AAOS adopts ‘off-label’ statement

Mary Ann Porucznik

Supports use in “the best interest of patients,” advises counseling and reporting The orthopaedic community faces many complex challenges in navigating and reconciling changing regulatory requirements and technological and scientific developments. One area of regulatory focus and ambiguity is the intersection of the practice of medicine and a physician’s legal use of products that may be unapproved for certain indications or “off-label” when in the best interest of the patient.

Which system is right for your practice?

J. Brian Gill, MD, MBA

Considerations for moving to electronic billing and collection systems How medical practices bill and collect for services rendered has changed over the years. Virtually all payors, for example, now prefer electronic claims, which are less expensive to process and provide faster turnaround than paper claims. For example, Medicare can process an electronic claim in about 14 days, while a paper claim takes about 28 days.

Rise of the Machines: It’s VHS vs. Betamax again

Thomas J. Grogan, MD

Traditional orthopaedic practice is changing. One area of focus, on both local and national levels, is the move toward an electronic format for medical record keeping.

Managing across the generations

George V. Russell Jr., MD

Adapt your style to engage your staff, partners Have you or your staff ever had difficulties communicating? Do you feel that you are unable to reach younger workers? Do you feel that your older managers do not relate well to you? If you answered “yes” to any or all of these questions, you may be having trouble working across the generational divide. As discussed in a previous article (“Are you an ‘old coot’ or a ‘young whippersnapper’?”

Are you an E&M outlier?

Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC; M. Bradford Henley, MD, MBA

Benchmarking yourself can show variations in practice patterns No orthopaedic practice wants to become the subject of a billing audit by the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or a Medicare Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC).

Managing revenues—during a recession and after

Jamie McDonald; Craig Mahoney, MD

How to improve your cash collections The recent economic downturn has several implications for orthopaedic surgeons. Generally, the health professions, including orthopaedic surgery, have been somewhat immune to variations in the business cycle. Recent information, however, points to a decreased rate of elective surgery. According to a report from the American Hospital Association (November 2008), one third of hospitals have seen a moderate to significant decrease in elective procedures.

Two heads are better than one

Peter Pollack

Practice management course puts physicians, managers “on the same page” During the current economic downturn, it’s more important than ever that physicians understand the business aspects of practice management. And because the Economic Stimulus Act of 2009 includes incentives for physicians to adopt electronic medical records (EMRs), it’s also important that orthopaedic practices know how to tap into those funds.