Practice Management

When considering selling a practice, physicians must consider the near- and long-term objectives of the practice's owners and of the acquiring organization, as well as how much autonomy the proposed arrangement allows the acquired practice, experts say.

Common concerns in daily practice include using Medicare's "incident-to" billing properly and documenting services – particularly why a particular procedure was performed – thoroughly.

Dermatology Times presents a year-long exploration of social media-the many ways that it impacts the field of dermatology as well as your medical practice. The series will provide strategies and tips for how you can use social to best effect: how to get started, which platforms to use, secrets for incorporating video, AMA guidelines, and more.

What’s best for dermatologists, when they’re faced with an opportunity to join a larger practice? What are the options and ramifications? A panel of dermatologists tackled these crucial questions during a session at the recent annual meeting of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery.

Even the most brilliant physicians often lack the capacity to see inside their own heads or view themselves as others see them. They may neglect or fail to notice the obvious: Burnout, violation of boundaries, depression, anger, substance abuse. Or they may understand they’re in trouble, but fear letting anyone know about their struggles. Help is available when physicians need a path back to professional health. Learn more

Practical tips for eliminating unnecessary steps and time-sappers in your daily operations.

Unhappy patients discourage dermatologists and staff, and they result in negative feedback and business loss. What turns anxious and grumpy into calm and happy? A few of Dermatology Times’ Editorial Advisory Board members share their favorite tricks.

Medical practices that perform fee-for-service procedures are vulnerable to employee theft. Here's what you need to know to remain vigilant.

A mission statement is a powerful tool that can drive practice growth, productivity and success when thoughtfully developed and properly utilized.

Marketing is what fuels the success of laser practices, says Michael H. Gold, M.D., medical director of a Nashville, Tenn. laser practice with more than 40 devices.

Depending on your circumstances you could save tens of thousands of dollars on your 2015 income tax bill. Lear how

The most important action you can take right now is to analyze where your productivity is suffering, and taking corrective action. These tools may help you avoid a slow down as billing staff learn a new diagnosis coding system.

The way you categorize your payments may make a difference of $10,000 or more each year, every year of your career. Find out how.

Surveying patients and referral sources can provide surprising feedback and ideas as well as alert practice leaders to needed change. With these best practice tips you can survey like a pro and get results that guide practice decisions for a bright future!

Read and learn techniques for bridging the gap from satisfied patients to loyal patients. One gets you by, the other ensures you thrive.

In today’s litigious environment, asset protection should be part of physicians’ financial plans. Doctors should educate themselves and consider getting expert advice.

Got troublesome patients? Get expert advice on when and how to give them the boot. Get started

Even customer service, as vital to patients as it is, does not stand alone to create a stellar impression on patients. Your practice must excel in providing an intentional patient experience beyond the exam room.

Dermatology practices are attracting private equity buyers who have the potential to swoop in and make problems like heavy debt vanish. But there are important considerations to take into account before signing away full ownership.

Dermatologists came in second to last, ahead only of psychiatry, in a study of 23 healthcare specialties, based on more than 28,000 online Yelp reviews.

Make it easy for patients to use and love your practice by prioritizing the patient experience and see repeat business, referrals, and revenue grow.

A practice website is an absolute necessity for any thriving dermatology practice, and a well performing, mobile-ready website filters significant internet traffic through your office doors.

To prevent employee theft, an expert recommends closely monitoring cash for and financial records, beefing up internal controls and keeping an eye on employees facing unusual pressures.

Practice stability enhanced by reforms

Insurance companies are paring down plans for patients, impacting patient ability to choose physicians. Dermatologists are being terminated from some plans based on practice profiling software that has insufficient risk analysis.

Potential errors related to EHRs include out-of-date medication lists, cut-and-paste incongruities and failure to heed electronically generated warnings, experts say.

Social media, an up-to-date web site, and a regular email newsletter highlighting what is new in your practice are ways to market yourself and your practice. Experts at the 2015 AAD also advise developing relationships with plastic surgery peers and carrying products for purchase at the office.

Though patient feedback is an excellent feedback resource, it has limitations. There are two additional ways to view your practice more objectively.

After the tax increases of recent years - between income, capital gains, Medicare, self-employment and other taxes - you likely spend between 45% to 55% of your working hours laboring for the IRS and your state. Here are five creative ways to legally reduce your tax liabilities.

In starting a practice, experts say, everything from marketing matters to real-estate strategies should stem from the reason or reasons that one chose dermatology in the first place.