Family physician Steven Butdorf of Eugene, Ore., was tired of rushing patients through appointments, tired of insurers denying procedures, and tired of paperwork.
So, according to this article, on Feb. 1st, Butdorf opened Exceptional Health Care, which lets patients pay a set monthly fee in return for specific health care services – leaving out insurance companies altogether.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/health/story/2012-04-22/health-care-services-without-insurance/54473788/1

Thoughts?

Greg

This is the practice “Bible” for all physician owners and physician financial advisors. With thirty seven chapters and over 700 pages this is mandatory reading on the topics related to all major topics covering the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the business side of today’s medical practice written by experts in the field.

The evolution in health care has created even a greater need for business savvy physicians and has also created a entire niche of financial advisors that focus on advising these business owners physicians. And, this text fills the gap left by Medical Schools and MBA programs that do not cover this subject matter with any degree of competency.

As a physician financial advisor I found the information about various aspects of medical practice management very useful in understanding and advising my physician clients concerning their practices.

David K. Luke, MIM
[Physician Financial Planner]
Certified Medical Planner™ candidate

[...]Chapter 01: Health 2.0 Revolution « Business of Medical Practice[...]…

New federal standards designed to streamline electronic insurance claims are instead slowing them down, hurting physician cash flow and pushing some practices into financial distress.

Susan Turney, MD, the president and chief executive officer of the MGMA, urged HHS to postpone enforcement of the HIPAA Version 5010 standards for electronic claims and other billing transactions such as requests for claims status until at least June 30. In the meantime, physicians and insurers should be allowed to do business electronically based on the earlier Version 4010 standards.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/758037

Ann Miller RN MHA

Recruiting physicians to rural hospitals is a perennial struggle. However, some organizations are winning over physicians with an array of incentives and board support.

http://www.trusteemag.com/trusteemag_app/jsp/articledisplay.jsp?dcrpath=TRUSTEEMAG/Article/data/01JAN2012/1201TRU_coverstory&domain=TRUSTEEMAG

Ann Miller RN MHA

Physicians meeting criteria in 2011 to earn federal electronic medical record incentives will have more time before the Dept. of Health and Human Services requires them to satisfy tougher standards for attaining additional bonuses.

The move is being viewed by physicians and health policy observers as a goodwill gesture by the Obama administration toward EMR early adopters. Doctors and hospitals who currently meet stage 1 meaningful use criteria would be able to vie for bonuses for an extra year under the same requirements, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced on Nov. 30. These bonus recipients would not need to upgrade their EMR systems to comply with stage 2 standards until 2014, instead of 2013 under the initial plan.

Source: Charles Fiegl, AM News (12/12/11]

As a doctor, your brand is what defines you as a medical professional and influences how you are perceived by your office, patients, colleagues, hospitals and healthcare facilities, insurers, and other stakeholders.

But, building a brand name, like building a house, is an evolving process that doesn’t happen overnight — but it can be destroyed overnight.

Take care.

Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA
[Editor-in-Chief]