Keys to successfully selecting, negotiating, and acquiring a PACS

Craig R. Mahoney, MD; Kevin Ward

Once you say “yes” to PACS, what’s the next step? Selecting and acquiring a picture archiving and communication system (PACS) are not trivial matters, nor is the financial responsibility associated with acquisition of such a system one to be taken lightly. The most important aspect of PACS selection and acquisition can be summed up in one word: process.

Code surgical treatment of pelvis correctly

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

Medicare decision to treat pelvis as unilateral structure creates confusion Have you received a denial from Medicare, stating that Category I Current Procedure Terminology (CPT) codes 27215–27218 are invalid? If so, you’re not alone. In 2009, the American Medical Association (AMA) made changes to the CPT descriptors for those codes and to its coding guidelines to clarify that each of the surgical procedures was for the treatment of a unilateral pelvic injury.

The 7 Cs of certification

Jerome M. Buckley, MD; Frederic W. Platt, MD

Are you competent, capable, communicative, concerned, caring, committed, and compassionate? In the patient’s mind, being board-certified (competent and capable) is not nearly as important as being patient-certified (communicative, concerned, caring, committed, and compassionate). These are the 7 Cs. Physicians who rate highly in all these parameters may satisfy patients more fully, are likely able to deal better with unanticipated events, and rarely get sued (based on our experience).

Physicians as targets

By Michael J. Schoppmann, Esq. Insights, hard realities, and how to risk manage them Today, every physician must come to accept certain key insights and recognize certain hard realities. Consider the case of Dr. B, who was seeking privileges at a local hospital. First, he obtained and completed the medical staff credentialing application. One of the questions, standard to all credentialing applications, asked if he had ever been sued for medical malpractice. Dr.

CMS approves three imaging accreditors

Terry Stanton

Medicare requirement takes effect in 2012 Orthopaedic surgeons have options for complying with upcoming accreditation requirements for advanced imaging after the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) named three organizations, one of which has ties to the AAOS, as designated accrediting bodies.

Liability issues with physician extenders

Alexandra E. Page, MD

Don’t let a valuable asset turn into a liability Efficient orthopaedic practices make use of the skills of physician extenders (PEs). Most commonly, these mid-level providers include physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). Although these skilled providers can effectively allow you to better serve patients, it is important to recognize that you, as the physician, are ultimately responsible for the care provided in your name.