Why Are My Receipts Down?

Andy Salmen

Orthopaedic surgeons frequently ask, “Why are my receipts down?” It’s an issue in both small and large practices, regardless of location, and applies on a monthly and/or quarterly basis. All too often, the response is overarching, oversimplified, and doesn’t really get at the root of the problem. For example, the following are typical answers: The insurance companies are simply not paying or are delaying payment. The billing company or the billing staff messed up.

3 Key Financial Controls for Your Practice

Larry Elisco, CPA, ABV, CCS-P

In the current economic climate, the healthcare field is filled with uncertainty and insecurity. To survive, independent orthopaedic practices will need to implement financial controls and focus on effective management. Commercial businesses already know the importance of implementing financial controls and safeguards, which should become just as prevalent in physician practices.

Survival Skills For Independent Practices

Kathleen L. DeBruhl, JD

The Affordable Care Act charged healthcare providers to seek ways to integrate the delivery of health care for a patient. Several innovative ways to accomplish this goal were introduced that require hospitals, physicians, and other healthcare providers to work together. As in the 1990s, hospitals responded by buying physician practices, employing physicians, and creating clinically and financially integrated organizations with the medical staff or community physicians.

OPAs and PAs: Past and Present Realities

Jason Mazza, MSc, OPA-C, CSA, SA-C, OTC, CCRC

Orthopaedic physician assistants (OPAs) and physician assistants (PAs) are two different professions despite having similar titles. To understand the use of the common title requires a brief review of the history of the professions. In 1967, the AAOS developed a board to review and accredit orthopaedic assistant programs in training individuals who could assist orthopaedic surgeons in managing patient care and assisting with fracture immobilization and surgery.

Planning Your Life—And Your Life Insurance

Nicole Dierking

Life insurance helps protect the financial future of your family should something happen to you. But how do you decide when it’s the right time to purchase life insurance, and what factors should you consider when planning for coverage? This article reviews some of the life events that may trigger a need for life insurance or simply serve as a good time to evaluate your life insurance needs.

The Importance of Organizational Culture

Liz Ferron, MSW, LICSW; Daniel J. Whitlock, MD, MBA; Robert Stark, MD

Physician engagement is critical to effectively address the changes in health care, and organizational culture is central to physicians’ sense of engagement and overall satisfaction. For employed physicians—especially those who previously worked in smaller medical groups or solo practices—organizational culture becomes even more significant due to the differences in areas such as accountability, autonomy, work environment, and modes of communication.

Meeting the Challenge of ICD-10

Marty Krawczyk

On Oct. 1, 2014, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-10 coding system will replace the current ICD-9 coding system—and if your practice isn’t ready to make the transition, practice revenues and your income will be jeopardized. With more than 141,000 diagnosis codes in ICD-10, you need to begin today to learn about and prepare your practice for the conversion.

Lateral and Prone Positioning Risks in Orthopaedic Surgery

Sarah Gerken, MD

Proper positioning of orthopaedic patients on the operating table is important to prevent injury. However, despite their unique symptoms, medical problems, and physical characteristics, these patients are typically positioned using standard surgical positions. Each position can expose various nerves to potential for injury, and it is important to be aware of them while positioning the patient.