Is moonlighting right for you? -- FPM
Moonlighting can help your pocketbook or your career. But follow these steps to make sure it doesn't cause new problems.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/moonlighting.html
Medicare releases proposed rule on 2020 physician fee schedule -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released its proposed physician fee schedule for 2020. Here are some of the highlights affecting family physicians.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2020_physician_payment_fee_schedule.html
Three things to remember when choosing a code without a diagnosis -- FPM
Selecting the appropriate ICD-10 code depends on having a diagnosis. If you don't have a confirmed diagnosis, follow this advice to record your patient's signs and symptoms.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coding_without_diagnosis.html
The first step to better patient visits and satisfaction -- FPM
There are many simple steps physicians can take to make their visits more successful and satisfying for the patient. The first is making sure to sit down.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/patient_communication_sitting.html
How to remind patients they're due for preventive care -- FPM
Patients can forget to schedule preventive care visits. Sending out reminders is a good approach, but you have to be careful not to get too much of a good thing.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/preventive_care_scheduling.html
Five ways to add some warmth and personality to your exam rooms -- FPM
Exam rooms don’t have to feel cold and boring. Here are five ideas for adding some personal touches that will make the space more inviting to patients and more comfortable for you and your staff.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/exam_room_decor.html
Three myths about patient access -- FPM
Research has shown that one of the most effective ways to improve outcomes and reduce costs is to improve patients’ access to primary care. But many practices are going about access improvement all wrong.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/patient_access_myths.html
Got a new colleague? Do these things on day one -- FPM
A well-organized orientation process can help maximize physician performance and retention. Here are three ways you can help.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/new_physician_orientation.html
Three big benefits of small talk -- FPM
Making time for a few seconds of friendly conversation at the beginning and end of each patient visit may be more productive than you’d think. Here are three benefits of making small talk with your patients.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/small_talk.html
2019 qualifying APM participant data now available -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has updated its online database to help physicians participating in alternative payment models to determine if they have to participate in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System this year.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2019_qualifying_APM_participant.html
How to cultivate a warm handoff for patient referrals -- FPM
Both you and your patients can benefit when referrals are characterized by a warm handoff. Focus on these three key elements.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/warm_handoff.html
Meet FPM’s new medical editor -- FPM
FPM's new medical editor lays out her vision for the future of the journal and how it can help physicians make their patient care experience more productive and satisfying.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/FPM_medical_editor.html
MIPS feedback reports for 2018 now available -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has released reports showing how physicians fared during the 2018 Quality Payment Program performance year.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/2018_QPP_Feedback_Reports.html
How to avoid burnout in a broken health care system -- FPM
The administrative barriers facing physicians who want to provide quality care keep growing. How do you avoid lose sight of what's important?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/committed_to_medicine.html
Thirteen ways to reduce the burden of prior authorizations -- FPM
If you've spent any time on the phone with an insurer seeking approval for certain medications or procedures, you likely wished for an easier way. Here are a number of possible avenues to shorten the process.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/prior_authorization_tips.html
Treating migraines? There's an app for that -- FPM
Treating migraines is difficult because of the many factors that can trigger an attack. Suggest this mobile app to patients so they can be more engaged in their own care.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/Migraine_Buddy.html
A sample workflow to address medication nonadherence related to cost -- FPM
To quickly screen for and address prescription cost concerns, use this sample workflow.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/prescription_costs.html
Think 99214 if you see these problems or procedures -- FPM
The risk component of medical decision making is more subjective and can be difficult to identify, so here’s what to look for.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/99214_presenting_problems.html
Add some fun to your practice -- FPM
Patients often come to your practice feeling anxious, hurt, or afraid. Adding some levity can help put them at ease, and it can help your stressed-out colleagues as well.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/workplace_fun.html
Is your EHR slowing you down? -- FPM
No one got into medicine for the typing. Here are ways to speed up your use of electronic health record systems.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/ehr_tips.html
Got an idea to reduce physician burden? CMS wants to hear it -- FPM
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has opened a request for information, looking for ways to reduce paperwork and allow physicians to spend more time on patient care.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/reducing_physician_burden.html
Three tips for making a referral for counseling -- FPM
Some patients may still believe there is a stigma attached to seeking counseling. But if you believe it would benefit him or her, here are some suggestions to help make the process easier.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/counseling_referral.html
Test your E/M coding skills -- FPM
E/M coding for repeat patient visits during the same day can be tricky. How would you code this scenario?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/coding_skills.html
Work after clinic: seven ideas for regaining control over your time -- FPM
Although changes are needed to address the underlying problem of administrative complexity in health care, individual physicians can take practical steps to improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time they spend working after hours.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/work_after_clinic.html
Medicare changing rules for modifiers to override claims edits -- FPM
Medicare and some private payers are set to make it easier to use modifiers to override claims edits.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/modifiers_override_claims.html
The right (and wrong) way to make sure patients understand your instructions -- FPM
An estimated 50 percent of patients leave their medical visits without understanding what their physician told them. The teach-back technique can help.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/teach_back_the_right_way.html
How to establish yourself as a physician leader -- FPM
Because of their medical authority, every physician is a leader in their organization to some extent. Those who expand their leadership potential tend to have four characteristics.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/physician_leadership_tips.html
Risk Stratification: A Two-Step Process for Identifying Your Sickest Patients -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - Assessing the health risk of your patients can yield improvements in efficiency and use of resources.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p21.html
Seven Habits for Reducing Work After Clinic -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - Imagine shutting your office door at the end of the day and not having any work that you need to take home. These shifts in practice can help you reclaim your time.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p10.html
Transitional Care Management: Practical Processes for Your Practice -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - Helping patients safely bridge the gap from acute care to ambulatory care is good for patients and practices too.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p27.html
A Practical Approach to Reducing Patients' Prescription Costs -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - A single screening question and an arsenal of cost-reducing strategies can help you help your patients afford their medications.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p5.html
Practice Pearls - May-Jun 2019 -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - Create annual visit plans for your patients | Use your EHR to close care gaps | Use passwords to practice mindfulness
Family Practice Management : Practice Pearls
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p32.html
A New Lexicon for Physicians: A Poem for Physicians Who Care -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - What if EHRs, MIPS, and MACRA all stood for something else--something truly meaningful?
Family Practice Management : The Last Word
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p36.html
Improving Vaccination Rates for the 2018-2019 Influenza Season -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - This organizational supplement summarizes information and resources the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) develops, utilizes, and disseminates to family physicians and their health care teams to increase influenza vaccination rates.
Family Practice Management : Articles
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p17.html
Coding & Documentation - May-Jun 2019 -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - Same-day return visit | Modifier for incident-to services | Inpatient care billing by teaching physician | Biopsy of the outer ear | Multiple X-rays
Family Practice Management : Coding & Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p31.html
Rethinking Roles: Your Colleagues’ and Your Own -- FPM
Jun 1, 2019 - How can you foster teamwork when you aren’t the boss?
Family Practice Management : From the Editor
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/2019/0500/p4.html
Seven ways your medical assistant can help you provide patient-centered care -- FPM
Need new resources to provide better patient care? How about following these seven strategies to better use the medical assistants you already have?
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/medical_assistants.html
Transitional care management: four areas to improve -- FPM
Patients sometimes fall through the gaps when moving from an acute care environment to home. Improve these four areas to prevent that from happening.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/transitional_care_management.html
How to encourage more appropriate quality measures -- FPM
Many quality measure do not help patients or are out of the physician's control. If facing such measures, here are two things physicians can do.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/appropriate_quality_measures.html
The first step to changing your practice culture -- FPM
If your practice's culture isn't inspiring you and your colleagues to do their best work, change it. Start by sitting down and answering this key question.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/practice_culture_change.html
How to create simple annual visit plans for your patients -- FPM
Family physicians often have to think through a patient's future care needs during a visit, which can hurt efficiency and allow things to go unaddressed. Creating annual visit plans with each patient may help.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/annual_visit_planning.html
Five problems with clinic design -- FPM
The success of a clinic is often tied to how it is laid out and operated. If your practice has any of these five features, you could have a problem.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/clinic_design.html
Are your patients taking their medications? Seven questions to help you find out -- FPM
Asking your patients directly if they are taking their prescribed medication may not give you an accurate answer. Use these more specific questions to get a better feel for their adherence.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/improving_medication_adherence.html
Three practical ways to assign risk levels to your patients -- FPM
Determining who your sickest patients are ahead of time can help you more proactively manage them and make better use of limited resources. Here's how.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/risk_stratification.html
How to legally provide free transportation to patients -- FPM
Federal rules allow physicians to provide free transportation to Medicare and Medicaid patients. But the rules are strict. Here's how to stay out of trouble.
Family Practice Management : Quick Tips : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/inpractice/entry/patient_inducements.html
Coding and Documentation -- FPM Toolbox
May 14, 2019 - Download tools to help you understand coding and documentation requirements for new and established patient visits.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Coding and Documentation
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=6
Care Management -- FPM Toolbox
May 14, 2019 - Download tools to help you manage patient care tasks, from agenda-setting to controlled substance refills.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Care Management
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=2
Electronic Health Records -- FPM Toolbox
May 14, 2019 - Download tools to help you evaluate, select, and optimize your electronic health record system.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Electronic Health Records
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=7
Disease Management: Diabetes -- FPM Toolbox
May 14, 2019 - Download encounter forms, patient agreements, and flow sheets to help you manage diabetes care.
Family Practice Management : FPM Toolbox : Disease Management: Diabetes
https://www.aafp.org/fpm/toolBox/viewToolType.htm?toolTypeId=10
CMS clarifies documentation for teaching physicians' E/M services -- FPM
Physicians who bill for E/M services while teaching medical students may face some changes under newly clarified federal guidelines.
Family Practice Management : Getting Paid : FPM Home
https://www.aafp.org/journals/fpm/blogs/gettingpaid/entry/teaching_physician_services.html