Status: OR PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS... ³The Internet & Practice Management." **************************************************************************** Free - Subscribe today Forward a copy to a friend or associate... Submit your WWW.association site Information today! Issue 7 - August 1, 1999 Main Page http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice Subscribe mberry@ytci.com To unscribe to this newsletter please forward to practice@mon.ffni.com and include "unscribe" in the text. This newsletter is freely circulated to the health care community. **************************************************************************** INDEX **************************************************************************** PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SITES ...........The AMA PracticeLink- American Medical Association ...........What You Should Know When You Negotiate a Managed Care Contract. ...........Health Care Compliance Manager ...........Insure.com - Health Insurance TOP CHOICE REVIEWS.... ...........Internet MD ASSOCIATION UPDATE ...........American College of Cardiology ...........Association of Managed Care Dentists ...........The American Gastroenterlogical Association RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z) EDITORIAL INFORMATION **************************************************************************** Practice Management Sites **************************************************************************** The AMA PracticeLink- AMASelect http://www.amapracticelink.com The AMA PracticeLink portfolio enhances the success of physician practices by offering products and services that meet their professional needs. Top rated consultants with credentials and AMA approval. Visit the site at http://www.amapracticelink.com or call 1-800/366-6968 for more information. *************************************************************** Managed Care Magazine - Article What you should know when you negotiate a managed care contract. http://www.managedcaremag.com/archiveMC/9801/9801.legal.shtml Excellent online article on negotiating managed care contracts. Highlights how to make it work for you, negotiate and three cardinal rules to follow. *************************************************************** Health Care Compliance Manager http://www.cprag.com/ Online health care compliance information service. Features links and updates on all HCFA, SSA, Codes/Fees, Agencies and Laws. Excellent service well worth your next internet visit. **************************************************************** Insure.com - Health Insurance http://www.insure.com/health/ Excellent insurance information site. Features health plan ratings, HMO's, Medicare, studies and how to choose a company. Highlights consumer and practitioner information. ***************************************************** TOP CHOICE REVIEWS **************************************************** Internet..MD http://www.internet.md Tired of changing internet servers and email addresses? Internet MD offers health care professionals and organizations a unique opportunity to register their own .md domain for easy access worldwide. It's a top choice for practice management in health care for 1999. A top level domain (TLD), like .com, .md is global accessible. Registering the domain name through the Republic of Moldova (Asia) ".md", Internet MD can insure direct ownership of your domain, 25 MB of Web space on a server and five email addresses and forwarding capabilities for professional and private use all for a reasonable yearly fee (less than $25 a month). The internet is becoming the mecca for communications and business growth. Establishing your own identity on the web by registering your personal or practice name is a must. Why risk your professionalism and credibility to American Online or another internet server. Directly identify your practice or service with the health care community. javaher 51@aol.com or drjahaver@javaher.md 123456@compuserve.com or drjahaver@urologyclinic.md doc1957@yahoo.com or drjahaver@billingservicesinc.md Email and setup is easy and effortless. Your existing .com primary internet address will be changed to .md without any service disruptions. You can keep your existing email account separate or easily manage multiple accounts. Internet .MD offers a sure investment opportunities for those professionals interested in registering more than one domain. Remember once a domain is registered it remains in ownership of the register. In all, Internet MD is one of the fastest growing services in health care. The website has been featured in the American Medical News (A.M.A.), Los Angeles Times and Physician Weekly. It offers direct domain search and online registration at http://www.internet.md or just call 9am to 6pm weekdays at 1 - 877 - 44 DOTMD between the hours of 9am to 6pm. http://www.internet.md ***************************************************** ASSOCIATION UPDATE **************************************************** American College of Cardiology http://www.acc.org The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has had an online presence on the Internet since 1994. This presence is constantly evolving in response to cardiovascular physicians and scientists needs, innovative ideas, and new technologies. The mission of the American College of Cardiology is to foster optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention through professional education, promotion of research, leadership in the development of standards and guidelines and the formulation of health care policy. If you are a first-time visitor to www.acc.org, click anywhere on the page, and you will be taken to the "login" screen. Members must sign in using their last name and membership number (obtained from the mailing label of the Cardiology newsletter or by calling 800-253-4636 ext.697, or 301-897-5400, ext.697). Nonmembers must tell us who you are by completing the short registration form and choosing a user ID and password. Once you log in, your computer will record that information in a file saved on your computer's hard drive (a "cookie" file). The next time you visit www.acc.org, the computer will look for your file and recognize you. Special Features: About the ACC - most everything you need to know about the College can be found here-ACC Overview, Mission, Chapters, membership information, 50th Anniversary, Global Cardiology Network, and Contact Information.· Clinical Information - the full text of the College's clinical documents, fully searchable-ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guidelines, ACC Expert Consensus Documents, ACC Policy/Position Statements, ACC Training Statements, Bethesda Conference Documents, ACC Endorsements, ACC-National Cardiovascular Data Registry, ACC Clinical Documents in Progress, and Clinical Alerts. · Practice Management Resources - the College has revised this section of the site, to include many resources to help you with your practice. These new tools include managed care trends, coding, physician compensation, reimbursement and coverage, bibliographies on selected topics, and the Cardiovascular Practice Connection. · Reference - the ACC Web site provides links to MEDLINE, medical journals and associations related to cardiovascular disease in its Reference section. · Patient Education - Review the ACC publication "Conquering Heart Disease: 50 Years of Patient Care" an informative booklet intended for use as a tool for patient education. · Career and Training Opportunities - a listing of training programs in the United States in Adult Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, and Post-Fellowship Training (Preceptorships) in Adult Cardiology. · Publications, Programs and Products - Journal of the American College of Cardiology and Educational Highlights available online, full-text. · Advocacy - learn what message(s) you can share with Congress about key legislation that could have an impact on you and your patients in "Action Alerts" and sign a petition for the Patient's Bill of Rights. · Scientific Session - get online information about how to submit an abstract for ACC 2000. · Banner Ads - will link you directly to information about new ACC Services and Products, including ACCSAP (Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment Program), CathSAP (Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology Self-Assessment Program), Cardiovascular Board Review Programs, Board Review Programs in Interventional Cardiology. Couldn't be at the ACC Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans this past March? Or you were there, but couldn't get to every session that you were interested in? If so, the College's Web site may have the solution to your problem. Many of the educational offerings presented at ACC'99 have been converted into Web offerings on the ACC site under the Learning Center section, and all offer category 1 Continuing Medical Education Credit. Check out the programs listed below. · ACC'99 CME Online: Daily Internet coverage of ACC'99 proceedings. · ACCIS '99: ACC Interventional Symposium - Opening Plenary Session · Cardiac Risk of Noncardiac Surgery: Archive of a Broadcast of the Mini-Course For more information visit the site at http://www.acc.org **************************************************** ASSOCIATION OF MANAGED CARE DENTISTS http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd. For the past 8 years the Association of Managed Care Dentists has been the only active organization available for dentists in the United States who are practicing in the managed dental care arena. The association is voluntary, nonprofit, and governed by our Board of Directors who are practicing dentists independent from dental insurance companies. There are 2 main purposes for the Association of Managed Care Dentists (AMCD): 1. Educational: The Association provides it’s membership with information designed to help them understand developments in the rapidly evolving managed dental care industry. Our annual symposiums covers practice management issues such as scheduling, case presentation,and staffing. The symposiums provide the ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow members. The AMCD is a support group where dentists can discuss their daily concerns about plan cutbacks, excessive paperwork, or difficult patients. Additionally, newsflashes are produced throughout the year on topics which are of immediate importance to our member's practices. 2. Organized Leadership: We strive to develop contacts with government legislators and maintain communication with Dental Plan administrators. We believe our organization can influence developments in the managed care arena, specifically in areas of plan design, quality assurance procedures, and government regulation. Our next annual symposium will be held Oct. 16, 1999 at the LAX Marriott Hotel, adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport. The symposium is entitled "Practice Management for the Managed Dental Care Office" and is open to all members of AMCD. For information on joining the AMCD and attending "Practice Management for the Managed Dental Care Office" call 310-453-3439 or check our website at http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd. While you are there, review the AMCD Survey-see how you compare. http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd. ********************************************************************** The American Gastroenterlogical Association http://www.gastro.org The American Gastroenterological Associations Home Page, www.gastro.org, offers physicians many resources, including: a listing of news stories relating to gastroenterology through Reuters Health Information and sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Inc., updates on legislative issues that affect gastroenterology, the AGAs medical position statements, a Gastroenterologist Locator Service for the public on which gastroenterologists can list their practice information, a classified section that includes activity announcements and position available/wanted listings, information on grants and awards available through the American Digestive Health FoundationSM products, services, and publications relating to gastroenterology, a free link for members to the "Grateful Med" medical database and links to other Websites of interest to gastroenterologists a section for trainees and young GIs an online forum for gastroenterologists to discuss practice issues, a listing of symposia, seminars, and meetings sponsored by the AGA, including Digestive Disease Week (DDW), and information on membership in the AGA. DDW is the annual meeting of the AGA and three other societies related to gastroenterology. The next DDW will be held May 20-24, 2000, in San Diego, CA. The AGAs Spring Postgraduate Course is held annually at the beginning of DDW, and the 2000 Spring Postgraduate Course, ************************************************** TOP PRODUCTS & SERVICES **************************************************** "Sore and achy hand? wrist? arm? shoulder? ...back? Your computer desktop set-up and PC mouse could be the cause! Cirque’s new Comfort Store web site offers solutions that make computer use more comfortable. Lower your risk of repetitive stress today with products and helpful hints from The Comfort Store, www.cirqueshop.com . For more information about Cirque's computing-ease products and services, contact Cirque Corporation toll-free at 1-800-454-3375 (outside the U.S. call 801-467-1100). Cirque is the original inventor and developer of pressure-free GlidePoint touchpads." http://www.cirqueshop.com **************************************************** My site has moved to http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice temporarily until my new domain is completed. If you are looking for a quick benchmark fee (md and dds) the site will help. It also contains a wide range of articles and management information. All 1999 products and services reviews are now available for $50 by calling 219-583-4234.(updates included) Keep updated on the latest internet technology - claims filing, coding, fax by email, transcription, association updates etc. **************************************************************************** RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS **************************************************************************** ³Northwest Physician Magazine² Published Monthly Questions Contact Editor: Ms. Debbie Baldwin 1-800-697-6241 Yearly Subscription: Focus Point- Practice Management & Physician issues. ³The Health Care Collector² Published Monthly by: Aspen Publishers Questions contact: Editor, 414-796-1380 FAX 414-796-1552 205 Bishop¹s Way Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005 Yearly Subscription: $197 Focus Point: Collections ³The Credit Connection² Published Quarterly by: Wisconsin Clinic Credit Managers Association (WCCMA) Questions Contact: Support Services - Deen Clinic Ms. Teresa Addison, Editor 608-250-1121 1808 W. Beltline Highway Madison, Wisconsin 53725 Yearly Subscription: $35 Focus Point: Medical Collections, Accounts Receivables, Federal & State Regulations. ³American Medical News² Published weekly by: American Medical Association (A.M.A.) Questions contact: A.M.News Staff 312-464-4429 515 North State Street Chicago, Illinois 60610 Yearly Subscription: (Free with AMA Membership) Focus Point: All Medical/Socioecomonic Issues. ³Physican¹s Marketing & Management² Published monthly by: American Health Consultants Inc. Questions contact: Managing Editor, 404-282-7436 3525 Piedmont Road N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30305 Yearly Subscription Focus Point: Medical Management ³In Confidence² Published Bimonthly by: American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) Questions contact: Ms. Jennifer Carpenter. RRA Professional Practice 312-787-2672 919 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400 Chicago, Illinois 60611-1683 Yearly Subscription: $90 ($75 with membership) Focus Point: Health Information, Patient Privacy & Information System Security Web Site: http://www.ahima.org **************************************************************************** NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TOZ) **************************************************************************** American Academy of Family Physicians 8880 Ward Parkway Kansas City, Missouri 64114 (816) 333-9700 Web Site: http://www.aafp.org American Academy of Pediatrics P.O. Box 927 Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60009 (847) 228-5005 Web Site: http://www.aap.org American Dental Association 211 East Chicago Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60611 (312) 440-2500 Web Site: http://www.ada.org American Medical Association (A.M.A.) 515 North State Street Chicago, Illinois 06010 (312) 464-5000 Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS) Ms. Marisa Brazil, AMSUS, Membership Coordinator (301) 897-8800 ext. 20. marisab@amsus.org http://www.amsus.org Healthcare Financial Management Association (HCFMA) Contact Terry Arya, HFMA Membership (800)252-HFMA (4362), ext. 362 e-mail tarya@hfma.org.  http://www.hfma.org Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA) Mr. Beau Carter, IHA Executive Director, 45 Quail Court, Suite 302, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, (925) 746-5100 Focus Point: Managed Care Email: bcarter@iha.org. Web Site: http://www.iha.org Medical Group Management Association For More Information Contact: Mr. Garth Jordan, Director of Marketing 106 Inverness Terrace East Englewood, CO 80112-5306 (303) 799-1111 FAX (303) 643-4427 Web Site: http://www.mgma.com The American College of Physician Executives For More Information Contact: Mr. Wesley Curry, wcurry@acpe.org 813-287-2000, http://www.acpe.org The American College of Chest Physicians Member Services 3300 Dundee Road Northbrook, Illinois 60062 Phone: 800-343-2227 or 847-498-1400 Fax: 847-498-5460 E-mail: registration@chestnet.org http://www.chestnet.org The American Thoracic Society Ms. Lori Atkins Manager, ATS Communication Services American Thoracic Society, Medical Section of the American Lung Association 1740 Broadway New York, NY 10019-4374 Phone 212/315-6442 Fax 212/315-6455 latkins@lungusa.org http://www.thoracic.org **************************************************************************** PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS Practice Guardian News is published monthly. Send all inquiries to attention editor at (219) 583-4234/FAX (219) 583-3015/E-Mail mjbconsult@email.com The subjects and written examples in this newsletter are for general use only. The publisher and author do not accept any responsibility or liability in regards to misuse or misinterpretation. A qualified attorney should be consulted in all matters concerning practice management. Copyright 1999, MJB Consultant. ****************************************************************************