The Journal of medical practice management : MPM
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First Health has become the first national managed care company to establish reimbursement for Web-based Internet consultations between patients and their physicians. Initially limited to chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and congestive heart failure, the program will reimburse up to 24 consultations per year at a rate of $25 each. Privacy issues have been addressed by utilizing secure network procedures. First Health believes that this initiative will enhance subscribers' well-being and potentially reduce the rates of hospitalization and even lengths of stay.
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The past decade saw several attempts to consolidate physician practices, but this sector remains one of the last cottage industries in the United States. This article develops a framework for analyzing the optimal size of a physician practice. ⋯ Existing empirical research suggests three "optimal" sizes of practices: 5-10 physicians, based on economies of scale and decision-making; 20-30 physicians, based on economies of scope and initial development of a corporate structure; and 80+ (multi-specialty) physicians, which can create an system of referrals and utilization. The article concludes with observations about the challenges to physician practices as they grow.
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Most medical practice managers know that delegation is a useful practice management tool to streamline both personal and practice efficiency. However, delegation is often underused, misused, and misunderstood. What, precisely, should be delegated in a medical practice and to whom? What are some of the obstacles to successful delegation, and how can the astute medical practice manager identify and overcome them? Which tasks should not be delegated? Finally, why do members of the professional practice staff sometimes resist delegation? In this article, the author provides answers to these intriguing questions, as well as a useful self-quiz to rate delegation skills. In addition, the author provides strategies and sample language you can use with your staff to make your own delegated tasks and responsibilities more enthusiastically accepted.