Practice Management

An overall 4.3 percent 2006 Medicare fee cut announced in March is something other physicians will need to worry about, but not dermatologists.

National report — Nowadays, there are so many different employee rights, it behooves employers to make sure they have a fundamental labor and employment law compliance plan in place.

When more than one surgical service is rendered on the same date, most carriers reduce one or more of the surgeries by 50 percent, 25 percent, 10 percent or some other percentage.

National report — The driving force behind the growth in private insurance spending between 1987 and 2002 was the rise in treated disease prevalence, rather than the rise in spending per treated case, according to a new study from Emory University in Atlanta.

Washington — Dermatologists who serve Medicare patients should pay careful attention as the federal government considers changing the way payments for physician services will be determined in the future.

Chicago — It's ultimately the physician's responsibility to be sure that procedural codes accurately capture the medically necessary services performed during the visit, says a presenter here at the American Academy of Dermatology's Academy '05.

Chicago — It is to the physician's benefit to understand the rules regarding evaluation and management codes, says a physician here.

Two-way communication also is crucial. In this regard, Dr. Bock recommends soliciting patient feedback at various points.

There is probably no single dermatology practice in this country that doesn't do biopsies, shave removals or excisions that require that a skin specimen be sent to an outside reference lab. A few practices have an in-house laboratory, but it still can be several days before the in-house dermatopathologist has time to read the slides.

A rapidly growing trend in medical practices is the expansion into ancillary services. The rising costs of operating a medical business have forced physicians to take a look at how they can expand and better serve their patients.

Cosmetic surgery practices know that starting on time is critical to managing a high volume of patients, but many practices are discovering the rewards of opening earlier in the day. A 6:30 a.m. starting time may seem ridiculous at first glance, but it can bring many benefits to patients, staff and your bottom line.

Surgical procedures are an integral part of the dermatology practice.

The penetration will only continue to deepen as unintentional electronic errors breach patient confidentiality.

If a pay for performance requirement is implemented, it should be phased-in and pilot-tested on a voluntary basis first.

Paying the minimum amount due on a credit card bill is a self-destructive practice, guaranteed to keep you in fiscal bondage forever.

Paying the minimum amount due on a credit card bill is a self-destructive practice, guaranteed to keep you in fiscal bondage forever.

If you have an iPod, perhaps you should consider whether it is a business expense.

Botulinum toxin is a complex protein produced by the anaerobic bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Botulinum toxin type A injections can be used to treat various focal muscle spastic disorders and excessive muscle contractions such as dystonias and spasms.

Should the cuts take place as planned, 18 percent of physicians surveyed by the American Medical Association say they would stop accepting new Medicare patients; 57 percent would decrease time spent with patients; and 46 percent would reduce staffing levels.

Most dermatology billers are relatively comfortable (or should be) with the various modifiers commonly used by dermatologists (e.g., -24, -25, -26, -58, -59, -76, -79, -GA, GY, and -TC. Less familiar are modifiers -50 and -52.

Key features of the plan, which the division has been refining over the past four to five years, include sharing profits — and risks.

National report — Clinical research investigators need to be aware of their numerous responsibilities to sponsors, patients, the public and, sometimes, the government. Complying with rules might be more important than ever, given the recent media attention focused on problems surfacing with some medications years after they have been approved and on the market.

Modifiers, modifiers, modifiers! Wouldn't life be great if we didn't have to deal with all those two-digit devils? Why can't we just send a claim to the insurance company and get paid without trying to figure out which CPT code gets a modifier, which one doesn't, and, if one is needed, which one should be selected? Worse yet, in many instances, we need two, three and, yes, sometimes even four modifiers. There are -24, -25, -58, -59,-76, -79, just to name a few. Then there are those darn local modifiers like -GA, -GY and -GZ. Gee whiz, is more like it!

Miami — No doctor would treat a patient as haphazardly as many seem to treat their practices. From improper coding to trust placed in the wrong people, many physicians' practices suffer from a variety of treatable ills, according to Mark S. Nestor, M.D., Ph.D., director, Center for Cosmetic Enhancement, and clinical associate professor of dermatology and cutaneous surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami.

Dr. Jane is one of the most caring dermatologists in her community. She has practiced dermatology for more than two decades and has seen many of her patients become quite elderly. She is saddened by the senility of some and is worried about their ability to consent to her various office-provided procedures. One of her patients with Alzheimer's disease has a brother who is the next of kin and holds a medical power of attorney that becomes effective when the described patient is no longer able to make decisions for himself. Dr. Jane has a copy of that power of attorney. She is often perplexed because, at almost all times, the patient is not lucid. However, in rare moments, he does understand what Dr. Jane is doing.

Although most dermatologists try to stay away from treating nails and nail diseases, it's inevitable that patients will receive services for treating the nail and nail-related problems.

The photos have been sorted from more than one million images provided by collections at New York University, University of Rochester, and private collections.

Clay J. Cockerell, M.D., assumes the post of AAD president tomorrow.

By now, most practices are familiar with Medicare's Correct CodingInitiative (CCI) introduced by CMS in 1996.

Kissimmee, Fla. — Recent changes in Medicare and CPT coding have brought some good news to dermatologists, says Brett Coldiron, M.D. Speaking at the Orlando Dermatology & Cosmetic Conference, he updated attendees on developments relating to Medicare audits and billing for surgical excisions.