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An official publication of the ACR and the ARP serving rheumatologists and rheumatology professionals

Practice Support

Subcategories:Billing/CodingEMRsFacilityInsuranceQuality Assurance/ImprovementTechnologyWorkforce

Use Communication Style Clues to Manage Your Employees

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Over the last two months, “From the College” provided insight on the Five Rs of physician leadership: recruitment, realization, recognition, redirection, and retention. The Five Rs give great guidance in managing the leadership process, yet they will be far less effective if you lack the ability—or willingness—to successfully communicate with your employees.

Identity Theft: Red Flag Rules Take Effect

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has adopted a rule that requires creditors to institute programs to spot suspicious activity (commonly called “red flags”) that may signal identity theft, and the red flag rules take effect May 1, 2009. The FTC defines a creditor as any entity that regularly accepts deferred payment for goods and services.

Five Coding and Billing Myths that Can Hurt Your Practice

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When it comes to billing, there are plenty of myths and erroneous sayings used by consultants and payers to keep you guessing and make your head spin. Billing seems endlessly mystical, and it is important that physician practices stay as informed as possible to be effective and efficient. With today’s financial situation, it is even more important that rheumatology practices know the rules of billing—This will save you time and money in the long run.

Find and Keep the Right Employees: Part 2

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In last month’s “From the College,” we began looking at a management cycle, called the Five Rs of physician leadership, designed to help physician leaders move from being managing-managers to coaching-leaders.

What Subliminal Cues Are Lurking in Your Waiting Room?

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The current managed care environment and declining reimbursement rates are forcing physicians to see more patients to break even. With a constant stream of new patients and appointments booked back to back, waiting has become an unavoidable patient experience in healthcare. In fact, many patients spend more time in the waiting room than in an exam room with a physician.

Recovery Audit Contractors: What Are the Facts?

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In March of 2008, by Section 302 of the Tax Relief and Health Care Act of 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Recover Audit Contractor (RAC) program was made a permanent addition to the Centers’ goal preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in the Medicare system.