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<title><![CDATA[MGMA Articles]]></title>
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<description><![CDATA[MGMA RSS Feed]]></description>
<language><![CDATA[en-US]]></language>
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  <guid isPermaLink="false">5489fb0c-7db3-48d1-a675-c134043ddf7c</guid>
  <title>Mentoring Millennials for Future Leadership in Healthcare</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this paper is to introduce the millennial generation and to educate leaders in healthcare about how to conduct mentorships that prepare older personnel for effectively guiding, influencing, and collaborating with the next generation entering the workforce.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 30 Oct 2017 18:33:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/mentoring-millennials-for-future-leadership-in-healthcare?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3544c380-f0bb-4422-b68c-39ebc90b24c5</guid>
  <title>Patients’ Attitudes Toward Medical Residents and the Impact on the Academic Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this paper is to explore the patients’ views on residents in the academic
practice and the impact that those attitudes have on clinic operations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 05 Oct 2017 18:17:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/patients’-attitudes-toward-medical-residents-and-the-impact-on-the-academic-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">66974af9-3fa0-4053-82d2-373cbc6b017d</guid>
  <title>Succession Planning for a Small Rural Medical Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The in-depth process required to transfer ownership in his/her medical practice. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 27 Sep 2017 23:51:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/succession-planning-for-a-small-rural-medical-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c471f310-c55b-4227-96aa-4febc5424dd5</guid>
  <title>Increasing Competitive Advantage in the Medical Office through Patient Satisfaction</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The objective of this research is to test the hypothesis that increasing patient satisfaction leads to increased competitive advantage. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2017 21:14:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/increasing-competitive-advantage-in-the-medical-office-through-patient-satisfaction?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">28fd29a2-8582-4824-bb89-343bcae4ea27</guid>
  <title>A U.S. Healthcare Retrospective Within a Global Community</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The objective of this historical paper is to trace the evolution of managed care in the U.S. and to
investigate how it compares with other key industrialized nations, namely France and Germany.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:10:04 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/a-u-s-healthcare-retrospective-within-a-global-community?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">41bf2cf9-c972-4b71-ade6-013ee7d3a69a</guid>
  <title>Incentives in Provider Compensation and Management</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper examines the rationale for an incentive based culture, the evolution of incentives in provider compensation and management, an analysis of their impact on alignment and the future direction they may take with the continuing changes in the health care.  Incentives are a commonplace practice in provider compensation and management, with the intent of aligning provider expectations with organizational goals and priorities.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2017 14:06:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/incentives-in-provider-compensation-and-management?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d020b85b-b107-46fa-9d97-43a97d2639ab</guid>
  <title>Making The Decision For Further Education</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper presents some of the factors that a medical practice executive could consider when faced with making that decision, whether to advance his or her career through further education or to simply continue working.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:16:46 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/making-the-decision-for-further-education?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">074bf76e-396a-47e6-a441-43d88bb28f00</guid>
  <title>Transparency Programs in Light of Medical Errors</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper will serve as exploratory research in order to gain a better understanding of
the transparency issue by utilizing available secondary sources (books, articles and publications) and programs implemented by other health care organizations]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2017 14:10:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/transparency-programs-in-light-of-medical-errors?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d848f8b6-32da-4660-afc7-05a20bbe807a</guid>
  <title>USP <800>: Navigating the New Requirements for Handling Hazardous Drugs in the Community Oncology Setting</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper will explore the impact of meeting the new USP <800> chapter from conducting a gap analysis, setting an action plan, and implementing necessary changes to the overall financial and regulatory impacts it will have on all community oncology practices moving forward.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Wed, 13 Sep 2017 16:59:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/usp-800-navigating-the-new-requirements-for-handling-hazardous-drugs-in-the-community-oncology-se?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ea8329b9-b66b-427e-bd73-29f0a85fcbed</guid>
  <title>Driving Quality Improvement Initiatives in Radiology Practice Management</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The goal of this paper is to explore the quality
movement, continuous quality improvement strategies and quality initiatives in a radiology practice, and the role of the Medical Practice Executive in supporting and driving this process.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:56:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/driving-quality-improvement-initiatives-in-radiology-practice-management?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">76fe0361-9f21-4b00-b363-569d00ad5e70</guid>
  <title>Millennial Physicians: Who They Are and How to Recruit, Develop, and Retain Them in your Healthcare Organization</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper focuses on the millennial physician, specifically, who they are and how to recruit and retain them in a healthcare organization. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:53:37 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/millennial-physicians-who-they-are-and-how-to-recruit-develop-and-retain-them-in-your-healthcare?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">28da9043-b4cb-4e8b-b994-ee61f3876f8d</guid>
  <title>Prior Authorization Denial Challenges for an Integrated Health System</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper documents the challenges faced by an integrated health system with prior authorization claim denials. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:36:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/prior-authorization-denial-challenges-for-an-integrated-health-system?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1516feb4-955d-456b-b06d-ac3da8bf9623</guid>
  <title>Understanding the Shifting Models of Payer
Contracts</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The scope of this paper encompasses the USA healthcare system contracts of government and private insurance payers to healthcare provider organizations, focusing on larger organizations.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:33:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/understanding-the-shifting-models-of-payer-contracts?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8741d102-fe10-4a7b-a5e7-f95462c2d5e7</guid>
  <title>Creating Optimal Organizational Culture in an
Academic Medical Group Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper intends to explore the role optimizing organizational culture plays in transforming an academic medical group practice and the effects on its subsequent performance]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:29:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/creating-optimal-organizational-culture-in-an-academic-medical-group-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">59cc3f75-d442-448c-9e10-b470b972ab9b</guid>
  <title>A Flexible, Part Time Hospitalist Work Schedule</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The focus of this paper is to outline a staffing plan for hospitalists that was designed to be flexible and to include part time physician coverage to better address the needs of the Millennial generation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:26:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/a-flexible-part-time-hospitalist-work-schedule-just-what-the-millennial”-doctor-ordered?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e1246329-4e95-4c62-9ddb-14a98486de90</guid>
  <title>The Physician Practice Executive’s Role in Developing a Compensation Agreement</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper details the process to be used with a group of independent physicians to review its current compensation agreement and develop a revised version that effectively and fairly distributes the income of the practice to all physician partners.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:21:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/the-physician-practice-executive’s-role-in-developing-a-compensation-agreement?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">18077da5-58dc-40a6-b311-8825cefec352</guid>
  <title>Aligning Leadership Practices, Principles and Values to Advance Effective Teams</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This exploratory paper is an overview of the need for leadership in the health care environment and provides guidance for adopting various leadership styles to address the multitude of situations arising through industry transitions.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 16:18:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/aligning-leadership-practices-principles-and-values-to-advance-effective-teams?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3d500498-b0fd-4703-b3b1-012cb3d737b6</guid>
  <title>Key Factors to Consider When Aligning Organizational Strategic Plans with Capital Asset Management</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper provides an explanation of key factors involved in developing an organizational strategic plan and the importance of maintaining that plan.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 15:20:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/key-factors-to-consider-when-aligning-organizational-strategic-plans-with-capital-asset-management?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c91179a2-407d-46a3-b652-0a59637a9c91</guid>
  <title>The Evolution of Advanced Practice Providers in Rural Settings</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper will explore the reasons for physician shortages in rural areas, as well as, solutions to this long-standing challenge.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 15:16:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/the-evolution-of-advanced-practice-providers-in-rural-settings?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">83ca7852-79b5-415f-9fa5-189aa3021fe5</guid>
  <title>Compensation for Surgical Practices: Are Investments a Good Idea?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This exploratory paper provides a review of compensation options for independent surgical practices in addition to reimbursement outside of the quality incentive payment program and patient care method.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:56:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/compensation-for-surgical-practices-are-investments-a-good-idea?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e25146d8-07ff-472f-b65f-fbf28f55969d</guid>
  <title>Creating an Environment to Reduce or Eliminate Physician Burnout</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This exploratory paper helps the reader identify the key components and recognize the areas of work that can contribute to physician burnout.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:54:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/creating-an-environment-to-reduce-or-eliminate-physician-burnout?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8518fbdf-54fb-455a-a7de-132b8b6fe71c</guid>
  <title>How an Urgent Care Service Line Can Benefit a Multi-Specialty Practice </title>
  <description><![CDATA[How an Urgent Care Service Line Can Benefit a Multi-Specialty Practice ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 01 Sep 2017 14:06:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/how-an-urgent-care-service-line-can-benefit-a-multi-specialty-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd27d6b5-9b23-4920-ac50-fc22d59ca13c</guid>
  <title>I Have Discovered Payroll Embezzlement is Taking Place in My Practice: What Do I Do Next?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The intent of this focus paper is to provide historical information regarding payroll fraud
that other practices have experienced and to provide helpful, beneficial and critical information to other practice managers and administrators to assist them in avoiding this type of fraudulent activity from happening in their practice.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2017 22:39:33 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/i-have-discovered-payroll-embezzlement-is-taking-place-in-my-practice-what-do-i-do-next?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1ad5b002-5ea2-4c8e-9d9f-40b8870899b6</guid>
  <title>Increasing the Efficiency of Clinical Operations in a Multi-Discipline Pediatric Academic Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper shares the highlights one pediatric multi-discipline academic practice undertook to reduce the length of time patients waited for an appointment.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 31 Aug 2017 20:03:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/increasing-the-efficiency-of-clinical-operations-in-a-multi-discipline-pediatric-academic-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e6fd3c7e-e01f-45d0-ae97-8371fab9ed73</guid>
  <title>Quality Reimbursement: CMS’s Move Away From Traditional Fee-For-Service Reimbursement and the Impact on Physician Practices</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper will examine three such APMs introduced by CMS since 2013: Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement (CJR), Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+), and the Medicare Access & CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA). ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:46:32 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/quality-reimbursement-cms’s-move-away-from-traditional-fee-for-service-reimbursement-and-the-impact?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f295145c-9535-420c-8af6-4f57343326a1</guid>
  <title>Maximizing Patient Collections through Trained Staff and Informed Consumers</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper provides a five-week roadmap to practice managers and administrators that details the necessary steps and tools required to produce financially significant outcomes.  The real world results of its implementation are discussed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:41:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/maximizing-patient-collections-through-trained-staff-and-informed-consumers?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e006e355-8fba-4ed1-9f69-a5e635398048</guid>
  <title>Alternative Employment and Compensation Structures for Advanced Practice Clinicians</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper reviews the employment, compensation, and production efforts of Advanced Practice Clinicians (APC's) in three different practice systems.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:39:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/alternative-employment-and-compensation-structures-for-advanced-practice-clinicians?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3dd9079f-615d-4ca9-95a6-66261b29c66a</guid>
  <title>Enhancing Alignment between Physicians and Hospital Administrators</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The present treatise provides a broad, literature-based, descriptive overview in an evolving historical context coupled with my own observations based on extensive professional experience and highlights the root causes of this nonalignment between these two important groups.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Aug 2017 19:34:19 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2017/enhancing-alignment-between-physicians-and-hospital-administrators?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">68971924-3a53-4709-a910-a2b8d5df7835</guid>
  <title>Survival of the Small Medical Practice in the Evolving American Health Care System: Flourish or Fold?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The American Health Care System continues to change at a rapid pace. Federal and state regulatory efforts designed to reduce cost, improve quality and expand access to care represent a significant source of complexity for small, private medical practices to navigate. Evolving payor requirements to move toward value based care and ensure appropriate care is delivered in the right setting at the right time, new payment incentives, and reimbursement and contract changes all require detailed analysis. The growth of new and evolving technology, compliance, privacy and security demands, and new mandates for health information systems and clinical practice improvement in the era of the proposed Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) rule underscore the need to manage vast change and multiple competing priorities. The small medical practice, which has been the hallmark of the American health care system, is now facing unprecedented extreme pressure, to evolve itself in this environment, in order to remain financially viable and to survive and thrive in this new era. This paper will explore recent changes in the American health care system, assess physician employment trends over time, review the potential impact of the proposed federal MACRA rule, discuss the future viability of the small private medical practice, and share best practices and recommendations for private medical practices’ consideration to be successful in the evolving American health care system. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:48:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/survival-of-the-small-medical-practice-in-the-evolving-american-health-care-system-flourish-or-fold?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">64d5e04a-d162-4e3b-ac54-6c0511bdcffa</guid>
  <title>Improving the Quality of Wound Care Delivery through the Development of Collaborative and Comprehensive Organizational Structure</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Abstract
This paper investigates the benefits of a collaborative organization structure and proposes that delivery of care in a cohesive service line organization will contribute to improvements in quality and patient satisfaction relative to the provision of wound care services as compared to more common fragmented organizational structures.  A singular component toward creation of a service line approach is the designation of a medical director responsible for wound care provided throughout the continuum.  Research supporting the premise is found in cited literature reviews as well as interviews with program directors, industry leaders and clinical experts in the field.  Less than 15% of hospital organizations have formal organizational structures.   As evidence by the research and opinions of industry leaders, successful programs as defined by patient outcomes and satisfaction are achieved by a collaborative approach to wound care.  Management firms have facilitated the creation of formal structures and may have a roles in wound care delivery.  In addition, organizations outside of acute care have a greater need for collaboration to achieve continuity of care.  Since wound care is provided by inpatient, outpatient, skilled nursing facilities, home health agencies and independent physicians, coordination becomes integral to produce desirable wound healing goals.
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:46:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/improving-the-quality-of-wound-care-delivery-through-the-development-of-collaborative-and-comprehens?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">fe211588-440d-4978-9523-212fa4106642</guid>
  <title>Leading Millennials in the Workplace: Recruitment, Retention and Integration</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This exploratory paper aims to inform physician practice leaders on the critical importance of the millennial workforce to their current and future success, as well as providing a practical roadmap and key strategies for successfully recruiting, retaining, and integrating this generation of healthcare workers.   ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:45:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/leading-millennials-in-the-workplace-recruitment-retention-and-integration?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e9337d58-3089-4840-99ee-cbf3e29d6e9f</guid>
  <title>The Impact of the Press on Medical Practices During a Potential National Health Crisis</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper will describe a situation in which the media had a significant impact on the public perception of the medical community and will present recommendations for managing the media during an emergency or disaster that directly effects the healthcare provider system. Suggestions from reporters and public relations professionals will be presented. Points to consider when developing an emergency preparedness plan, including recommendations from various emergency management plans and press management presentations will be shared. A case study surrounding events of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Dallas and the effect it had on the pulmonary/critical care practice, physicians, and non-physician practitioners treating the infected patients will be reviewed in the case study. The case study will discuss the issues that needed to be addressed during this crisis and what actions the practice leaders chose to follow as well as the outcomes of their decisions.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 21:25:34 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/the-impact-of-the-press-on-medical-practices-during-a-potential-national-health-crisis?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">be623639-a5ef-4506-bf49-c07ceefa5ef4</guid>
  <title>High Self-Awareness As A Desirable Trait For Medical Practice Leaders</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The psychological construct of self-awareness is an attribute that is possessed by successful leaders. This paper explores the available literature regarding self-awareness as a desirable leadership trait, provides suggestions on how to hire leaders with high self-awareness, and suggests rationale for including self-awareness training in leader development programs. Further, the correlation between self-awareness and medical executive performance is reviewed as it relates to higher performing healthcare organizations. Self-awareness is beneficial to a medical practice executive in many ways, including the ability to recognize how one behaves in social situations, the reactions one elicits while interacting with others, and the impact and influence one has on others. Leaders with high emotional intelligence recognize that there are multiple leadership approaches and are able to assess a situation and employ the most appropriate style to be effective.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:40:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/high-self-awareness-as-a-desirable-trait-for-medical-practice-leaders?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">b67ec62f-e512-4e60-95b3-5dde20f84248</guid>
  <title>Women in Healthcare-How Can Women Be Successful?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The objective of this historical paper is to present an examination of how women face many hurdles in the workplace and how they need  to overcome those barriers to success. Some impediments are external-money, family, coworkers or management. Some obstacles are internal-the fear of wanting to be liked, not standing up for themselves, passing on opportunities now for what might happen in their future. Employers and society have much to do to help but women need to help themselves as well. They need to define their own success. The author will outline several ways women need to change their environment and their thinking in order to become the leaders and mentors for the next generation of women.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:37:54 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/women-in-healthcare-how-can-women-be-successful?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1a0cd0d0-c7db-4cc0-8414-29333935801b</guid>
  <title>Retirement Plan Administration Best Practices and Compliance</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study describes how a practice updated its retirement plan to a) improve the quality of the plan for its employees, and, b) comply with increasingly stringent federal regulations applicable to employer-sponsored plans. A gap analysis approach is described to determine the options for making plan improvements. This case discusses the importance of utilizing expert consultation when faced with complicated regulations, and illuminates the options for assessing the key elements of a retirement plan that contribute to competitive staff recruitment and retention and compliance with federal rules: plan platform, plan carrier and plan design.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:35:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/retirement-plan-administration-best-practices-and-compliance?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9e32a4f6-cecb-4328-8412-c4d2cab19cda</guid>
  <title>Developing a Sliding-Fee Discount Scale</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study describes how a sliding-fee scale is developed and utilized in a community health center practice setting, which must conform to certain federal statutes and regulations. The sliding-fee scale is a critical system for reaching patients who have financial barriers to accessing care. In developing a scale, a community health center must involve its governing board, consider financial impacts of various approaches and assure it complies with the federal rules that must be followed. A gap analysis comparing current practice with required regulations is the method illustrated in this case study to describe how a community health center can successfully develop its sliding-fee scale. Researching the best practices of other community health centers is also explained.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:32:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/developing-a-sliding-fee-discount-scale?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4bd8cc19-91cd-4802-b5e0-ad03b0692d45</guid>
  <title>Pay Scale Development and Implementation </title>
  <description><![CDATA[Personnel expense is usually the largest expense in a medical practice and should be invested to further its mission and business goals. This case study describes how a community health center transitioned from a pay scale based entirely on seniority to one that that incorporated market-based pay factors. The pay scale transition goals were to create a financially sustainable system and improve the recruitment and retention of staff. The practice also wanted to prepare for value based payments by developing a pay scale that could eventually incorporate pay for performance. The process and development of the new pay scale was rooted in a pay philosophy developed by the organization’s leadership, which was an essential first step.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:31:17 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/pay-scale-development-and-implementation?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">01310cb2-79dd-4cb0-a5c7-dc8bc0102073</guid>
  <title>Independent Practice to System Ownership:  Did Future Results achieve what the Practice had wanted with this change?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Healthcare in 2006 seemed to be the beginning of the end of the highly productive independent practice.  The government had already mandated electronic medical records and there were grumblings of directives called “meaningful use” circling overhead.  Accountable Care Organizations were being discussed.  The impact to private practice has yet to be determined.  Insurance payments were decreasing while operational costs were increasing. The reality of the situation came down to these three questions: 
•	Is it time to downsize the office?  
•	Can operations be optimized?  
•	Can more be done with less?   
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:28:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/independent-practice-to-system-ownership-did-future-results-achieve-what-the-practice-had-wanted-w?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cd70f124-e806-4fac-ac48-9bf84a0d6ab2</guid>
  <title>Lessons learned and the process of bringing the billing operations back in-house</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study will explore the process and reasons behind the decision to bring the billing back in-house after having out-sourced this process for the previous 12 months.  This is a group of four physicians and one advanced practice provider who had recently undergone a management change.  The deliberations were intense and thorough making by the stakeholders was intense and thorough as they went through the alternatives listed.  Implementation of their decision made will be discussed step by step.  Lastly, we’ll discuss some lessons learned and possible impact on future projects.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:25:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/lessons-learned-and-the-process-of-bringing-the-billing-operations-back-in-house?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">a0fc66e8-23d2-441e-8f0b-f7f9e2beb192</guid>
  <title>A Merger of three Practices:  Integrating Private and Employed Providers into a new Health System Based Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study will discuss the pros and cons of two independent ENT practices’ potential merger with a health system.  This paper will describe the process of moving all three practices into one facility along with the positive and negative factors that the staff and providers experienced during this process, and how some of the problems could have been mitigated with additional planning.  .  Last, lessons learned and any recommendations for future mergers will be discussed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:20:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/a-merger-of-three-practices-integrating-private-and-employed-providers-into-a-new-health-system-ba?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f3f5c88-7927-40ca-823a-506302465814</guid>
  <title>High Reliability Organization in the Healthcare Industry
A Model for Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability</title>
  <description><![CDATA[In this focus paper, the HRO model and its relevance to healthcare industry in introduced and an in-depth analysis of how HRO model facilitates innovation and promotes performance excellence in the healthcare industry is presented. Also, this paper assesses the path forward to HRO Model implementation and transformation in the healthcare industry and the risks and roadblocks that may impact how healthcare organizations use HRO model to deliver reliable, quality, and value patient care services. Finally, this paper presents the resources available to promote and implement HRO and how future trends in healthcare will shape the HRO model.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:16:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/high-reliability-organization-in-the-healthcare-industry-a-model-for-excellence-innovation-and-sus?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6eb39705-4a5f-4e55-9028-a9a127409d06</guid>
  <title>Physical Therapy Department, Does the Orthopedic Practice Need One?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This focus paper followed  the decision of a physician owned physical therapy department that no longer was profitable and whether it should be maintained or closed.
     The paper looks at the business operations, national market analysis, benchmarking to the national market, trends and forecasts of the industry and recommendations to other practices.
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:12:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/physical-therapy-department-does-the-orthopedic-practice-need-one?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0467c56c-1ca9-4d4b-8dfc-d94816b35515</guid>
  <title>The Era of Value:
Navigating the Transition from Volume to Value</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The healthcare industry has historically rewarded providers based on the volume of services rendered, rather than the value of those services. Through the commitment and direction of the Department of Health and Human Services, new programs and legislation have been created to tie provider payment based on the achievement of the Triple Aim: improving the patient experience, reducing cost, and improving the overall health of the population. As a result, new programs and legislation have emerged. This has resulted in the need for cultural shifts, new skills, and new technology for health systems, providers, and patients. This exploratory paper will provide insight through an in-depth literature review, focusing on changing practice culture, creating and modifying relationships with stakeholders, investing in new technology, and engaging patients and their families.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:10:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/the-era-of-value-navigating-the-transition-from-volume-to-value?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">8744e724-cd17-4e08-8fe8-e9b4677818c6</guid>
  <title>Selling the Idea of Sunday Hours to the Staff</title>
  <description><![CDATA[A mid-sized pediatric group practice (the Practice) reviewed its operational hours at its two locations.  The current hours of operation offered patient appointments six days a week, however, there no available appointments on Sunday.  Patients could reach a provider via telephone call or a visit to an emergency room if needed.  Data available to the Practice showed that in recent months, four urgent care centers had opened within the community offering Sunday hours. The administrator and 13 physician partners (the decision makers) agreed that the practice would need to offer Sunday appointments to their patients. Unfortunately, staff buy-in to the solution was expected to be challenging. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:07:53 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/selling-the-idea-of-sunday-hours-to-the-staff?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">f5ee56d4-ea1d-4190-9aa6-8904764d8fb3</guid>
  <title>Integration of Old Records into an EMR/PM: A Plan Gone Awry</title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Pediatric group practice decided to purchase an electronic medical record/practice management (EMR/PM) integrated system.  The Practice was an office structured around paper documentation. The Practice had been in continuous operation since June 10, 1974 and had accumulated over 122,670 individual patient charts. Of that total, 44,560 charts were classified as active patient accounts. The Practice defined an active chart as a patient that had been seen or a phone call taken in the last three years.  Integration of these charts into the new EMR/PM system was requested by the practitioners due to their concern over any potential lack of information during a future clinical visit. The issue of how to handle the existing paper records during this conversion to the new EMR/PM system was the subject of an unforeseen event. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:06:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/integration-of-old-records-into-an-emr-pm-a-plan-gone-awry?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">506e36b9-ab7e-4707-9914-617f78913457</guid>
  <title>EMR Implementation: Benefits of Getting Staff Trained on the Basics</title>
  <description><![CDATA[A Pediatric group practice decided to purchase an electronic medical record/practice management (EMR/PM) integrated system.  After an exhaustive search chose to purchase and implement an integrated EMR/PM by September of 2010. The Practice was an office structured around paper documentation which used an antiquated practice management(PM) system. that was based on a disk operating system (DOS) and so-called “dumb terminals.”  The decision makers (the practice administrator and 13 physician owners) noted that a significant implementation hurdle was the training of staff, who lacked basic computer skills.  The Practice had to decide how to best train them to successfully use a state of the art EMR/PM system.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:04:35 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/emr-implementation-benefits-of-getting-staff-trained-on-the-basics?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1e96f7b3-02dd-40ad-b69d-d0db0db6785c</guid>
  <title>Managing Hospitalist Patient Surge</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper explores the options available to Hospitalist Medicine teams to manage and deal with significant patient surge. The paper will describe options to predicate staffing needs using historical seasonal treading tools and find solutions that not only support predictive staffing models, but also contracting and patient staffing ratios. Cost comparisons are included to support the understanding of model options and critical success factors to consider when developing and managing staffing models for surge demand. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:02:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/managing-hospitalist-patient-surge?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">686132b4-df15-498e-b54e-c0d1f7e1b1e6</guid>
  <title>Applying Systems Thinking to Physician Alignment: Doing the Smart Thing and the Right Thing--Meeting the Moral Obligation to Patients, Community and Physicians</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Medical practice executives play a vital role in running a successful practice within a large healthcare system.   These executives could be faced with several difficult decisions imposed by the healthcare system regarding alignment with a physician. The focus of this paper is to examine a collaborative approach to decision making and due diligence that allows for optimal outcomes, not just from the perspective of the physician group, but also from that of hospital executives. This paper also identifies potential complexities in evaluating the hospital-physician relationship.   The research methodology used in this paper will include literature from the American Trauma Society (ATS), the American Medical Association (AMA), the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Healthbeatblog.com, and the American College of Physicians.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 20:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/applying-systems-thinking-to-physician-alignment-doing-the-smart-thing-and-the-right-thing-meeting?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6de6492f-4ae3-4c8f-a648-25a985b8d7e1</guid>
  <title>Facilitating Physician Engagement to Support Strategic Goals in a Multispecialty Medical Services Organization</title>
  <description><![CDATA[With a growing number of surgical specialties being introduced into an existing medical services organization made up predominantly of primary care providers, it was becoming a challenge to engage physicians between specialties to effectively work together to meet the challenges and the strategic goals of the organization.   ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 19:57:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/facilitating-physician-engagement-to-support-strategic-goals-in-a-multispecialty-medical-services-or?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0cd472d4-be46-45b7-bdae-3d658c5c311a</guid>
  <title>Electronic Health Record (EHR) Optimization in a Multispecialty Medical Services Organization</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study focuses on the optimization of a robust electronic health record (EHR).   The patient record through the EHR reflected a poor summary of the patient visits that were contradicting and were creating miscommunication regarding patient care between providers as well as between providers and patients.   The overall goal of this case study was to develop a plan to optimize the use of the EHR so that patients would have an accurate and comprehensive medical record.  Objectives of the case study are to outline the decision-making process and to provide insight for others facing this same challenge.  Explored are possible solutions to allow providers and office staff the training resources necessary to fully understand and optimize the EHR.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 08 Nov 2016 19:53:40 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/electronic-health-record-(ehr)-optimization-in-a-multispecialty-medical-services-organization?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a8bfe99-aae4-471a-a9e4-64b6218c768c</guid>
  <title>Management & Leadership Styles in the Medical Industry – What’s right for you?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Balancing different management and leadership styles is a struggle in any organization. In healthcare, this struggle is heightened due to the joint, or dyad, management of a practice by a physician and an administrator. In this paper the author will discuss these varying styles, how to work with others outside your own style, and the partnership between physicians and administrators in managing a medical practice. The purpose of this exploratory paper is to encourage enhanced communication and understanding of various styles of leadership and management as well as the importance of a balance between physician and administrative leadership in an effective practice. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:40:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/management-leadership-styles-in-the-medical-industry-–-what’s-right-for-you?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c27b4896-1596-4113-81cc-c81c5edb1849</guid>
  <title>ObamaCare A Retrospective.  Can It Sustain Itself?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[
This historical manuscript examines the evolution of America’s national health care program, the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare.  It researches the development of national health care from the time of Franklin D. Roosevelt through 2016 and how it has evolved over time.  Content included in this document summarizes the original goals, requirements, and key features of the Affordable Care Act.  This manuscript provides material about the long-term impact of national health care on the rising cost of health insurance along with the financial constraints being placed on consumers.  At the conclusion is an analysis about areas of the program that would seem to require further reform along with findings that support the viability of our national health care program.


This historical manuscript examines the evolution of America’s national health care program, the Affordable Care Act, better known as ObamaCare.  It researches the development of national health care from the time of Franklin D. Roosevelt through 2016 and how it has evolved over time.  Content included in this document summarizes the original goals, requirements, and key features of the Affordable Care Act.  This manuscript provides material about the long-term impact of national health care on the rising cost of health insurance along with the financial constraints being placed on consumers.  At the conclusion is an analysis about areas of the program that would seem to require further reform along with findings that support the viability of our national health care program.

]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:30:25 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/obamacare-a-retrospective-can-it-sustain-itself?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">22c8156c-e6fe-4bc0-a830-5c7a094db01f</guid>
  <title>Rural Health Clinics:  More Opportunities Then Challenges</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Rural Health Clinics are often an overlooked opportunity for healthcare providers looking to expand their market reach into outlying areas.  This manuscript provides insight into the history, programmatic set up, and opportunities that Rural Health Clinics can provide to a physician practice.  This manuscript also provides Practice Administrators practical tips for determining if a Rural Health Clinic is for them.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:06:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/rural-health-clinics-more-opportunities-then-challenges?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">299a534f-14ec-4ac8-a940-a5174379ec2a</guid>
  <title>A Retrospective Look at the Physician Practice Executive’s Role in Transitioning Providers from Paper Records to a Single EMR System</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Selecting an electronic medical record (EMR) system is a tough task for even the most seasoned Practice Administrator.  This manuscript takes a retrospective look at several health systems that have transitioned to a new EMR system.  This manuscript provides Practice Administrators a look at methods to ensure a successful transition and provides examples of obstacles to avoid during the transition.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:04:30 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/a-retrospective-look-at-the-physician-practice-executive’s-role-in-transitioning-providers-from-pape?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1df21b76-f72f-4e1a-8ffc-19a9dbe80f81</guid>
  <title>Provider Compensation:  No “One Size Fits All” Solution</title>
  <description><![CDATA[In the current world of changing reimbursement models, Practice Administrator’s face a difficult task when determining the right compensation model to select for a new provider, whether a seasoned physician or a new Advanced Practice Provider.  This manuscript looks at several case study examples where the Practice Administrator got it right and where things went wrong.  It also provides Practice Administrators a guide to consider when evaluating a new provider’s compensation model.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 21:01:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/provider-compensation-no-one-size-fits-all”-solution?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">238ce347-ea24-4107-9c24-ede72a486da9</guid>
  <title>The Evolution of Reimbursement from Volume to Value:  How does primary care succeed in this environment of uncertainty?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The history of health care legislation and the perceived intended consequences of that legislation are to provide quality health care coverage for all.  In more recent years, legislation has also included a requirement for improved patient outcomes and overall health.  There has also been acceleration in the pace of change in the reimbursement environment from volume to value in an effort to significantly improve quality outcomes and resource utilization.  The current care delivery models are still geared to maximize volume of services although there is an increasing emphasis on providing high quality of care and achieving superior clinical outcomes while simultaneously reducing costs.  Primary care providers who successfully navigate rapid transformational change will thrive in the new pay for value environment.  Also included in this paper is a review of the drivers of the change.  Medical practices that are successful in navigating the new value based requirements will be financially rewarded for the superior value delivered to their patients as well as the population they serve.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:58:31 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/the-evolution-of-reimbursement-from-volume-to-value-how-does-primary-care-succeed-in-this-environm?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">82fe9be4-97bd-4f2e-812d-0549654140cd</guid>
  <title>Improving the patient experience through implementation of a priority clinic program</title>
  <description><![CDATA[“A Priority Clinic Program (PCP) is a systematic process of observation, assessment, coaching, certification, and ongoing follow-up evaluation of medical and office support staff.  The program focuses on delivering a consistent, high quality patient experience to every patient, every time. This paper details the development, application, and evaluation of the PCP at a midsize medical clinic. The program is scalable, and as the study shows, utilization of the processes and support materials described in this paper can significantly improve the patient experience in the medical clinic, producing higher patient experience survey results.”]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:55:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/improving-the-patient-experience-through-implementation-of-a-priority-clinic-program?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">42df737f-a742-413f-a6a9-304ba599d487</guid>
  <title>An Incremental Process to Prepare for Value-Based Contracting: Implementing Medicare Annual Wellness Visits to Improve Quality & Practice Income.</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Practice managers should develop a process to implement the Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) into their current schedule for the benefit of their organization. The result of this decision will be informative patient baseline data, increased practice revenue, and improved quality metrics and patient satisfaction.  Most importantly, it will strategically position medical practices for value-based contracting which is the future of medicine. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:52:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/an-incremental-process-to-prepare-for-value-based-contracting-implementing-medicare-annual-wellness?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">086d965c-4723-4070-8654-453714a363c5</guid>
  <title>The Impact of Team Development on Customer Service </title>
  <description><![CDATA[This project was developed to evaluate current systems and most importantly to examine what team development must take place in order to begin to deliver superior customer service. Satisfied staff and customers are the basis of any successful organization, however written policies alone do not create the culture that is needed for continued success. The enclosed steps are proven lead to higher employee satisfaction rates, increased retention of employees, employee empowerment and heightened leadership capability. It is demonstrated that this translates to higher satisfaction rates for the practice.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:50:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/the-impact-of-team-development-on-customer-service?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">458aba26-c077-4f5b-a65a-f1f064026fb7</guid>
  <title>Culture Change in the Integration of Physicians and Hospitals</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Culture Change in the Integration of Physicians and Hospitals]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:45:39 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/culture-change-in-the-integration-of-physicians-and-hospitals?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">0fdde860-4639-4443-8b71-5b4070d8ab89</guid>
  <title>An Examination of the Benefits and Challenges of Healthcare Organization Acquisitions and Mergers</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This paper documents the benefits and challenges involved with health organization mergers and acquisitions. The noted benefits include increased access to resources, improved organizational stability and a broader patient referral base for the merging organizations. The challenges explored include adapting to new workplace culture, potential loss of autonomy for physicians, and various economic obstacles. The significance of each organization’s administration and management teams during a merge or acquisition is discussed, with suggestions on steps that can be taken in order to facilitate a smooth and successful consolidation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2016 20:42:14 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/an-examination-of-the-benefits-and-challenges-of-healthcare-organization-acquisitions-and-mergers?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">abd4a1db-6aee-45c0-91ff-9ca311400972</guid>
  <title>Care Coordination Teams: Are They Imperative to Achieving the Triple Aim in Healthcare?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[With the shift in healthcare moving from a fee for service to pay for performance, it is necessary for all healthcare systems to look at their current structure of providing care to patients. The questions that drive this review are simple: is individual patient and population health improving in a given service, and is the per capita cost of providing such care decreasing? Many healthcare organizations in the United States are in the midst of reviewing and executing plans to satisfactorily answer these questions. Some groups are considering an Accountable Care Organization (ACO), a Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) or other value based initiatives. In addition, many organizations also are developing care coordination teams to address the issues providers face today. This exploratory paper will investigate current methodologies being utilized to achieve the Triple Aim of healthcare, with a specific focus on care coordination teams and if this methodology embedded with these other quality initiatives described is key to meeting these goals. Studies have shown that these transition teams do support healthcare systems achieving their quality and financial goals, reducing readmission rates, decreasing duplication of services and increasing awareness from patients and family care givers to provide more effective care from home. They play an important role in the success of any quality initiative implemented within an organization and assist in achieving the triple aim of healthcare: improving population health, enhancing the patient experience, and reducing cost. Research will be primarily completed using online articles, trade journals, the MGMA Connection and ACHE Magazine, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Joint Commission and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2016 22:23:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/care-coordination-teams-are-they-imperative-to-achieving-the-triple-aim-in-healthcare?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">354524ac-e7a0-453e-ba73-d8536ff164a4</guid>
  <title>What is Care Coordination and How Does it Impact My Practice?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Coordinating care for patients has the potential to improve their health while reducing costs for a practice. This paper provides an overview of care coordination starting with definitions and a scope of potential impacts. It provides insight into how care coordination relates with newer healthcare models and with quality programs. Planning considerations and a flowchart are presented for the practice executive interested in implementing or improving their coordination efforts. This considers unique patient populations and communities as well as the practice’s goals, strategy, resources, and culture. Finally, methods of valuing a coordination program are suggested. Care coordination will look different across systems as each practice tailors their program to their distinct situations. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:08:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/what-is-care-coordination-and-how-does-it-impact-my-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e35bbd87-f7fb-43e8-b609-562188225795</guid>
  <title>Adapting to New Electronic Health Record Processes</title>
  <description><![CDATA[In 2014, the Air Force Medical Service implemented a policy across all of its military treatment facilities to start using a new electronic module in the electronic health record, called Health Artifact and Image Management System (HAIMS).  Due to initial system reliability issues, the Thomas Koritz Clinic modified their adaptation of the system to lessen negative impacts to affected staff.  Around six months later, the clinic would have to reconsider its process again to move toward a more improved end state.  This case study reflects on the importance of adaptability and gradual approaches to system implementation.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 16:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/adapting-to-new-electronic-health-record-processes?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4c3634cd-e11f-408f-bb59-0dae88e69786</guid>
  <title>Women’s Health Clinic: Balancing Organizational Priorities to Manage Access</title>
  <description><![CDATA[A small women’s health clinic at a military treatment facility experienced a sudden decrease in provider staffing, going from two to one nurse practitioner. Hiring would not be an option due to limited funding and manpower. Additionally, newly published cervical cancer screening protocols called for a change in the clinic’s overall processes. Leadership decided on a solution that would shift women’s health exams to all primary care providers to relieve patient demand on one sole provider; however, this resulted in positive and negative outcomes related to patient satisfaction, provider satisfaction, and network costs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:56:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/women’s-health-clinic-balancing-organizational-priorities-to-manage-access?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">294414e9-b8af-44e1-9a3c-e115ffa3f515</guid>
  <title>MiCare and the Importance of Sustainment Strategy</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The ability of a healthcare organization to implement a new technological platform, especially one that interfaces with both providers and patients, is a feat in and of itself; but it is another thing to be able to sustain it.  In this case study, the Thomas Koritz Clinic faced the challenge of sustaining a platform called MiCare, a patient secure messaging service.  By utilizing process improvement tools, the clinic was able to improve enrollment and reach its goal.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:53:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/micare-and-the-importance-of-sustainment-strategy?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">25cfce45-630f-4f10-b3dd-47000f8ebf4e</guid>
  <title>Patient Privacy: The Evolution of Protecting Health Information</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This professional paper takes a historical view of the roots of privacy and confidentiality in healthcare delivery through an intensive review of the relevant literature available. This paper first establishes some of the key concepts that surround patient privacy, including defining privacy, confidentiality, and security. Readers will enjoy an exploration of the beginnings of privacy and confidentiality in healthcare delivery, taking a trip through the ages to arrive in present day healthcare and the importance of patient privacy today. Lastly, readers will explore some of the future challenges to protecting patient health information in a growing digital environment. Patient privacy will forever remain a concern in the healthcare industry. Professionals working in the healthcare sector that are armed with a solid understanding of how the role of privacy has evolved over time will likely be best equipped to lead the industry into the future. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:48:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/patient-privacy-the-evolution-of-protecting-health-information?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">5b6b9c07-f77d-4c7c-9bb3-f9eac58286de</guid>
  <title>Enhancing Alignment between Physicians and Hospital Administrators  </title>
  <description><![CDATA[The working relationship between physicians and hospital administrators is unfortunately often not congruent and can even become contentious resulting in an antagonism across Healthcare Organizations (HCOs) and medical practices.  The present treatise provides a broad, literature-based, descriptive overview in an evolving historical context coupled with my own observations based on extensive professional experience and highlights the root causes of this nonalignment between these two important groups.  Further, and more importantly, this manuscript proposes a framework for short- and long-term solutions toward a more cohesive and collaborative team approach based on understanding the respective roles, strengths, and contributions of the two groups.  Akin to hospital administrators, this monograph will also provide Medical Managers with a broad perspective on the conundrum with understanding of the physicians’ stance and the importance of a much-needed symbiotic working relationship in their medical practice(s).]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 30 Aug 2016 15:46:01 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/enhancing-alignment-between-physicians-and-hospital-administrators?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">1461957c-6ad2-4e6e-a8c1-d7e96ca7b831</guid>
  <title>
Military Leadership Techniques in the Medical Practice Environment
</title>
  <description><![CDATA[	Military leaders have unique skills that are of value to medical practices.  These skills include specific planning processes that enable the military to effectively plan at any organizational level.  These processes are the troop leading procedures (TLPs) and the military decision making process (MDMP).  Each process is designed to enable leaders to make strong decisions and to lead organizations.  The TLPs are designed for small organizations whereas the MDMP is designed for larger organizations that have a support staff that can assist with the planning process.  Another skill military leaders have is that they possess immense leadership training.  These training processes enable the military to develop leaders that have helped build the world’s premier fighting force.  
While the medical practice community is not a combat force, these same techniques can assist in planning and leadership development.  These techniques are designed for military operations that exist within a constantly changing and evolving environment.  Likewise, the healthcare market is also in the midst of an era of constant change.  These techniques can enable practice managers to build strong plans, make reliable decisions, and train effective leaders resulting in a more successful medical practice.
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 26 Aug 2016 20:17:00 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/military-leadership-techniques-in-the-medical-practice-environment?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">9f513d03-d15c-4229-ac5d-7a59e4ab2269</guid>
  <title>Aligning Practice Goals with Health System Goals:
Developing a tiered accountability model and revised organizational structure


</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study focuses on the development of a new organizational structure for the largest department of the hospital, the Department of Pediatrics.  The overall goal was to foster alignment with the health system’s goals.  Objectives of the case study are to outline the process for assessing the current state and recommending and implementing the future state using a lean approach.  Outcomes include the development of a new organizational chart with structure of four service clusters, realignment of operational divisions within each cluster, and creation of a tiered accountability model incorporating a daily management system.  Included in the model are the structure of daily huddles and communications throughout Tier 1- Local Practice level, Tier 2 - Division level, Tier 3 - Cluster level, Tier 4 - Department level, and Tier 5 - Hospital Executive C-suite level.  Insights are shared regarding critical success factors, challenges with implementation, and change engagement with leaders, providers, and staff.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:17:51 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/aligning-practice-goals-with-health-system-goals-developing-a-tiered-accountability-model-and-revis?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3c610151-2aae-4cb5-a606-831ac69023ae</guid>
  <title>Decision and Transition of a Community-Based 
Emergency Department to an Urgent Care Center
</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study addresses a pediatric hospital system’s evaluation and transition of one of their community based Emergency Departments to an Urgent Care Center.  This decision was driven by competition intensifying for convenient care options in the ambulatory market and feedback escalating from families to provide more accessible, convenient, and affordable services.  Objectives of this case study are to outline the decision making process and share insights on critical success factors for implementing the transition in a short project management timeline.  Factors evaluated and addressed include a market assessment, financial modeling, organizational restructure, clinical scope and service delivery model, change engagement with leaders and staff, technology and resources required for operations, and marketing and communications plan for patients and families.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:15:22 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/decision-and-transition-of-a-community-based-emergency-department-to-an-urgent-care-center?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">e931cf74-2b18-4878-8412-e2b066f2b608</guid>
  <title>Urgent Care:  Planning a Regional Model </title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study focuses on a health system’s creation and implementation of an Urgent Care regional model.  Market changes escalated the development of a strategy with layout of a geographic plan for urgent care services in the system’s primary and secondary markets.  Objectives of this case study are to share insights on the evaluation process, analytics to support decision making, and the development of the project management plan for urgent care operations.  The plan addresses the clinical model, human resources, revenue cycle and billing, marketing and communications, facilities, legal and compliance and key factors for success.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Tue, 16 Aug 2016 20:12:43 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/urgent-care-planning-a-regional-model?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">52c0bc82-f483-4a44-ad0e-2f49b99d2b38</guid>
  <title>Succession Planning in a Single Owner Physician Practice</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study examines the process a single owner physician practice went through to prepare for the eventual retirement of its sole owner and protect against any catastrophic events. This process involved determining how the owner wanted to proceed, what he hoped to accomplish, and how he planned to execute the transition of ownership to the next owner or owners. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:59:48 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/succession-planning-in-a-single-owner-physician-practice?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">3a016919-b386-439e-b704-1d52512fe366</guid>
  <title>Decreasing Practice Expenses Through Implementation of Voice-to-Text Software</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The processes of dictation and transcription have been integral parts of the practice of pathology, among other medical specialties, since the introduction of cassette recording devices. Over the years advances in technology have modified these processes and opened the door for increased efficiencies. This case study examines one pathology groups investigation of voice-to-text solutions as a possible means of decreasing overall practice costs. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:57:47 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/decreasing-practice-expenses-through-implementation-of-voice-to-text-software?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">16d5a1e0-73c3-48f2-b988-521fe5f08de3</guid>
  <title>Telemedicine: When to embark on an alternate care delivery model?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[As healthcare continues to evolve, access to allow for the ability to manage a patient population optimally is key in the value health proposition. The ability to expand access by leveraging technology to offer virtual e-Visits is being offered sporadically across the country. As barriers such as lack of reimbursement for telemedicine encounters are no longer an issue, consumers and employers are beginning to expect virtual access and providers are exploring the operational and financial impacts of embracing.  After an exhaustive literature review and numerous personal interviews, a small study was conducted to explore MGMA member practices experience with telemedicine. While 80 percent of respondents do not currently offer telemedicine visits 46 percent indicated that they expect to offer within the next three years. For those practices who have launched virtual care, adoption of telemedicine was not found to cannibalize office volume which is often a concern. However, from a financial perspective telemedicine continued to be a loss leader. While this may be a result of slow adoption, we may need to look at the investment from a broader perspective as it relates to increased touch points with the patient and augmenting the value-based population health platform.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:55:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/telemedicine-when-to-embark-on-an-alternate-care-delivery-model?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">58c712a2-1f44-4883-b65a-4f6032592e63</guid>
  <title>Political Influence:  Why and How Healthcare Leaders Must Get Involved</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Advocating for positive change is an important part of being a healthcare leader.  Oftentimes, this means being an advocate within the political sphere.  Unfortunately, many players within the healthcare industry are reluctant to get involved in politics.  Although the process may feel unnatural at first, proper preparation and practice can help one feel comfortable in this essential role.  With the right knowledge and tools, any healthcare leader can and should use his or her power and position to influence change.  This paper informs the reader about the history of advocacy and lobbying in the United States and provides important background information needed to be an effective advocate.  Additionally, the writer reviews multiple strategies and provides important details to help leaders in healthcare gain proficiency in the role of policy influencer.  The author gleaned all information in this paper through research from professional journals, textbooks, and resources obtained from professional organizations.  Information from personal interviews add to the depth of this paper’s content.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 12 Aug 2016 17:52:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/political-influence-why-and-how-healthcare-leaders-must-get-involved?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d2f56c37-a4a1-4f3d-9121-5acffddee230</guid>
  <title>Positioning a Sub-Specialty Anatomic Pathology Practice Following the Sunset of the “Technical Component Grandfather Clause”</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The “Technical Component Grandfather Clause” was a part of Medicare billing policy that allowed pathology groups to bill Medicare directly, rather than a referring hospital, for the technical component services which they performed in their laboratories. This was policy was repealed in 2012, requiring the groups to bill the referring hospitals, changing the revenue cycle on Medicare claims as well as the relationship between the hospital and the pathology group. This case study examines how one pathology group approached both the financial and client relations implications of this change. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Thu, 11 Aug 2016 22:52:10 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/positioning-a-sub-specialty-anatomic-pathology-practice-following-the-sunset-of-the-technical-compo?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4869e02c-8d35-4e79-97a4-6ed864152cdc</guid>
  <title>Clinical Integration, A Roadmap to the Future?</title>
  <description><![CDATA[As the healthcare environment changes with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act through consolidation in the market and a higher focus on value or quality, physicians need to explore additional alternatives to contract with employers and insurance companies to address their concerns of cost, quality and value.  Clinically Integrated Networks can being used as a mechanism for independent physician groups and hospital employed physicians to work together to address the needs of employers and insurance companies in a compliant manner.  Clinical integration may offer opportunities for unrelated physician groups, hospitals and other entities to work together to provide comprehensive coverage for an entire market and to provide a higher quality of healthcare that employers, insurers and patients will deem valuable.  The following major topics related to Clinical Integration are discussed:

1.	Legal Considerations
2.	Federal Guidance
3.	Key Components 
4.	A comparison of Clinical Integration to ACOs, PCMHs, PHOs and IPAs 
5.	Reasons to Consider Clinical Integration
6.	Who benefits from Clinical Integration
7.	Steps to developing a Clinically Integrated Network
]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2016 20:12:24 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/clinical-integration-a-roadmap-to-the-future?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">63d7e4b6-1e38-46de-bb13-c798bde7a30f</guid>
  <title>Linking Physician Compensation to Reimbursement - Jeffry S. Sears, MBA, FACMPE, CMA, CFM</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Examines the relationship between total payments and the number of unique patients seen, charges, volume, and work RVUs.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2016 20:09:36 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/linking-physician-compensation-to-reimbursement-in-an-environment-of-evolving-reimbursement-methodol?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">398d9faf-b603-4df9-8074-efda8d1ba741</guid>
  <title>Improving Profit Through Operational Process Analysis in the Medical Office Setting</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Healthcare is a complicated industry with many moving parts.  In order to assess practice performance, it is vital to review all aspects of the practice operation including front office, back office and patient care activities.  By developing expectations and measurement tools, this practice was able to make substantive changes that will add value to the clinical operation.  Due to recent changes in the healthcare environment, it is important for all members of the practice to be engaged in cost control and revenue optimization.  By utilizing the lessons learned from this practice and the tools developed, medical practice executives will be able to examine their own practices for areas of improvement. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2016 19:01:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/improving-profit-through-operational-process-analysis-in-the-medical-office-setting?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">98b6304d-85ae-4191-bd8e-27ef3e4ee2ab</guid>
  <title>Mergers and Acquisitions in Healthcare: The current trend and how a physician organization can be prepared</title>
  <description><![CDATA[With a constant flow of consolidation in the health care industry, it is important to be prepared in the event that an organization is involved in this type of transaction.  This paper provides a review of the changes in healthcare, the current climate and identifies areas for the practice executive to focus in preparation for a merger or acquisition. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 01 Aug 2016 18:57:41 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/mergers-and-acquisitions-in-healthcare-the-current-trend-and-how-a-physician-organization-can-be-pr?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7ca9eae8-ace0-4842-88bf-bb81fbe87186</guid>
  <title>Referral Management through the Eyes of the Patient</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Referral management serves an important role in the delivery of patient care.  When done well, care is delivered in a timely, accurate, efficient, and well-coordinated manner.  When not done well, there may be waste in the system in the form of unnecessary delays, fragmented care, duplication of services, or insurance denials. This case study follows a multi-specialty medical group’s examination of the referral process shortly after the conversion to an electronic medical record and the journey of continual process improvement that followed.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 22:12:21 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/referral-management-through-the-eyes-of-the-patient?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4bacd1c9-7153-4ef4-91d2-d2f9b890e058</guid>
  <title>Finding Common Ground in Values</title>
  <description><![CDATA[ Finding common ground in values can be extremely powerful.  Whether working on teambuilding and employee engagement within an individual practice setting or working on strategy at a health system level, values are grounding. They can unite a group and they can serve as a roadmap for success.  This case study explores the process to create alignment of values between a large hospital owned medical group and its tertiary hospital.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 22:05:59 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/finding-common-ground-in-values?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">99a09b7f-22aa-4d55-8900-7b99652f0224</guid>
  <title>Back to the Basics –
Achieving a Culture of Service Excellence
</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Establishing a culture of service excellence is critical to success in today’s healthcare environment. It brings focus to the core business of genuine caring and kindness and to establishing partnerships with patients and their families that are built on trust and mutual respect.  This case study explores a large multi-specialty medical group’s introspective examination of service and their journey to excellence. ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:59:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/back-to-the-basics-–-achieving-a-culture-of-service-excellence?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">92159801-0d9b-4db7-aeb8-7fde69f68f4c</guid>
  <title>Safeguarding Financial Viability While Transitioning to a Quality Based Payment Environment</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study reviews the journey of a small rural primary care practice in preparing for a pay for performance environment.  Their experience as a multi-payer advanced primary care practice in a patient centered medical home pilot environment is recounted.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:56:05 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/safeguarding-financial-viability-while-transitioning-to-a-quality-based-payment-environment?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">182c72a9-efb2-4243-9b8d-3739429c7b5e</guid>
  <title>Preparing Two Distinctly Different Family Medicine Practices for Merger</title>
  <description><![CDATA[In this case study you will learn about the path one manager followed to accomplish the merger of two family medicine practices.  It highlights the successes and outlines the challenges faced during this process and provides insight to the reader when considering a practice merger.  ]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:53:45 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/preparing-two-distinctly-different-family-medicine-practices-for-merger?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">cc4d3936-be4f-4dde-9b21-30a06ce44d6b</guid>
  <title>Influencing 30 Day Readmission Rates through Improved Care Transitions</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study discusses the value of improved care transitions through enhanced collaboration with all members of the care team.  It outlines the process one primary care practice used to improve their patients’ health by integrating many areas of health care to support strong transitions for their patients from the hospital setting to home and other facilities]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:51:28 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/influencing-30-day-readmission-rates-through-improved-care-transitions?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">22676741-48cf-4597-901e-8c296355f518</guid>
  <title>The IHI Triple Aim Journey</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this exploratory paper is to give practice administrators the ability to evaluate and potentially overhaul their organization’s healthcare performance by implementing the Institute for Healthcare Improvement’s (IHI) Triple Aim initiative. This framework and system of tools was created in an attempt to improve patient care and their corresponding outcomes within healthcare organizations. By reviewing the Triple Aim’s historical background and its three core components, practice administrators can review several case studies and start to consider implementing this framework within their own practice.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:46:20 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/the-ihi-triple-aim-journey?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">874b71ae-ecdc-4896-9d3c-7f260f2b2306</guid>
  <title>Physicians as Employees: Fostering Physician Engagement</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Due to the rapidly evolving and increasingly complex landscape of the health care environment, more physicians are opting for health system employment versus the traditional private practice model than at any other time in history.  This shift in employment and governance presents real challenges in building and maintaining physician engagement.  This paper seeks to offer a framework for fostering engagement of employed physicians.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:42:27 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/physicians-as-employees-fostering-physician-engagement?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c9b9c4f9-aa63-4124-89b8-a7995289bfba</guid>
  <title>Teaching Obstetrics and Gynecology Residents Practice Management Knowledge and Skills</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The majority of physicians entering practice report that they are unprepared for the business challenges and issues that arise after leaving residency. Currently no standard approach exists to teach the business of practice management to physicians-in-training, or to obstetrical and gynecological residents, specifically. Little has been published about the best methods to use to teach residents in training the important aspects of practice management. A new practice management curriculum for obstetric and gynecologic residents would better prepare them to enter medical practice. This exploratory paper recommends a modular curriculum to educate residents in the important practice management principles in the broad topic areas of finance, practice operations and recruitment and practice these skills utilizing real-life scenarios, while still in training. A modular curriculum, made available during all four years of the residency for reference and review, will assist the graduating resident to negotiate an employment contract, understand the regulatory environment, timely obtain licensing and credentialing, properly document in the medical record and bill and code for professional services. All obstetrics and gynecology residency programs can improve the preparation of residents entering medical practice by partnering with administrative healthcare professionals to implement a focused practice management curriculum.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 29 Jul 2016 21:33:16 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2016/teaching-obgyn-residents-practice-management-skills?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4a4a10ad-ba3d-43ca-9721-904a0a7c26ef</guid>
  <title>Industry Changes Necessitating a Change in Medical Practice Staffing Models</title>
  <description><![CDATA[In response to the changes occurring in the healthcare industry, Medical Practices are being required to think differently about how they can maximize operating margins via changes to the staffing model used within their clinics. This paper explores the application of a variable staffing model that has been in use within acute care facilities for many years. Examples are provided that demonstrate how to leverage visit volume data and create a flexible model that balances the workload of staff across all shifts in alignment to the volumes experienced by hour and by day of the week. It also includes examples from other healthcare systems that have applied this model and have seen the staff satisfaction improvements and financial savings that are required to thrive during changing times.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Fri, 15 Jul 2016 16:12:38 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/industry-changes-necessitating-a-change-in-medical-practice-staffing-models?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">6ea321fe-e862-4aa6-b26c-81746dd1e223</guid>
  <title>Workplace Violence: The Aftermath and The Process of Making Hiring Decisions</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The looming question of how to conduct a medical practice efficiently with the same overhead, but with less physician income, while incurring more expenses is addressed in this case study. An act of violence in the workplace could leave the practice with less physician income but the same amount of expenses, how will a practice stay afloat? This case study will address what one particular practice did in this situation. For example when the loss of two physicians occur as a result of workplace violence replacing them must be addressed. A contingency plan should be put in place now to be prepared for when an incident such as this occurs.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:33:58 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/workplace-violence-the-aftermath-and-the-process-of-making-hiring-decisions?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4ebf35ad-ae7b-48de-b9e6-68038da6e0cf</guid>
  <title>Death in a Medical Office Losing Board President to Workplace Violence</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study discusses the process a board of physicians went through to replace one of the most valued members of the board; the President. It goes into the reasons key positions are necessary to keep operations moving forward. This case study visits the pros and cons of whether filling the vacant President position was necessary and the pros and cons of each board member that was considered for the position. Lastly, it goes over lessons learned and plans managers, administrators, and board members need to think of and address prior to an act of violence in the workplace.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:30:49 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/death-in-a-medical-office-losing-board-president-to-workplace-violence?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">4f4b6396-e554-47dd-809b-d9725d69bf8a</guid>
  <title>Dealing with Media after a Workplace Violence Incident “To Talk or Not to Talk”</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The decision to release a statement to the press after a workplace violence incident, or to remain silent and allow the police to address the media, is what this case study addresses. It goes over the benefits and pitfalls of releasing a statement from the medical practice verses allowing the police to handle it. Staff and patients that have encountered an act of violence in the workplace can be deeply affected by social media and the comments made whether they are negative or positive. The media can be a hindrance or a tool to express what is important to the practice. Policies and procedures are necessary to enable staff and physicians when dealing with the media.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:28:15 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/dealing-with-media-after-a-workplace-violence-incident-to-talk-or-not-to-talk”?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ca0268bc-ad59-43e7-9c07-c7a467058fe8</guid>
  <title>Improving Patient Access and Office Efficiency to Improve Population Health Pay-For-Performance Indicators</title>
  <description><![CDATA[With more insured patients entering the healthcare market due to the Affordable Care Act of 2010, the aging population and the shortage of primary care physicians, patient access to primary care services has become an acute problem across the country. In addition, with the shift to value-based reimbursement, providers are being measured on quality initiatives including patient access to care. Thus, providers are having a difficult time finding the capacity in their schedules to see patients with acute and chronic illnesses and experiencing even greater difficulty accommodating preventive health screenings. This exploratory paper answers the question: Can improving patient access to primary care and maximizing efficiencies in the physician office lead to improved population health as measured by pay-for-performance indicators in a Southern California multi-specialty medical group?]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 11 Jul 2016 19:23:44 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/improving-patient-access-and-office-efficiency-to-improve-population-health-pay-for-performance-indi?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">7f5c2014-e9f6-4a56-9e0b-9de8debe23c2</guid>
  <title>Understanding Barriers to Physician Engagement: Learning from Other Industries</title>
  <description><![CDATA[Physicians are key stakeholders in healthcare systems whose engagement is critical to the success of change initiatives yet who have been challenging to motivate and secure their commitment when developing clinical process improvement programs. The environment of healthcare has changed significantly over the past several decades. It has moved from a one-on-one interaction in small or solo practice to one that requires integration with computerized systems and multi-disciplinary teams. This change reflects a substantial transformation of the care delivery model. To accomplish this, key stakeholder involvement is essential. Physicians are identified as the leader on healthcare teams and fill a key role in the transformative change that must occur. However, engaging this stakeholder group has proved to be challenging. Review of the barriers to engaging this group will help leadership understand their unique role in change initiatives and develop strategies to enlist their talents in the transformation. This paper briefly provides an introduction to the recent changes in the healthcare environment defining change, the physician’s role on the care team and the expectations in the emerging system. It then reviews the barriers to engaging physicians to participate in the assessment and creation of a new model of care.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 21:41:26 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/understanding-barriers-to-physician-engagement-learning-from-other-industries?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">d5fc23b2-8a44-4048-b302-ef7027fbd314</guid>
  <title>Evaluating the Compliance Effectiveness of a Third-Party Medical Billing Company (TPMBC)</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this paper is to explore what guidance and tools are available for a medical billing company to evaluate the effectiveness of their compliance program.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:27:29 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/evaluating-the-compliance-effectiveness-of-a-third-party-medical-billing-company-(tpmbc)?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">dd27e72f-b1ad-4569-aed1-2f2851c2a361</guid>
  <title>Understanding Finances in a Service Line Model</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The purpose of this paper is to educate practice administrators on service line models and how to financially manage these models. The areas of financial management to be reviewed are financial statements, financial metrics, cost allocation models, budgets, and reporting. At the conclusion of this paper, the practice administrator should be able to define what is a Service Line, describe the internal and external forces that are driving hospitals and group practices to embrace the service line model, identify financial management tools that can assist in supporting Operations staff successfully manage service lines, develop Service Line budgets, and monitor Service Line performance via reports.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:21:11 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/understanding-finances-in-a-service-line-model?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">c5f25e0c-06f1-44b7-b309-6264ed4e6a82</guid>
  <title>Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program</title>
  <description><![CDATA[The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services are forcing the hands of hospital systems to address hospital readmission rates by penalizing all DRG payments. The Affordable Care Act via programs such as, the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program (HRRP) is reinventing the payment model by shifting it from a fee-for-service plan to a value-based reimbursement model. The importance of ambulatory management understanding historical hospital issues is at an all-time high with the future of bundled payments for episodes of care. Strategies for reducing readmissions like increased communication, an electronic medical record, clinical integration, transitions in care, and identifying the high-risk patients all provide additional data points for measuring the quality of care. The organizations that capture the data and use it to drive process improvement will be able to achieve greater economic success in the future payment models. Data itself, whether via an integrated electronic health records, personal health recording, or other technology will soon be, if it is not already, the currency of healthcare.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:16:50 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/hospital-readmissions-reduction-program?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
</item><item>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">39321bad-0600-4dd1-9bc1-73e533eb6d3f</guid>
  <title>Embedding Integrated Behavioral Health Care into a Multi-Disciplinary Practice Environment</title>
  <description><![CDATA[This case study addresses how a primary care and specialty care practice managed the growing need for mental and behavioral health services in their community. A steady decline of available mental and behavioral health providers pushed these practices to create a program that specifically addresses how to successfully embed these services in their practices.]]></description>
  <pubDate>Mon, 27 Jun 2016 17:13:08 GMT</pubDate>
  <link>https://www.mgma.com/practice-resources/articles/fellow-papers/2015/embedding-integrated-behavioral-health-care-into-a-multi-disciplinary-practice-environment?feed=bf94c0a2-ad70-45a9-85c9-b2c74b9ab2e7</link>
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