Will You Be In My Medical Neighborhood Home?

Mary Ann Porucznik

In July 2012, the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Health Care Systems Committee (HCSC) sponsored a one-day symposium on the “Musculoskeletal Care Coordination: The Role of the Orthopaedist in the Medical Neighborhood.” Hosted by HCSC Chair Craig A. Butler, MD, MBA, and moderated by HCSC Member William Kumler III, MD, MBA, and Jeffrey M.

Avoid Fraud in Your Practice

Larry Elisco, CPA, ABV, CCS-P

Medical practices lose $25 billion annually to fraud and theft, according to the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and are increasingly vulnerable to employee theft. In part this is due to the fact that many medical practices—particularly solo or small group practices—share the following three common characteristics: Supervision of employees is limited or lax. A limited number of staff members handles all accounting procedures.

Six Steps for Managing Your Online Reputation

Todd A. Rodriguez, JD

Thanks to the Internet, unhappy patients can now express their discontent for all the world to see. If you or your practice have not yet been the target of a negative online review, chances are reasonably good that you will be in the future. The proliferation of online physician rating websites is making it easy for disgruntled patients to vent their frustrations.

Improving Your Online Success

Aaron Hurst; Anthony V. Petrosini, MD

Your current and potential patients are asking a lot of the Internet in general and of healthcare practice websites in particular. Gone are the days when websites only provided patients with a way to locate a practice. Potential patients want more information before deciding to contact the referral from their primary doctor or friend. Today, patients want a comprehensive online experience with your practice before they pick up the phone or schedule a consultation.

PAs and OPAs: What’s the Difference?

Tom Gocke, MS, ATC, PA-C, DFAAPA

Many orthopaedic surgeons are unaware that, despite their similar-sounding names, physician assistants (PAs) and orthopaedic physician assistants (OPAs) are two distinct professions. Understanding the distinctions between PAs and OPAs, however, is important. PAs have broad medical training at accredited programs and work in all specialties, including orthopaedics. PAs are licensed in all states and are recognized by Medicare, Medicaid, and most commercial payers.

A First Look At Meaningful Use Stage 2

Jackie Ryan

On August 27, 2012, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) published the 672-page Final Rule that specifies the Stage 2 criteria that eligible professionals (EPs), eligible hospitals, and critical access hospitals (CAHs) must meet to continue to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid Electronic Health Record (EHR) Incentive Programs.

The Hidden Cost of “Tail” Insurance

Thomas B. Fleeter, MD

Thomas B. Fleeter, MD Medical liability insurance policies come in two forms—claims-made and occurrence coverage. Understanding the difference between them is critical to ensuring that you have adequate protection in the event of a medical liability lawsuit. A claims-made insurance policy covers costs related to a lawsuit, provided that both the incident and the filing of the claim occur while you are insured under the policy.

Health Courts: A Potential Answer for Tort Reform

Stephen A. Chen, JD; David H. Sohn, JD, MD

Stephen A. Chen, JD, and David H. Sohn, JD, MD Medical liability tort reform is often discussed as a part of healthcare reform, yet the means of achieving significant reform have been strongly contested. Caps on payments for noneconomic damages, although effective, may not be politically feasible, leading to increased interest in alternative measures of dispute resolution and health courts.