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PRACTICE GUARDIAN NEWS...

�The Internet & Practice Management."

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Free - Subscribe today
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Issue 7  -  August 1, 1999
Main Page  http://www.mon.ffni.com/~practice
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INDEX

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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT SITES
..........The AMA PracticeLink- American Medical Association
..........What You Should Know When You Negotiate a Managed Care Contract.
..........Health Care Compliance Manager
..........Insure.com - Health Insurance
TOP CHOICE REVIEWS....
..........Internet MD
ASSOCIATION UPDATE
..........American College of Cardiology
..........Association of Managed Care Dentists
..........The American Gastroenterlogical Association
RECOMMENDED NEWSLETTERS & PUBLICATIONS
NATIONAL HEALTHCARE ASSOCIATIONS (A TO Z)
EDITORIAL INFORMATION

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Practice Management Sites

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The AMA PracticeLink- AMASelect
http://www.amapracticelink.com

The AMA PracticeLink portfolio enhances the success of physician practices
by offering products and services that meet their professional needs. Top
rated consultants with credentials and
AMA approval.  Visit the  site at http://www.amapracticelink.com  or call
1-800/366-6968
for more information.

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Managed Care Magazine - Article
What you should know when you negotiate a managed care contract.
http://www.managedcaremag.com/archiveMC/9801/9801.legal.shtml

Excellent online article on negotiating managed care contracts. Highlights
how to make it work for you,  negotiate and three cardinal rules to follow.

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Health Care Compliance Manager
http://www.cprag.com/

Online health care compliance information service.  Features links and
updates on all HCFA, SSA, Codes/Fees, Agencies and Laws.  Excellent service
well worth your next internet visit.

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Insure.com - Health Insurance
http://www.insure.com/health/

Excellent insurance information site. Features health plan ratings, HMO's,
Medicare, studies and how to choose a company. Highlights consumer and
practitioner information.

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TOP CHOICE REVIEWS

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Internet..MD
http://www.internet.md

Tired of changing internet servers and email addresses? Internet MD offers
health care professionals and organizations  a unique opportunity to
register their own .md domain for easy access worldwide.  It's a top choice
for practice management in health care for 1999.

A top level domain (TLD), like .com, .md is global accessible.  Registering
the domain name through the Republic of Moldova (Asia) ".md",  Internet MD
can insure direct ownership of your domain, 25 MB of Web space on a server
and five email addresses and forwarding capabilities for professional and
private use all for a reasonable yearly fee (less than $25 a month).

The internet is becoming the mecca for communications and business growth.
Establishing  your own identity on the web by registering your personal or
practice name is a must. Why risk your professionalism and credibility to
American Online or another internet server.  Directly identify your practice
or service with the health care community.

javaher [email protected]      or     [email protected]
[email protected]   or     [email protected]
[email protected]       or     [email protected]

Email and setup is easy and effortless.  Your existing .com primary internet
address will be changed to .md without any service disruptions.  You can
keep your existing email account separate or easily manage multiple
accounts.

Internet .MD offers a sure investment opportunities for those professionals
interested in registering more than one domain.  Remember once a domain is
registered it remains in ownership of the register.

In all, Internet MD is one of the fastest growing services in health care.
The website has been featured in the American Medical News (A.M.A.), Los
Angeles Times and Physician Weekly. It offers direct domain search and
online registration at http://www.internet.md or just call 9am to 6pm
weekdays at 1 - 877 - 44 DOTMD between the hours of 9am to 6pm.

http://www.internet.md

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ASSOCIATION UPDATE

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American College of Cardiology
http://www.acc.org

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has had an online presence on the
Internet since 1994.  This presence is constantly evolving in response to
cardiovascular physicians and scientists needs, innovative ideas, and new
technologies.

The mission of the American College of Cardiology is to foster optimal
cardiovascular care and disease prevention through professional education,
promotion of research, leadership in the development of standards and
guidelines and the formulation of health care policy.

If you are a first-time visitor to www.acc.org, click anywhere on the page,
and you will be taken to the "login" screen.  Members must sign in using
their last name and membership number (obtained from the mailing label of
the Cardiology newsletter or by calling 800-253-4636 ext.697, or
301-897-5400, ext.697).  Nonmembers must tell us who you are by completing
the short registration form and choosing a user ID and password.  Once you
log in, your computer will record that information in a file saved on your
computer's hard drive (a "cookie" file).  The next time you visit
www.acc.org, the computer will look for your file and recognize you.

Special Features:

About the ACC - most everything you need to know about the College can be
found here-ACC Overview, Mission, Chapters, membership information, 50th
Anniversary, Global Cardiology Network, and Contact Information.� Clinical
Information - the full text of the College's clinical documents, fully
searchable-ACC/AHA Clinical Practice Guidelines, ACC Expert Consensus
Documents, ACC Policy/Position Statements, ACC Training Statements, Bethesda
Conference Documents, ACC Endorsements, ACC-National Cardiovascular Data
Registry, ACC Clinical Documents in Progress, and Clinical Alerts.

� Practice Management Resources - the College has revised this section of
the site, to include many resources to help you with your practice.  These
new tools include managed care trends, coding, physician compensation,
reimbursement and coverage, bibliographies on selected topics, and the
Cardiovascular Practice Connection.

� Reference - the ACC Web site provides links to MEDLINE, medical journals
and associations related to cardiovascular disease in its Reference section.

� Patient Education - Review the ACC publication "Conquering Heart Disease:
50 Years of Patient Care" an informative booklet intended for use as a tool
for patient education.

� Career and Training Opportunities - a listing of training programs in the
United States in Adult Cardiology, Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiothoracic
Surgery, and Post-Fellowship Training (Preceptorships) in Adult Cardiology.

� Publications, Programs and Products - Journal of the American College of
Cardiology and Educational Highlights available online, full-text.

� Advocacy - learn what message(s) you can share with Congress about key
legislation that could have an impact on you and your patients in "Action
Alerts"
and sign a petition for the Patient's Bill of Rights.

� Scientific Session - get online information about how to submit an
abstract for ACC 2000.

� Banner Ads - will link you directly to information about new ACC Services
and Products, including ACCSAP (Adult Clinical Cardiology Self-Assessment
Program), CathSAP (Cardiac Catheterization and Interventional Cardiology
Self-Assessment Program), Cardiovascular Board Review Programs, Board Review
Programs in Interventional Cardiology.

Couldn't be at the ACC Annual Scientific Session in New Orleans this past
March?  Or you were there, but couldn't get to every session that you were
interested in?  If so, the College's Web site may have the solution to your
problem.  Many of the educational offerings presented at ACC'99 have been
converted into Web offerings on the ACC site under the Learning Center
section, and all offer category 1 Continuing Medical Education Credit.
Check out the programs listed below.

� ACC'99 CME Online: Daily Internet coverage of ACC'99 proceedings.

� ACCIS '99: ACC Interventional Symposium - Opening Plenary Session

� Cardiac Risk of Noncardiac Surgery: Archive of a Broadcast of the
Mini-Course

For more information visit the site at

http://www.acc.org

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ASSOCIATION OF MANAGED CARE DENTISTS
http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd.

For the past 8 years the Association of Managed Care Dentists has been the
only active organization available for dentists in the United States who are
practicing in the managed dental care arena.  The association is voluntary,
nonprofit, and governed by our Board of Directors who are practicing
dentists independent from dental insurance companies.

There are 2 main purposes for the Association of Managed Care Dentists
(AMCD):

1.  Educational:  The Association provides it�s membership with  information
designed to help them understand developments in the rapidly evolving
managed dental care industry.  Our annual symposiums covers  practice
management issues such as scheduling, case presentation,and staffing.  The
symposiums
provide the ideal opportunity to exchange ideas with fellow members.  The
AMCD is a support group where dentists can discuss their daily concerns
about plan cutbacks, excessive paperwork, or difficult patients.
Additionally, newsflashes are produced  throughout the year on topics which
are of immediate importance to our member's practices.

2.  Organized Leadership:  We strive to develop contacts with government
legislators and maintain communication with Dental Plan administrators.  We
believe our organization can influence developments in the managed care
arena, specifically in areas of plan design, quality assurance procedures,
and government regulation.

Our next annual symposium will be held Oct. 16, 1999 at the LAX Marriott
Hotel, adjacent to Los Angeles International Airport.  The symposium is
entitled "Practice Management for the Managed Dental Care Office" and is
open to all members of AMCD.

For information on joining the AMCD and attending "Practice Management for
the Managed Dental Care Office"  call 310-453-3439 or check our website at
http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd.  While you are there,  review the AMCD
Survey-see how you compare.

http://www.dentalgroup.com/amcd.

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The American Gastroenterlogical Association
http://www.gastro.org

The American Gastroenterological Associations Home Page, www.gastro.org,
offers physicians many resources, including: a listing of news stories
relating to gastroenterology through Reuters Health Information and
sponsored by Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories, Inc., updates on legislative issues
that affect gastroenterology, the AGAs medical position statements,
a Gastroenterologist Locator Service for the public on which
gastroenterologists can list their practice information,
a classified section that includes activity announcements and position
available/wanted listings, information on grants and awards available
through the American Digestive Health FoundationSM products, services, and
publications relating to gastroenterology, a free link for members to the
"Grateful Med" medical database and links to other Websites of interest to
gastroenterologists a section for trainees and young GIs an online forum for
gastroenterologists to discuss practice issues, a listing of symposia,
seminars, and meetings sponsored by the AGA, including Digestive Disease
Week (DDW), and information on membership in the AGA.

DDW is the annual meeting of the AGA and three other societies related to
gastroenterology. The next DDW will be held May 20-24, 2000, in San Diego,
CA. The AGAs Spring Postgraduate Course is held annually at the beginning of
DDW, and the 2000 Spring Postgraduate Course,


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<http://www.cirqueshop.com> .

For more information about Cirque's computing-ease products and services,
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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 calling 219-583-4234.(updates included) Keep updated on
the latest internet technology - claims filing, coding, fax by email,
transcription, association updates etc.

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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

Association of Military Surgeons of the United States (AMSUS)
Ms. Marisa Brazil,
AMSUS, Membership Coordinator
(301) 897-8800 ext. 20.
[email protected]
http://www.amsus.org

Healthcare Financial Management Association (HCFMA)
Contact Terry Arya, HFMA Membership
(800)252-HFMA (4362), ext. 362
e-mail [email protected].�
http://www.hfma.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
For More Information Contact:
Mr. Garth Jordan,
Director of Marketing
106 Inverness Terrace East
Englewood,  CO 80112-5306
(303) 799-1111
FAX (303) 643-4427
Web Site: http://www.mgma.com

The American College of Physician Executives
For More Information Contact:
Mr. Wesley Curry,
[email protected]
813-287-2000,
http://www.acpe.org

The American College of Chest Physicians
Member Services
3300 Dundee Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
Phone: 800-343-2227 or 847-498-1400
Fax: 847-498-5460
E-mail: [email protected]
http://www.chestnet.org

The American Thoracic Society
Ms. Lori Atkins
Manager, ATS Communication Services
American Thoracic Society,
Medical Section of the American Lung Association
1740 Broadway
New York, NY 10019-4374
Phone 212/315-6442
Fax 212/315-6455
[email protected]
http://www.thoracic.org



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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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