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Issue 6  -  June 1, 1999
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PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS...

�The Internet & Practice Management."

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>From the author of "Collections Made Easy!�
Online  http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice/courtesy.html
Main Page  http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice
Information: [email protected]
Subscribe [email protected]
Unscribe. [email protected]
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FOR YOUR INFORMATION
CONSULTING & MY NEW BOOK

The second edition of my best selling tutorial �Collections Made Easy! is now availble from PMIC at 1-800-MED-SHOP.  If you are
interested in maximizing your cash flow, collecting past accounts and
building a reliable patient relations management routine I am available for on-site evaluations.

For more information contact
Mr. Michael J. Berry,
Consultant & Author
at 219-583-4234 or email at   [email protected]

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NEW!      PRACTICE GUARDIAN REVIEWS

Informative product and service reviews with added discounts and practice incentives from healthcare�s best. Keep updated on the latest 1999 internet technology - claims filing, coding, fax by email, transcription, association updates-Subscribe today to Practice Guardian  Reviews! $50   (Includes Updates)

ORDER DIRECTLY BY FAX AND BE BILLED AT
219-583-3015
ALTERNATE  219-965-2122

ORDER FROM THE WEB SITE!            http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice/order.html


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INDEX

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TOP WWW. SITES
      Practice Management Sites
      MD Sites
      Dental Sites
      Healthcare Sites
TOP CHOICE REVIEWS....
      Hospital Accounts Receivable Analysis Report (HARA)
      Envoy Corporation
      Hospital Pharmacy Data Quarterly (HPDQ)
      Worldewide Dictation Service
TOP PRODUCT & SERVICES
RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)
EDITORIAL INFORMATION

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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SITES

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Official  U.S. Government Site for Medicare Information.
http://www.Medicare.gov
Email  [email protected]

United States Government Site.  Medicare regulations, advice,  and forms.. Keep updated with Medicare regulations and reimbursement issues. *****************************************************************

HCFA Paper Forms & Instruction
http://www.hcfa.gov/medicare/edi/edi5.htm
Health Care Finance Administration
Email  [email protected]

United States Government Site.  On line Instruction, updates and HCFA forms available from the Health Care Financing Administration.  A must for any practice or health system.

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MEDICAL SITES

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InfoMedical.com
http://InfoMedical.com

Medical business search engine.  Highlights companies, distributors, products and services in addition to quick reference resources.  Top choice for the healthcare practitioner or professional.

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Mediplaza.com
http://www.mediplaza.com

Excellent medical information network and community.  Features a wide range of resources, learning programs, clinical trials and forums.
Highlights hospital, physician,medical and association information
pages.  A must on your next internet journey.

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HEALTHCARE SITE

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Encyclopaedia Brittanica Health Care Reviews
http://www.eblast.com/health/index.html

Top rated site with reviews on practice management for healthcare
professionals. Just type in coding or any other management term to
directly access the database.  Excellent resource tool for the medical or dental professional.

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DENTAL SITES

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Delta Dental Plan of Massachusetts
http://www.deltamass.com

Top rated insurer of group dental benefits.  Offers a wide range of services and plans for companies from 5 to 30,000 employees. Excellent
site with a lot to offer the practitioner and consumer.

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Dental World
http://www.gbsystems.com

Top rated dental community.  Features scientific articles, forums, products and services and a wide range of resources for the dental professional.  Bilingual site available in english and spanish.

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TOP CHOICE REVIEWS

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TOP CHOICE
Hospital Accounts Receivable Analysis Report (HARA) -
Aspen Publishing
http://www.aspenpublishers.com

Hospital Accounts Receivable Analysis (HARA) is a quarterly synopsis of benchmarking data examining hospital receivables and financial indicators. Each issue, data is broken down by region, hospital size, and community population and trends are identified and discussed using easy to read charts and text. Industry experts interpret the statistics and forecast future trends. HARA is a unique industry standard used by top consultants and Patient Account Managers across the country. Each issue is approximately 60 pages long, and a four issue subscription costs $440. To
subscribe, call Aspen Publishers at 1-800-638-8437.
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TOP CHOICE
Envoy Corporation
http://www.envoy.com

Cash flow is the financial heart beat to any health care practitioner, hospital, or health system.  In today's practice, effective and reliable electronic claims processing  often determines the amount of financial success you will achieve.

ENVOY with fast and accurate EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) technology stands alone as the number one commerical claims clearinghouse in health care. It could be one of your wisest business decisions this year.

ENVOY processed almost one billion health care transactions last year. It's multi-system links 300,000 medical and dental providers, 600 authorized EDI service vendors and 780 payers. The system is easy to use, designed to support your existing computer and all practice needs. All claims are checked for accuracy insuring your claim will be processed in the shortest period of time.

Networking with practice management vendors is one of ENVOY strongest assets.  It's comprehesive payor support program not only provides training but keeps you aware of which payers are accepting electronic claims. This can drastically reduce the amount of time from filing to received payment.

Envoy online web site is functional, educational and a solid resource for all health care professionals.  It has direct online links to Express Bill Electronic Data Transfer and monthly statement mailing services, The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act resources, payor lists with available downloads in .doc, .zip or PDF formats, and the new USA Healthnet internet access services.

The online product and services information available is quite impressive.  ENVOY offers informative information on Batch Claims, ENline� Products, Interactive Medicare Inquiry, Eligibility, Electronic Remittances, 72-hour Conflict Check , Encounters , VeriQuest Eligibility , Patient Statements,Referrals, Medicare Supplemental Billing ,and Credit Cards & Checks services.

Even if you are just browsing on the internet, a twenty four hour a day live cam is available with scenic scenes from Scottsdale, Arizona.

In all, Envoy has an easy to use effective system to put cashflow back into your accounts payable even if you are only filing twenty claims per month.  For more information call 1-800-366-5716 or visit their website at:

http://www.envoy.com

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TOP CHOICE
Hospital Pharmacy Data Quarterly (HPDQ)
Aspen Publishing
http://www.aspenpublishers.com

Hospital Pharmacy Data Quarterly (HPDQ) is a unique financial benchmarking publication for hospital based pharmacies. Each 60 page issue provides data on staffing, drug expense, salaries, efficiency and more, displayed in easy to understand tables and discussed in plain English text. Experts such as Consulting Editor Douglas Wong interpret the data, identify trends and forecast future performance. A four issue subscription costs $225. To subscribe, call Aspen Publishers at 1-800-638-8437
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TOP CHOICE
World Wide Dictation
http://www.worldwidedictation.com.

If you are looking for letter perfect dictation, efficiency, faster turnaround and 30 years of medical transcription experience family owned World Wide Dictation might be one of your wisest internet decisions this year.

Accuracy, dependability, and minimal editing are keys to quality dictation. World Wide Dictation takes pride in its reputation by only employing themost experienced transcriptionists. Time is money and experience can create
significant savings.

The service highlights a toll free number, 24 hours a day/7 days a week access, 24 hour turnaround time.  Documents can be retrieved from their secure Website.  Fax, Overnight mail and regular mail delivery also available and you can use any telephone to dictate. No additional equipment is needed.

The digital dictation system is easy to use with all of the features of a hand held tape device, allowing the user to record, save, rewind, play, pause, fast forward, begin or end a file, insert or delete dictation all at the touch of a button. Documents posted on their secure website remain for one year.  After that documents are stored at World Wide Dictation for five years.

Your documents are secure.  World Wide Dictation maintains it's own secure web server.  In order to access your documents from the internet you must first obtain a pin number, user name and member password.

World Wide Dictation offers two competitive pricing programs for medical and dental professionals. 24 hour turnaround time service is offered at just $2.80 per hundred words.  Three to four day turn around time is only 17 cents a line.  World Wide Dictation does not like to use page rates.  Most companies charge you for 2 full pages if a document is only 1 and 1/2 pages. At World Wide you are only billed for what is typed.

There is no minimum amount of dictation required and no set up fees.  The owners of World Wide Dictation know that once you try the system you will continue to use it.  Sign up is easy and they accept all major credit cards.

Testing the system is free.  Just call World Wide Dictation/Communications at 1-800-442-5993 or visit their web page at

http://www.worldwidedictation.com

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TOP PRODUCTS & SERVICES

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PLEASE BE ADVISED.......

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My site has moved to http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice temporarily until my new domain is completed. If you are looking for a quick benchmark fee (md and dds) the site will help. It also contains a wide range of articles and management information. All 1999 products and services reviews are now available for $50 by email. Keep updated on the latest internet technology - claims filing, coding, fax by email, transcription, association updates etc.

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A.D.I. -Medical - O.S.O.M  Strep A Test

It's that time of year again. Strep throat season is in full swing.� Group A Streptococcus is one of the most important causes of acute upper respiratory tract infection.� As with any illness, early diagnosis and treatment is a must in order to reduce the severity of symptoms and further complications for the patient.� For physicians, conventional identification procedures for Group A from throat swabs involved the isolation and subsequent identification of viable pathogens by techniques that require 24 to 48 hours or longer. Not any more.� Introducing the new O.S.O.M. Strep A test, which detects either viable or nonviable organisms directly from throat swabs, providing results within 5 minutes.� With ratings of 96% for sensitivity and 98% specificity, this test is very accurate.� As a CLIA '88 Waived test, it can be used in any practice.� With its convenient compact packaging allowing you to run 50 tests, including +/- controls and a built in workstation, room temperature sto!
rage and a two color test results, this Strep A rapid test is a must!� And for P.G.N.viewers, this kit is discounted to $90 per kit (only $1.80 per test!).� For more information, please visit http://www.adi-medical.com� To receive your discounted rate, please order on-line at

https://www.adi-medical.com/Secure/order_online_pgn.htm
or call 1-800-730-0018 and ask for Tom Tullio (mention this ad.)

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Software 602 Pro-PC Suite
Free Trial

Software602 launched the 602Pro PC SUITE, the first fully Internet
downloadable office suite. This 14 MB integrated office suite is compatible with Microsoft Office documents and designed for computers running Windows 95/98/NT. This suite allows easy creation of documents, spreadsheets, graphs, and labels. It costs only $49.95 and you can check out a free trial  at: http://www.602pro.com/propc/index.html

Additional information is available toll-free  at 1- 888-468-6602.


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CRITICAL CARE SYSTEMS

http://members.aol.com/jeffmarx/CCS/info.html

Universal Vital Signs Interface Box automatically collects and deciphers data from a variety of bedside monitoring instruments made by various manufacturers(invasive and non-invasive cardiac monitors, respirators, infusion pumps,etc.)  Delivers data to hospital information systems (its own PC software or software already in use).  Has FDA approval to market.  Company is in financial distress, looking to sell its technology (and engineer) to a major player.

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The World Medical Games.
http://www.blmg.com/wmg.html

If you are a doctor, surgeon, specialist, or physical therapist, and a
sporting enthusiast, you will want to know about the World Medical Games.  The World Medical Games is the premier Olympic-style amateur sporting event for medical professionals where more than 2000 medical professionals from 33 countries compete in 24 sports including judo, cycling, golf, tennis, basketball and more. The 20th World Medical Games will be held June 26 -July 3, 1999, in magnificent St. Tropez, France. Take your family , compete in your favorite sport  and attend a medical symposium there!  For more information call 410-433-8090/FAX 410-433-8087 or visit our web site at

http://www.blmg.com/wmg.html

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RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS

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�Northwest Physician Magazine�
Published Monthly
Questions Contact
Editor: Ms. Debbie Baldwin
1-800-697-6241
Yearly Subscription:
Focus Point- Practice Management
& Physician issues.

�The Health Care Collector�
Published  Monthly by:
Aspen  Publishers
Questions contact:
Editor,
414-796-1380
FAX  414-796-1552
205 Bishop�s Way
Brookfield, Wisconsin 53005
Yearly Subscription:   $197
Focus Point:    Collections

�The Credit Connection�
Published Quarterly by:
Wisconsin Clinic Credit  Managers
Association (WCCMA)
Questions Contact:
Support Services - Deen Clinic
Ms. Teresa Addison, Editor
608-250-1121
1808 W. Beltline Highway
Madison, Wisconsin 53725
Yearly Subscription:  $35
Focus Point:  Medical Collections, Accounts
Receivables, Federal & State Regulations.


�American Medical News�
  Published weekly by:
American Medical Association (A.M.A.)
Questions contact:
A.M.News Staff
312-464-4429
515 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
Yearly Subscription:
(Free with AMA Membership)
Focus Point:  All Medical/Socioecomonic
Issues.

�Physican�s Marketing & Management�
Published monthly by:
American Health Consultants Inc.
Questions contact:
Managing Editor, 404-282-7436
3525 Piedmont Road N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30305
Yearly Subscription
Focus Point:   Medical Management

�In Confidence�
Published Bimonthly by:
American Health Information
Management Association   (AHIMA)
Questions contact:
Ms. Jennifer Carpenter. RRA
Professional Practice
312-787-2672
919 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1400
Chicago, Illinois 60611-1683
Yearly Subscription:   $90
($75 with membership)
Focus Point:  Health Information,
Patient Privacy & Information
System Security
Web Site: http://www.ahima.org

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NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TOZ)

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American Academy of Family Physicians
8880 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, Missouri 64114
(816) 333-9700
Web Site: http://www.aafp.org

American Academy of Pediatrics
P.O. Box 927
Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60009
(847) 228-5005
Web Site: http://www.aap.org

American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60611
(312) 440-2500
Web Site: http://www.ada.org

American Medical Association (A.M.A.)
515 North State Street
Chicago, Illinois 06010
(312) 464-5000
Web Site: http://www.ama-assn.org


Integrated Healthcare Association (IHA)
Mr. Beau Carter, IHA Executive Director,
45 Quail Court, Suite 302,
Walnut Creek, CA 94596,
(925) 746-5100
Focus Point:  Managed Care
Email:  [email protected].
Web Site: http://www.iha.org


Medical Group Management Association
106 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood,  CO 80112-5306
(303) 799-1111
FAX (303) 643-4427
Web Site: http://www.mgma.com


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PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS

Practice Guardian News is published monthly. Send all inquiries to attention editor at (219) 583-4234/FAX (219) 583-3015/E-Mail [email protected]  The subjects and written examples in this newsletter are for general use only. The publisher and author do not accept any responsibility or liability in regards to misuse or misinterpretation. A qualified attorney should be consulted in all matters concerning practice management.


Copyright 1999, MJB Consultant.

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