Search Results for * -- AAFP

COVID-19 spurs CMS to delay mandatory use of new noncoverage form -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced last week it will delay a rule requiring physicians to use a new version of its Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage form.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_abn_delayed.html

Will Medicare give you a pay bump next year? Check your MIPS score -- FPM

Physicians and practices can now access their 2019 Merit-based Incentive Payment System feedback and final score through the Quality Payment Program website.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_mips_scores.html

Medicare taking comments on 2021 physician payment proposals -- FPM

The changes are a mix of good news and bad news for family physicians, but taken as a whole CMS estimates they will result in a 13% increase in family physicians’ Medicare allowed charges in 2021.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/physician_fee_schedule_comments.html

Medicare unveils influenza vaccine payment allowances for 2020-2021 flu season -- FPM

The allowances range from about $10 to about $60.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/flu_shot_allowances.html

Ten EHR Strategies for Efficient Documentation -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Applying even one of these 10 strategies can help you reduce frustration, improve productivity, and get home earlier.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p5.html

Transitioning to Direct Primary Care -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Imagine practicing medicine without all the administrative burdens related to billing insurance. Here’s how one physician made the switch.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p29.html

Two Habits of a Healthy Team: Managing Conflict and Practicing Gratitude -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Most teams try to avoid conflict, yet can’t stop focusing on the negative. Healthy teams do the opposite.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p11.html

Developing Your Professional Career Plan -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - The key to a fulfilling career is to know what’s important to you - from your mission, identity, and direction to family, fun, and finances - and then pursue that.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p21.html

Understanding Value-Based Payment: A Primer for Family Physicians -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Public and private payers are transitioning away from fee-for-service and emphasizing value-based payment models. This supplement from the American Academy of Family Physicians describes what you need to know about the transition and how it may affect you and your practice.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p25.html

Coding & Documentation - Jul-Aug 2020 -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Lab tests requiring modifier QW | Newborn: new patient or not? | Shared services for new patients | Coding sex-specific services for transgender patients | Pacemaker due to sick sinus syndrome

Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p36.html

Ten Tips for Cultivating Patience During Uncertain Times -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - It’s easy to feel impatient with ourselves and others these days. But research suggests impatience can be bad for our health. Here’s a better way to respond.

Family Practice Management : The Last Word

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p43.html

Maintaining Patient Relationships in the Age of Hospitalists, Urgent Care, and a ...

Aug 1, 2020 - It was already difficult to get enough face-to-face time with patients before COVID-19 hit. Bonding with them now takes even more effort.

Family Practice Management : From the Editor

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p4.html

Increasing Pneumococcal Immunization Rates -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - This supplement from the American Academy of Family Physicians shares learnings from state chapter quality improvement initiatives designed to increase adult pneumococcal vaccination rates. The project was supported by a grant from Pfizer Independent Grants for Learning and Change.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p17.html

Practice Pearls - Jul-Aug 2020 -- FPM

Aug 1, 2020 - Use EHR sticky notes to connect with patients personally | Talking your team through a crisis | Get credit for pre- and post-exam work

Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0700/p38.html

CMS and CDC release guidance on counseling patients tested for COVID-19 -- FPM

Counseling patients about the importance of isolating, in particular, can help reduce transmission of the illness.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_test_counseling.html

Two strategies to keep healthy teams healthy and get dysfunctional teams functioning --...

TCOVID-19, financial struggles, racial injustice, civil unrest - these are stressful times. If your team has navigated them successfully so far, establishing these two habits can help keep it on track. If your team is falling into backbiting and dysfunction, they can help you turn ...

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/healthy_team_habits.html

Transitional care management coding requirements -- FPM

The CPT codes for TCM require one face-to-face visit, certain non-face-to-face services, and medication reconciliation and management during the 30-day service period.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/tcm_coding_requirements.html

Three steps to improve preventive service utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic -- FPM

Patients are deferring routine office visits for chronic disease management and preventive services out of concern for their safety during COVID-19. But these visits are important, especially for patients with conditions that require close monitoring, or those who are due for ...

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_preventive_services.html

Considering direct primary care? Here are five tips to get started -- FPM

Interest in DPC was growing even before the pandemic took a chunk out of fee-for-service revenues. If you’re among those interested in the model, here are five tips for making the switch.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/dpc_online_resources.html

Check your QPP participation status with updated CMS tool -- FPM

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services updated its Quality Payment Program Participation Status Tool based on new data.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/qpp_participation_update.html

HHS extends application deadline for Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund -- FPM

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has extended the Medicaid/CHIP Provider Relief Fund distribution provider application deadline.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicaid_relief_extension.html

Six EHR documentation tips to save you time -- FPM

To reduce your work after clinic, consider ways to make the documentation process more efficient so that you can complete most (if not all) of this work during the visit. Here are six tips to get started.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/ehr_documentation_tips.html

Setting up an outdoor clinic for COVID-19: key steps -- FPM

If you haven’t treated patients with suspected COVID-19 in your parking lot yet, it may only be a matter of time. Four steps can help you get started.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/outdoor_clinic.html

How to avoid bias in patient care -- FPM

Implicit bias is the unconscious collection of stereotypes and attitudes that individuals develop toward certain groups of people. If left unchecked, it can affect patient relationships and care decisions.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/bias_in_patient_care.html

IRS says these COVID-19 relief funds are taxable -- FPM

Money that doctors receive from the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund will be subject to income tax in most cases.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/provider_relief_taxes.html

New CPT code for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) antigen testing -- FPM

Antigen testing is designed to be quicker and simpler than other tests for the coronavirus and can be conducted at the point of care.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/covid_antigen_testing.html

COVID-19 diagnosis coding explained in a flowchart -- FPM

Four months into the COVID-19 pandemic, questions still remain about how to code these cases. This flowchart has the answers.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/covid_diagnosis_flowcharts.html

Medicare to require new Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage form -- FPM

When you expect Medicare to deny payment, an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage form is useful. A new version of the form will soon be required.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/medicare_abn_renewed.html

Assigning patient risk levels in two steps -- FPM

Identifying which of your patients are at high risk can help you provide them with better care.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/risk_assessment_steps.html

How your team can help you finish your documentation -- FPM

If you prefer taking visit notes with pen and paper, your staff can transfer them to the EHR. But make sure you do this.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/team_documentation_help.html

CMS again offers QPP data reporting relief, but this time it's not automatic -- FPM

Practices participating in MIPS that have been significantly impacted by the public health emergency can apply for the Extreme and Uncontrollable Circumstances Exception.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/qpp_relief.html

Topic Collections -- FPM

Jun 29, 2020 - FPM editors' choice of best available content for family physicians.

Family Practice Management : Topic Collections

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewAll.htm

Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, and Diversity -- FPM Topic Collection

Jun 29, 2020 - Advertisement Topic Collection Social Determinants of Health, Health Equity, and Diversity Editors' Choice of Best Available Content Categories Addressing Discrimination Social Determinants of Health Cultural Competence Other Resources Addressing...

Family Practice Management : Topic Collections

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/topicModules/viewTopicModule.htm?topicModuleId=114

Major insurer extends COVID-related telehealth expansion through September -- FPM

One of the nation's largest insurance companies announced it will continue to reimburse telehealth visits at the same level as in-person visits for several more months.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/uhc_telehealth_extension.html

Reopening your practice during COVID-19: where to begin -- FPM

New workflows and other changes are now critical to maintaining social distancing and keeping facilities clean and safe. But where should practices begin?

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/reopening_first_steps.html

The key to reducing work after clinic -- FPM

Physicians spend one to two hours nightly on EHR tasks or paperwork. To reduce work after clinic, focus on this one thing.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/wac_tip.html

Three ways to nurture the family in family medicine -- FPM

Your well-being is affected by not only the quality of your workplace but also the quality of your family life. Here are three ways physicians can protect family well-being.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/family_wellbeing.html

Medicare payment for some physician services may be impacted by prior authorization -- FPM

Certain hospital outpatient department services will require prior authorization as a condition of Medicare payment beginning July 1.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/hospital_prior_auth.html

Unconventional career advice: a physician reflects on her dad -- FPM

With Father’s Day approaching, one family physician looks back on her father’s words of wisdom that inspired her quest to become a doctor.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/fathers_day_advice.html

One item that makes documentation easier during a telehealth visit -- FPM

Telehealth visits have spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. But it’s hard to document a visit on a computer while you’re also using it to communicate with a patient via video.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/telehealth_documentation_setup.html

Four strategies to reduce patients' prescription drug costs -- FPM

The cost of medications has long been a concern for patients. With unemployment spiking due to COVID-19, they may need your help saving money on meds.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/reduce_prescription_costs.html

CMS opens Direct Contracting alternative payment program applications -- FPM

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has opened applications for its Direct Contracting program.

Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/direct_contracting_portal.html

How to respond to incivility -- FPM

When you encounter rudeness, discrimination, or violence in your practice, stay calm and apply these seven strategies.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/responding_to_incivility.html

Recovering patient volume and practice finances in the wake of COVID-19: 12 tips -- FPM

Patient volume has dropped 60% since the start of the pandemic, and practice revenues have declined 55%. Here’s what practices can do to recover.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/recovering_practice_finances.html

Three things physician leaders need to clarify -- FPM

To manage all the tasks, projects, and requests for your time, you have to be clear on three things.

Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home

https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/leadership_three_things.html

Operationalizing Virtual Visits During a Public Health Emergency -- FPM

Jun 1, 2020 - Providing options for remote access to care can keep your practice running and your patients healthy when an infectious disease outbreak prevents you from seeing them in person.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p5.html

Implementing Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring in Primary Care Practice -- FPM

Jun 1, 2020 - In-office blood pressure readings are often inaccurate or insufficient. Here’s a way to get a better picture of how your patients are doing and get paid for it.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p19.html

Managing a Telephone Encounter: Five Tips for Effective Communication -- FPM

Jun 1, 2020 - Doctoring by phone is a skill I never thought I’d have to learn.

Family Practice Management : From the Editor

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p4.html

Coding & Documentation - May-Jun 2020 -- FPM

Jun 1, 2020 - Mental health screenings | Reporting multiple management services | Transferring paper notes to the medical record

Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p31.html

A Physician’s Guide to Navigating a Bureaucracy -- FPM

Jun 1, 2020 - To get what you need to create a more ideal practice, you must learn to navigate the bureaucracy of your organization. Here’s how.

Family Practice Management : Articles

https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2020/0500/p26.html

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 ...

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