The Practice Manager Section is dedicated to providing a strong professional network for health care management professionals. Our mission is to help members become more effective in their daily professional responsibilities and to enhance productivity and efficiency through increased knowledge of basic health care management principles. This is accomplished through shared learning experiences and mutual education about the future of the health care industry.

We hold membership meetings to review activities, learn from guest speakers, discuss operational issues facing managers among colleagues in hopes of discovering a solution and to network with peers.

The meetings are usually held at the Allegheny County Medical Society building on the North Side of Pittsburgh.  

May 11, 2012  “ICD-10” Practice Impacts and Clinical Documentation Improvement Strategies

• Identify areas within a physician practice that will be directly impacted
• Using real life case samples, discuss key changes with ICD-10 which will enable you to identify and mitigate documentation and workflow issues in the practice
•  Implications of the ICD-10 delay for providers; opportunities and challenges
•  Question and answers from your practice

Over 20 practice administrators attended the February 29^th program, “Managing Your Workteam, HR Skills Made Easy.”  This dynamic and interactive program was presented by Donna J. Kell, BS, MPM, CEO of the Kell Group, LLC.  Ms. Kell provided key information on the framework and tools required for managing a successful workteam. Attendees were asked at the onset to provide specific challenges and issues they confront.  The common issues identified included: morale, recruitment, compensation, accountability, discipline, and work ethic.  An enthusiastic discussion between participants and Ms. Kell provided creative ideas and solutions to many of the challenges expressed.

The Allegheny County Medical Society welcomed practice administrators on Thursday, September 15, 2011 for an in-depth program on “Practice Enhancements – Improving Your Return on Investment.”  Guest speaker, Ken Hogue, Practice Director, Singh & Dayalan Medical Associates (a division of Genesis Medical Associates) presented this timely and dynamic program as medical practices are seeking opportunities to maximize return on office investments in today’s healthcare marketplace of declining reimbursement and competition.

Mr. Hogue’s presentation included useful guidelines, tools, and resources as to how practices can enhance patient care delivery, improve their business processes and provide a true return on investment (ROI) using a systematic approach to identifying revenue streams.  He detailed the initial stages of identifying resources using the ‘wheel hub’ to describe core services (core services being services an office should already be providing patients); how to contact distributers and sales representatives for initial demonstration; investigate billing/coding information from insurers and other offices; determine clinical need and cost effectiveness; create clinical and administrative protocol and finally, explore options to train staff.

At the conclusion of the program, registrants had the opportunity to network with representatives from various companies to answer questions and obtain information on specific products. Comments from attendees were exceptional, with many practice administrators networking with
on-site exhibitors.  ACMS would like to thank the following exhibitors who provided support for the program:  Alere, Med Care Associates, and Siemens. 

April 28, 2011 - "Flamining Hot Issues"

The Allegheny County Medical Society hosted a practice manager meeting on April 28. Flaming Hot Issues: Preventing Damage to Your Practice, presented administrators with timely information and solutions on several issues including: audits, ePrescribing incentives, compliance issues, and ICD-10 coding. The program, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Medical Society, was part of their Practice Manager Spring 2011 series.

Patrick M. Hamilton, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Philadelphia Regional Office, engaged the audience with his presentation “Meaningful Use of an Electronic Health Record: Now and Tomorrow,” He provided details on common issues when implementing EHR and also distributed a list of resources and tips on the EHR incentive program. Mr. Hamilton’s overview generated a dynamic question and answer session from the audience. Lara Brooks, CPC, associate director practice economics & payer relations, Pennsylvania Medical Society, concluded the two hour program with solutions to frequently asked questions including ICD-10, ePrescribing and RAC reviews.

The Allegheny County Medical Society has created a practice manager forum for administrators. Members have the opportunity to attend informal sessions to share ideas, network with peers and focus on pertinent issues and challenges practice managers’ are facing. This forum provides a valuable resource for managers to continue to efficiently and effectively run a practice in this complex and rapidly changing healthcare environment. There is no obligation to join! Contact Nadine Popovich by email npopovich@acms.org or the Society office at 412-321-5030.