It’s all about the ancillaries

Thomas J. Grogan, MD

The medical practice of orthopaedic surgery is fun, intellectually stimulating, and rewarding. However, developing a financially successful practice is challenging. In today’s climate of declining reimbursement, every surgeon needs to spend time developing a practice strategy to ensure financial success in the years to come. Don’t count on reimbursements The current favored technique of containing medical costs seems focused on reducing reimbursement rates.

E-prescribing: The clock is ticking

Toya M. Sledd, MPH, MBA

The sooner you start, the more you can earn If you don’t already use an e-prescribing system, now is the perfect time to start. The sooner you begin participating in the 2009 e-Prescribing Incentive Program, the greater your potential incentive payment will be. Physicians who e-prescribe and participate in Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) for 2009 could see up to 4 percent in incentive payments next year.

Answers to your coding questions

Mary LeGrand, RN, MA, CCS-P, CPC

Frequently asked questions and answers Q: We read the article on coding for pediatric spine fusion (AAOS Now, August 2008) with interest. We are not sure we have been counting segments the way it was described in the article. A: Many questions were submitted about this article, which was verified for accuracy by representatives from the AAOS, the North American Spine Society, and American Association of Neurological Surgeons.

Tort reform and the Collateral Source Rule

Melissa Young

In the legal world, it’s said that “the fastest way to a mistrial is to mention the word ‘insurance’ in front of the jury.” The saying references the Collateral Source Rule, a central part of American personal injury law since the Civil War. Originally, the Collateral Source Rule was created to prevent a defendant from benefitting from the plaintiff’s receipt of money from other sources, which was triggered by the defendant’s wrongdoing or tort.

Peer oversight of expert testimony

B. Sonny Bal, MD, MBA

In many medical liability lawsuits, expert testimony is essential for jurors to understand the applicable standards of care. Historically, doctors who testified in court for or against the conduct of a peer alleged to have committed medical malpractice were given enormous deference by the U.S. legal system.

Patient expectations: How do they matter?

S. Jay Jayasankar, MD

By S. Jay Jayasankar, MD Unrealistic expectations are preventable triggers for claims A patient’s disappointment with an unexpected turn of events or outcome is a key driver for medical liability claims, even though only a small fraction of claims involve a compensable injury or are decided in the plaintiff’s favor.

Test your HR knowledge

Steven E. Fisher, MBA

Take a moment to answer the following questions. Do written position descriptions protect your employees more than they do you? How frequently should you evaluate your staff’s performance? If a staff person is “exempt,” does this mean he or she is exempt from certain federal regulations relating to discrimination in the workplace? Is it a good idea to enter into investment relationships with your senior-level staff?