Healthcare Reform

The world of healthcare delivery is soon to change. The question is, will the changes made be for the better or for the worse? Unfortunately, as physicians, it will no longer be possible to put your head and in the sand or to close your eyes, fingers in ears, and chant "na na na na na" to cancel out this looming reality. Time to face the inevitable.... the freight train is on its way.

The United States of America still offers the best healthcare in the world. (For those who can afford it.) Unfortunately, for a great many, those who can afford it are decreasing in number due to job loss, benefit cuts, etc., due to the economic crisis in the workplace. Up until now, Medicaid and Medicare have been holding afloat those who are too old to work, and the more financially destitute. (though I do hold the belief that what really needs to happen in this country is Medicaid reform.... there are far more incentives for able-bodied people to remain in the Medicaid system, in addition to receiving government hand-outs in general such as food stamps, etc., than there are incentives for people to be self-sufficient. But that's another topic for debate....) As physicians, you know reimbursement from Medicaid and Medicare at present is very poor, at best. Which begs the question -- as a physician, who is already struggling to keep his own business afloat -- what will happen when the majority of patients you service carry a government-backed insurance plan with payment schedules similar to those of Medicaid and Medicare of today? Scary thought, I know.... Think this new healthcare reform won't affect your bottom line or the way you do business?? Think again.

Outside of lobbying your representatives in Congress with a better solution, there is little more any of us can do to stop this freight train.... the power is at the top, and unless you fight to make your ideas and opinions heard, change is coming......and you had better be prepared, because it may be a change you haven't foreseen. There is talk of requiring all medical providers to disclose confidential patient health information to a single government database -- a VERY scary thought. Makes you wonder if this will be the means for a more sinister motive -- like the government deciding who they will allow you to treat, and who they will not. (Akin of the government deciding whose life is valuable, and whose is not?) Sounds a little Hitler-esque, doesn't it?? Socialized medicine is on its way, and "Big Brother" will be in control, unless physicians speak out and fight back. If you look at socialized medicine in Canada and other European countries, and how THAT is working out (not well!!), you will see the danger a socialized healthcare system in America will bring. We will lose all that has made healthcare in America the greatest in the world! And you, dear physician, as will all of us, will find yourself in a healthcare world you no longer recognize.

So gather together, healers of this country, and wield YOUR power! Speak up now, or forever hold your peace.....

All that glitters is not gold...

You've heard the euphemism "all that glitters is not gold"? This especially applies to a physician's practice. Your office is clean and presentable -- maybe even stylish and upscale. You've invested in state-of-the-art equipment that would impress anyone. You've got a pretty, young receptionist at the check-in desk for that great first impression -- who is more interested in checking her cell for her latest text messages than servicing the patient waiting at the desk in front of her -- who has difficulty speaking with proper grammar -- who is unskilled in common phone etiquette (who often comes off to the patients as being rude) -- who settles for the minimal wage you are paying her because she can -- (she's still living with mom and dad). You've got an even prettier nurse in the back office whom you got for a steal -- a recent graduate from a local technical school (at least that's what she told you in her interview -- her clinical knowledge is if-y, at best) -- who cannot seem to prioritize what's really important and what can wait (the patient who called complaining of chest pain is still waiting for her return call two days later) -- who appears to have difficulty distinguishing between the compact she keeps in her pocket and a pack of birth control pills (but she sure looks nice!)

Obviously I am pulling your chain here -- but you get the idea. While the outward appearance of your office is important to the patients who are your customers, one of the best investments you can make for your practice is a good staff. Where cost containment is everything nowadays for a practice to prosper, it is tempting to hire a staff that will take a smaller piece of your pie . Unfortunately, however, if you give in to this temptation, you may be cutting off your nose to spite your face! An unmotivated employee (one who is not paid fairly or who is underpaid for the work they do), or even worse, an inept employee, will LOSE you money in the long run. Remember where your bread is buttered -- your success will come from satisfied patients. A satisfied patient is a loyal patient. A satisfied patient refers other patients! The quality of your staff is the one expense on which you cannot afford to cut corners. Take the time and the money to invest wisely! (Your investment will pay for itself a hundred-fold over the long run.)

Face Your Fears

Life has two rules:



RULE #1 Never quit!



RULE #2 Always remember RULE #1 ! (Duke Ellington)



If you see your method of operation is not working, do not give up, give in and choose to simply acquiesce to the status quo -- if you do, you can expect your outcomes to remain the same, too.

Work to change things! Be determined to be brave and to take risks -- think outside of the box! -- most importantly, do not quit until you've found a way to improve. When you think you've found your solution, don't stop there!.....There will always be room for change and improvement. Business (as is life) is not static, but dynamic.

Learn to prefer the roller-coaster to the merry-go-round -- you will find the ride to be much more exhilarating, memorable, and most notably, successful!

Calling all physicians...

With the looming financial crisis over your head, what's a doctor to do? It's time to take action and think outside of the box -- it is what will be required in order for your practice to thrive in these economically ominous times.

As a former practice manager, it became apparent to me that something was going to have to change with the way doctors do business in order for their practices to survive and thrive in this world economy -- especially those physicians who prefer to remain working in smaller, private practices rather than in larger or hospital-owned practices.

Physicians are having to work longer and harder to stay afloat in smaller practices -- and yes, we're talking MONEY here!. Naturally, when money gets tight, physicians do their best to juggle their finances -- often cutting corners to keep up with the financial obligations their practices demand. However, (and unfortunately), sometimes physicians have a difficult time seeing the forest for the trees, and they cut corners too much or in areas where they shouldn't -- leaving their practices vulnerable, and in the end, worse off.

I have created this blog to help you, the physician -- by giving you common sense solutions and tools to help you be the successful businessman you want and deserve to be.