This month, we have two new columns debuting: “Coding Solutions” authored by Leon H. Kircik, M.D., and “Contemporary & Alternative Medicine” by Sarah L. Taylor, M.D., M.P.H.
Coding Solutions
For Dr. Kircik, a dermatologist in private practice, keeping up to date on coding changes has been a necessary evil, but definitely well worth the effort. He first delved into coding when he had multiple dermatology offices. “At one point,” he explains, “I had four dermatology offices in four states. That meant learning four different states’ Medicare and Medicaid regulations and more. I had to learn; I had no choice.” He adds, “I sometimes teach the Medicare carriers because they can get confused by all the changes as well.” To keep up to date, Dr. Kircik reads the updated CPT manual each year, and he also reviews the bundling codes specific to dermatology that are updated quarterly. “I not only read, but I attend the coding sessions and other practice management symposia,” he adds. “A lot of doctors are not involved with coding; they leave it to their staffs. But why do that? It’s your money and it’s your neck. If you make a mistake it’s your money that is lost. “My motto is that if you can get through med school, then you can learn this. It’s not brain surgery.” Turn to page 15 to read Dr. Kircik’s new column.
Contemporary & Alternative Medicine
For Dr. Sarah Taylor, a dermatology clinical research fellow at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, an interest in contemporary and alternative medicine (CAM) is something she has long nurtured. “I’ve been interested in CAM since taking a course in my fourth year of medical school,” she says. “Since then, I began to explore it on my own, and soon found that it was a natural fit with my family medicine training. I also started to notice that more and more of my patients would ask me about alternative treatments to traditional medication, or would ask if there was something “natural” they could do either instead of traditional therapy, or in addition to it,” she explains. “Personally, I am most interested in integrative medicine, which is the combination of traditional medical therapy with complementary natural components that address each patient in a holistic way. “Patients are asking for other approaches to their medical problems, and no matter what the medical specialty, doctors need to be aware of their patients’ viewpoints and expectations regarding their medical care,” she adds. Please turn to page 28 to read Dr. Taylor’s new column.
Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor
lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
This month, we have two new columns debuting: “Coding Solutions” authored by Leon H. Kircik, M.D., and “Contemporary & Alternative Medicine” by Sarah L. Taylor, M.D., M.P.H.
Coding Solutions
For Dr. Kircik, a dermatologist in private practice, keeping up to date on coding changes has been a necessary evil, but definitely well worth the effort. He first delved into coding when he had multiple dermatology offices. “At one point,” he explains, “I had four dermatology offices in four states. That meant learning four different states’ Medicare and Medicaid regulations and more. I had to learn; I had no choice.” He adds, “I sometimes teach the Medicare carriers because they can get confused by all the changes as well.” To keep up to date, Dr. Kircik reads the updated CPT manual each year, and he also reviews the bundling codes specific to dermatology that are updated quarterly. “I not only read, but I attend the coding sessions and other practice management symposia,” he adds. “A lot of doctors are not involved with coding; they leave it to their staffs. But why do that? It’s your money and it’s your neck. If you make a mistake it’s your money that is lost. “My motto is that if you can get through med school, then you can learn this. It’s not brain surgery.” Turn to page 15 to read Dr. Kircik’s new column.
Contemporary & Alternative Medicine
For Dr. Sarah Taylor, a dermatology clinical research fellow at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, an interest in contemporary and alternative medicine (CAM) is something she has long nurtured. “I’ve been interested in CAM since taking a course in my fourth year of medical school,” she says. “Since then, I began to explore it on my own, and soon found that it was a natural fit with my family medicine training. I also started to notice that more and more of my patients would ask me about alternative treatments to traditional medication, or would ask if there was something “natural” they could do either instead of traditional therapy, or in addition to it,” she explains. “Personally, I am most interested in integrative medicine, which is the combination of traditional medical therapy with complementary natural components that address each patient in a holistic way. “Patients are asking for other approaches to their medical problems, and no matter what the medical specialty, doctors need to be aware of their patients’ viewpoints and expectations regarding their medical care,” she adds. Please turn to page 28 to read Dr. Taylor’s new column.
Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor
lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
This month, we have two new columns debuting: “Coding Solutions” authored by Leon H. Kircik, M.D., and “Contemporary & Alternative Medicine” by Sarah L. Taylor, M.D., M.P.H.
Coding Solutions
For Dr. Kircik, a dermatologist in private practice, keeping up to date on coding changes has been a necessary evil, but definitely well worth the effort. He first delved into coding when he had multiple dermatology offices. “At one point,” he explains, “I had four dermatology offices in four states. That meant learning four different states’ Medicare and Medicaid regulations and more. I had to learn; I had no choice.” He adds, “I sometimes teach the Medicare carriers because they can get confused by all the changes as well.” To keep up to date, Dr. Kircik reads the updated CPT manual each year, and he also reviews the bundling codes specific to dermatology that are updated quarterly. “I not only read, but I attend the coding sessions and other practice management symposia,” he adds. “A lot of doctors are not involved with coding; they leave it to their staffs. But why do that? It’s your money and it’s your neck. If you make a mistake it’s your money that is lost. “My motto is that if you can get through med school, then you can learn this. It’s not brain surgery.” Turn to page 15 to read Dr. Kircik’s new column.
Contemporary & Alternative Medicine
For Dr. Sarah Taylor, a dermatology clinical research fellow at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, an interest in contemporary and alternative medicine (CAM) is something she has long nurtured. “I’ve been interested in CAM since taking a course in my fourth year of medical school,” she says. “Since then, I began to explore it on my own, and soon found that it was a natural fit with my family medicine training. I also started to notice that more and more of my patients would ask me about alternative treatments to traditional medication, or would ask if there was something “natural” they could do either instead of traditional therapy, or in addition to it,” she explains. “Personally, I am most interested in integrative medicine, which is the combination of traditional medical therapy with complementary natural components that address each patient in a holistic way. “Patients are asking for other approaches to their medical problems, and no matter what the medical specialty, doctors need to be aware of their patients’ viewpoints and expectations regarding their medical care,” she adds. Please turn to page 28 to read Dr. Taylor’s new column.
Larisa Hubbs Executive Editor
lhubbs@hmpcommunications.com
