Discussing Growth With Your Clients – Smart or Stupid?

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know my position on the importance of cultivating referrals – particularly for smaller businesses.
This is a realm of marketing that is commonly overlooked… typically botched… and arguably the highest return marketing activity a company can invest in. Literally… Infinite Return Marketing when executed properly [...]

Health Care Reform 2010

Health Care Reform 2010

Questions and answers about the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act from the AAFP

Opting Out – PECOS

In January of 2011, those in our membership that have opted off of Medicare will (likely, but not definitely) need to fill out the form below in order to remain off Medicare but on PECOS.
Here’s the form you’ll need: CMS-855I
And a little about the new regulation and how to be in compliance:
Publication 100-2, Chapter 15, [...]

Does Color Matter?

Color matters.
Lately I’ve found myself involved in a number of new branding initiatives. New companies seeking to create a compelling brand… and existing firms trying to become more compelling by investing more thought in the branding exercise.
The topic of color comes up frequently in these projects. Does color actually [...]

The Yellow Brick Road to OzbamaCare

Post By:  Richard Amerling, MD

Contemplating how we got to ObamaCare brings to mind the L. Frank Baum classic Wizard of Oz. Both require the complete suspension of disbelief in favor of magical thinking and the bestowing of God-like abilities to mortals.

The Yellow Brick Road to OzbamaCare is paved with empty promises, [...]

Health Care Reform Legislation Impacts Concierge Medical Practice Models

Post by: Robert S. Stroud, Esq.
The sweeping health care reform legislation enacted on March 23, 2010, known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “PPACA”), as amended on March 30, 2010 by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, has significant implications for “concierge” or “boutique” medical practice business models. Most [...]

Opting Out of the Third Party System Will Save The Doctor-Patient Relationship

Post by: Richard Amerling, MD
Now that the Senate version of ObamaCare has become the law of the land, we need strategies to safeguard the doctor-patient relationship from government intrusion.   The most effective approach is for both patients and physicians to opt out of the third party payment system.
From the patients’ perspective, opting out makes sense.  [...]

A Brief History of Concierge Medicine

The following was compiled by AAPP Director of Chapter Development, Callie Rutter.
This is a work in progress, and we would welcome any corrections, comments, or additions.
1996: Dr. Howard Maron and Scott Hall, FACP established MD2 (pronounced MD squared) located in Seattle, Bellevue, WA and Oregon and charged an annual retainer fee of $13,200 and $20,000 [...]

Patients Are Noticing… It’s Getting Hard to Find a Doctor

The Washington Post featured an article this month that told the story of a woman in DC and her struggles to find a primary care physician. Her realization after receiving rejection upon rejection from doctors offices… having health insurance does not guarantee access to a doctor.
If you have even a passing interest in the shifting [...]

Response to NY Times Article on Physicians Giving up Their Practices

From AAPP President, Dr. Marcy Zwelling:
In his article, “More Doctors Giving up Private Practice,” March 25, 2010, Gardiner Harris talks about a “quiet revolution” taking place across America that is changing the paradigm of healthcare delivery.  Indeed, for good reason, doctors are wanting to do anything but succumb to working for the government, and some [...]