Guest: Ken Hekman

Whether a physician practices independently or as a part of a group, most will reach various stages of their career when they consider selling their practice. This can be an intimidating prospect for a doctor, as they are faced with discussions of valuations, multiples and other financial concepts and issues that they don't normally encounter. Joining host Shane Jackson to to help us better understand the process of selling a practice and what physicians need to know about the process is Ken Hekman, president of the Hekman Group Medical Management Consultants.

Guest: Richard Katz

Use of electronic medical records (EMRs) and personal health records (PHRs) can improve adherence, increase efficiency and better coordinate patient care. What role are health information exchanges playing in the integration of EMRs and PHRs, and how effective are disease management software programs? How can we meet the challenges of integrating health information technology, or HIT, tools into cardiology practices? Dr. Richard Katz, the Bloedorn Professor of Cardiology, director of the division of cardiology at George Washington University Hospital, and director of the George Washington Cardiovascular Institute in Washington, DC, discusses the opportunities to utilize existing and emerging technologies to improve patient care. Dr. Katz also offers pragmatic advice about implementing HIT systems, and reviews current HIT initiatives. Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.

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Guest: David Baldridge

We all need to feel that what we do makes a difference. True career satisfaction is more than liking the work you do; it's also a combination of the people you work with, where you work, and whether the work feels meaningful. Because an increasing number of physicians, PAs, and NPs are working locum assignments, host Tim Rush invited David Baldridge, president of the CompHealth locum tenens division, to discuss locum tenens and address issues related to this career alternative.

Guest: Matt Freitas

The Aspen Family Medical Group in the farming town of Modesto, California, has found success for 20 years as a clinic practice and as part of the larger community, with a novel business model. They accept all types of insurance, charge $40 for a physical exam, turn no one away because of inability to pay, welcome walk-ins, provide prescriptions at a cost of $4 or give them away for free, and share profits with employees. How does this work? PA/NP Matt Freitas, vice president of the clinic, talks to host Lisa Dandrea Lenell.

This article is from the issue dated July 8, 2010. A task force of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) has proposed modifications in the current requirements for medical residency training programs, including in the limits on resident hours. This article explains the proposed changes and invites input on the new requirements. 

Guest: Phil Miller

We all know that healthcare reform may change the way healthcare professionals practice medicine, but how might reform also change the way in which we either find employment or staff our facilities? Joining host Tim Rush to discuss the short and long term effects that healthcare reform might have on the the healthcare employment market is Phill Miller, vice president of communications for the country's largest temporary healthcare staffing business, AMN Healthcare.

Guest: J. Lyle Bootman

Pharmaceutical sales representatives can have great impact on patient care but until now have not always been subject to rigorous certification standards. Dr. Lyle Bootman, chairman of the Medical Representatives Certification Commission and dean of the University of Arizona College of Pharmacy, tells host Bruce Japsen about a new initiative that will prepare drug, device and other medical sales representatives to deal with the complex regulator, legal and political environment they face when selling health care products to physicians.

Guest: Lori Heim

The medical home model is designed to increase efficiency by providing a central primary care practice as the coordinator of care for patients. But while efficiency is important, the patient-centered component of this model is just as crucial. Dr. Lori Heim, president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, emphasizes the patient-centered concept for medical homes, and provides real-world examples. How can you re-tool your office to be more accessible to your patients, both in a physical sense, and through better communication strategies? How helpful are patient satisfaction surveys in determining potential areas of improvement for your practice? And let's face it— physicians will spend a significant amount of time outside of the traditional office visit ensuring well-coordinated care for their patients under this model. Dr. Heim recognizes that the fee-for-service payment system will need to change for the medical home concept to thrive, and discusses the payment models that best support the patient-centered medical home. How can the entire medical neighborhood or community be incentivized to fully engage in the medical home model? Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.

Guest: Steve Miller

Doctors know their patients often don't take their medications, whether because they simply forget or procrastinate on obtaining refills. But the lack of compliance with prescriptions has enormous financial ramifications. Dr. Steve Miller, senior vice president & chief medical officer, research and clinical sciences for Express Scripts, one of the nation's largest managers of pharmacy benefits, tells host Bruce Japsen about Express Scripts most recent survey on patient behavior when it comes to pharmaceuticals. He also talks about how, based on this research, improved patient compliance and other factors could save the healthcare system $100 billion a year.

Guest: Dennis Richling

Employers, insurers and providers are all increasingly focused on keeping patients healthy by encouraging prevention and wellness. Many wellness strategies revolve around behavioral issues, so what is the clinician's role in changing patient behavior, and how does the clinician become more tied to initiatives in the community? Dr. Dennis Richling, senior medical director and vice president at the Trustmark Companies, talks with host Bruce Japsen about the move in healthcare toward wellness initiatives, how the clinician's services are involved, and efforts to make those services reimbursable by insurance.

Guest: Jeffrey Nicholson

A malpractice lawsuit is something all physician assistants want to avoid, but what do you do if you are sued by a patient? We'll explore the difference between malpractice for physicians and malpractice for PAs, and can a PA be qualified to testify in court as a legal expert? Dr. Jeffrey Nicholson, president of the American Academy of PAs in Legal Medicine, joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to talk about the process of a lawsuit, common themes and mistakes in PA malpractice cases, and what to do if you make a mistake.

Guest: Judy Capko

Inventory management is a fine balance. You want to have what you need when you need it, but you can run the risk of overstocking certain items. We hear a lot about the wasteful spending of our government, but we may look no further than our own medical practices to find the pork. How can you pare down wasteful spending on supplies, and how can your suppliers help you do this? Judy Capko, founder of the practice management and marketing firm, Capko & Company, provides you with some sound advice on inventory management, saving valuable dollars for your practice. Dr. Larry Kaskel hosts.

Guest: Joyce Pulcini

Since the University of Colorado graduated the first nurse practitioners in 1965, the educational requirements to enter the field have changed as the healthcare system has changed. Now, in order to keep nurse practitioners' skill sets current and to stay in step with physicians, pharmacists, and other practitioners in evidence-based practice, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing is recommending a doctorate degree be required for new NPs by 2015. Dr. Joyce Pulcini, an associate professor at Boston College Connell School of Nursing, joins host Mimi Secor to talk about the trends and changes coming to higher learning for nurse practitioners.

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Guest: Robert M. Blumm

Forty years ago, the title of "physician associate" was changed to "physician assistant." Now there is a strong grassroots effort amongst PAs to change the name back. On April 5, 2010, 50 leaders in the PA profession signed a letter declaring that the title "physician associate" better fits the role. Bob Blumm, immediate past president of the Association of Plastic Surgery Physician Assistants and a supporter of the letter, joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to talk about why this change is critical to the profession, the implications it will have on the future and what needs to be done to make the change a reality.

Both articles are from the issue dated April 29, 2010. In an Occasional Note, a physician describes the daily work in his primary care practice and documents the high volume of tasks involved in patient care aside from face-to-face visits.

And a Perspective article looks at the concerns of specialist physicians regarding the medical home's implications for their practices.

Guest: Joseph Kim

This Perspective article is from the issue dated April 22, 2010. Dr. John Herman writes that state licensing boards can and should assume a more proactive role in assuring the public that a medical license represents a valid certificate of a physician’s competence.

Guest: Elizabeth Pector

Though healthcare is seemingly one of the more stable sectors of our turbulent economy, many practitioners are still struggling to subdue rising costs. For patients who may be unable to pay up front, can you employ effective payment plans that won't sidetrack your financial outlook? What else can we do to maintain our practice while dealing with the burdens of these tough times? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. Elizabeth Pector, a family physician practicing in Naperville, Illinois, just west of Chicago, and a member of the editorial board for Medical Economics magazine. Dr. Pector also delves into an assortment of other issues in medicine today: reimbursement increases, chronic illness management and wellness services merged into one office visit, and maintaining an office staff that can effectively balance good business acumen with respectful patient relations.

This article is from the issue dated April 8, 2010. In this demonstration experiment on the structure of an internal-medicine teaching service, the investigators found that a model with two attending physicians and limited patient-staff census resulted in greater satisfaction on the part of trainees and attending physicians than the standard approach.

Guest: Nicholas Galantino

Many of our practices could be more efficient at checking in patients, or perhaps more precise in our record keeping. Insurance claims denials and the process of fighting them can be one source of time-consuming, money-draining aggravation for any practice. But we may be seeing a trend toward technologies that could ease these clerical and financial burdens. To learn a little more about the digital developments that are helping us validate patients' insurance eligibility in advance of their medical visit, host Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Nick Galantino, chief executive officer of the LoCicero Medical Group, a nine-provider internal medicine practice in Tampa, Florida, which uses one of the devices currently on the market.

Guest: David Blumenthal

Electronic management of health information will someday replace the pen and paper chart. How significant a role will health information technology, or HIT, play in the newly-reformed healthcare system? What incentives are the federal government offering to foster the widespread, meaningful use of or HIT, and more importantly, what qualifies as meaningful use? Dr. David Blumenthal, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology under President Barack Obama, weighs in on the value of the National Cardiovascular Data Registry and explains meaningful use criteria. How can your practice implement an electronic system that will comply with federal meaningful use guidelines? Hosted by Dr. Jack Lewin.

Guest: John Tooker

How can cardiologists and our internal medicine colleagues work together to promote the patient-centered medical home as an efficient strategy for re-organizing care that will reduce costs and improve quality of care? How can we improve communication between specialist and subspecialist providers? Dr. John Tooker, executive vice president and CEO of the American College of Physicians, joins host Dr. Jack Lewin to outline some of the best practices and lessons learned from current integrated health systems, and emphasizes the importance of accountable care organizations. Can some of these lessons even apply to more fragmented delivery of care models?

Guest: Dawn LaBarbera

Why do PAs enjoy going to work? Three main reasons: helping others, interacting with patients and the intellectual challenge of the career. A 2004 study found physician assistants are the happiest medical professionals. Dr. Dawn LaBarbera, chair of PA studies at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to discuss how her study impacts PAs six years later, and what PAs should look for in career decisions to retain high job satisfaction.

Guest: James Scheulen

In 1975, Jim Schuelen began his career working as a PA in an emergency room. Today he is the chief administrative officer for the Johns Hopkins Department of Emergency Medicine and president of Johns Hopkins Emergency Medical Services. He joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to discuss the skill sets, preparation and challenges that are in store for a PA who wants to transition from clinical medicine to hospital management.

This article is from the issue dated March 18, 2010. Some insurance companies are offering patients incentives to choose lower-cost physicians. This study shows that the current methods used to generate physicians' cost profiles do not have high reliability and that the systems using these cost profiles to identify lower-cost physicians will incorrectly classify many physicians.

Guest: Michael Prislin

A century after Abraham Flexner recommended medical schools be located within a university, new research indicates that this may have contributed to the proliferation of medical specialties and higher costs. Dr. Michael Prislin, Professor of Clinical Medicine and Vice Chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, tells host Bruce Japsen about Flexner's impact on medical  specialties, patients and their costs.

ReachMD Presents Conference Coverage Highlights from the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education 2010 35th Annual Conference in New Orleans on January 27-30, 2010.

The theme of the conference — Establishing CME as a Pathway to Better Patient Care — provided the opportunity for medical educators and planners from various specialties to share best practices and discuss broader issues and concerns.

Guests on this program include:

• Jann Balmer, PhD, President of the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education and Director of CME at the University of Virginia School of Medicine
• Dave Davis, MD, Senior Director, Academic Affairs, Association of American Medical Colleges
• George Mejicano, MD, Associate Dean for Continuing Professional Development, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health
• Don Detmer, MD, MA, President and chief Executive Officer, American Medical Informatics Association
  
  

Guest: Vincent Bufalino

Patients and doctors are becoming more aware of tools like Web-based risk assessment for heart disease for reaching and potentially helping thousands of people. But how can the success of these efforts be increased? Dr. Vincent Bufalino, CEO of Midwest Heart Specialists, one of the biggest community cardiac physician groups in the country, tells host Bruce Japsen about ways to get patients to use online risk assessments and how doctors can successfully integrate them into their practices as a life-saving tool.

Guest: Robert Tennant

Financial incentives to implement electronic health records are a welcome payment to the nation's physicians. But the proposed rules and regulations to implement this system under the economic stimulus are creating complexities and challenges physicians may face in the coming years. Physicians might want to first listen to words of advice from Robert Tenant, senior policy advisor for the Medical Group Management Association, which represents group practices and other organizations representing some 275,000 physicians.

Guest: Matthew Corso

What developments in long term care litigation have there been in recent years? What types of claims are the most common, and how can physicians and medical directors best protect themselves against frivolous claims? Matthew Corso, attorney at Buchanan, Ingersoll and Rooney, discusses these and other questions about risk management, and provides some helpful tips. Dr. Eric Tangalos hosts.

Guest: Wright Pinson

Healthcare reform may bring more medical care services to patients, which means more and complex business for the nation's physicians. But are doctors prepared to be the best business people now and in the future for their patients? Dr. Wright Pinson, deputy vice chancellor for health affairs and CEO of the Hospitals and Clinics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells host Bruce Japsen about master's programs in healthcare business, like Vanderbilt's Masters of Management in Health Care program. 

Guest: Steven I. Kern

Will openness and honesty about medical errors help you avoid medical litigation? By quickly disclosing errors, offering apologies and, when necessary, providing fair compensation, some medical centers around the country are trying to get out in front of their medical mistakes. Yet, this may not be the best approach for all practitioners. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel reviews your options and a few specific cases with Steven Kern, a health law attorney with Kern, Augustine, Conroy & Schoppmann, a firm representing physicians and other health professionals.

Guest: Roderick Hooker

How does a doctor know when it's the right time to add a physician assistant to the office staff? There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when making the decision to add new employees. Dr. Roderick Hooker, co-author of the book Physician Assistant Policy and Practice, 3rd Edition, joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to discuss the cost effectiveness and productivity of the PA in a primary care practice, as well as how to build a cooperative relationship between a supervising doctor and a PA.

Guest: Joel English

Whether it's a surgery webcast or a new marketing plan rolled out on Twitter or YouTube, the traditionally conservative healthcare industry is reaching out through new marketing venues to promote hospitals and physician services. Joel English, managing director of healthcare marketing firm BVK, Inc., and a board member of the Society for Healthcare Strategy and Market Development, explains to host Bruce Japsen about social media, its place in today's healthcare system and whether it's here to stay.

Guest: William Hutton

Decisions on practice philosophy, finances, marketing, and much more are yours to make when starting your own medical practice. That's the good news. But it can also make the prospect of setting up your own shop seem extremely daunting. From picking a location, to creating a business plan, to seeking expert advice on accounting, credentialing and legal issues, how can you put it all together to create a successful private practice? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. William Hutton, founder and chairman of the board of MedSynergies, a medical practice management firm based in Irving, Texas, who provides pointers you can use when launching your own practice.

Guest: Brian Morton

Should you be asking your patients for more than just their co-pay at the time of their visit? With an assist from computer software, a patient's share of their health care costs can be estimated at or prior to the visit. Some experts believe this appraisal, known as real-time claims adjudication, will become much more common in the years ahead. Brian Morton, region executive and content expert for Halley Consulting, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to take a look at how your practice can introduce this concept without creating a stir among your patients.

Guest: Bob Nease

Why do Americans choose healthcare options that cost more but may not even do more or be in the best interest of their own health? Dr. Bob Nease, chief scientist at Express Scripts, tells host Bruce Japsen about what appears to be a troubling phenomena researchers are calling the behavioral economics of healthcare. 

Guest: Judy Capko

Focus on customer service. Participate in community activities to raise local visibility. Reward patients who bring referrals to your practice. These are just a few simple ways to market your practice, even on a limited budget. What is it about these strategies that will give you the biggest bang for your buck, and what else can you to keep your patient volume up during these leaner times? Judy Capko, founder of the practice management and marketing firm, Capko & Company, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to give you a range of helpful tips on marketing tactics that will give your practice the biggest bang for your buck.

Guest: David Troxel

Telemedicine continues to increase in popularity, but doctors need to understand the risks when communicating by e-mail or phone. Dr. David Troxel, medical director of the Doctors Company, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about potential risks and liability physicians can open themselves up to if they are not careful about how they use telemedicine and related consultations with their patients over the phone.

Guest: Donato Tramuto

E-sampling is a new way of marketing drugs to physicians that's gaining momentum via the Internet. It's an approach that may reach more doctors and may prove to be more convenient to those who either don't like or don't want the traditional pharmaceutical industry pitches. Donato Tramuto, CEO and vice chairman of Physicians Interactive Holdings, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the trend emerging of marketing and applying business practices to doctors in a digital world online.

Guest: Randy Danielsen

The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) will launch their specialty certification program, beginning with five specialties, in 2011. What does a PA who may want to get certifiedneed to know? Dr. Randy Danielsen, dean of Arizona School of Health Sciences at A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona, joins host Lisa Dandrea Lenell to talk about why it's the right time for certification in the PA field as well as the myths and fears surrounding these new changes.

Guest: Karen Zupko

Medical practices across the country are dealing with financial pressures, the likes of which we haven't seen before. It has put a premium on our ability to maximize efficiency while still maintaining the standard of patient care. In many cases, revenues are down, as some patients are forced to adjust to the current economic environment. Those patients who do come in may not be able to pay as quickly as they have in the past, and as a result, you may be planning to put off capital improvements or a new auxillary service until another time. Karen Zupko, president of the national firm Karen Zupko & Associates, answers your practice management questions and speaks with hosts Dr. Michael Greenberg and Dr. Matt Birnholz about a range of current business issues in medicine.

Dr. Greenberg and Dr. Birnholz also riff on an intriguing new British study of innovative ways to improve hand washing rates; they challenge you to reconsider your views on organ donation and pursue a lively debate on the need for science and medicine to add a little style to its substance.

Guest: Jan Berger

An unprecedented number of elderly leave their doctors' offices with prescriptions thanks to Medicare's drug benefits and the soaring number of aging baby boomers in need of medications. But did you know a large number of these patients don't get their prescriptions filled and don't adhere to what the doctor wrote for them? Dr. Jan Berger, Chief Clinical Officer for CVS/Caremark Corp. tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the latest efforts of the pharmacy industry to get their patients to adhere to their medications.

Guest: Jenni Hunter

The field of temporary workers has become commonplace to satisfy shortages of nurses and fill gaps to ensure health care delivery. Doctors too — and particularly primary care physicians — are increasingly going locum tenens. The numbers may surprise you. Jenni Hunter, divisional vice president of Staff Care, tells host Bruce Japsen about how physician staffing is no longer just temporary but a career choice for more of the nation's physicians.

Guest: Jeff Belkora

Informed decision-making involves helping patients arrive at the questions that can ultimately help their doctors deliver the best possible medical care. Jeff Belkora, director of Decision Services at the University of California San Francisco Breast Care Center, a demonstration program of the Foundation for Informed Medical Decision Making, tells host Bruce Japsen about ways to put more information and choices into patients' hands and the possible benefits of doing so to physicians and patient care.

Guest: Sunil Hattangady

The wireless movement is a part of more and more consumers' daily lives, from smart phones to laptops. Will this kind of technology soon be ubiquitous in the healthcare field as well? Sunil Hattangady, president of Emblaze Consulting, tells host Bruce Japsen about the coming wireless trends and applications in the healthcare.

Guest: Vergil Slee

From the noise on talk shows about death panels that don't exist to acronyms like HMOs or PPOs, the healthcare industry often does not speak to consumers in plain language. How can doctors and other health professionals help the consumer, and should this be a part of health reform? Dr. Vergil Slee, emeritus fellow of the Estes Park Institute, founder of the Commission on Professional and Hospital Activities, and author of Slee's Health Care Terms, now in its fifth edition, tells host Bruce Japsen about the need for medical professionals to speak in plain language for the betterment of patient care.

Guest: Alfred Casale

As President Barack Obama touts what is right and wrong with the nation's healthcare system, hardly a week goes by when you don't hear him or one of this surrogates mentioning Geisinger Health System. So what does Mr. Obama see in this large Pennsylvania based medical care provider? Dr. Alfred Casale, director of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Geisinger Health System tells host Bruce Japsen about the Pennsylvania system's years of experience measuring quality and improving patient care to keep costs low.

Guest: Sumant Ramachandra

While drug makers and consumer groups lobby Congress and the Obama administration on the best way to bring cheaper versions of biotech drugs to market, a U.S. company is already doing so overseas. How does this work and what are the prospects for biogenerics in the U.S. Dr. Sumant Ramachandra, Chief Scientific Officer at Hospira Inc. tells host Bruce Japsen about the company's work bringing cheaper biotech drugs to market.  

Guest: Bruce Crowther

The hospital report card is a much talked-about effort to provide transparency about quality information. It's becoming a more important tool for consumers, just as President Obama and Congress prepare to initiate healthcare reforms that demand such information. Bruce Crowther is president and chief executive officer of Northwest Community Hospital in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights. Mr. Crowther tells host Bruce Japsen about how Northwest Community Hospital moved beyond worrying about the information they might be disclosing to competitors, to focusing the information patients and lawmakers want. It's a trend that will soon begin sweeping the country.

Guest: Kevin Smith

Host Dr. Michael Greenberg talks with Dr. Kevin Smith, a dermatologist in private practice in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, about the necessity of having a personal disaster plan in place for your office. Not all disasters are national in scope, as Dr. Smith astutely reminds us. You or a key member of your staff could have an auto accident or be limited by illness. Do you have a strategy to manage the ramifications of this event?

Guest: Robert Lamberts

We've heard a lot about the economic stimulus funding for electronic medical records (EMR), but the central question for you is whether your practice or institution is ready to take on the effort to install it, maintain it and flourish with it. Stimulus money aside, it's a major investment of time, energy and other resources. When considering the purchase of an EMR, how can your practice ensure that you are buying the right product for the right reasons? Dr. Robert Lamberts, board-certified internist and pediatrician and an experienced lecturer on the subject of electronic medical records, shares a few tips to help you make sure it doesn't become an unnecessary hassle for your practice. Dr. Larry Kaskel hosts.

Guest: Joseph Golbus

The economic stimulus package signed into law by President Barack Obama provides doctors money to get their offices set up for electronic medical records over the next few years. But there are actually a few health care systems ahead of the curve on electronic medical records with systems installed and benefits being realized. Host Bruce Japsen talks with Dr. Joseph Golbus, president and CEO of the NorthShore University Health System medical group about achievements made after implementing electronic medical records several years ago. 

Guest: Rebecca West

The cost of malpractice insurance and the cost of resolving malpractice claims continues to climb. What are the trends in premiums for gastroenterologists around the country? And what are some of the most common risks and most commonly alleged errors? What’s the likelihood of a gastroenterologist being sued during his career? Rebecca West, CEO of Piedmont Liability Trust, a non-profit serving the University of Virginia School of Medicine, joins host Dr. Mark DeLegge to discuss strategies for avoiding malpractice claims. Ms. West also provides an update on national efforts at tort reform and how malpractice insurance premiums might be affected.

Guest: Nancy Nowak

As President Barack Obama travels the country talking about the need for health care reform, hardly a week goes by when you don't hear the Commander in Chief talk about Intermountain Healthcare and its low costs when compared to the rest of the country. What makes this this large healthcare system an example? Nancy Nowak, vice president of clinical operations and chief nursing officer for Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City, Utah, tells host Bruce Japsen about this much talked-about healthcare system and how its work may be replicated across the country.

Guest: Kelly Close

The prevalence of diabetes complications and its associated costs represent an infrastructure that may be virtually unsustainable in the near future. Join host Dr. Steven Edelman and his guest, editor-in-chief of the diabetes publications Closer Look and Diabetes Close Up, Kelly Close, as they discuss the challenges of both regulation and reimbursement.

Guest: George Collins

The opportunities for physician assistants in their practices are evolving. In practices all around the country PAs are not only seeing patients they are helping to run the offices and manage employees. PA George Collins chief physician assistant and PA director for Orthocarolina in Charlotte, North Carolina, joins host, Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss his leadership role and the unique business model at the large orthopedic group where he works.

Guest: Chip Phillips

Retail health clinics, looking to expand their services, are going beyond care of routine maladies to physicals, injections of specialized drugs and management of chronic conditions. Chip Phillips, president of  Minute Clinic, a subsidiary of CVS Caremark Corp., tells host Bruce Japsen about what physicians and their patients should expect from this new push by retailers.

As patients' out-of-pocket responsibilities rise, it's never been more important to ensure you have the right tools, right systems, and right people to collect from patients in the office. In fact, if your practice is like most, policies and patient conversations about money could probably use an update. Learn how to increase collections at the checkout window, minimize patient surprises about money, and reduce billing expenses using effective point of service collections strategies.

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Waiting to register new patients when they arrive for their first appointment is a practice management mistake that costs thousands of dollars in slow and no payments. As more Americans losing their healthcare coverage and new insurance types emerge at a rapid pace, don't assume you know the insurance and billing details of established patients, either. Learn why pre-registration is essential, and why in today's economy, re-registration of established patients is just as critical.

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Guest: David Troxel

The use of online communication and consultation between doctors and patients is becoming so common in everyday physician practice that there is now buzz about "eRisk Guidelines." Dr. David Troxel, medical director of The Doctors Company, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the dangers of using e-mail and other electronic communications with patients.

Medicare paid more than $6 billion for America's physicians to deliver 99213 services in 2008. That's why Medicare is zeroing in on appropriate use of this code, as well as other E&M codes like 99214 and consultation codes. Commercial payors, also trying to trim costs, are boosting their audit brigades as well. Learn how to analyze your coding patterns and prepare for a Medicare or commercial plan audit.

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Guest: Ed Lopez

What's it like to be a hospitalist? Many PAs are turning to this growing field. Ed Lopez, founder and president of La Palma Medicine and Surgical Associates in Tacoma, Washington, talks with host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell about the ins and outs of working in a hospital. They cover a typical day, and the type of personality best suited for this growing specialty.

With each percentage point rise in unemployment, 1 million more Americans lose their health insurance. Is your staff trained to assist patients with a financial hardship? Have you equipped them with the right policies and systems to hold these financial discussions effectively? Learn how to retool the patient collections process for troubled times, and develop financial policies that reflect a new era of patient collections.

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Guest: Owen J. Dahl

Thinking about adding an ancillary service to your practice? It's a move that certainly has the potential to be an additional source of revenue, but in order to make that happen, you'll need to do your due diligence research to ensure that it makes sense for your patients and your practice. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel gets some helpful guidance from Owen Dahl, nationally recognized medical practice management expert, on what you need to know to make your new toy a moneymaker: finding the necessary space within your facility, accruing needed sources of funding, and juxtaposing these items and much more with your patients' clinical needs.

There are two ways to reduce overhead: increase revenue or reduce expenses. Either way, it's a detailed process that deserves physician time and attention, because every extra dollar earned or saved automatically drops to the bottom line. Learn to drill down to the fine print of your profit and loss statement and reduce expenses at the line item level. This program provides proven tips for practices that want to shave costs in any economic climate.

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Guest: Cynthia Lord

Is the clinical doctorate appropriate for the physician assistant as an entry-level degree, as a post-graduate degree, or not at all? Those are just a few of the questions discussed recently at the PA Clinical Doctorate Summit held in Atlanta. Cynthia Lord, president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the program director of the Physician Assistant Program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss the recommendations made by an independent panel of health professionals. The two also talk about a possible bridge program for PAs to go to medical school as well as future summits and advanced training for PAs in the future.

Guests: Ann Davis, Beth Grivett

Each state has its own laws and regulations on what physician assistants may and may not do within their practice.  Host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell is joined by two guests for her discussion on state law. PA Ann Davis, director of state government advocacy and outreach with the American Academy of Physician Assistants discusses six key elements that help determine good state law for the PA practice. PA Beth Grivett, legislative chair for the California Academy of Physician Assistants, talks about how she lobbied and succeeded in removing restrictions on PAs when it comes to performing and signing physicals for the division of motor vehicles in California.

Guest: Ed Lopez

With the growing shortage of healthcare professionals, the need is growing for PAs to become part of a hospitalist team. Ed Lopez founder and president of La Palma Medicine and Surgical Associates in Tacoma, Washington, joins host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell to discuss this growing field, including how to get a job in a hospital setting and the challenges and future for this specialty track within the PA profession.

Guest: Dave Mittman

Does the title Physician Assistant truly capture the core of the PA's role in the 21st century? Does the title hinder efforts to advance the role of the PA profession? Is the word "assistant" confusing to patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals? Those are just a few of the questions explored by host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell and Dave Mittman, president elect of the American College of Clinicians and founder of Clinician 1, the online home for physican assistants and nurse practitioners. The two discuss the history behind the PA moniker and the debate over whether or not the physician assistant should become "physician associate."

Guest: Janet Lathrop

Every six years, physician assistants are required to take a re-certification exam on primary care medicine. Many PAs question if this test is still relevant, given that more than 70 percent of physician assistants work in more than 60 different specialites. Host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell is joined by Janet Lathrop, president and CEO of the National Commission on Certification for Physician Assistants, to talk about the pros and cons of PA specialty certification and how the PA's role is evolving into specialized areas of expertise.

Guest: Cynthia Lord

Despite the current economic recession in the United States, the PA profession is growing at a rapid pace. Currently there are 73,000 PAs nationwide and 5000 new PAs are graduating every year. Cynthia Lord, president of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the program director of the Physician Assistant Program at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, talks with host Lisa D'Andrea Lenell about why the PA profession remains solid and whether a PA career is immune to troubled financial times. The two also look at the growing pains of a thriving field and how the profession is dealing with current growth.

Guest: Leslie Ramirez

With tens of millions of people in the United States living without health insurance, lower prices for medicine and tests can mean the difference between seeking care and going without it. Even for those with insurance, lower prices can significantly ease out-of-pocket costs. How can we help patients find these lower prices, and might we also use price comparisons in our own practice? One physician has taken these issues into her own hands, creating a website that offers comparative pricing for tests and medications in the Chicagoland area. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel learns more about this website, leslieslist.org, from its founder, Dr. Leslie Ramirez, who also works full-time as a general internist. How has her work on the website changed her prescribing habits, and could they change yours too? Dr. Ramirez also shares a few tips for you to help your patients with bargaining on prices, and other ways to drive down costs.

Guest: John Kreger

News of mega-mergers involving the likes of Pfizer and Wyeth or Merck and Schering Plough have turned the pharmaceutical industry on its ear. But what does this mean for you and your patients? John Kreger, a principal with the health care investment bank William Blair & Company, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about how consolidation among drug companies could impact doctors and their patients.

Guest: Kurt Mosley

More than 90 percent of new physicians coming into the job market received at least 10 job solicitations and face a much different employment dynamic than older doctors. Kurt Mosley, vice president of business development for Merritt, Hawkins & Associates, the largest physician search and consulting firm in the country, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen what doctors face in today's complex employment market and shares his insights into navigating it.

Out-of -pocket costs account for approximately one fifth of healthcare expenditures.  Dr Caleb Alexander,an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Chicago, discusses with host Larry Kaskel, MD, the findings of his recent study that focused on patient-physician communications regarding out-of-pockets costs for outpatient treatment. An unfortunate finding is that doctors rarely communicate with patients about these costs, notwithstanding the fact that patients are quite burdened by these expenses. Tune in to hear Dr. Alexander discuss the key barriers to communications between physicians and patients and the recommendations for overcoming such hurdles. Interestingly, Dr. Alexander's research has found that giving patients free drug samples can often increase a patient's out-of-pockets costs, rather than reduce these expenses.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Guest: Michele Roth-Kauffman

Host Lisa D'Andrea welcomes Michele Roth-Kauffman, chair of the physician assistant department at Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, and an attorney, to discuss coverage options available to the physician assistants, the limitations of such coverage, and how the physician can enhance his/her own coverage to afford greater protection against malpractice claims. Ms. Roth-Kauffman also shares other steps you can take to reduce malpractice exposure.

Craig Standen, senior vice president of Ziegler Healthcare's finance team, reports to host Dr. Larry Kaskel the effects of the capital crunch and sub-prime debacle on hospitals and healthcare systems, and ultimately physicians. Mr. Standen explains how many hospitals and private practices began to depend on cheap credit that is no longer available, and have halted capital expenditures and reduced expenses accordingly in order to deal with the limited access to cash. Tune in to hear Mr. Standen's comments on the effects of the crisis on hospitals, smaller practice groups, and patients, as well as strategies for managing internal cash flow, and how this may impact access to care.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Guest: Sam Nussbaum

What is the value of a subjective patient ranking system? WellPoint's Chief Medical Officer Dr. Samuel Nussbaum joins us to better explain the goals of the physician ranking system that is being developed by Zagat and Wellpoint, Inc.  Dr. Nussbaum says we should carefully distinguish between the technical quality of care and the office experience.  The patient's perception of the office experience can teach us to do better. Hosted by Dr. Larry Kaskel. 

Guest: Owen J. Dahl

Many successful Fortune 500 companies have used 'Six Sigma' for years to systematically increase their revenue and operational efficiencies. Mr. Owen Dahl, president of Owen Dahl Consulting, discusses with host Dr. Larry Kaskel how those same proven principles can be applied to patient scheduling and other medical office operations. Mr. Dahl specifically outlines how a physician could analyze the patient scheduling process by focusing on the quality of each process step.

Guest: Philip Newbold

Innovation. It's important to change healthcare. But is there an innovator in everyone? Philip Newbold, president and chief executive of Memorial Hospital and Health System in South Bend, Indiana, tells host Bruce Japsen how we can find the innovator in each of us and how this could lead to improvements in medicine and the patient's healthcare experience.

Guest: Bianca Dijulio

Healthcare costs for family coverage continue to rise. But what are the trends this year faced by US workers? Bianca DiJulio, senior policy analyst for the Health Care Marketplace Project at the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how cost shifts will impact consumers and patients as they deal with rising deductibles and co-payments.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Guest: Philip Newbold

Why should healthcare businesses embrace innovation? From hospitals to doctors' offices, according to Philip Newbold, president and chief executive of Memorial Hospital and Health System in South Bend, Indiana, thinking toward new ideas, new tools, and new methods is crucial to a healthy organization and a healthy community. Mr. Newbold talks with host Bruce Japsen of the Chicago Tribune about how a mindset of innovation can be fostered, and how new thinking can invigorate healthcare organizations.

Guest: Roni Zeiger

In many ways, Google has become the world's answer to finding, sharing and storing information. Does Google Health, their latest foray into the world of medicine, give patients the same ability with medical information? Host Dr. Bruce Bloom speaks with Dr. Roni Zeiger, product manager of Google Health and primary care physician, about leveraging the power of information sharing in medicine.

Guest: Winifred Hayes

Evidence-based technology assessment may be an unfamiliar term to most of us, but it is gaining momentum in the health-care industry. Dr. Winifred Hayes, chief executive of Hayes Inc., tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen why it may be a solution to controlling health care costs, and how it has gained the support of such varied sources as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and the prestigious Institute of Medicine.

Guest: Gary Conkright

Reducing medication errors is a global challenge but the good news is that there are increasingly new and innovative ways companies are looking to find solutions to error reduction. Gary Conkright, chief executive officer of medication safety company InformMed tells host Bruce Japsen about a tool designed by nurses as the latest in the coming wave of potential products in the medication error solution space.

Guest: Marc Halley

Using philosophies borrowed from the property management field, Marc Halley, president of Halley Consulting Group, shares with host Dr. Larry Kaskel the key to efficient utilization of the support staff within a medical practice. Mr. Halley highlights the importance of delegation within a well managed practice, which means that the physician should delegate all paperwork to support staff.  Mr. Halley also discusses the concept of "closing the visit", and how to analyze a practice to determine those responsibilities that should be shared. Lastly, Mr. Halley outlines the role of management within a medical practice and the key role it plays in the success of a practice.

Guest: Tom Charland

Guest Tom Charland, chief executive officer of Merchandise Medicine, a research and consulting firm specializing in retail healthcare clinics, reports on the status of the retail clinics nationwide. Mr. Charland explains to host Dr. Larry Kaskel the different structures of retail health clinics and the emerging hospital system-owned retail clinic.  Tune in to hear Mr. Charland make sense of the conflicting data reported in the newspapers concerning the growth and success of the various retail health clinic models.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Guest: Kurt Mosley

It seems fewer and fewer physicians want to go into internal medicine, with a recent study showing only two percent of 4th-year medical students elect to enter this field. Kurt Mosley, Vice President of Business Development for Merritt, Hawkins & Associates, the largest physician search and consulting firm in the country with more than two decades in the business, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the trend away from internal medicine, despite the national movement toward finding patients a medical home and the continued emphasis by policy makers on the importance of primary care medicine. 

Guest: William Jessee

Each year the Medical Group Management Association produces a report on practice operating costs and profitability. Dr. Larry Kaskel discusses the most recent results with Dr. William Jessee, president of Medical Group Management Association. The critical finding is that practice-operating costs are increasing at a higher rate than practice revenue in all areas of medicine. Dr. Jessee reports that the greatest driver of costs is labor due to shortages of healthcare workers and resulting increases in salaries.  Notwithstanding, Dr. Jessee notes that practices with more FTE support staff were more profitable than those with fewer FTE support staff, highlighting the importance of proper staffing for the job function.  Dr. Jessee discusses the importance of real-time adjudication and the developing trend of more hospital-owned practices.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Guest: Carolyn Zaumeyer

Carolyn Zaumeyer, a nurse practitioner, discusses with host Lisa D'Andrea the key barriers for a nurse practitioner to establish an independent practice.  The nurse practitioner must ensure the practice structure and operations are in compliance with the applicable laws.  Ms. Zaumeyer also highlights the importance of establishing a relationship with a collaborating physician for the success of one's practice.  Another hurdle that Ms. Zaumeyer examines is the nurse practitioner's relationship with the insurance company to assure the services billed by the nurse practitioner are properly processed and reimbursed.

Guest: James Dove

Host Dr. Jack Lewin speaks with Dr. James Dove, immediate past president of the American College of Cardiology, about strategies to improve the integration of quality into our healthcare system. No physician wants to fall short of providing the best care available, so it is imperative, Dr. Dove says, that physicians receive the tools they need to succeed, based on clinical data they trust. What are these tools and how can we integrate them into the workflow? Further, how do we incorporate these challenges into an efficient payment system?

Guest: Marc Halley

What are the economic conditions that might interest the local hospital in purchasing your medical practice? How much is your practice worth? Why are other physicians selling, and should you think about selling? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel as he talks with practice consultant Marc Halley about the process of selling your medical practice to the local hospital.

Guest: Bill Cleveland

Where and how should you invest in a down market?  What strategies have been used by some of the wealthiest investors over time? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel as he explores personal finance with Bill Cleveland, a certified financial planner with Preston & Cleveland Wealth Management.  What are some of the best strategies for doctors? How do you find opportunities in a down market?  What are keys to a well rounded portfolio? Listen in to find out.

Guest: Michele Roth-Kauffman

Host Lisa D'Andrea welcomes guest Michele Roth-Kauffman, a physician assistant and an attorney.  Ms. Roth-Kauffman discusses the various options available to practice owners for providing malpractice coverage to physician assistants working in the practice.  Ms. Roth-Kauffman also advises practice owners and physician assistants about the type and scope of coverage required for physician assistants working part-time or for two independent medical practices.

Guest: Winifred Hayes

The health technology assessment, something gaining momentum in hospitals as a way to improve patient care, can be a challenge to implement. Dr. Winifred Hayes, founder and chief executive officer of Hayes Inc. tells host Bruce Japsen how this can be done and what the doctor's role should be in this process.

Guest: Jeffrey N. Hausfeld

Is there more cash in your practice than you know? Dr. Jeffrey Hausefeld, associate clinical professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and managing director of FMS Financial Solutions, shares with host Dr. Larry Kaskel, practical tips on how to find more cash in your practice. Learn to negotiate payment terms and drug return policies with suppliers. Consider implementing an inventory tracking system. Purchase supplies through a buying group. Negotiate bank rates and consider purchasing an automated teller machine. These tips alone can save a practice thousands of dollars a year.

Guest: Kathleen Franco

Imagine being told on the first day of medical school that your graduate education would be at no charge. You may think this is impossible unless you are a student at The Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University.  Dr Kathleen Franco, associate dean for Admissions, explains to host Dr. Larry Kaskel the decision of Clinic's medical school to offer a tuition free medical education, the funding mechanisms instituted to support this decision indefinitely, and the impact on the students and medical community. 

Would you like a glimpse into the future of quality measurement? You might be interested in how an integrated delivery system in Utah experimented with a new model of care. Their pediatricians were frustrated in trying to treat children who kept coming in over and over with somatic complaints that their doctors believed were caused by underlying depression. Health plans would pay for treating their physical symptoms but not for depression, which falls under the mental health category. One doctor took a step back and argued that if these children were properly diagnosed and treated for depression, their total cost of care would actually drop. He figured that even if they increased the costs for psychiatric treatment, the lower medical costs would more than offset that increase.

Guest: Robert Portman

Converting a private practice to the concierge medical practice model raises many legal issues.  Attorney Rob Portman, a partner with the law firm of Powers, Pyles, Sutter & Verville, explains the legal issues of a concierge medicine practice, including contract terms for participating patients, care obligation to non-participating patients, and rules for billing Medicare for services on concierge patients. In addition, Host Larry Kaskel explores with Mr. Portman the legal arguments that render concierge medicine unlawful, and the pending federal legislation to regulate this business model.

Guest: Carolyn Zaumeyer

Carolyn Zaumeyer, a nurse practitioner, discusses with host Lisa D'Andrea the key factors to evaluate and analyze when starting an independent practice.  Ms. Zaumeyer also provides guidance on establishing competitive charges for services, a relationship with a supervising physician, defining one's scope of practice, and the applicable state laws that define the limitations of a nurse practitioner's independent practice.

Guest: Jan Berger

The annual cost of diabetes care in this country is rapidly approaching $200 billion, an astonishing figure that has nearly doubled since the beginning of this decade. Dr. Jan Berger, senior vice president and chief clinical officer of the Caremark Corporation, tells host Bruce Japsen that it does not have to be this way. Patients with this potentially deadly disease must work more efficiently in coordination with their physicians toward proper management of care.

Guests: Gary Cohen, Ted Schettler

As society progresses toward greater levels of environmental sustainability, the healthcare industry will play a leading role. From major public institutions to smaller private practices, every contribution matters. How can solo practitioners incorporate these projects into their practice, and what are the pervasive benefits, from a business standpoint and beyond? Gary Cohen, co-executive director of Health Care Without Harm, an international campaign in support of environmentally responsible health care, and Dr. Ted Schettler, science director of the Science and Environmental Health Network, and science advisor to Health Care Without Harm, suggest that as healthcare providers, we can even lend credibility to the 'green' movement simply by participating within our communities. They share their expertise and tips for your practice with host Dr. Mark Nolan Hill.

As we all know, the quality measurement movement has become an enormously popular one in healthcare in the past few years. One interesting corollary of this movement is a cost-containment measure by Medicare that may actually be improving healthcare for a lot of people. That is Medicare's decision last year to refuse to pay for certain things that should never happen during medical care in the first place.

Guest: Tom Charland

Recent reports tell us that the number of retail health clinics is declining, but according to Tom Charland, chief executive officer of Merchant Medicine, this data incorrectly implies that the retail clinic model is an unsuccessful fad. Mr. Charland clarifies with host Dr. Larry Kaskel what he characterizes as misconceptions, held by members of the medical community, concerning retail health clinics, and further explains that continued expansion by retailer-owned in-store clinics is likely to result in overall growth. Mr. Charland also sheds light on other myths on patient populations, patient care practices, insurance coverage, and prescription-writing habits of retail-clinic operations.

Guest: Devon Herrick

The drug bill for consumers continues to grow, but there are things they can do about it and doctors have ways of helping their patients in this regard. Dr. Devon Herrick, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis, tells host Bruce Japsen about the latest developments doctors and their patients should be aware of when it comes to paying for their prescriptions, including how to be a smart shopper. 

Guest: Patrick O'Doherty

Patrick O'Doherty, vice president of the ProAssurance Insurance Company and a leading expert on insurance coverage and potential liability exposure, explains the new federal rule of civil procedures, regarding the discovery of electronic records, to which medical practices are now being exposed. Mr. O'Doherty talks with host Dr. Larry Kaskel about the new requirements for electronic document management, which include employee e-mails, and the limitations of professional liability coverage with respect to this risk. Mr.O'Doherty also outlines the scope of this supplemental coverage and the value in terms of litigation management, given the relatively low cost of coverage.

The quality measurement movement is now engulfing healthcare in the United States. One concept influencing this movement is "total quality management," or TQM. TQM holds that the best way to improve quality is by examining not just individual processes, but an entire system, and then continually adjusting and refining procedures.

Guest: Sam Nussbaum

While physician ranking systems are in their infancy, a California Healthcare Foundation survey showed upwards trends in the number of patients that are gathering information and selecting physicians based on these systems.  How can a subjective, non-clinical ranking system have any legitimacy? The Chief Medical Officer of WellPoint, Dr. Sam Nussbaum, tells host Dr. Larry Kaskel how and where these systems add value both to the physician and to the patient and why they are here to stay. Hearing what a patient has to say about the physician experience may help you find ways to improve. 

Guest: William Jessee

Should doctors also be running their own practices? Dr. William Jessee, president and chief executive officer of the Medical Group Management Association, tells Bruce Japsen about how a team approach between doctor and administrator may be in order to improve the patients' experience, boost doctor revenue and help foster more consumer-friendly medicine. 

Guest: Leah Binder

Consumers are inundated with information about healthcare, whether they peruse the Internet or learn about it on television in their homes. Are some educational materials more effective in providing patients the information they seek? Leah Binder, chief executive officer of the Leapfrog Group, tells host Bruce Japsen about the information sources toward which you should guide your patients.

Guest: Marc Halley

As hospitals get back into the game of owning and running medical practices what must they do to succeed?  Our guest Marc Halley, president of Halley Consulting Group, a firm specializing in services to hospital-owned primary care networks shares with host Dr. Larry Kaskel his 8 initiatives for success including improving worker productivity and maximizing receivables management to name just a few.  Tune in to learn all 8.

Guest: Devon Herrick

Telemedicine has been slow in moving toward acceptance, but a new study shows this concept is on the verge of taking off, as insurers and employers begin to take notice. Dr. Devon Herrick, senior fellow at the National Center for Policy Analysis in Dallas, tells host Bruce Japsen about the status of reimbursements for doctors wanting to do more telemedicine consultations and the general promise of this technology for doctors and their patients. 

Installing an electronic health records, or EHR, system is an expensive proposition for any practice. If you're wondering exactly what kind of cost this entails, here's the experience of one small practice in Plano, Texas. It cost about a hundred thousand dollars, plus twenty thousand dollars in lost revenue, to install an EHR and companion practice management software for this three-physician group.

Guest: Samantha Collier

Having difficulty getting people on board for the quality improvement movement? Dr. Samantha Collier, the chief medical officer of HealthGrades, one of the nation’s largest independent healthcare ratings companies, tells host Bruce Japsen about how doctors and others need to get behind the rating movement before it's too late.

Guest: Bill Cleveland

Personal financial decisions are often less clear for us than making tough medical calls. How much disability insurance should we carry, if any at all? Should we pay insurance premiums with pre-tax dollars? If we have income outside of our primary working situation, can we--and should we--contribute to a 401k? Host Dr. Larry Kaskel quizzes Bill Cleveland, a certified financial planner from Preston & Cleveland Wealth Management, about key money management strategies.

Everyone is aware of the increasing pressure on medical practices to switch from paper records to electronic ones. But despite that pressure, there are still a lot of serious concerns out there about electronic medical records, or EMRs.

Guest: Emile Allen

Dr. Emile Allen, an urologist and founder of Practice Pearls, discusses the disabling injury he suffered while practicing medicine, and how his experience as a patient gave rise to his new career. Practice Pearls is a website that provides doctors strategies to improve and grow their practice. Dr. Allen informs host Dr. Larry Kaskel about other information available on the website, including advice to reduce one's malpractice exposure and risk of employee and partnership litigation.

Getting patients to adhere to your therapeutic recommendations is a problem that never seems to go away. Do you ever wish you could be right there in the room when patients either take-or fail to take-their pills? Well, there's a new "smart pillbox" technology out there that can actually offer you the next best thing.

Guest: Jeffrey Aronin

At a time drug companies are looking for new answers when it comes to developing new products and having a difficult time, the pharmaceutical industry may be on the verge of a different tact: turning to physcians and their advocacy organizations. Jeffrey Aronin, president and CEO of Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about how his company has been getting some of its best ideas for drug development from doctors practicing in the field.

Guest: Roberta Greenspan

Roberta Greenspan, president of SpecialDocs, Inc., discusses the process of converting a traditional medical practice to a concierge medical practice.  Ms. Greenspan explains the growth trend of concierge medicine, and the non-economic motivations of physicians converting their practices to a concierge model. Host Larry Kaskel investigates the different options for utilizing third party insurance companies within a concierge practice, including the option to exclude all third party payors.

Guest: Marcy Zwelling

In 2004 Dr. Zwelling-Aamot dramatically reduced the size of her practice, adopting the concierge model in order to provide a higher level of access and attention to a smaller number of patients. Host Dr. Larry Kaskel speaks with Dr. Aamot about the failings of the current healthcare system in the United States and the decision to convert her practice into a concierge model. 

Technology designed to improve patient care is a lot more diverse than you might imagine. Electronic health records and other technology centered in the physician's office may get the most attention, but many other advances-such as remote monitoring devices, cellphones, and PDA applications, are also improving patient care.

Guest: Linda Kruus

Is your office or hospital really prepared for a disaster? Host Dr. Shira Johnson interviews Dr. Linda Kruus from Temple University on what you can learn from her study on who will show up to work and why they will do so in the event of a major disaster.

Guest: Robert Wagner

To date hospital reimbursement has not directly impacted staff physicians. According to Dr. Robert Wagner, CMO of Accretive Health, doctors may see changes in the near future that will impact their pay. In this segment, host Bill Rutenberg, MD learns what doctors can do to minimize this outcome.

Guest: Steven Knope

One of the leading pioneers and innovators in concierge medicine, Dr. Steven Knope discusses how the concierge medicine practice model is a solution to the failing health care system in the United States.  Dr. Knope opened one of the nation's first concierge medical practices and discusses why the arrangement is the perfect resource for practitioners and patients alike.  Dr. Knope also discusses some of the key steps necessary for the converting a practice to a concierge medical practice that are outlined in his book, Concierge Medicine A New System to Get the Best Healthcare.

Guest: William Jessee

The squeeze of reimbursement from private payers and Medicare cuts to doctors are conspiring to take a substantial toll on physician incomes, which in many cases, are not keeping up with inflation. Dr. William Jessee, president and chief executive officer of the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), details trends in physician practice incomes, as documented in a survey conducted by the MGMA. Bruce Japsen hosts.

Guest: Toni Mills

By adopting even one change to a health care business practice, some experts believe lives can be saved. How about 5 million of them? Toni Mills, executive director of the Office of Clinical Affairs for the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, tells host Bruce Japsen about the group's effort to get pledges from hospitals to follow several safety guidelines that could lead to saving 5 million lives. 

Guest: Jeffrey N. Hausfeld

Is it time to send reinforcements after your delinquent patients? Dr. Jeffrey Hausfeld, associate clinical professor of surgery at George Washington University School of Health Sciences and managing director of FMS Financial Solutions, tells us how to make debt collections more manageable. Find out how to collect more efficiently, and learn if your practice would be better off outsourcing. Are your practice strategies in line with the collection company? Dr. Larry Kaskel hosts.

Guest: Emily Hill

Guest Emily Hill explains how to properly code the services performed by your physician assistant under the physician to obtain full reimbursement. After listening to this show, you will understand the rules and be able to maximize reimbursement for the services rendered by your physician assistant.

Guest: Jeremy Lazarus

An American Medical Assocation survey found a 66% disapproval rate amongst physicians in regards to Data Mining. What is it? And why are practitioners opposed? Dr. Jeremy Lazarus, a Colorado psychiatrist and Speaker of the American Medical Association House of delegates, discusses the design of the 40 million dollar industry and what is available to aid practitioners.

Guest: Seth Baum

What does it take to develop a new product?  How about an evidence based vitamin line?  Today's guest, Cardiologist Dr. Seth Baum, was frustrated with the bags of supplements his patients would bring to him.  They were taking too many supplements and not getting the right vitamins and nutrients.   In this segment hear about Dr. Baum's experience developing a vitamin line.  Dr. Kaskel asks him about the business requirements including raising capital, manufacturing the product, ensuring quality and distribution.  They also discuss the ethicality of recommending & selling a product to your patients in which you directly profit. 

Guest: Imtiaz Alam

We are developing increasingly effective therapies for patients with chronic hepatitis C, yet many physicians who treat a high volume of these patients are struggling to maintain economically viable strategies for providing care. Is treatment of hepatitis C becoming a money-losing proposition? Can a few simple adjustments revitalize your clinic's financial outlook? Dr. Imtiaz Alam, founding medical director of the Austin Hepatitis Center in Austin, Tex., joins host Dr. David Rubin.

Guest: Samantha Collier

Quality measurement is becoming more known with grades of hospitals, nursing homes and doctor groups becoming more prevalent. But how about prescription drugs? Dr. Samantha Collier, the chief medical officer of HealthGrades, one of the nation’s largest independent healthcare ratings companies, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about ranking prescription drugs, the latest effort in rating medical care.

What's new in medical technology? Home health monitoring. Imagine a chronically ill patient who manages to stay right at home and avoid trips to the emergency room by sending his vitals data to the hospital over a phone line each and every day. Home health monitoring is one of the most intriguing new ideas in medical technology, and although the monitoring devices are not yet in widespread use, that may be changing very soon.

Guest: William Jessee

Administrative burdens and an overload of paperwork have a cumulative effect on a medical group practice. How is a doctor supposed to deal with this so it does not effect patient care? Dr. William Jessee, president and chief executive officer of the Medical Group Management Association, tells Bruce Japsen about new and innovative ways MGMA advises doctors to deal with the ever-changing rigors of practicing in a group setting.

Many physicians are resisting the idea of electronic prescribing. Those doctors don't believe that a computerized system could possibly be as fast as the time-honored process of scratching out a drug order on a pad of paper. But according to the MGMA, the typical practice wastes fifteen thousand, seven hundred dollars per physician per year on time spent dealing with prescription issues by doctor and staff.

Guest: Jane Tuttle

Improve the accuracy of your procedure coding and you will increase your cashflow. Join coding expert and consultant Jane Tuttle speak with host Dr. Larry Kaskel about common coding errors and how to improve the coding accuracy in your practice.

Guest: Rosemarie Nelson

Dr. Michael Greenberg talks with Rosemarie Nelson of the Medical Group Management Associations's Health Care Consulting Group about ways to decrease the number of no-show patients in your practice.

Guest: S. Allan Adelman

You have been served. What should you do first, even before you call your attorney or insurance company? Join Dr. Larry Kaskel for an informative conversation that you hope you will never need to retain. Our guest, medical malpractice attorney S. Allan Adelman discusses what to do in the event of a medical malpractice suit against you.

Guest: Leah Binder

Prescribing errors continue to be a major problem. But Leah Binder, chief executive officer of The Leapfrog Group, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about a computerized physician order entry evaluation tool developed by the business community that enables medical providers to determine how well their system alerts users to common but serious prescribing errors.

Guest: James King

Retailers like Wal-Mart, Walgreens and CVS/Caremark are moving into the businesss of providing health care, but doctors are worried. With this movement toward retail health care well under way as hundreds of clinics open nationally, Dr. James King of the American Academy of Family Physicians tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the right model and what doctors could be advocating to ensure patient care is not compromised.

Guest: Randal Mills

The promise of stem cell research, once deemed a scientists' dream, has turned the corner into real marketed products and looks to soon be a multi-billion-dollar industry. Randal Mills, the chief executive officer of Osiris Therapeutics tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about stem cell products already on the market and how more are soon coming to physicians and their patients.

Guest: Peter Kaufman

Our healthcare system is methodically assimilating the age of electronic information, despite several barriers to widespread adoption for physicians. One key aspect of this trend centers on e-prescribing. In terms of safety, ease of use, and savings of time and cost, is e-prescribing a viable option? Host Dr. Jay Goldstein examines the issue and its effect on the GI practice with Dr. Peter Kaufman, a partner in the Metropolitan GI Group based in greater Washington, DC, and chief medical officer of DrFirst, a company specializing in electronic prescribing.

Do you ever wonder how your practice measures up to similar practices? If you do, you might look into a comparison process known as benchmarking. You can benchmark your practice by comparing specific indicators of your performance against industry-wide norms or, if you prefer, against your own internal norms. For example, if you want to know if your overhead expenses are higher or lower than national norms, you can look at benchmark statistics from other practices nationwide that fall within your specialty and are similar in size.

Guest: David Mandell

What is a captive insurance company and why should physicians consider them? Join host Larry Kaskel MD in an educational interview with Lawyer and Financial Consultant David Mandell about considerations in selecting a captive insurance company for your practice.

Guest: Samantha Collier

Everybody from the government to large employers are getting in the business of quality measurement. But what does one of the major commercial enterprises involved in health grades think of this movement. Dr. Samantha Collier, the chief medical officer of HealthGrades, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how one of the nation’s largest independent healthcare ratings companies fits into the crowded field.

What benefits do the employees of a small medical practice usually get? Most of them receive full-coverage health insurance. As for days off, the standard practice is six days of paid sick leave per year, ten days' vacation after one year on the job, and fifteen days' vacation after five years on the job. Practice management experts say that small practices don't-and shouldn't-offer a lavish menu of benefits because it's just too expensive.

Guest: Robert Lowes

Senior Editor for Medical Economics Magazine, Robert Lowes talks about the large number of HER systems on the market? Should you consider a web based system or an in house system? Are there efficient and more cost effective ways to implement an EHR system? Which systems can talk to the local hospital and should you adopt one that does? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to learn the answers to these questions and more!

Guest: Todd Park

Todd Park, cofounder and chief athenista at athenahealth one of the fastest growing web-based practice management and electronic medical record companies, joined host Larry Kaskel at the Health Summit in Las Vegas.  Todd discussed his vision of the future medical landscape.  Join us to find out how companies like athenahealth will help doctors master the ever growing changes that they must face.

Today nearly all states require physicians to buy malpractice liability insurance, which you can get either individually or through a group practice. Premium costs vary widely based on your degree of risk and your geographic location.

Guest: Owen J. Dahl

What are the greatest challenges in your practice? Is it Collections? Or, possibly conflicts between your staff? Most likely the greatest challenges don’t have to do with doctoring. Is it time to call in a consultant to help you cost effectively solve these problems and move on? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel talk with practice consultant Owen Dahl about a role of a consultant, the project cycle and a few tips you and your office manager might use to streamline operations in your practice.

Guest: Kathleen Jaeger

Given the tremendous savings that generic drugs provide their patients, you would think doctors would know to turn to generics, but that is not always the case. To help educate them, some health care companies are turning to what is called counter detailing. Kathleen Jaeger, president and CEO of the Generic Pharmaceutical Association tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about counter detailing efforts by the generic drug industry, health plans and others as a way to spur more interest in cheaper medications.

Guest: Nancy H. Nielsen

The trend of comparing and ranking physicians by economic efficiency has reached a breaking point. Insurers use ratings to create tiered programs, offering incentives to steer patients to their list of preferred doctors. How are physicians placed on this preferred list? As AMA President Dr. Nancy Nielsen explains, patients are often forced to base their choice of doctor on cost. How are tiered networks impacting healthcare in other ways? Find out more with host Dr. Larry Kaskel.

If your small practice is considering how you can best spend your limited technology dollars, one option that's likely to come up is CPOE, or computerized physician order entry. This is a software application that can help you in a lot of ways. It can order diagnostic, lab, and radiology tests. It can order new medications or refills. It can arrange referrals. It can even provide clinical decision support from a range of diagnostic and treatment-related sources.

Guest: Linda LaGanga

Overbooking: the airlines do it. Should medical professionals do it too? Host Dr. Michael Greenberg weighs the evidence with Linda LaGanga, PhD, an instructor at the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business, and co-author of the publication, "Clinic Overbooking to Improve Patient Access and Increase Provider Productivity."

Guest: Robert Pearl

Study after study shows physicians’ prescribing trends are influenced by the drug industry, from sales reps dropping off brochures to sponsoring a catered lunch. How can physicians manage the heavy influence of the drug industry? Dr. Robert Pearl, executive director and CEO of the Permanente Medical Group, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how the nation's largest physician group educates its doctors about brand name prescriptions.

Guest: William A. Dolan

The AMA, perhaps turning the tables on the health insurance industry's push toward doctor ratings, has begun its first ever health insurer report card. Dr. William Dolan, AMA board member, tells Bruce Japsen about how the AMA rates certain business practices of health plans that slow payments to doctors and confuse consumers. The AMA calls the effort the "Cure for Claims," which rates major national insurers. For more information, refer to the following AMA website link: ama-assn.org/go/cureforclaims.

When physicians in a small practice try to cut expenses, the first thing they're likely to think about is staff reduction. But downsizing can be a double-edged sword. Instead, experts recommend that you focus on "right-sizing," because the right mix of staff will maximize your practice's productivity, efficiency, and financial success.

Guest: David Chin

Host Dr. Larry Kaskel interviews Industry Analyst and Managing Partner of Price Waterhouse Coppers Global Healthcare Research Institute, Dr. David Chin about the projected healthcare costs for 2008 and what they mean to the healthcare providers, insurers, and participants in the business of healthcare.

Guest: Paul Donatio

How well does your medical practice collect fees both from your patients and from 3rd party payers? Can you do better and how much could you really gain by trying? Paul Donatio, of the Greenflag Profit Recovery System from Transworld, joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel to discuss the 'best practices' for payment collection in your medical practice.

Guest: Tim Dugan

Almost every day, you hear or read about people working more for less, and doctors are no different with employers, insurers and government payers looking for ways to slow rising health costs. So how do doctors maximize revenue in this challenging environment? Tim Dugan, co-founder of private equity firm Water Street Healthcare Partners, one of the largest such funds focused solely on the health-care industry, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about private equity and how it works with doctors to improve their revenue.

There comes a time in every physician's career when he starts thinking about selling the practice and retiring. Transition planning is a very important step-but it doesn't work the way it used to.

Guest: David R. Donnersberger

Dr. Donnersberger is a physician and attorney who has practiced Internal Medicine with a group of physician partners on Chicago’s affluent North Shore for several years in a “boutique” medical practice. Dr. Donnersberger discussing what it is like to have that kind of concierge practice.

Guest: Judy Capko

While you couldn't get through your day without the help of your office staff, it is unwise to be too dependent. How do you regularly keep your finger on the business side of the practice without becoming overwhelmed. Join an interesting practice management discussion with host Dr. Larry Kaskel and his guest Judy Capko.

If you're operating a small practice, is your disability insurance adequate for your needs? Although it's not as popular as life insurance, disability insurance may actually be even more important. In fact, according to one insurance expert, disability coverage is the cornerstone of personal financial planning for physicians.

Guest: Donna Jarmusz

Donna Jarmusz, vice president for development and strategic initiatives for the Chicago-based company Alter+care, an integrated comprehensive consulting services company that plans, develops, finances and manages healthcare real estate assets, discusses the concept of Wellness Centers. How are physicians helped in managing the business of wellness?

Guest: Kurt Mosley

Many doctors would not recommend medicine as a career, and older physicians see their younger colleagues as less dedicated and hard working, so staffing the right doctor to the right job is an increasingly more difficult challenge. Kurt Mosley, vice president of business development for physician recruiter Merritt Hawkins & Associates, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the challenges facing doctors looking to get out and doctors who want to stay in the medical field.

Guest: Stanley Kardatzke

Dr. Stanley Kardatzke, author of "Decisive Surgery for a Dying Healthcare System", discusses affordable medical care with the cost-effective, prepaid medical plan used in his practice.

Guest: Marc Halley

Are you planning on starting up or purchasing a new medical practice? If so, you will not want to miss this segment in which medical practice consultant Marc Halley talks about the considerations that should go into starting or purchasing a practice. Do you want partners? Where do you want to live? What are the market conditions? How will you finance the practice? Who should you entrust to be your advisors? Join Dr. Larry Kaskel in learning both the questions you need to ask and what steps you need to take to start your medical practice.

Guest: S. Allan Adelman

Malpractice risk is a reality in clinical practice, but you can take precautions to minimize your risk. In this segment, Dr. Larry Kaskel talks with medical malpractice attorney S. Allan Adelman about the many reasons outside of medical error that patients bring legal actions against physicians. Find out what you should know to protect yourself.

Guest: Robert Wagner

Could further educating physicians on the revenue cycle of the hospital increase cash flow? Dr. Robert Wagner, chief medical officer of Accretive Health, suggests that applying six sigma principals to the financial aspects of medicine can greatly improve the bottom line. Physicians should have a vested interest in the reimbursement of the hospital. Dr. Bill Rutenberg hosts.

Guest: Doug Wojcieszak

Mr. Doug Wojcieszak is the founder and spokesperson for the Sorry Works! Coalition. During this segment, you'll hear Mr. Wojcieszak discuss so-called 'health courts' as a possible solution to the medical malpractice crisis.

Guest: Jeffrey Aronin

It seems most drug-makers are making their biggest sales to doctors by pushing medicines for common conditions whether they be statins for cholesterol or proton pump inhibitors for heartburn. But drugs can actually take on blockbuster significance for specialized treatment groups where treatment options are limited. Jeffrey Aronin, president and CEO of Ovation Pharmaceuticals Inc. tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about his company's efforts to build blockbuster franchises by treating rare conditions.

Guest: Roba Whiteley

The role of doctors and other health professionals in helping the uninsured gain access to medicines is critical. But doctors don't always know what is out there to help their patients access prescription drugs. Roba Whiteley, executive director of TogetherRx Access tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about an effort to link millions of uninsured patients to low cost medicines.

Guest: Robert Pearl

The implementation of the electronic medical record is something many doctors are still thinking about as something on their to-do lists. But there are some medical groups like The Permanente Medical Group of Kaiser Permanente that have been ahead of the curve for years, if not decades. Dr. Robert Pearl, The Permanente Medical Group's executive director and CEO, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how the nation's largest medical group's investments in this technology have helped them improve quality of medical care and service to patients.

Guest: Jeffrey Rudolph

Your appointments with patients are often brief. You have a lot to accomplish in short time. Beyond diagnosis and treatment, how can you also use this time to better your relationship with patients? Jeffrey Rudolph, PsyD, adjunct assistant clinical professor of psychology in psychiatry at Yeshiva University Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, explains that your office setting, and the questions you ask and how you ask them, can greatly impact your patients’ satisfaction and yours as well. Dr. Larry Kaskel hosts.

Guest: Jane Tuttle

Dr. Larry Kaskel interviews medical coding expert Jane Tuttle about the Office of the Inspector General Report 2008. Find out what is new.

Guest: Larry Boress

Health care is complicated, so it's no wonder that not many people actually understand the difference between an HMO and a PPO or have difficulty deciphering a medical bill. These complicated and difficult to understand aspects of the health care system are only a small part of what has become a health literacy problem. Larry Boress, president of the Midwest Business Group on Health, a national employer coalition, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about employers' efforts in regard to health literacy.

Guest: Melanie Calvert

Dr. Melanie Calvert, a research fellow at the University of Birmingham, PhD biochemist, and quality of life researcher speaks with your host, Dr. Gary Kohn on quality of life measurement; how it's currently conducted and implemented in the medical field, and its future potential.

How well does your staff protect the privacy of your patients' records? Could you or your colleagues be at risk due to inadequate protection of health data? Today every medical practice needs to be thoroughly familiar with the privacy rules commonly known as HIPAA. This act for the first time established nationwide standards for protecting the privacy of patient health records. But it does more than provide for privacy; it was also designed to see that medical data can flow easily and effectively to the people who have a legitimate need for it, in order to protect individual and community health.

Guest: Judy Capko

Not unique to medical practices, staff motivation and maximizing productivity are great opportunities and challenges for all business managers. In this segment, our guest, medical consultant Judy Capko offers insights to host Dr. Larry Kaskel on how to motivate and improve productivity from staff.

Guest: David Wright

How do new devices get into clinical settings. Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel speak with Physician and Inventor Dr. David Wright about the challenges in bringing new medicine to the clinical setting.

Guest: Peter Lucash

Though a marginal increase in Medicare reimbursement is in place now, by June 2008 the reimbursement factor will decrease by 10.1%. How can you manage with all of the up and down reimbursement policies? What should you do to plan for the looming decrease? Join our guest, author and practice management consultant Peter Lucash guide Dr. Larry Kaskel in ways to manage with the yo-yo reimbusement policy.

Guest: Richard Umbdenstock

Health information technology has long been believed to be the key to unlocking ways to not only improve patient care but to save money. But achieving this in an industry as complex and large as health care has its challenges, particularly in U.S hospitals. Richard Umbdenstock, President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Hospital Association tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the challenges and strides hospitals are making on the health information technology front.

Guest: Scott Becker

The physician-owned hospital industry is seemingly under attack, despite successes in certain parts of the country. Scott Becker, co-chairman of the McGuireWoods law firm’s health care department, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the ability of doctors to have exclusive control of their own hospitals, particularly specialized facilities. In essence, they're trying to answer the central question: What is the future of physician-owned hospitals?

Guest: Robert Pearl

When it comes to an integrated health care system, Kaiser Permanente has been at the forefront. Dr. Robert Pearl, executive director and CEO of the Permanente Medical Group, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how integration among doctors and health care facilities——coordinating care at all levels——can improve the quality of medical care.

Guest: Robert Lowes

Senior Editor for Medical Economics Magazine, Robert Lowes explains the basics of Electronic health records systems to host Dr. Larry Kaskel. Is it time for your office to jump in? What is the costs? What are the benefits? What is the impact of putting off the inevitable?

Do all doctors get sued? Some physicians who are at high risk for malpractice suits try to rationalize their situation by saying that every doctor in their field is going to get sued at one time or another. But is this really true?

Actually, the facts prove otherwise.

Guests: James Saxton, Doug Wojcieszak

Join Attorney James Saxton, from the law firm, Stevens & Lee, and Doug Wojcieszak, founder of the 'Sorry Works! Coalition,' as they discuss how apology and disclosure prevent medical malpractice claims.

Guest: Jan Berger

It's problem enough in this country that there are millions without health insurance coverage, but even when they do have coverage, doctors don't know what their patients' co-pays are or what their ability is to pay. But Dr. Jan Berger, Chief Clinical Officer of pharmacy giant CVS/Caremark tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the movement toward evidence-based health plan design that could give patients more information in choosing medical care.

One of the best risk management tools for a medical practice is the electronic medical record, or EMR, system. But just having a system is not enough. Last year a survey found that ambulatory care physicians using paper records provided equal care to those using EMRs. The authors concluded that as implemented in most offices, EMRs did not result in better care......

Guest: Larry Boress

From paying employees to participate in wellness programs to charging them extra premiums if they smoke, employers are taking unique approaches to wellness and disease management. Larry Boress, president of the Midwest Business Group on Health, a national business coalition, tells host Bruce Japsen about employers' efforts to entice patients to pursue wellness and primary care.

Guest: Richard Umbdenstock

Everybody knows you can get more consumer information shopping for a car or groceries than you can from the hospital industry. But Richard Umbdenstock, president and chief executive officer of the American Hospital Association tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen that the issue of transparency and better consumer information is building among the nation's hospitals.

The number of prescriptions written in this country increased seventy-one percent between 1994 and 2005. In view of the sheer number of those prescriptions, it's hardly surprising that one of the most common causes of medical error is the prescription process. Data shows that errors can occur at any step in that process, from prescribing to administration. One solution to prescribing errors is the Computerized Physician Order Entry system, or CPOE.

Guest: Owen J. Dahl

Quality improvement. Employee satisfaction. Waste reduction. It all sounds good, to be sure. But are you applying these basic business principals to your medical practice? Medical practice management consultant, Owen Dahl, outlines series of tips with host Dr. Larry Kaskel for making your medical practice more efficient and more profitable. For starters, Mr. Dahl explains, look no further than DIRFT.

Guest: Paul Donatio

With the looming threat of Medicare and Medicaid payment cuts to physicians, fees from other sources become even more important to a physician's practice. The healthcare industry has traditionally instilled few consequences for patients who pay late or fail to cover uncollectable insurance balances, but times are changing. How can you re-train your patients to pay you on time?

Guest: Edgar Staren

The customer is often first when seated at a restaurant table or when he or she walks into the lobby of the Ritz Carlton, but such an experience can still be a new phenomenon in health care. Dr. Edgar Staren, Senior Vice President for Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer at Cancer Treatment Centers of America tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen how these hospitals provide customer-friendly care with specialized food, massage therapies and alternative treatments to complement the traditional chemotherapy and cancer treatment regimens.

Guest: Scott Becker

Physician ownership of ambulatory surgery centers has been hailed as a successful way to bring more competition to the health care industry and potentially better prices and more efficient care. But Scott Becker, co-chairman of law firm McGuireWoods Health Care practice tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen that doctors involved in the surgery center business have several challenges ahead.

Guest: Jane Tuttle

Most physicians find billing to be the nemesis of their days. Why is it so difficult to document the right procedures and collect the payments? Join Dr. Larry Kaskel in an interview with medical coding expert, Jane Tuttle.

Guest: Glen Tullman

Google has made searching for information on the Internet so simple the world has become a less complex and much closer place. Could a Google-like solution be in store for the health care industry? Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. chairman and chief executive officer Glen Tullman tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the movemement in health-care toward better Google-like efficiencies.

Guest: Peter Lucash

What can you do to survive a recession and even come out ahead afterwards? Join host Larry Kaskel in a discussion about managing a medical practice through the recession with our guest, Peter Lucash.

Guest: Andrew Schwartz

Our guest, Andrew Schwartz is a CPA specializing in tax issues affecting healthcare professionals. In this segment he discusses with host, Dr. Larry Kaskel when and why you should file a tax extension.

Guest: Barbara Gabriel

Dr. Michael Greenberg speaks with Barbara Gabriel, Associate Editor of Physicians Practice Journal about how to ensure physicians you hire for your practice will stay with you.

Guest: David Chin

Dr. David Chin, Managing Partner for PWC's Global Healthcare Research Institute talks to host Dr. Larry Kaskel about the projected healthcare worker shortage in the years to come. What do we need to do to prevent this crisis. Join us to find out.

Guest: Andrew Schwartz

Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel and our guest CPA Andrew Schwartz from the MD Taxes network to discuss tax strategies for a medical practice.

Guest: Tim Dugan

A new trend is emerging in medical diagnosis. It's called point-of-care diagnostics. Tim Dugan, managing partner and co-founder of Water Street Healthcare Partners, one of the nation's largest private equity funds focused solely on health care, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about moving diagnostic tests to the patients' bedside and the point of care.

Guest: Andrew Schwartz

Did you know that employed physicians who are moonlighting independently on the side may be in the best postion to minimize taxes and maximize their opportunity to save on taxes? Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel to learn more about moonlighting income and tax strategies from our guest CPA Andrew Schwartz, Founder of the MD Taxes Network.

Guest: Larry Boress

After years of raising co-payments and deductibles for prescription drugs, some employers are taking an unorthodox approach to lowering health-care costs. Now get this, they are paying for drugs and consultations that go along with them. Larry Boress, president of the Midwest Business Group on Health, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about this unique approach to controlling prescription spending.

Guest: Elizabeth Woodcock

How do patients, healthcare professionals and support staff move through your office? Is it efficient? Does it feel right? Does it improve patient satisfcation? Join host Larry Kaskel in a discussion with medical practice consultant, Elizabeth Woodcock share suggestions to optimize your patient flow.

Guest: Peter Maris

Financial Consultant Peter Maris walks through the many considerations when deciding to select individual stocks vs. purchasing funds. Join host Dr. Larry Kaskel in an interesting investment discussion.

Guest: Sherman Elias

Medical care for women is not just about delivering babies, but providing medical care at one location for all stages of their lives. Dr. Sherman Elias of Northwestern University's obstetrics and gynecology department tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the move by U.S. hospitals to care for women at each and every stage of their lives.

Guest: John Driscoll

John Driscoll, President of the Chicago based company Alter+care, a company that plans, develops, finances and manages Wellness Centers and other healthcare facilities, discusses physician/hospital relationships.

Guest: Tim Dugan

With the volatility of the stock market and still low interest rates, private equity continues to have a greater role in the health care industry. But can private equity improve patient safety outcomes with the entire industry under pressure to improve quality? Tim Dugan, co-founder of Water Street Healthcare Partners, a private equity fund focused solely on the health care industry, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about what private investment has to offer for quality in medical care.

Guest: Donna Jarmusz

Donna Jarmusz,Vice President for Development and Strategic Initiatives of the Chicago based company Alter+care, an integrated, comprehensive consulting services company that plans, develops, finances and manages healthcare real estate assets, discusses how physicians can improve the success of their practices through Comprehensive Facility Planning, specifically Wellness Centers.

Guest: Judy Capko

Has patient loyalty diminished? What are common patient gripes? What changes can you make to improve the relationship with your patients? Join our guest Judy Capko, author of Secrets of the Best Run Practices share her insider information with host Dr. Larry Kaskel.

Guest: Peter Maris

Financial Advisor Peter Maris discusses with host Dr. Larry Kaskel the ABC's of owning annuities. In their discussion they talk about variable and fixed annuities, deferred taxes, different types of annuties and risk assessment.

Guest: Bill Crounse

Our guest, Dr. Bill Crounse, Senior Director, Microsoft Worldwide Health talks with host Larry Kaskel about 5 emerging trends in healthcare technology. How will these trends affect you in your role as a healthcare provider?

Guest: John Driscoll

John Driscoll, President of the Chicago based company Alter+care, a company that plans, develops, finances and manages Wellness Centers and other healthcare facilities, discusses healthcare financing and alternative opportunities.

Guest: Kevin Pho

Medical blogs are a rapidly-growing area of medical media, attracting the full sector of healthcare professionals. In this segment, host Dr. Larry Kaskel interviews Dr. Kevin Pho of the blog 'KevinMD' about the growing new media of healthcare blogging.

Guest: Judy Capko

In this segment, host Dr. Larry Kaskel interviews medical practice consultant Judy Capko about how physicians can better manage the day to day challenges in their medical practice

Guest: Peter Maris

In this segment, join host Larry Kaskel interview financial consulatant, Peter Maris on the basics of buying and selling bonds.

Guest: Bill Crounse

Dr. Bill Crounse, Senior Director, Microsoft Worldwide Health joins host Dr. Larry Kaskel for an in-depth look at the many technological advances available now and in the future to help us better manage healthcare communications and operations.

Guest: Elizabeth Woodcock

Do you want to know how to streamline your billing and collection practices? Host Larry Kaskel interviews medical practice consultant Elizabeth Woodcock to learn ways to improve the process of billing and collection in a physicians office.

Guest: Glen Tullman

Hospitals alone generate more than 6,500 tons of wast a day on average and lots of this comes from paperwork of a U.S. healthcare system that accounts for $1 of every $7 spent in the U.S. economy. But ever so slowly, the move to become paperless, particularly in the physician's office is happening. Glen Tullman, chairman and CEO of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions Inc. tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the move by the health-care industry to electronic health records and other paperless transactions that could benefit patients on Inside Health Care with Bruce Japsen

Guest: Thomas Goetz

One of the newest emerging healthcare ventures sells genome profiles. For $1000 and a saliva sample you can get a report describing your personal genome. In this segment host Larry Kaskel discusses with Thomas Goetz, deputy editor of Wired magazine, his recently published cover story on retail genomics.

Guest: Pamela Moore

Dr. Michael Greenberg welcomes Pamela Moore, Senior Editor of Physicians Practice Magazine discussing what doctors can and should do when the cost of a procedure exceeds the reimbursement.

Guest: Rick Kellerman

Dr. Rick Kellerman, President of the American Academy of Family Physicians and former practicing rural physician speaks about the current state of rural medicine. Is there a problem? If so who should solve it and how?

Guest: Dennis O'Leary

If you go to a restaurant and get a bad meal you probably won't have to pay for it. In health care, this has not always been the case until recently, but it's going to one day become the norm. The Joint Commission's president, Dr. Dennis O'Leary, tells about the movement toward paying providers on Inside Health Care with Bruce Japsen of the Chicago Tribune.

Guest: Peter Maris

In this segment, join host Larry Kaskel interview financial consultant Peter Maris on the basics of buying and selling stocks.

Guest: Mark Merritt

The state of Minnesota requires any doctor doing business with its health plan to prescribe drugs electronically as part of a wave of laws and regulations pushing physicians toward e-prescribing. Mark Merritt, president and CEO of the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, which represents pharmacy benefit companies, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the push toward e-prescribing on Inside Health Care with Bruce Japsen.

Guests: Doug Wojcieszak, James Saxton

Join James Saxton from Stevens & Lee law firm and Doug Wojcieszak, Founder of the Sorry Works! Coalition discuss their new book, Sorry Works! Disclosure, Apology and Relationships Prevent Medical Malpractice Claims.

Guest: David Kliff

Join host Larry Kaskel interview David Kliff, a diabetic himself and the publisher of the Diabetic Investor. Learn from David Kliff about the current and future medications and devices in the diabetic market.

Guest: Peter Maris

Is your retirment fund in order? Will you be able to afford the same lifestyle you do now. Learn from financial advisor, Peter Maris how to make sure your retirement plan is in order.

Guest: Dennis O'Leary

He runs an organization designed to stop medical errors at U.S. hospitals in a climate where everyone from consumer groups, patients and members of Congress are complaining about patient safety. Dr. Dennis O'Leary tells Inside Health Care with Bruce Japsen of the Chicago Tribune what doctors, hospitals and other medical professionals need to do improve patient safety.

Guest: Sheldon Davidow

State laws bringing insurance and medical malpractice reform could be on the very of spurring a rate war among new carriers entering the market and that's good news for physicians. Sheldon Davidow, president of Medicus Insurance Company of Austin, Texas, tells the Chicago Tribune's Bruce Japsen about the possibility of a coming rate war on Inside Health Care with Bruce Japsen

Guest: Kevin Pho

In this segment, Dr. Kevin Pho or the blog Dr. Kevin talks to host Dr. Larry Kaskel about the specifics of his experience as a doctor who blogs and how you can set up your own blog.

Guest: David Kliff

Join host Larry Kaskel interview David Kliff, a diabetic himself and the publisher of the Diabetic Investor. Should you invest in the Diabetes Sector? What drug companies will pick up the Avandia business? Find out in this segment.

Guest: Fitzhugh Mullan

Dr. Fitzhugh Mullan of George Washington University discusses the need for self-sufficiency in the U.S. for training medical personnel.

Guest: James Bream

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes attorney Jim Bream of Querrey and Harrow. Mr. Bream will discuss the in and outs and do's and don'ts and how to avoid liability risk with regards to medical practice websites.

Guest: Rick Kellerman

Join Dr. Rick Kellerman of the American Academy of Family Physicians discuss the problems with the retail clinic. Why the phenomenon? Will they survive? How will physicians react?

Guest: William Dolan

The Veteran's Administration went from one of the worst health networks in the nation to one of the best in just 10 years--what happened? Join Dr. William V. Dolan, Chairman of the Department of Surgery at the Carl T. Hayden Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, as he discusses the transformation of the VA.

Guest: Neil Baum

Dr. Baum discusses ways in which physicians can improve their practices internally and the difference this makes in patient retention.

Guest: Rick Kellerman

Cash we know is king but is a cash only medical practice a good option for you? Join family physician Rick Kellerman talk about the ins and outs of a cash only practice. Who stands to gain?

Guest: James Bream

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by attorney Jim Bream of Querrey and Harrow. They will battle it out as they look at the EHR to determine if it increases or decreases your risk of liability.

Guest: Pamela Moore

Dr. Michael Greenberg welcomes Pamela Moore, senior editor at Physicians Practice Magazine as they discuss what doctors should and can do when the cost of a procedure exceeds the reimbursement.

Guest: Peter Maris

In a credit crunch, lenders stop lending and credit becomes tough to obtain. The snowball effect of a credit crunch can eventually impact the entire economy. Are we in a credit crunch? What can investors do to protect themselves?

Guest: William Dolan

There was a universal consensus in the 1990s that if there was a single organization that couldn't be changed it was the Veteran's Administration. Join Dr. William V. Dolan, Chairman, Department of Surgery at the Carl T. Hayden Veteran's Affairs Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona, as he explains how the VA transformed.

Guest: Gregory Berns

Dr. Gregory Berns discusses "Neuroeconomics" - the combination of neuroscience and economics used to better understand the brain reward system.

Guest: Charles Epstein

Are you a full time practicing phsyician with a great product idea? Join Dr. Charles Epstein, Neurology Professor at Emory University talk about his experience trying to develop a product and bring it to market.

Guest: Clare Bergquist

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Clare Bergquist, Director of Strategic Services for Corporate & Retirement Services at Charles Schwab. Clare discusses special considerations and key challenges physicians face when saving for retirement.

Guest: Kenneth Beer

Dr. Michael Greenberg speaks with Dr. Kenneth Beer about when and the kinds of patients physicians should eliminate from their practices.

Guest: Kenneth Beer

Dr. Michael Greenberg speaks with Dr. Kenneth Beer about how a physician can legally "fire" a patient.

Guest: Trudy Lieberman

The bill that created the Medicare drug plan had another clause that few people noticed. It sets up a demonstration to test privatizing all of Medicare--not just part D--beginning in 2010. Is this the first step toward privatizing all of Medicare? Hosted by Paul Raeburn.

Guest: Roberta Greenspan

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Roberta Greenspan and Tracy Zirin of Special Docs Consulting, a firm dedicated exclusively to converting traditional primary care medical practices to concierge models. Tune in to find out what this new trend is all about.

Guest: Roberta Greenspan

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Roberta Greenspan and Tracy Zirin of Special Docs Consulting, a firm dedicated exclusively to converting traditional primary care medical practices to concierge models. Listen in to take the quiz to find out if you should be thinking about converting your practice.

Guest: Gabriela Cora

AIM I AM a stepwise plan to achieve health and happiness in your life. Dr Cora discusses your value system and mission.

Guest: Peter Maris

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Peter Maris, president of the Resource Financial Group. Tune in to hear the foundation of good investing. Don't skip the basics.

Guest: Peter Maris

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Peter Maris, president of the Resource Financial Group. You may have a general idea of what to do with regards to estate planning, but tune in to hear "what not to do". Avoiding the pitfalls may be the most important lesson you learn.

Guest: David B. Nash

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. David B. Nash, author of the book, Practicing Medicine in the 21st Century. They will discuss the book which covers medical management from head to toe. Tune in to see into the future of your practice.

Guest: David B. Nash

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Dr. David B. Nash who has repeatedly been named to Modern Healthcare’s top 100 most powerful persons in healthcare list. Tune in to find out what he has to say about the challenges facing physicians today and what needs to be in place to make your practice top notch.

Guest: Jerry Nadler

How does an MD also find the time to build a career in research and development? Dr. Nadler discusses 'Protected Time' and how he was able to move from a practicing clinician to researcher.

Guest: Jeff Feldman

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Jeff Feldman, founder and chairman of XShares Group, LLC, a financial services company based in New York. He discusses his firm's HealthShares series of exchange traded funds.

Guest: Michael Ryan

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Mike Ryan, founder of Medical Mergers Group. Mr. Ryan has helped thousands of medical practices improve their operations and determine the market value of their practice. Learn what how to determine what your practice may be worth and what you can do to increase the value.

Guest: Michael Ryan

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Mike Ryan, founder of Medical Mergers Group. Join us to hear the ins and outs of buy-ins and buy-outs from valuing partnerships, to disputes, to financing.

Guest: Elizabeth Tieman

Dr. Larry Kaskel interviews Dr. Betsy Tieman, a board certified radiologist who decided to leave private practice and become a locum tenens physician. She highlights her national and international experiences through Vista Staffing and describes a near-perfect work/life balance.

Guests: Donald Cummings, Bill Moucka

Physicians take an oath to do no harm to patients, but how many vow to do no harm to the world through their investment portfolios?

Guests: Bill Moucka, Donald Cummings

How can physicians align their investment portfolios with their beliefs systems and world views? Listen to find out.

Guests: Donald Cummings, Bill Moucka

Listen to hear about how physicians can align their investment portfolios with their beliefs systems and world views using Socially Responsible Investing.

Guests: Bill Moucka, Donald Cummings

Bill Moucka and Donald Cummings, of Blue Haven Capital defining and discussing Socially Responsible Investing, also called SRI

Guest: Elizabeth Woodcock

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by esteemed practice management author, Elizabeth Woodcock. Elizabeth discusses her latest book, Mastering Patient Flow. She will urge listeners to "attack the familiar" and "understand the PDCA cycle".

Guest: Shirley Mueller

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Dr. Shirley Mueller, founder of MyMoneyMD.com. Dr. Mueller will enlighten us as to the physiological cues to look for within yourself to help you make smart investment decisions.

Guest: Shirley Mueller

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Dr. Shirley Mueller founder of MyMoneyMD.com. Dr. Mueller talks about the benefits of emotional investing specifically for physicians and how to avoid the common pitfalls.

Guest: Karon Gibson

In this segment author and nurse Karon Gibson shares her first hand knowledge of how medical offices can maximize the insurance reimbursement for patient services provided.

Guest: Elizabeth Woodcock

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by esteemed practice management author, Elizabeth Woodcock. Tune in to hear about her latest book, Mastering Patient Flow. She will give great action steps regarding patient flow and she will depict the "Patient-Centered Practice of the Future".

Guest: Donna Socol

Malpractice is a scary word for physicians, but a great defense lawyer can provide the support to help reduce the anxiety.

Guest: Donna Socol

Anatomy of a physician’s medical malpractice journey

Guest: Donna Socol

As physicians, we need to understand when it's best to settle a suit and when it is better to go to trial. We look into the pros and cons of going to trial.

Guest: Donna Socol

In a Medical Malpractice case, when should you settle and when do you want to go to trial?

Guest: Peter Lucash

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Peter Lucash, author of Medical Practice Business Plan Workbook. Peter will talk about what a business plan should accomplish such as, "where do you want to be and what are you going to do to get there?"

Guest: Peter Lucash

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Peter Lucash. Mr. Lucash has over 30 years of experience in healthcare and is an author and blogger on the topic of practice management. He'll tell us why 2010 is a key year and what your practice needs to get done in preparation for it.

Guest: Shirley Mueller

Dr. Larry Kaskel welcomes Dr. Shirley Mueller founder of MyMoneyMD.com. They will discuss how emotional investing and how doctors can tap into it.

Guest: Denise Pinney

Join Denise Pinney, Assistant Dean of Health, Science and Technology at Seton Hall University School of Law in Newark, NJ as she discusses health-law degrees for medical professionals.

Guest: Robert Wachter

If not pay for performance, what will stay the course? Find out in this segment as Dr. Robert Wachter evaluates the pay for performance model and discusses the challenging road ahead that may keep it from becoming reality.

Guest: Jay Berkelhamer

On top of vaccination costs, a physician’s office incurs costs to purchase, store and administer vaccinations, yet insurance companies often reimburse an amount less than the cost of the vaccination alone. Dr. Berkelhamer, President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, addresses the serious problem of trying to vaccinate all children yet keep the physicians from losing money in the process.

Guest: Francois deBrantes

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Francois deBrantes, the national coordinator for Prometheus Payment Inc., a non-profit corporation working to develop and implement the Prometheus Payment model. Tune in to hear about this alternative plan.

Guest: Francois deBrantes

Dr. Larry Kaskel is joined by Francois deBrantes, national coordinator for Bridges To Excellence®, a not-for-profit organization. They'll discuss the intricacies of this organization that designs and creates programs encouraging physicians and physician practices to deliver safer, more effective and efficient care by giving them financial and other incentives to do so.

Guest: Brian Decker

Have you thought about adding a midlevel practitioner to your office? Are you a midlevel practitioner looking to become a part of a family practice? Nurse Practitioner, Brian Decker shares his experience in developing a good working relationship that benefits both the practice and the patients.

Guest: James Bream

Learn about the myths regarding medical malpractice when attorney Jim Bream joins Dr. Kaskel for another lively discussion.

Guest: James Bream

Attorney, Jim Bream joins Dr. Kaskel to discuss the very real effects of Medical Malpractice Stress Syndrome and what do about it, as well as concrete steps doctors should take if they are sued.

Guest: Sandeep Vijan

What are the economic implications of the study on cost-effectiveness of high-dose statin therapy in high-risk patients with coronary artery disease? Recent clinical trials found that high-dose statin therapy, compared with conventional-dose statin therapy, reduces the risk of cardiovascular events in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and stable coronary artery disease (CAD). What does this mean for the business of medicine? Have we established what one day of life is worth, and how do we know when to pay the price?

Guest: Laurie Hyland Robertson

What every practice needs to know in order to keep patient flow consistent without disrupting the mood of the practice.

Guest: Laurie Hyland Robertson

How to staff your office so that patient flow remains comfortable for the patients and staff.

Guest: Laurie Hyland Robertson

What every practice should know in order to run a smooth business while also practicing good medicine.

Guest: Linda Clever

Dr. Clever discusses ways in which to lead a full life every day instead of just going through the motions.

Guest: Dan Hounchell

Dan Hounchell explains how to negotiate contracts with health insurers and avoid the take it or leave it mentality that health insurers present to doctors in regards to contracts.

Guest: Dan Hounchell

Dan Hounchell provides a step by step plan for doctors to utilize when negotiating contracts with insurance companies.

Guest: Roxanna Mehran

In long term data presented from the RAVEL trial, the original trial reporting a remarkable decrease in the rate of restenosis with DES, the long-term incidence of death or heart attack was not significantly different between DES and bare metal stents.

How to leave a traditional medical practice and turn your business into a conceirge practice.

Guest: Roxanna Mehran

In long term data presented from the RAVEL trial, the original trial reporting a remarkable decrease in the rate of restenosis with DES, the long-term incidence of death or heart attack was not significantly different between DES and bare metal stents.

Guest: Bob Gatewood

Understanding your practice management: Getting return on investment from your Revenue Cycle management solution

Guest: Doug Wojcieszak

Join Doug Wojcieszak, the founder and spokesperson for the Sorry Works! Coalition discussing why when doctors apologize for bad outcomes, good things happen.

Guest: Doug Wojcieszak

Join Doug Wojcieszak as he continues his discussion about the Sorry Works! Coalition, a non-profit group that includes doctors, lawyers, insurers and patient advocates who promote full disclosure and apologies as a solution to the medical malpractice crisis.

Guest: Bob Gatewood

Defining Revenue Cycle Management: Regardless of our specialty in medicine, we all have business objectives to meet. Increasing revenue is usually one of the highest priorities in any of our practices

Guest: Bob Gatewood

Practice Management Software systems vs. Revenue cycle management Solutions

Guest: Bob Gatewood

Industry Trends Impacting Practice’s Revenues

Guest: James Bream

Attorney Jim Bream of Querrey and Harrow joins Dr. Larry Kaskel to discuss why physicians get sued based on bad charting. Tune in to learn some of the very best practices in record keeping.

Guest: James Bream

Attorney Jim Bream of Querrey and Harrow goes over what to chart, when to chart in more detail, and sheds light on "the lore of the chart".

Guest: James Bream

Attorney Jim Bream of Querrey & Harrow discusses patient noncompliance and termination of Physician Patient Relationship. Learn how charting plays a vital role in these scenarios.

Guest: James Bream

Attorney Jim Bream of Querrey and Harrow discusses irregular charting habits that could lead to trouble as what should not be documented.

Guest: Marguerite Germain

Dr. Germain discusses how she implemented effective staff meetings with her medical practice and how this has impacted her staff and her overall practice.

Guest: Marguerite Germain

Dr. Germain continues her discussion on effective staff communication within your medical practice.

Guest: Neil Baum

Dr. Baum continues his discussion on improving your practice internally.

Guest: Michael Barrett

Dr. Michael Barrett explains why the failure to diagnose myocardial infarction is a common cause of negligence claims for general practitioners.

Guest: Wayne Guglielmo

Wayne Guglielmo, award winning health care reporter talks about specific doctors' experiences with the micropractice. He will address micropractice key elements and goals as well as revenue impact.

Guest: Wayne Guglielmo

Wayne Guglielmo, award winning healthcare reporter, will speak about different types of physician office labs and focus on waived testing and the costs, equipment and staff training involved. He will also highlight reimbursement and extra revenue.

Guest: Hoangmai H. Pham

Dr. Pham discusses the findings of a recently published study in NEJM to determine if P4P can really work.

Guest: Kim LaFontana

The challenges medical practices face today in trying to optimize their practice workflow

Guest: Kim LaFontana

A detailed knowledge of your practice’s anatomy is of utmost importance to the stability of your business.

Guest: Robert Lowes

Robert Lowes, senior editor at Medical Economics Magazine speaks about the critical aspects of co-pays and your practice, and how to be more effective with collecting co-pays.

Guest: Robert Lowes

Robert Lowes, senior editor of Medical Economics Magazine, speaks about the "how to's" surrounding locum tenens.

Guest: Carson Porter

Mr. Porter discusses patient safety in the physician's practice and the hospital setting.

Guest: Carson Porter

Carson Porter reviews key business principles and how they can be incorporated into the physician's practice.

Guest: Dennis Millirons

Mr. Millirons discusses the steps, difficulties and benefits of hospital administrators and physicians sharing a vision for success.

Guest: Leslie Kane

Leslie Kane, articles editor of Medical Economics Magazine speaks about ever present challenges as well as new challenges that doctors should be on the lookout for concerning their practices.

Guest: Edward Goldman

Dr. Goldman discusses the current crisis facing primary care physicians in the US.

Guest: Dennis Millirons

In this segment, Mr. Millirons discusses the current environment for hospital administration and physicians.

Guest: Steven DeAngeles

Dr. DeAngeles discusses the changes insurance companies have had on treatment options, testing and reimbursement for the medical professional.

Guest: Steven DeAngeles

Dr. DeAngeles discusses the changes insurance companies have had on treatment options, testing and reimbursement for the medical professional.