advertising and to allow industry-sponsored booths at conferences.

Distinction

The key distinction, the article’s lead author said, is that ads and booths are clearly presenting a company’s point of view. “You can read the ads, skip the ads, but there’s nothing hidden,” David J. Rothman, a professor at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University, told the Wall Street Journal. “What I don’t like is when I can’t tell if what I’m hearing is science, or marketing in the guise of science.”

Opposing Viewpoints

But others disagree. For example, the American College of Cardiology’s chief allegedly told the paper that industry funding has “zero impact on the content of any program here.” And PhRMA said that the guidelines could limit the information doctors receive. “It’s important to realize that [doctors] have their own sense of integrity,” a PhRMA spokeswoman.

Assessment

ME-P publisher, Dr. David Edward Marcinko, on the other hand, believes that Columbia University’s torturous verbal parsing is

“merely a distinction with little substantive difference.”

Link:http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123854648226076095.html

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated? Do you agree with the current – but aging medical establishment – or the emerging generation of young and idealistic medical students and physicians who increasingly abhor the big-pharma practices? Is this another example of tawdry JAMA censorship? Is the AMA running away from its moral ethos of professional integrity?

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Subscribe Now:Did you like this Medical Executive-Post, or find it helpful, interesting and informative? Want to get the latest ME-Ps delivered to your email box each morning? Just subscribe using the link below. You can unsubscribe at any time. Security is assured.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Drugs and Pharma, Ethics, Health Law & Policy, Op-Editorials | Tagged: AMA, American College Cardiology, American Society of Clinical Oncologists, big-pharma, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, David J. Rothman, david marcinko, drug companies, hope hetico, JAMA, Journal American Medical Association, pharmaceutical companies, PhRMA, WSJ | 5 Comments »

Impact of Performance Fees on Mutual Funds and Physician Portfolios

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

More Complex than Realized by Some Doctors

[By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; FACFAS, MBA, CMP™]

[By Professor Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA, CMP™]

Physician-investors may find themselves paying advisory fees, brokerage commissions, and other sales charges and expenses. All of these layers of expense can reduce or eliminate the advantage of professional management, if not monitored carefully. Also, fees can have a major impact on investment results. As a percentage of the portfolio, they normally range from low of 15–30 basis points (or .15% to .30%, a basis point is one one-hundredth of one percent) to a high of 300–400 basis points or even higher.

Charges are Universal

All portfolio managers, mutual funds, and investment advisors charge fees in one form or another. Ultimately, they must justify their fees by creating value added, or they would not be in business. Value added includes tangibles, such as greater investment return, as well as intangibles, such as assurance that the investment plan is successfully implemented and monitored, investor convenience, and professional service.

Comparisons Required

Always compare investment performance of funds or managed accounts after fees are deducted; only then can adequate comparisons be made. Also, compare fees within asset classes. Management fees and expenses of investing in bonds or bond funds are much different than the fees of investing in, for example, small companies or emerging market stocks. Whereas 100–200 basis points of fees may be appropriate for an equity portfolio or fund, similar charges may offset the advantages of a managed bond portfolio. With managed bond portfolios, real bond returns have limited long-term potential, because returns are ultimately based on interest rates. For example, if a 3% real (i.e., after inflation) return is expected, 200 basis points in fees may produce a negative after-tax result: 3% real return minus 2% fees minus 10% taxes equals a negative 9% total return.

Sales Charges

Mutual funds (and some private portfolio managers) charge sales charges to sell or “distribute” the product. Investors who buy funds through the advice of brokers or “commission based” financial planners will pay a sales load. The many combinations of sales charges fall into three basic categories: front-end, deferred (or back-end), and continuous.

Front-End Fees

Front-end fees are a direct assessment against the initial investment and are limited to a maximum of 8.5%. They usually are stated either as a percentage of the investment or as a percentage of the investment, net of sales charges. For example, a 6% charge on a $10,000 investment is really a $600 charge to invest $9,400 or a real charge of 6.4%. Many low-load funds charge in the range of 1% to 3%. Rather than pay brokers or other purveyors, these fund companies or sponsors use the charges to offset selling or distribution costs. Although rare, some funds charge a load against reinvested dividends.

Deferred Charges

Deferred charges (or back-end loads, or redemption fees) come in many forms. Often, the longer the investor stays with the fund the smaller the charge is upon fund redemption. A typical sliding scale used for deferred charges may be 5-4-3-2-1, where redemption in year 1 is charged 5%, and redemption in year 5 is charged 1%; after year 5, there are no sales charges. Sometimes deferred charges are combined with front-end charges.

Redemption Fees

Certain quoted redemption fees may not apply after a period, such as one year. Funds often use such fees to discourage the trading of funds. Frequently, these charges are paid to the fund itself rather than to the fund management company; or broker. Long-term physician investors actually benefit from this fee structure; short-term shareholders who redeem shares bear the additional liquidation costs to satisfy redemption requests.

Continuous Charges

Continuous sales charges, known as 12b-1 fees for the SEC rule governing such charges, represent ongoing charges to pay distribution costs, including those of brokers who sell and maintain accounts, in which case they are known as “trail commissions.” The fund company may be reimbursed for distribution costs as well. In the prospectus, funds quote 12b-1 charges in the form of a maximum charge. This does not mean that the full charge is incurred, however. For example, a fund with a .75% 12b-1 approved plan may actually incur much lower expenses than .75%. Compared to front-end charges, a .75% per year sales charge of this type could be more costly to investment performance, given enough time.

Sales Loads

Portfolio managers can charge sales loads as well, usually in the form of a traditional WRAP fee arrangement (the investor pays a broker an all-inclusive fee that covers portfolio manager fees and transactions costs). No-load funds can be purchased through brokers or discount brokerage firms. The broker charges a commission for such purchases or sales.

Management Advisory Fees

Private account managers and mutual funds charge a fee for managing the portfolio. These fees typically range between 25 and 150 basis points. Bond funds tend to charge in the range of 25 to 100 basis points, and equity funds charge 75 to 150 basis points. Fees charged by private account managers usually are higher because of the direct attention given to a single doctor client. These managers do not pass along additional administrative costs, however, because they pay them out of the management fee. These management fees come in many forms. Tiered fees can charge smaller accounts a higher fee than larger accounts. Mutual funds often charge “group fees”: a fund family may tier its fee structure to encompass all funds offered by the fund family or by a group of similar funds (such as all international equity funds). Performance fees, although subject to SEC regulations, may be charged as well. A performance fee may be charged if the manager exceeds a certain return or outperforms a particular index or benchmark portfolio.

Administrative Expenses and Expense Ratios

Most private managers are compensated with higher management fees, as mentioned above. Therefore, many private accounts usually do not incur separate administrative expenses. Some management firms charge custodial fees or similar account maintenance fees. Mutual funds incur a number of administrative expenses, including shareholder servicing, prospectuses, reporting, legal and auditing costs, and registration and custodial costs. Mutual funds report these expenses and management fees as an expense ratio—the ratio of expenses to the average net assets of the fund. Expense ratios also include distribution costs or 12b-1 charges.

Brokerage Commissions

Almost all buyers and sellers of securities incur brokerage commissions. Private “wealth managers” usually provide commission schedules to prospective physician-investors or current clients. Some private managers charge higher management fees and a discounted commission schedule, while others charge lower fees and higher commissions. These combinations of management and commission fees make comparison of prospective managers’ cost structures a difficult task. Most portfolio managers obtain research from brokerage firms, which can affect the commission relationship between broker and manager. Reduced commission schedules exchanged for information are known as “soft dollar costs.” Mutual funds may negotiate similar reduced commission schedules. In this regard, more-competitive brokerage firms can charge lower fees to investors. Commissions are not part of the expense ratio, because they are a part of the security cost basis. Firms with higher portfolio turnover are more likely to have higher commission costs than those with low turnover. Asset class impacts such costs as well. For example, small-cap stocks may be more expensive than large-cap stocks, or foreign bonds may be more expensive than domestic bonds.

Total Cost Approach

To arrive at a relevant comparison of fees among funds and managers, and to see what the total effect of fees on investment performance is, analyze the various charges on a net present value basis. Begin with a given investment amount (e.g., $10,000) and factor in fees over time to arrive at the present value of those fees. Present the comparisons in an easy-to-use table.

Sources of Fee Information

Consult the mutual fund prospectus for fee information. The prospectus has a fund expenses section that summarizes sales charges, expense ratios, and management fees; it does not cover commissions, however. Expense ratios usually are reported for the past 10 years. Commission or brokerage fees are more difficult to find. The statement of additional information and often the annual report disclose the annual amounts paid for commissions. When the total commission paid is divided by average asset values a sense of commission costs can be determined. Private wealth managers disclose fee structures in the ADV I filed with the SEC. Managers must disclose these fees to potential and current clients by providing either ADV Part II or equivalent form to the investor.

Reporting Services

Reporting services, such as Morningstar and Lipper, provide similar information from their own research of mutual funds. These services can be extremely beneficial, because fee information is summarized and often accounted for in the reports’ investment return calculations. This helps the investor and planner make good comparisons of funds. Information services that cover private managers provide information, primarily about management fees.

Assessment

To the extent that online trading, deep discount brokerages, lack of SEC and FINRA oversight, and the recent financial, insurance and banking meltdown has affected the above, it is left up to your discretion and personal situation. Generally, all fess are, and should be, negotiable.

Disclaimer: Both contributors are former licensed insurance agents and financial advisors.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

***

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Ethics, Experts Invited, Financial Planning, Glossary Terms, Investing, Portfolio Management, Recommended Books, Research & Development | Tagged: 12b-1 fees, administrative fees, ADV I, ADV II, advisory fees, AIG, assets under management, back end fees, banking, banks, basis points, brokerage commissions, certified financial planner, certified medical planner, CFPs, CMPs, continuous charges, cost structures, CPAs, david marcinko, deferred sales charges, discount brokers, expense ratios, FAs, fee-only expenses, financial advisors, FINRA, front end fees, full services brokers, group fees, hard dollars, hope hetico, insurance, investing sales charges, investing sales expenses, investment returns, Lipper, loads, manaeg money AUMs, management advisory fees, MBAs, Morningstar, no loads, PhDs, Portfolio Management, redemption fees, RIA, sales loads, SEC, soft dollars, WRAP accounts | 8 Comments »

Direct Reimbursement [DR] and RiskManagers.Us

Posted on April 6, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Transparent Dental Benefits versus Confusion

[By Darrell K. Pruitt; DDS]

“If you are not a part of the solution, there is good money to be made prolonging the problem.”

Company slogan- www.riskmanagers.us

Meet Mr. William Rusteberg

Today, I met William Rusteberg on the PennWell forum when he replied to the thread, “Why the long NPI, BCBS-TX?” which I copied below, along with my response which includes a plug for Direct Reimbursement [DR].

http://community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/forum/topics/why-the-long-npi-bcbstx?page=1&commentId=2013420%3AComment%3A26976&x=1#2013420Comment26976

Mr. Rusteberg represents a company called RiskManagers.Us, whose specialty involves the benefits market, yet it is not exactly an insurance company – just like there is no such thing as true dental insurance. RiskManagers.us is a firm that works directly with businesses to identify and develop cost-effective benefits packages – emphasizing transparency and fairness. Now that is refreshing, friends!

Defining RiskManagers.Us

Here is how RiskManagers.us describes itself:

“We do not work for an insurance company, we work for you. As an independent brokerage, and consulting firm we can represent any licensed insurance company in Texas, Colorado, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Illinois & Florida.”

If one visits the Web site’s “Reference Library,” here are some of the topics offered:

· Self Funding – Need a second opinion?

· Texas leads in transparency issues

· Can’t get claim information? HB 2015 May Solve Your Problem

· Medical Stop Loss Through a Captive

· PPO Discounts – Games People Play

· PPO Networks – Shell Game

· Can Hospitals waive Deductibles in Texas?

“What is a NPI number?”

Mr. Rusteberg’s initial question on the PennWell forum simply asked, “What is a NPI number?” Following my explanation, he wrote:

“It seems that many of those in your profession would do well in accepting cash only, or directly working with employer groups who sponsor dental/medical plans on a direct pay basis. We have had good success in doing this for our clients – we have one employer in San Antonio who pays medical care providers directly and quickly – providers like it and the plan pays a fair and reasonable rate, not relying on a PPO network to “re-price” claims. We have done the same on dental plans, eliminating the insurance company, PPO network and paying dental care providers submitted charges directly and quickly. We see little or no trend increases on dental charges using this method. In my view, insurance companies interfere in patient – provider relationships in a financially detrimental way.”

Thanks for your reply.

My Response:

I like you, William;

What you describe sounds like my all-time, personal favorite dental benefits plan. It is called Direct Reimbursement {DR}, and it not only gives the employer the unlimited capability to design a plan which reflects the level of commitment desired by the company, but most importantly, it naturally preserves quality of care by allowing employees unlimited freedom of choice in dentists. And that’s as good as the market gets.

http://www.directreimbursement.com/

In addition, since there are no NPI requirements for DR, employees are also permitted see dentists who decline NPI numbers for ethical reasons. That increases employees’ choice by 50% over BCBS-TX clients, according to recent information provided by the Healthcare IT Transition Group.

http://www.npidentify.com/stats.htm#states

Little Management Needed

Just like the benefits plans you mention, with DR, very little money is spent on management because such policies are so simple and transparent that there is no room for profit-enhancing (wasteful) confusion used by unethical companies like BCBSTX, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealth, Delta Dental, United Concordia, and so many other members of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP).

Assessment

Without transparency and the invisible hand of freedom-of-choice, free-market competition for healthcare dollars disappears as fast as executive bonuses rise. We’ll see where it goes from here. It would sure be swell if a Direct Reimbursement representative takes interest in the conversation; anyone home?

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Ethics, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Op-Editorials, Practice Management | Tagged: ADA, Aetna, BCBS-TX, Cigna, concierge medicine, Darrell Pruitt, david marcinko, delta dental, dental benefits, dental insurance, dentists, direct reimbursement, discount dentistry, doctors, Heal;thcare IT Transition Group, HIPAA, HMO, IPA, managed dental care, MCO, NADP, National Association of Dental Plans, NPI Number, PennWell forum, PPO, private pay healthcare, RiskManagers.Us, self insurance, United Concordia, UnitedHealth, William Rusteberg, www.RiskManagers.Us | 12 Comments »

Defining Current Dental Terminology [CDT®] Codes

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

What they Are – How they Work

By Staff Reporters

OMAP Unique Procedure Codes*

The HHS [Health and Human Services] Office of Medical Assistance Program’s [OMAP] unique procedure codes were originally listed in the appropriate service guides. The maintenance of these codes was the responsibility of OMAP. These procedure codes were reviewed as needed and deleted either when a program no longer exists or when other Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System [HCPCS] codes are created which fully describe the service. Most of the unique codes were created to meet the needs of specialized services or programs. OMAP’s unique procedure codes were all five character configurations with the following alpha/numeric combinations: four numeric/one alpha (e.g., 7300Y); three numeric, two alpha (e.g., 206EP); two alpha/three numeric (e.g., BA311); or three alpha/two numeric (e.g., VIS01).

Current Dental Terminology (CDT procedure codes)

The American Dental Association’s (ADA) Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature is contained in the CDT-3 user guide. The maintenance of these codes is the responsibility of the Council on Dental Benefit Programs with consultation from: Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, the Health Insurance Association of America, the Health Care Financing Association, National Electronic Information Corporation, and the American Dental Association recognized dental specialty organizations. The ADA updates the user guide approximately every five years. CDT codes are five-character, alpha-numeric configurations (e.g., D2110). Contact the American Dental Association to obtain a current copy of the CDT-3 Users Manual.

* Note: Due to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements, Medicare Local codes and OMAP Unique codes were replaced with national standard procedure codes.

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Assessment

For more terminology information, please refer to the Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance.

www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated?

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Our Other Print Books and Related Information Sources:

Practice Management: http://www.springerpub.com/prod.aspx?prod_id=23759

Physician Financial Planning: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/0763745790

Medical Risk Management: http://www.jbpub.com/catalog/9780763733421

Healthcare Organizations: www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Health Administration Terms: www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Physician Advisors: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Career Development, Glossary Terms, Health Insurance, iMBA, Inc., Practice Management, Recommended Books | Tagged: ADA, American Dental Association, American Dental Association's Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, CDT, CMS, current dental terminology codes, HCPCS, Health Care Financing Association, Health Insurance Association of America, Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System, HHS, HIPAA, National Electronic Information Corporation, OMAP | 6 Comments »

Inspect our 2-Volume Hospital Print Guide [for Free]

Posted on April 5, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

ADVETISEMENT

Evaluate “Healthcare Organizations” [Financial Management Strategies] AND Order Now!

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; MBA

By Professor Hope Rachel Hetico; RN, MHA

[Editor and Managing Editor]

As healthcare continues to evolve, leaders and executives have the formidable and immediate challenge of creating both short-term and long-term financial strategies. Given that today’s knowledge-base is different from that of even six-months ago, and the need is for solutions to tomorrow’s economic problems, success seems always just beyond your grasp!

Why Subscribe?

But fortunately, you can be ready; Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies] is your blueprint for success. To ensure your organization’s competitive edge and perhaps even its survival, you must quickly gain the financial management tools and techniques necessary to lead in the 21st century. What you learn and implement using this Guide enables you to respond proactively to the rapidly changing healthcare environment. Your subscription to Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies] not only helps you lead, it brings together healthcare executives and visionary thought leaders to help you develop essential models and successful financial management strategies, going forward.

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Subscription Support

Specialty Technical Publishers is pleased to provide customer information and support services for Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies] by phone, fax, or e-mail. Customer information services hours are between 7 am and 5 pm Pacific Standard Time; or http://www.stpub.com/pubs/custinfo.htm
Testimonials

“This well-organized financial management guide is easy to use and perfect for the healthcare organization, hospital or clinic manager; CFO, CEO, administrator or comptroller; CNO, CMO or physician-executive who is tasked with developing, implementing and extending a comprehensive (and integrated) financial, accounting, health economics and enterprise-wide business management program.”

Operating Room Supervisor

Hospital Administrator

Baltimore, Maryland

Assessment

For today … for tomorrow … for all healthcare organizations … for you! Remember, the Guide is available on a 30-day, risk-free trial. You may contact http://www.STPub.com at (604) 983-3434, fax (604) 983-3445, or e-mail at custinfo@stpub.com to place an order, or ask questions regarding pricing and/or availability. All shipments arrive within 5 to 10 days. Prepayment is required for all international shipments and a courier charge will be added to the subscription price. After hours, we suggest you review the STP website FAQs section for answer to your inquiry: www.stpub.com/pubs/custinfo.htm

Specialty Technical Publishers

8 – 14th Street

Blaine, WA 98230

1-800-251-0381

orders@stpub.com

http://www.stpub.com/pubs/ho.htm

TOC: http://www.stpub.com/pdfs/toc_ho.pdf

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Breaking News, Career Development, Glossary Terms, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Managed Care, Marketing & Advertising, MAST-HEAD, Media Mentions and PR, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Professional Liability, Quality Initiatives, Recommended Books, Research & Development, Risk Management | Tagged: CEO, certified medical planner, CFO, clinics medical clinics, CXO, david marcinko, doctors, health dictionary series, healthcare administrators, healthcare managers, Healthcare Organizations: [Financial Management Strategies], hope hetico, hospical, hospital administration, hospital administrator, hospital journal, iMBA, medical business advisors, medical office, medical practice, medical practice management, nurse executive, nurses, ospital guide, physician executive, Specialty Technical Publishers, www.certifiedmedicalplanner.com, www.healthdictionaryseries.com, www.medicalbusinessadvisors.com | Leave a comment »

Opinion Poll on eMRs

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

SPONSORED ADVERTISEMENT

www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com

Please Vote

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Career Development, Health Economics, Health Law & Policy, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Managed Care, Practice Management, Research & Development, Sponsors, Surveys and Voting, Voting Polls | Tagged: digital medical records, EHRs, electronic health records, electronic medical recrods, EMRs, health information technolgy, HIPAA, HIT, medical records IT | 3 Comments »

Evaluate our 2-Volume Institutional Print Guide

Posted on April 4, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Healthcare Organizations [Financial Management Strategies]

ADVERTISEMENT

www.HealthcareFinancials.com

Our 1,200 pages, 2-volume, quarterly institutional print guide Healthcare Organizations [Financial Management Strategies] is available on a 30-day, risk-free trial.

You may contact http://www.STPub.com at (604) 983-3434, fax (604) 983-3445, or e-mail at custinfo@stpub.com to place an order, or ask questions regarding pricing and/or availability.

All shipments arrive within 5 to 10 days. Prepayment is required for all international shipments and a small courier charge will be added to the subscription price.

After hours, we suggest you review the STP website FAQs section for answer to your inquiry: www.stpub.com/pubs/custinfo.htm

Assessment

Review and Ordering Information:

Specialty Technical Publishers

8 – 14th Street

Blaine, WA 98230

1-800-251-0381

orders@stpub.com

http://www.stpub.com/pubs/ho.htm

TOC: http://www.stpub.com/pdfs/toc_ho.pdf

Note: The guide is sponsored by www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com with contributions from www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com and is edited by ME-P’s Dr. David E. Marcinko and Professor Hope R. Hetico; RN, MHA. Definitions and terms supplied by www.HealthDictionarySeries.com

Conclusion

And so, your thoughts and comments on this Medical Executive-Post are appreciated? Reviews from current journal-guide subscribers are encouraged and appreciated.

Get our Widget: Get this widget!

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Book Reviews, Career Development, Glossary Terms, Health Economics, Health Insurance, Health Law & Policy, Healthcare Finance, iMBA, Inc., Information Technology, Managed Care, Practice Management, Practice Worth, Professional Liability, Quality Initiatives, Recommended Books, Research & Development, Risk Management, Sponsors | Tagged: accountants, AMA, APMA, ASCs, certified medical planner, clinics, CMS, cost accounting, CPT codes, david marcinko, doctors, halth insurance, health dictionary series, Health Economics, healthcare, healthcare administration, Healthcare Finance, Healthcare Organizations, hope hetico, hospitals, lawyers, medical business advisors, medical care, medical clinics, medical practice management, nurses, nursing homes, physician's practice, Risk Management, Specialty Technical Publishers | Leave a comment »

Blindsiding Delta Dental

Posted on April 3, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Delta Dental Sends More Easy Prey My Way

By Darrell K. Pruitt; DDS

When it comes to blindsiding witless PR departments, what good is Schadenfreude if it can’t be shared for the entertainment of my large collection of quirky, unshaven sports fans – a special class of readers who would stick around to watch the sequelae of an ignited paper bag on a front porch … even if from a safe distance.

Devoted and Abandoned Employees

The rumor is, watching PR professionals silently vanish from the Internet is becoming a popular spectator sport – especially when it’s the more expensive hacks for sleazy discount dental companies like Delta Dental. I intend to show you that when someone writes really nasty things about their most devoted employees – employees who publicly donate their name and reputation to Internet branding for the interests of Delta Dental – Delta Dental will still not come to their defense (No wagering, please). The devoted and abandoned, whose objectives in life are to take hits for some team, make easy prey.

Thinking of Ari Adler

Remember Ari Adler? He heads Delta’s Corporate and Public Affairs division, and was quoted in DrBicuspid Assistant Editor Rabia Mughal’s article, “Dentists or patients: Who should get the insurance check?”

http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?d=1&sec=sup&sub=pmt&pag=dis&ItemID=301436&wf=34

It was on DrBicuspid that Adler broke the news to the nation that Delta Dental now guarantees the fillings done by their preferred providers. When confronted by a special bastard to explain Delta’s unprecedented sales pitch, Adler immediately sat his butt down and shut up. (See “I will hurt you Delta Dental”)

http://community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/forum/topics/i-will-hurt-you-delta-dental

Lost in Web Space

That was two months ago, and Adler still hasn’t uttered another peep on behalf of Delta Dental. Now doesn’t that make the air in the land of the free just a little more pleasant? And yesterday, Rabia Mughal posted another article illustrating managed care dentistry’s level of ethics titled “Study: Insurers’ market power lowers dentists’ income.”

http://www.drbicuspid.com/index.aspx?sec=sup&sub=pmt&pag=dis&ItemID=301668&wf=34

Mughal describes the findings of a study titled “The effects of insurance carrier market power on dentists and patients” that appeared in the January edition of the JADA. Here is the abstract of the study:

http://jada.ada.org/cgi/content/abstract/140/1/90

The effects of insurance carrier market power on dentists and patients

By L. Jackson Brown; DDS, PhD

By Albert H. Guay; DMD

By Donald R. House; PhD

Background

Market power among dental insurance carriers is a carrier’s ability to reimburse dentists at rates below what would exist in more competitive areas. Competition among carriers for dentists’ participation in their networks protects dentists from highly discounted fees. The authors examined the extent to which dental insurance carriers facing less competition increase fee discounts.

Methods

The authors selected a sample of dentists from listings of general practitioners. They identified 219 metropolitan areas and contacted 11,542 dentists in those areas by mail, telephone or both. A total of 8,017 dentists completed surveys (a response rate of 69.46 percent). The authors’ key focus was the possible relationship between carrier market power and the size of the fee discount. The authors compared discounts across metropolitan areas with their differing levels of insurance coverage and carrier market shares.

Results

Carrier market power was directly related to the sizes of fee discounts. The larger discounts were found where there was significant dental insurance coverage and few carriers providing this coverage. Dentists’ net incomes were significantly less in areas with larger fee discounts.

Conclusions and Practice Implications

Dental insurance carrier market power leads to increased fee discounts. These higher discounts reduce dentists’ earnings. Although the larger discounts may result in lower overall patient costs, this patient benefit is temporary. Ultimately, the number of practicing dentists in these communities will decrease as dentists seek improved practicing conditions elsewhere. This reduction will lead to overall fee increases until the earning potential of dentists is restored.

Abbreviations: IPAs: Independent practice associations. • PPO: Preferred provider organization. • UCR: Usual, customary and reasonable.

####################

As one can imagine, Delta Dental, the largest dental discount service in America, did not like what both the ADA study and Mughal had to say about discount dentistry brokers. This time though, instead of sending Ari Adler into the wide open spaces once more, Delta sacrificed a new, unsuspecting traditional-type of PR executive whose feelings have never been hurt. Her name is Janis Oshensky, and she is the vice president of professional relations for Delta Dental Plans Association.

Enter Again Ms. Janis Oshensky

Ms. Oshensky confidently said that it is her opinion that the study is flawed. Here is what Ms. Oshensky told Mughal:

“The study speculates that dentists will leave markets dominated by a few large carriers, which would lead to higher fees for uninsured patients and reduced access to care. In fact, the miniscule effect of concentration on the fees paid to dentists — as they are reported in the study — is unlikely to trigger a mass exodus of dentists from concentrated areas.”

Ms. Oshensky further states – on dentists’ behalf – that we actually realize that discounts do not necessarily mean less pay, and that network participation increases dental visits (for the same pay). Now that woman deserves a company wristwatch!

Devoted to Delta

To show you how devoted Oshensky is to Delta Dental, her act almost fooled me into believing that she believes the NPI number makes sense. That’s no joke. Look at what she posted on the Delta Dental Website celebrating Delta’s success, and you will see what I mean:

“Thanks to all of the dentists and health professionals who have applied for NPIs and who have notified us of their new identifiers. While we’re not ready to completely replace the current identifiers with NPIs, we’re making great progress and will work to keep dentists and their office staff informed about our NPI readiness.”

http://www.deltadentalnj.com/npi/PrepareToAccept.shtml

Now that’s talent. I would imagine that she probably charges more than Adler ever will. Her name is all over the Internet on behalf of Delta Dental, and she sounds even more enthusiastic about the NPI number than Patrick Cannady of the ADA Department of Dental Informatics did a couple of years ago when his department was still telling ADA members to quickly volunteer for the ten digit identifier. You know, come to think of it, Delta Dental’s Website closely resembles the ADA’s. How do you think that happened?

Re-Enter Rabia Mughal

My hat goes off to author Rabia Mughal. How he can successfully lure another Delta Dental slow-mover into the open following the ambush of Ari Adler is pure genius in a mis-match of wits.

Assessment

So here we go again, sports fans. Come on out, Janis Oshensky, I can make you famous. Please bring everything you know about the NPI number with you as well because I have a few questions to ask … or not. Schadenfreude macht Freude.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Alerts Sign-Up, Career Development, Ethics, Health Insurance, Managed Care, Op-Editorials, Practice Management, Quality Initiatives, Research & Development | Tagged: ADA, ADA Department of Dental Informatics, Albert Guay, Ari Adler, Darrell Pruitt, delta dental, dentists, discount dentistry, Donald House, DrBicuspid, IPAs, JADA, Janis Oshensky, L Jackson Brown, Managed Care, NPA, NPI Number, Patrick Cannady, PPOs, PR, Rabia Mughal’s, UCR | 17 Comments »

Medical News of Arkansas Interviews Dr. Marcinko

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Current Status of Hospitals and the Economy [Op-Ed]

[By Steve Brawner]

What: An exclusive telephonic and email interview.

Who: Dr. David Edward Marcinko; FACFAS, MBA [Editor, administrator and health economist]

Topic: The recession and economy, hospital operations, and the Obama administration.

Where: The telephone and internet virtual ME-P ether.

Why: To forecast informed opinions and pontifications on the healthcare industrial complex.

Among the dilemmas in healthcare, we seek answers to queries like:

• When will the recession end, and how will it affect hospitals and physicians?
• What operations and organizational policies can hospitals pursue to survive?
• How will the Obama stimulus affect hospitals and healthcare organizations?

Now, in as much as this controversy affects patients, administrators, politicians, Wall Street, nurse-executives and physicians alike, we went right to the source for up-to-date information regarding this current topic.

Assessment

Get ready for this controversial [unedited] interview and Q-A session, with Dr. David Edward Marcinko; Publisher-in-Chief, of this ME-P.

Arkansas Medical News Interviews Dr. Marcinko

Read it Here: interview-dr-marcinko1

Sponsored Link: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

[HOSPITAL OPERATIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMPANION TEXTBOOK SET]

***

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Ask-an-Advisor", "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Interviews, Point-Counter Point, Sponsors | Tagged: david marcinko, DO, doctors, DPM, economy, healthcare industrial complex, Healthcare Organizations, healthcare stakeholders, hospitals, MD, Medical News of Arkansas, obama, patients, recession, steve brawner, Wall Street | 5 Comments »

Events-Planner: April 2009

Posted on April 1, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

ADVERTISEMENT

Events-Planner: APRIL 2009

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 reimbursement! Watch for a new Events-Planner each month.

First, a little about us! The Executive-Post is still a newcomer. But today, we have almost 15,000 visitors and readers each month from all over the country, in addition to our growing subscriber base. We have been a successful collaborative effort, thanks to your contributions. As a result, we are adding new resources daily. And, we hope the website continues to provide the best place to go for journals, books, conferences, educational resources, tools, and other things you need to establish the value your healthcare consulting and financial advisory intervention. And so, enjoy the Executive-Post and our monthly Events-Planner with our compliments.

A Look Ahead this Month

April 1: Print Edition Healthcare Journalism: If you would like to “step-up-your-game” and be considered as a peer-reviewed contributor to the third print edition of: The Business of Medical Practice [Advanced Profit Maximizing Techniques for Savvy Doctors]; contact Ann at: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com. There are several chapter topics still available. Now, the important dates:

April 1-3: Adv. Modeling Methods for Health Economic Evaluation, York, UK.

April 4-8: HIMSS Annual Conference, Chicago, IL.

April 6: Premier Forum on Medication Therapy Management and Patient Compliance Programs. CBI; Las Vegas, NV

April 7: FINRA Small Conference Series, New York, NY.

April 14: World health Care Congress; Washington, DC.

April 15-16: Tiburon CEO Summit, Ritz Carlton, New York, NY.

April 15-18: Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy’s 21st Annual Meeting and Showcase, Orlando, FL.

April 16-18: TIPAAA Annual Conference, Marriott River Center, San Antonio, TX.

April 20-24: Health Economics of Pharmaceuticals and Other Medical Interventions. Nice (Cannes) France.

April 21-22: Market Access Strategies for Personalized Medicines and Companion Diagnostics, Brussels, Belgium.

April 21-23: Introduction to Applied Health Economics: Methods for analysis of healthcare utilization and expenditure, University of York.
April 23-25: AIP Conference on Philanthropy, Rosemont, Ill.

April 25-29: Society for Pain Practice Management Meeting, Phoenix, AZ.

April 26-29: Wound Healing Society Symposium, Dallas, TX.

Apr 27-28: 8th Annual Forum on Patient Compliance, Adherence and Persistency, Philadelphia, PA.

April 27-29: Workshop on Health Technology Assessment From Theory to Evidence to Policy, Toronto, CANADA.

April 28-May 1: Pharma Pricing and Market Access Outlook Europe, 2009, London.

April 29-May 2: American Geriatric Society Meeting, Chicago, IL.

Please send in your meetings and dates for listing in the next issue of our Events-Planner.

MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

Subscribe Now: Did you like this Medical Executive-Post, or find it helpful, interesting and informative? Want to get the latest E-Ps delivered to your email box each morning? Just subscribe using the link below. It’s free. You can unsubscribe at any time. Security is assured.

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Marketing & Advertising, Sponsors | Tagged: david marcinko, Events-Planner, FINRA, geriatric, Health Economics, health meetings, HIMSS, Managed Care, pharmacy, Tiburon, wounds | Leave a comment »

On Drug Reps as Future Dinosaurs

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

More Doctors Closing Office Doors to Drug Salesmen

[By Staff Reporters]

According to Kevin B. O’Reilly, of the AMNews on 3/23/09, drug reps may soon become dinosaurs-of-sorts. And, the relationship between doctors and drug reps is cloudy, darkening and may never be the same again.

Changing Relationships

Pharmaceutical companies, battered by sluggish drug pipelines, the looming loss of blockbuster patented drugs, an economy in recession and scrutiny of their relationships with physicians; are re-examining the value of sending drug reps into doctors’ offices. Detailers are struggling to grab a shrinking slice of physicians’ valuable time, and attention, while adjusting to new drug industry rules banning freebies such as pens and notepads.

Declining Reputations

While most physicians still have positive views of detailers and drug-makers, those sentiments are cooling. And, the next-generation of medical students and future physicians may be another driver of this wave. About one in four physician’s works in a practice that refuses to see drug reps. Of doctors who do see reps, about 40% will meet with detailers only with scheduled appointments. The by-appointment-only figure jumped 23% during the last six months of 2008, according to a survey of more than 227,000 medical practices representing 640,000 physicians that was released in February.

***

Assessment

What is your practice policy on this issue? Are drug reps being replaced by webcasts, podcasts, IMs, text-messages, cell phone advertisements, direct-to-doctor [D2D] communications and/or some other new-wave social media or rich e-format?

Channel Surfing the ME-P

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors
Dictionary of Health Economics and Finance
Dictionary of Health Information Technology and Security
Dictionary of Health Insurance and Managed Care

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Drugs and Pharma, Ethics, Managed Care, Practice Management | Tagged: Big Pharma and Drugs, big-pharma, D2C, D2D, detailers, drug makers, drug reps, generic, IMs, patent, pharmaceuticals, text messages, webcasts | 13 Comments »

How Doctors Pay for Wealth Management Services

Posted on March 30, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Many Methods Possible and Often Confusing

[By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; FACFAS, MBA, CMP™]

What is of the utmost importance to a physician-investor is: (1) to have a plan, (2) a means of implementation and monitoring investments, and (3) a process to review goals and objectives in the future. Some or all of these steps may require the supervision of a financial planner or fiduciary investment advisor. “Professional” advisors who assist doctors and investors with the development of an investment plan also may become involved with implementation, monitoring, and performance reporting. Other “advisors” work only with plan development, referring implementation and supervision to others.

Basic Methods

There are three basic methods of payment for professional investment management: by commission, fee only, or a combination of the two. The method of payment used depends on the type of service provided and on who provides it.

1. Commissions

Some advisors who assist investors with investment planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting do not charge a direct fee. They provide planning services for no charge if investors buy and sell the investments that they recommend. Investment brokers who are licensed to buy and sell securities may use the resources of a brokerage firm to assist investors with planning.

Commission-based advisors generally will recommend load mutual funds, thereby receiving either front-end or trail commissions. Trail commissions are paid over time or as a fee based on a percentage of the account value, similar to a 12b-1 fee. Brokers may provide or recommend professional money managers affiliated through their brokerage firm. The broker is paid directly or indirectly by some form of referral fee, or through a trading commission arrangement with the money management firm.

2. Only Fees

Fee-only professionals provide planning and supervisory services for a fee. The fee may be a flat periodic fee, an hourly fee, or a percentage-of-assets fee. Investment planning often is paid for by a flat or hourly fee. Supervisory services (encompassing implementation), monitoring, and reporting, often are paid by the hour or as a percentage-of-asset fee. Percentage-of-asset fees usually are tiered based on the size of the account.

3. Combination Fees and Commissions

Many investment professionals use a combination of commission and fee planning. They may charge a nominal fee for planning and discounted commissions for other services. Another combination is the fee offset, in which a flat or similar fee is charged and then is reduced by commissions, referral fees, and similar charges earned by the planner or advisor.

Registration

Investment advisors registered with the SEC may provide fee-only services. Registration does not guarantee the investor is using a competent investment advisor or money manager as it is required for those advisors giving investment advice.

Certifications and Designations

Many professionals become certified by a peer or professional group to provide fee-only services. They must pass exams and otherwise demonstrate some level of competence to obtain and maintain certification marks. Certified Financial Planners (CFPs®), ChFCs Chartered Financial Consultants [insurance industry], personal financial specialists (PFSs, who also must be CPAs), and more than 100 others can advise investors. Within these designations, there are so called “specialists” in areas of investment planning (on a more sophisticated level), implementation, and supervisory services. Except for CPAs and Certified Medical Planners™; none of these “advisors” are truly fiduciaries.

www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.com

Supervisory Service

Supervisory services can be basic or sophisticated. In the simplest form, an advisor monitors the implementation process and periodically reviews the investment plan to assure that it is being followed. These advisors delegate or let the investor delegate the selection and supervision of actual investments to other brokers, investment managers, etc. Other advisors take a more direct role in the selection and supervision of brokers, investment managers, and mutual funds. At a more sophisticated level, an advisor prepares periodic reports, uses software to monitor and review portfolio structures, and implements strategies and tactical asset allocation decisions.

Assessment

To the extent that online trading, deep discount brokerages, lack of SEC and FINRA oversight, and the recent financial, insurance and banking meltdown has affected the above, investing – with or without an advisor – is left up to the physician. Generally, all fess are, and should be, negotiable. When it comes to the financial services product sales industry; always remember that most of these folks are salesmen; so always remember “caveat emptor” or “buyer beware.”

Disclaimer: The author is a former licensed insurance agent, Certified Financial Planner® and founding principal of the Certified Medical Planner™ online educational program, in health economics and medical management, for financial advisors and healthcare consultants.

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE: Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE: Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Alerts Sign-Up, Funding Basics, Investing, Op-Editorials, Portfolio Management, Sponsors | Tagged: 12b-1, certified financial planner, certified medical planner, CFP, ChFC, CMP, commissions, CPA, fee only, financial advisors, financial planners, FINRA, PFS, registered investment advisor, registration, RIA, SEC, Series 63, Series 65, Series 7, stock broker, wealth manager | 3 Comments »

BCBS-TX Dental Insurance is Rude to Everyone

Posted on March 27, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Why the Long NPI – BCBSTX?

[By Darrell Pruitt; DDS]

More than a year ago, Dr. Robert Ahlstrom, an ADA [American Dental Association] and NHII (National Healthcare Information Infrastructure) task force member, told attendees to the ADA’s 3rd International Evidence-Based Dentistry Conference that the NPI number is

“Critical to the future of dentistry.”

But, to this day, he refuses to reveal why. Even though I have learned that he is a very shy man on the Internet; on that Sunday in May in ADA Headquarters, he confidently added,

“It is only voluntary unless you want to get paid.”

His case-closed proclamation shut down discussion cold in a Soviet manner. Did I mention that this occurred at an “Evidence-Based Dentistry” conference? Soviet East Germany was also called the German Democratic Republic.

NPI Harmful to Dentists and Patients

There is nothing evidence-based or otherwise about the NPI number – that benefits anyone but healthcare stakeholders. In fact, the number actually harms both dentists and patients. Like Ahlstrom, the irreversible NPI number is simply un-American. However, the NPI means profit for sleazy dental insurance companies like BCBS of Texas – especially when dentists’ reimbursements for work done long ago are delayed by NPI-NPPES screw-ups. Some physicians’ payments have been delayed for a year or more because of NPPES crosswalk difficulties. Who needs that?

Veteran’s Example Scenario

A new patient called my office this week wanting an appointment to start a crown. We don’t normally block off two and one-half hours for a patient on the first visit, but the Veteran told my office manager that before he was recently discharged, they did a root canal, post build-up and temporary on a tooth that still needs a crown. I like to think other dentists would also risk big holes in their schedules for Veterans. We owe them at least that much.

BCBSTX Dental Insurance

When he showed up with his BCBSTX dental insurance information, my office manager had to tell him that even though his boss was promised by the BCBSTX sales representative that the dental benefits package he bought for his employees was good anywhere, it cannot be used in my office because I do not have an NPI number. I am licensed to practice dentistry in the state of Texas, but that is not enough for BCBSTX. Capricious qualifications are certainly their choice if they prefer to do business that way in Texas, but why does BCBSTX leave it to my office manager to inform their clients about their deception? If a client who pays premiums to BCBSTX likes a dentist who does not have an NPI number, those premiums are pure profit for BCBSTX. It is easy to understand that the more obstacles BCBSTX can put between their clients and obligations to cover their dental bills, the bigger are the bonuses for executives. What’s more, BCBSTX’s leaders’ lousy work ethic permeates the entire dental insurance industry. Compared to BCBSTX executives, AIG executives who kept bonus money should be honored as national heroes.

BCBSTX Rude to Everyone

As the Veteran who almost became my patient works to fit him-self back into society, perhaps the next opportunity he has to break away from work for a few hours, he will be lucky enough to come across a dentist who has an NPI number. If things go well, BCBSTX will not have wasted a Veteran’s time twice – and wrecked a dentist’s schedule – for what? BCBSTX has nothing against Veterans in particular, they are rude to everyone. Since nobody from the company can be held personally accountable, tyranny is as natural as Ponzi schemes.

Attention Texas Employers:

I wish deceptive business practices which insurance companies use to cheat their clients were against the law in Texas. Attention Texas employers; as a dentist who has witnessed harm from BCBSTX, I warn you not to waste money on their dental plan. BCBSTX’s sales reps cannot be trusted to tell the truth and will aggravate your employees as well as neighborhood dentists.

Assessment

If BCBSTX gets away with this dishonesty, what other senseless, but profit-enhancing hoops will they demand next year? How many more dentists and patients can an Attorney General allow them to cheat before speaking up? Come out and fight for your honor, BCBSTX … or not. I bring more than your best attorney can handle and I am waiting.

Conclusion

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

DICTIONARIES: http://www.springerpub.com/Search/marcinko
PHYSICIANS: www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com
PRACTICES: www.BusinessofMedicalPractice.com
HOSPITALS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781466558731
CLINICS: http://www.crcpress.com/product/isbn/9781439879900
ADVISORS: www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org
BLOG: www.MedicalExecutivePost.com
FINANCE:Financial Planning for Physicians and Advisors
INSURANCE:Risk Management and Insurance Strategies for Physicians and Advisors

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Career Development, Health Insurance, Information Technology, Military Medicine, Quality Initiatives, Risk Management | Tagged: ADA, BCBSTX, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, dental benefits, dental insurane, evidence based dentristy, evidence based medicine, Health Insurance, insurance fringe benefits, National Healthcare Information Infrastructure, NPI Number, NPPES, Robert Ahlstrom, Veterans | 22 Comments »

I Shake my Fist at Pfizer, Inc.

Posted on March 26, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

And, Laugh out Loud over D2D Marketing

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko; FACFAS, MBA, CMP™

[Publisher-in-Chief]

We all know how intrusive direct-to-consumer [D2C] marketing by the pharmaceutical industry has become. Especially for those male “enhancement” type drugs that seem to be a ubiquitous feature on TV, the print media and internet, etc.

No, I’m not talking about sildenafil citrate or minoxidil; although I do recall seeing them on TV for the last decade, or so; maybe more. The target audience for both keeps getting younger and younger; or am I getting older and older? Still, allow me to assure all ME-P readers that the problems they reportedly treat are not my own.

Gotcha!

For this post however, I am talking about antibiotics.

Pfizer Seriously

Seriously, we are all aware that D2C marketing, and patients, goad doctors into “action” during an office visit [i.e., prescribe], when perhaps they ought not to. A follow-up office visit is often able to be scheduled, too.

Think: the antibiotic drug resistance epidemic.

Therefore, I was so righteously upset recently that I had to go out for a premature hour-long run, as I have been doing almost daily for thirty years, just to cool off.

Why?

It’s because I received the email copied verbatim, below.

Doctor [my name was not used, but my personal email address was correct],

For decades, azithromycin has been proven clinically effective to fight infections in your patients. With Zmax, azithromycin is reformulated to provide the same powerful efficacy against infection in a single, well-tolerated, liquid dose.

Zmax — the novel one-dose formulation of azithromycin
Zmax is indicated for community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in pediatric patients and adults and acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in adults. Zmax uses extended-release microspheres to deliver one well-tolerated, front-loaded dose.

Zmax is not to be confused with Zithromax®, Z-Pak®, or Tri-Pak®

By delivering 100% compliance with just one dose, Zmax is the only formulation of azithromycin that avoids the complexities of multiple-day dosing for your patients.3-5

Prescribe Zmax and save with the “Never Pay More Than $20” coupon
Prescribe Zmax as your antibiotic-of-choice for your patients with CAP and ABS.
Zmax guarantees that your patients never pay more than $20 with the cost-saving Zmax coupon. For more information, please visit www.ZmaxInfo.com or www.PfizerPro.com/Zmax

Sincerely,
Raymond W. Urbanski; MD, PhD
Vice President
Clinical Development and Medical Affairs
Established Products Business Unit
Pfizer, Inc.

Now, I have prescribed Zithromax® in the past, and will probably do so again in the future. I have lectured for several big-pharma companies throughout the years, and have written a textbook on bone and soft tissue extremity infections, and their diagnosis and treatment. I have served, and still serve, as a medical expert witness in malpractice cases involving infectious diseases, etc. But, I do not, repeat, do not need to be reminded by personal email about this anti-microbial, or any other drug. Being spammed in the office is one thing; but please not at home. I “reply-cancelled” the email; I think. Will let you know, down-line.

Of Podcasts and Webcasts

Recently, I was asked to make several new-wave podcast and modern webcast presentations for physician distribution by third-party vendors of the pharmaceutical industry. From what I could gather, this sort of “product information” distribution has not been eagerly embraced by the profession to-date, and so they are searching for industry recognized “names” to do their bidding. And so, as an educator, I acquiesced regarding same. But, I do pine for the attractive female pharma-rep visits back-in-the-day; replete with food for “lunch and learn” office presentations [mea culpa].

Think: Sermo, if you want a medical opinion.

Assessment

Poor Dr. Urbanski, by the looks of his sur-name, I bet he’s Polish like me. I also bet that he gets more than a few emails, cards, faxes and letters like this post.

So, here’s where you need to imagine me shaking my fist at Pfizer, Inc.

I also laugh mockingly, as well.

Click to play :

PS: Ray, call me; let’s do lunch.

Conclusion

Link: http://feeds.feedburner.com/HealthcareFinancialsthePostForcxos

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

Filed under: "Doctors Only", Breaking News, Career Development, Drugs and Pharma, Ethics, Glossary Terms, Marketing & Advertising | Tagged: azithromycin, D2C, D2D, direct-2-doctor, doctor-2-doctor, Pfizer, Raymond W. Urbanski | 7 Comments »

About Sharkey, Howes & Javer

Posted on March 24, 2009 by Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA MEd CMP™

Advertisement

Enhanced Listing about Our Practice

At Sharkey, Howes & Javer, we specialize in people, their money and their choices. We offer our clients peace of mind and the guidance to help them make wise lifetime decisions along their path to success.

Team Approach

We are a team, working in partnership with our clients and their other professional advisors to ensure a comprehensive approach to long-lasting financial decisions.

Our History

We were established in Denver, Colorado in 1990, when Eileen M. Sharkey, CFP®, formed the firm of Sharkey, Howes & Javer, a partnership with Lawrence E. Howes, MBA, CFP® and Joel B. Javer, CLU, CFP®. Since then, our team of professional planners and support staff has grown to serve over 1000 clients.

Industry Acknowledged Certifications

Larry Howes, MBA, AIF®, CFP® is a founder and principal of Sharkey, Howes & Javer, Inc., a firm that provides financial planning and portfolio management to individuals and businesses. He received his MBA from Regis University and Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Metropolitan State College in Denver and was admitted to the Registry of Financial Planning Practitioners in 1986. He received his CFP® designation in 1987. Larry was awarded an AIF®, Accredited Investment Fiduciary, in 2004 from the University of Pittsburgh. He is also a Certified Medical Planner™ (Hon).

Fiduciary – Yes

RIA – Yes

Published Authors and Educators

Mr. Howes is an adjunct professor of financial planning at Metropolitan State College – Denver.

Larry teaches the Investment course for the Certified Financial Planning certification program for Metro.

Larry is a featured writer for the Metropolitan Denver Dental Society’s journal entitled Articulator. Larry is also a featured writer for Colorado Medicine. In addition, Larry co-authored the Estate Planning and Execution chapter in the book entitled the Financial Planning Handbook for Physicians and Advisors.

Clean CRD record – Yes

Clean Criminal record – Yes

More information:

Tammy K. Durnford; MA

Manager of Client Relations

tammy@shwj.com

Sharkey, Howes & Javer, Inc.

720 S. Colorado Blvd.

Suite 600 South Tower

Denver, Colorado 80246

303-639-5100

800-557-9380

Fax 303-759-2335

Website: www.shwj.com

Filed under: "Advisors Only", "Ask-an-Advisor", "Doctors Only", Estate Planning, Experts Invited, Financial Advisor Listings, Financial Planning, Sponsors | Tagged: certified medical planner, CFP®, CLU, CMP, david marcinko, Eileen M. Sharkey, Estate Planning, fiduciary advisor, financial advisor, Financial Planning, hope hetico, Howes & Javer, Joel B. Javer, Larry Howes, Lawrence E. Howes, MBA, medical advisors, medical consultants, physician advisors, physician consultants, Sharkey | Leave a comment »

« Previous Page — Next Page »

Subscribe MEDICAL EXECUTIVE-POST?

Member Statistics

ME-P Information & Content Channels

Ann Miller RN MHA [Managing Editor]

CERTIFIED MEDICAL PLANNER® program

Most Recent ME-Ps

PodiatryPrep.org

ME-P Free Advertising Consultation

Medical & Surgical e-Consent Forms

iMBA Inc., OFFICES

ME-P Publishing

SEEKING INDUSTRY INFO PARTNERS?

Reader Comments, Quips, Opinions, News & Updates

Start-Up Advice for Businesses, DRs and Entrepreneurs

Up-Trending ME-Ps

Capitalism and Free Enterprise Advocacy

OIG Fraud Warnings

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Free ARRA Webinar Series

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Avoiding Common Cash Flow Budget Mistakes

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Janus-Like Opposing Views Becoming Contentious

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

[HOSPITAL OPERATIONS, ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT COMPANION TEXTBOOK SET]

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Calendar

Advertising Info:

Book Offerings:

Dictionary Offerings:

Dr. David Marcinko [Publication List]

Education Online:

Health Dictionary Series Wiki Project

Lower Extremity Medicine & Surgery

Pending NIHCM Grant Applications: