Table of Contents: September 2005



 

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Vol. 101 No. 9  

 

COVER STORY  

Women Doctors
The good ol' boy network that used to dominate medicine is disappearing as more and more women graduate from medical school. One journal predicts that by 2010 one in three U.S. physicians will be women. But as they have in the past, many women physicians struggle to balance the responsibilities of their profession with their responsibilities of motherhood.

By Erin Prather 

MEDICAL ECONOMICS  

Quality or Cost Control?
UnitedHealthcare is touting its Premium Designation Program as a good way to improve the quality and efficiency of care provided by physicians. But critics call it just another attempt at cost control and economic credentialing of doctors. Some also accuse United of misleading doctors into thinking TMA has endorsed it. It hasn't.

By Ken Ortolon 

LAW  

First Line of Defense
Aetna agreed to change its business practices when it settled its portion of the federal antiracketeering lawsuit, but it is up to physicians to make sure it is keeping its part of the bargain. File a compliance dispute complaint if you find that Aetna is violating the settlement terms.

By Erin Prather 

SCIENCE  

Apples and Oranges
Accusations by environmental attorney Robert F. Kennedy Jr. have refueled the debate over whether childhood immunizations can cause autism. He's accused government health officials of colluding with the pharmaceutical industry to cover up the link between autism and vaccines. But scientists say there's no connection.

By Ken Ortolon 

TECHNOLOGY  

The EHR Payoff
We've already told you how to plan for adding electronic health records to your practice by creating a vision, identifying your needs, evaluating vendors, and choosing the right software. So what is the payoff? Electronic health records can lower your expenses, increase your revenue, and save time.

By John Lubrano 

MANAGING YOUR PRACTICE  

How to Handle Patient Complaints
When a patient raises a complaint, the staff's best course of action is a coherent, concise  response that preserves patient confidence and satisfaction.  

How to Respond to Claims Denials
TMA's Office of General Counsel offers suggestions on what to do when a claim is rejected.

Refiling Duplicate Medicare Claims
There are three things to keep in mind to avoid a duplicate Medicare claim.

Interactive Health Records and You
The iHealthRecord can help improve patient safety, reduce liability, and strengthen your relationship with patients.

Medicare's Preventive Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is offering a CD-ROM that tells you all about Medicare's preventive services.

Quick Tip for Medicaid Claims
Texas Medicaid does not require type-of-service codes for electronic claims or  paper claims submitted on the CMS-1500 claim form 

TMA ROUNDS  

TMA Summit 2005 Coming This Month
IMG Section Promotes Membership Diversity
Collecting Patient Fees Doesn't Have to Be Hit or Miss 

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