Protecting Family Well-Being Through Social Connectivity and Time Management -- FPM
Jun 1, 2020 - Families are a physician’s core source of support. Making time to nurture family connections is crucial to keeping that support system strong.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p13.html
Learning to Lead in Uncertain Times: Seven Tips -- FPM
Jun 1, 2020 - As a physician leader, you can help provide clarity, calm, and cohesion.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p36.html
Practice Pearls - May-Jun 2020 -- FPM
Jun 1, 2020 - Check for COVID-19 updates on home isolation and work notes | Ask patients to submit vitals before telehealth | Adapt your documentation setup for telehealth
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p32.html
CMS answers more key questions on telehealth billing during COVID-19 -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated a frequently asked questions page with new guidance on billing Medicare during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_may_faqs.html
Four virtual visit options for treating patients who can't do video -- FPM
Patients may be leery about coming into your office during the COVID-19 pandemic, no matter how many safety measures you take. Here are four ways to treat them remotely even if they don’t have the equipment or technological know-how to do video visits.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/virtual_visit_options.html
How to collect patient vitals for telehealth visits, including AWVs -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently clarified how physicians can collect biometric data for Medicare annual wellness visits from patients who are in their homes.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_visit_vitals.html
CMS: Patients can self-report vitals for Medicare AWV telehealth visits -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently clarified that during the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) patients may self-report vital signs and other biometric data for Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) done via telehealth.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_awv_vitals.html
Gallows humor in the time of COVID-19 -- FPM
Gallows humor has long been a part of medicine, and research shows that when deployed appropriately, it can relieve tension in stressful situations.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_gallows_humor.html
The secret to job satisfaction? Ask for what you need -- FPM
Many practices exist within a vast bureaucracy of rules and policies. To create a more satisfying practice, you must ask for what you need. Here's how.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/ask_for_what_you_need.html
What family physicians are earning -- FPM
Family physician total compensation averaged $234,000 per year at the outset of 2020, according to a new report. But how will COVID-19 affect physicians financially?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/what_family_physicians_earn.html
Four algorithms that answer key questions about COVID-19 -- FPM
For quick guidance on virtual visits, ending home isolation, patient scheduling, and staff illness, download these algorithms.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_algorithms.html
Five steps to set up ambulatory blood pressure monitoring in your practice -- FPM
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) provides more accurate data than in-office blood pressure checks, which is useful for identifying issues that might otherwise stay hidden and ruling out white coat hypertension.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/ambulatory_bp_monitoring.html
Employed physicians: will your contract protect you from COVID-19 budget cuts? -- FPM
If you’re among the physicians already affected by budget cuts, or think you might be soon, here’s what you need to know about your employment contract.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_employment_contracts.html
FPM Toolbox -- Forms, Checklists, and Surveys
May 4, 2020 - Download more than 200 free practice improvement tools - from coding cheat sheets to encounter forms to Medicare annual wellness visit resources.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolBox.htm
Encounter Forms -- FPM Toolbox
May 4, 2020 - Download encounter forms to help ensure accurate documentation for asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions common in primary care.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Encounter Forms
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=12
New opportunity to get paid for treating uninsured COVID-19 patients -- FPM
The Department of Health and Human Services will soon start accepting claims for COVID-19-related testing and treatment of uninsured patients, to be reimbursed at Medicare rates.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/uninsured_covid.html
A checklist for reopening your practice for non-essential face-to-face visits -- FPM
The decision to reopen a practice for non-essential in-person visits depends on many factors, including the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in your area. When it’s time to reopen, use this checklist to help ease the process and keep everyone safe.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/reopening_a_practice.html
Two welcome changes for audio-only telephone visits -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is increasing Medicare payments for audio-only telephone visits to match payments for similar office or outpatient visits. CMS has also broadened the list of services it will cover as telephone visits.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telephone_visits.html
Life Balance -- FPM Toolbox
Apr 27, 2020 - Download tools to help you manage your time and prevent burnout.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Life Balance
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=18
CMS suspends advance payment program -- FPM
Early on in the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS is expanded the program for all Medicare providers throughout the country. The agency now says that other funding is available to those on the front lines of the coronavirus response.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/advance_payments_halted.html
Prepare now for next round of Paycheck Protection Program funding -- FPM
Given how quickly the first round of funding was exhausted, businesses are advised to apply as soon as possible.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/ppp_second_round.html
New codes for COVID-19 antibody tests -- FPM
Antibody tests could play a role in determining the true prevalence of the illness in a given area and determining who can return to normal activities as states gradually begin to lift lockdowns.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_antibody_coding.html
CMS waives telehealth restrictions for FQHC and RHC physicians -- FPM
Under the new guidelines, there are no restrictions on where telehealth service is provided, meaning physicians or practitioners may provide the service from their homes.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/FQHC_covid_telehealth.html
Six things to know about the CARES Act provider relief fund payments -- FPM
The federal government recently started doling out an initial $30 billion in COVID-19 aid payments to Medicare fee-for-service providers. Here's what physicians should know about them.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/COVID19_relief_payments.html
Four principles for handling stress during a crisis -- FPM
In times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 public health emergency, stress can be heightened by factors such as secondary trauma, fatigue, and lack of control. To deal with the added stress you might be feeling right now, focus on four principles.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/stress_crisis_tips.html
CMS provides more information on patients’ eligibility for pneumonia vaccines -- FPM
A change in Medicare reporting should make it easier to identify when a patient is eligible for a pneumococcal pneumonia vaccine.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/pneumonia_vaccine.html
What coding modifiers to use for Medicare telehealth services and COVID-19 testing -- FPM
Recent regulatory changes affect how you should code for telehealth services and COVID-19 testing when billing Medicare.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/coronavirus_modifier_coding.html
How to access small business loans for COVID-19 financial relief -- FPM
Some of the loans now available offer 1% interest or even full loan forgiveness if you keep your employees on the payroll.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_business_loans.html
Medicare provides more regulatory relief in response to COVID-19 -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued an interim final rule that made many significant Medicare payment policy changes effective March 1, 2020, and for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_covid_changes.html
10 communication tips for physician phone visits during COVID-19 -- FPM
Telephone visits may pose fewer technology challenges than telehealth (video) visits, but they present unique communication challenges of their own as a result of the lack of face-to-face communication.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telephone_visit_tips_2.html
Coding for Hypertension: Painting a Picture of the Severity of Illness -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - As risk-adjustment scoring increases, the pressure is on to code hypertension correctly. Here’s an overview using common patient scenarios.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p23.html
Caring for Me Is Caring for You: The Power of Self-Care and Personal Transformation -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - Want to see change in your team, your organization, or beyond? Start by filling your own tank.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p17.html
Is This Some Kind of Joke? Understanding and Using Humor in the Clinical Setting -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - The wrong joke at the wrong time can shatter the doctor-patient relationship, but humor used wisely has health benefits and strengthens bonds in stressful situations.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p11.html
Panel Size Is Just a Number: A Rubric for Opening and Closing Panels -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - Deciding whether primary care doctors have the capacity to take on more patients requires accounting for things like productivity, as well as panel size.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p7.html
Looking Beyond Diagnostic Criteria -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - The power of family medicine is seeing patients as more than just signs and symptoms.
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p36.html
Coding & Documentation - Mar-Apr 2020 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - New code for vaping-related illness | Ultrasound services in the office | Autism screening | Does your documentation need codes or modifiers?
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p31.html
Practice Pearls - Mar-Apr 2020 -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - Make office redesign a collaborative project | Designate a vaccine update expert | Handle disability exams with empathy and practicality
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p32.html
On Baby Pictures and Empty Nests -- FPM
Apr 1, 2020 - Sharing life transitions is both a challenge and a joy of long-standing patient relationships.
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0300/p5.html
Three federal telehealth rules that no longer apply during the COVID-19 pandemic -- FPM
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is waiving a number of telehealth rules during the COVID-19 public health emergency to encourage physicians to evaluate and treat patients remotely, when possible.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_rules_waived.html
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) -- FPM Topic Collection
Mar 30, 2020 - Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization on March 11, 2020. Common symptoms include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The ...
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Family Practice Management : Topic Collections
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=113
Medicare expanding accelerated and advance payments due to COVID-19 -- FPM
The payments are typically offered during natural disasters. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, CMS is expanding the program for all Medicare providers and suppliers throughout the country.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_advance_payments.html
How to leave coronavirus behind when you come home -- FPM
Providing patient care during the pandemic means you and your family are at risk for exposure. Here's how to limit the risk as you return home at the end of your workday.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_home.html
The parking lot visit: how it works -- FPM
In an effort to minimize patient and staff exposure to infectious pathogens (such as COVID-19), some clinics are conducting parts or the entirety of the encounter in the parking lot or even in the patient's car.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/parking_lot_clinic.html
When can recovering COVID-19 patients leave isolation, and do they need return-to-work ...
As the COVID-19 outbreaks continues, more physicians may be fielding calls from recovering patients who want to know when they can return to daily activities, including work.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_work_notes.html
CMS offers data reporting relief in response to COVID-19 -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has extended the deadline to submit 2019 performance data for the Merit-based Incentive Payment System due to COVID-19.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/data_reporting_relief.html
A virtual visit algorithm: how to differentiate and code telehealth visits, e-visits, ...
There are three options for providing virtual visits: telehealth visits, e-visits, and virtual check-ins. Here's how to tell them apart, and how to code for them.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_algorithm.html
Patient triage, scheduling, and rooming: three ways to adapt your workflows for ...
As increasing numbers of patients contact physicians’ offices to report symptoms of COVID-19 or other respiratory infection, practices need to adapt their workflows to minimize exposure. Here are three recommended changes.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coronavirus_workflow_changes.html
How to tell policymakers what you need to fight COVID-19 -- FPM
Telling state or federal representatives what’s going on in your practices can not only make them better informed, it can also help ward off feelings of helplessness.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid19_advocacy_tips.html
Making self-care a priority, even now -- FPM
Now more than ever, physicians need to be practicing self-care so they can continue to care for others. Here are four things you can do - but just pick one.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/physician_self_care_ideas.html
New code for vaping-related illness may require a billing system update -- FPM
Update your electronic health record and billing systems for a new diagnosis code for vaping-related illness that takes effect April 1.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/vaping_related_illness.html