Entering Private Practice: A Handbook for Psychiatrists

by Lazarus, Jeremy A.

• ISBN13: 9781585621415
• ISBN10: 1585621412
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-08-01
• Publisher: AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC PUBLISHING INC

Summary

Packed with practical advice from experts, and based on the editor's many years of organizing career seminars for psychiatric residents, Entering Private Practice: A Handbook for Psychiatristsoffers a comprehensive curricular approach-highlighted throughout by user-friendly forms, samples, and checklists-to setting out on a career in private practice. Entering Private Practice: A Handbook for Psychiatristsdetails the advantages and disadvantages of private practice and emphasizes that practitioners must love their work and balance it with a successful personal life. Following a systematic, no-nonsense approach to private practice, these distinguished contributors discuss the nuts and bolts of how to, Find and set up a private practice, including the use of technology and the web to minimize administrative overhead and enhance clinical services-A self-administered form to get started; advice on finance, Internet searches, networking, and interviewing; pros and cons of solo practice, small and large psychiatric groups, and multidisciplinary and multispecialty groups; and step-by step instructions on everything from choosing a location and handling finances and billing to hiring staff and selecting décor Market a practice-Top 10 tips for both internal marketing (advice for communicating with patients and sample patient and physician surveys), and external marketing (effective outlets, including directory listings, brochures and sample content, direct mail, and the media; includes sample press release and media pitch) Navigate the ins and outs of insurance billing and relationships-Basic principles and procedures to help practitioners do good work for reasonable pay and help patients get what they most need despite limited resources (including Medicare forms and checklists for understanding insurance benefits and notifying patients about the costs of ancillary services) Relate to primary care physicians-Integration of care (referral, consultation, and collaboration) to achieve better patient outcomes, including basic principles and skills for effective communication Steer clear of legal pitfalls-The top 10 legal and risk management areas of concern for psychiatrists, including practice rules, confidentiality, record-keeping, compliance, managed care, and malpractice insurance, among others Avoid or deal with common ethical problems-Confidentiality, informed consent, boundaries, dealing with industry, continuing education responsibilities, general health care ethics, collaboration, and money issues illustrated by case vignettes Joining the ranks of essential guides, Entering Private Practice: A Handbook for Psychiatristsis a must-read for any psychiatrist planning a career in or a career change to private practice.

Author Biography

Jeremy A. Lazarus is Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado.

Table of Contents

CONTRIBUTORS	vii
1 INTRODUCTION
Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D.
2 FINDING THE BEST POSITION FOR YOUR MEDICAL CAREER—AND YOUR PEACE OF MIND	9	(18)
Roger G. Bonds, M.B.A., F.M.S.D., C.M.S.R.
APPENDIX 2-A: Planning Your Career Search	25	(2)
3 THE MANY FACES OF PRIVATE PRACTICE	27	(10)
Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D.
4 THE PSYCHIATRIC OFFICE	37	(18)
Jonathan M. Kersun, M.D.
Edward K. Silberman, M.D.
5 MARKETING PRIVATE PRACTICE PSYCHIATRY
Ten Internal and Ten External Practice Tips	55	(22)
Marcia L. Branchler, M.P.H., CPHQ, CPC
APPENDIX 5-A: Sample Patient Survey Questionnaire	65	(4)
APPENDIX 5-B: Suggested Outline for a Patient Brochure	69	(2)
APPENDIX 5-C: Sample Referring Physician Questionnaire	71	(2)
APPENDIX 5-D: Sample Press Release	73	(2)
APPENDIX 5-E: Sample Pitch to the Media for a Story in Which You Could Be Used as an Expert	75	(2)
6 OBTAINING REIMBURSEMENT FOR OUTPATIENT SERVICES FROM MANAGED AND UNMANAGED INSURANCE
Principles and Procedures	77	(26)
Michael I. Bennett, M.D.
APPENDIX 6-A: HCFA 1500 Form, Common Data Requirements...	95	(2)
APPENDIX 6-B: HCFA 1500 Form, Medicare Data Requirements..	97	(2)
APPENDIX 6-C: Sample Information Sheet: Understanding Your Insurance Benefit	99	(2)
APPENDIX 6-D: Sample Notice to Patients Regarding Cost of Ancillary Services	101	(2)
7 COMPUTER RESOURCES FOR THE PRIVATE PRACTICE	103	(26)
John Luo, M.D.
Glossary	124	(5)
8 HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIANS TO ACHIEVE BETTER OUTCOMES	129	(10)
Steven Cole, M.D.
9 TOP TEN LEGAL AND RISK MANAGEMENT AREAS OF CONCERN FOR PSYCHIATRISTS	139	(24)
Anne Marie "Nancy" Wheeler, J.D.
APPENDIX 9-A: Model Collaborative Treatment Relationship Agreement	161	(2)
10 ETHICS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE	163	(14)
Jeremy A. Lazarus, M.D.
INDEX	177