Judy Bee

The author, a practice management consultant with Practice Performance Group in La Jolla, CA, is an editorial consultant to Medical Economics.

Is it safe to have my office staff pay my practice's bills online?

In a large medical practice, who typically fills out disability and Family Medical Leave Act forms for a patient?

I have a patient with a high-deductible plan who doesn't want to pay for his visits. I've sent certified letters to dismiss him, but he doesn't accept the letters.

We are a 35-year-old group of six, and one member who has been in the group for 18 years isn't pulling his load in patient production, time, and fees.

When is the right time to refer an account to a collections agency? Generally, is referring accounts to a collections agency worth the time, expense, and effort?

If you're not, your office could be leaking money. We tell you how to do a spot check.

Concerned about declining collections? Cutting overhead isn't necessarily the best response.

Certain phrases can quickly anger or annoy. Here are some hot buttons you and your staff should avoid pushing.