Participating in New Healthcare Exchange Plans

Pearl | February 19, 2014 |
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It is early with regard to the healthcare exchange plans and yet practices across the country are already feeling the impact. It’s not just consumers who have experienced problems while attempting to sign up for the exchange plans on the healthcare.gov website; providers too are dealing with major headaches as they navigate through the first couple of months of this new system.

Looking for more information about the effects of healthcare reform on your medical practice? Join us May 2 & 3 in Newport Beach, Calif., for Practice Rx, a new conference for physicians and office administrators.

Let me explain. The insurance companies created something called “narrow networks” within their full network of providers. What that means is that only a subset of physicians within any given insurance company’s network “qualified” for participation in the exchange plans. The result is that while some physicians got rolled into these plans, others were excluded, even though they participate in some of the other products with that particular insurance company. For example, a physician could be participating with an HMO and a PPO-type product, but be excluded from the exchange product. This has created a dilemma for many practices. On the one hand, it means no new business coming in from new exchange members. On the other hand, it also means scrambling to hold onto existing patients that have switched to these new, lower-priced health insurance products.

Medical Practice Super Groups, Are They for You?

PHYSICIANS PRACTICE Pearl | November 20, 2013 |
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Practices today are facing challenges such as lower earnings, more complex regulations, higher costs, obligations to create higher-quality care and produce better outcomes, all while they see other colleagues merge or become acquired by local hospitals or healthcare systems. So at least once a week I get an inquiry from a physician asking, “Should I sell my practice?”

There is no single answer to that question. It depends on many factors, including whether or not the practice is in good financial shape and if it is well managed. I do consider those to be two of the strongest indicators for successfully remaining independent. However, the options shouldn’t be limited to either selling or remaining independent.

New Measures in Pay-for-Performance Programs

Pearl | October 16, 2013 | Physician Compensation, Payers, Pearls, Performance
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Pay-for-performance programs are beginning to shift to emphasize outcomes. Here’s what your practice needs to know about new initiatives.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/physician-compensation/new-measures-pay-performance-programs

Marketing Your Patient-Centered Medical Home

Pearl | August 28, 2013 | Healthcare ReformMarketingPearlsPractice Models
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You’ve received recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home, now be sure to market that fact effectively to prospective and current patients.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/healthcare-reform/marketing-your-patient-centered-medical-home

Improving Care Coordination in Your Practice

Pearl | June 12, 2013 | PearlsFinanceManagers AdministratorsPatient Relations

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Practices are feverishly working to control the rising costs of healthcare – effective care coordination can help.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/pearls/improving-care-coordination-your-practice

Providing Healthcare Coverage for Your Medical Practice Employees

Pearl | April 17, 2013 | PearlsFinanceHealthcare ReformStaff
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Providing healthcare insurance for your employees can sometimes seem impossible. But don’t despair. There are new options to help your practice afford coverage.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/pearls/providing-healthcare-coverage-your-medical-practice-employees

 

The Benefits of Social Media: Blogging about Your Medical Practice

Pearl | January 30, 2013 | PearlsMarketingMobilePatient Relations

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Much has been written about “social media” and while it seems like a great way to promote a retail business, is it a good tool for your practice?

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/pearls/benefits-social-media-blogging-about-your-medical-practice

FAQs About Patient-Centered Medical Home Recognition Programs

By now you have likely encountered the term “Patient-Centered Medical Home” or PCMH. If you do not yet know what a “medical home” is, think of it this way — these are practices that use care teams to put the patient at the center of the healthcare delivery system.

Make the Most of Patient Education Opportunities at Your Practice

Pearl | September 18, 2012 | Pearls, Patient Relations, Staff, Managers Administrators
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Do you think your patients would rather be educated by their provider or by Dr. WebMD? Make your practice the place patients can go to learn about their healthcare from the person they trust most — you.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/pearls/make-most-patient-education-opportunities-your-practice

Building a Website for Your Practice

Pearl | December 28, 2011 | PearlsMarketingOperationsTechnologyPatient RelationsManagers AdministratorsPatient Portals

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Even if you’ve had a site for years, it’s worth reevaluating what information lives there and update it from time to time.

See more at: www.physicianspractice.com/pearls/building-website-your-practice