Practice Management

I live in a small town in North Carolina known as High Point. High Point was so named because it was the highest point on the railroad line that connected New York with Florida. Due to the excellent transportation and the abundance of hardwood trees in the area, High Point became the center for furniture manufacturing in the United States. The surrounding area is scattered with about 250 furniture companies producing everything from one-of-a-kind hand-carved treasures to buy-it-in-a-box-and-build-it furniture. It is the location of the International Home Furnishings Market, which occurs twice a year and brings people from all over

It is not uncommon for dermatologists to repair defects left by excision of benign or malignant lesions with sophisticated surgical techniques. Repairs can be basic, such as the intermediate repair (CPT codes 12031-12057) commonly performed on the trunk and extremities.

Flint, Mich. - The debate surrounding malpractice insurance is heating up in the wake of some specialists closing their doors rather than pony up exponential increases in their premiums. Though neurologists and obstetricians appear to be taking the most shrapnel, it's a dermatologist leading the crusade for a no-fault insurance policy in Michigan.

Performing surgical services is an integral aspect of the practice of dermatology. Excising skin cancers and nevi, doing sophisticated repairs, destroying benign, premalignant and malignant lesions, performing incision and drainage on cysts and abscesses, and taking biopsies are part of the daily routine of a normal dermatologic practice.

Most practices are familiar with the concept of compliance. Compliancein the medical office setting is geared mainly at the billing activities,the office's interaction with third party payers, and the medical recorddocumentation that supports the services billed.

Every day physicians are audited by both Medicare as well as other third-partypayers.

Effective negotiation the secret to winning favorable terms in managedcare contracts

There are endless articles, reference materials, and seminars that teachthe fine art of CPT coding. Everyone knows that understanding the CPT descriptors,selecting the correct code to reflect the service(s) provided, having substantivedocumentation, mastering the rules governing bundling and unbundling, andconquering the use of modifiers are all essential to getting insurance claimspaid properly and timely.

After years of relatively stable levels on the cost of malpractice premiums,many physicians across the country experienced sticker shock when they openedtheir bills in January.

With a 5.5 percent decrease in Medicare reimbursement rates now in placefor 2002, dermatologists and other specialty groups are hoping to convinceCongress to quickly reduce those cuts and act on other issues importantto them, as well.

Dr. Franks routinely speaks to his referring doctors about patients,sends insurance documents electronically and by way of the mail, and hasalways stressed that his staff be confidential about all patient issues.Recently, he received a threatening letter alleging that his

The treatment of warts can be a frustrating experience for both the dermatologistas well as the patient and/or patient's family. The provider needs to bewell versed in the many rules and regulations that govern the billing ofwarts (e.g., medical necessity issues, CPT and ICD-9 coding) while the patientneeds to be educated on the nature of the condition and the complexitiesassociated with the treatment arsenal.

Whether your interests are wild life or a wild night, the Big Easy hassomething for everyone. Visitors can check out the safari that awaits atthe zoo, step back in time strolling through a centuries-old mansion, orhit it big at the blackjack table.

Physician review by peers (including your own) is a critical cog to improvingoffice practices

The destruction of benign, malignant, and premalignant lesions has been and continues to be the main income stream for most dermatologists in private practice.

I understand there is a new waiver form for Medicare that I mustuse when providing cosmetic services. When does this form take effect? CanI use it for all my patients? What about patients who are Medicare HMO?This whole signing of waivers is so confusing for me. Perhaps you can shedsome light on this matter. Any insight you can give me would be appreciated.Sincerely, Confidence Waiving

Dr. Wolf, a well-respected dermatologist in the community, always asksfor a written release before sending any patient's records to a requestinginsurance company. However, as a general rule he will simply call the localMohs surgeon, internist, and general surgeon when he wants to discuss apatient he wishes to send for referral. He recently heard that there aresome new confusing regulations that will impact dramatically on how hedeals with his patients' confidential issues. Is he correct?

For physicians faced with decision of which contracts to sign, help is available thanks to survey sent to managed care firms

Dermatologists face major changes over next two years as accountability aspects of law take effect