http://healthstrong.org Healthcare Reform News, Opinion and Resources Tue, 08 May 2012 17:10:03 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 http://healthstrong.org/2012/05/healing-medicine/ http://healthstrong.org/2012/05/healing-medicine/#comments Tue, 08 May 2012 17:10:03 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=993 I watched a recent TED talk by Dr. Gawande and was surprised to see how closely his recommendations correlated with the concepts of the Patient Centered Medical Home. ]]> http://healthstrong.org/2012/05/healing-medicine/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2012/04/decoding-your-medical-bill/ http://healthstrong.org/2012/04/decoding-your-medical-bill/#comments Mon, 16 Apr 2012 13:19:53 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=961 Who's to blame for America's rising health care costs? Some would like to blame patients' unhealthy living choices. However, this graphic developed by the Medical Billing and Coding Certification team shows how there's more to the story. Much more.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2012/04/decoding-your-medical-bill/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/practice-transformation/ http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/practice-transformation/#comments Sat, 31 Mar 2012 15:36:07 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=933 Nature is a metaphor for inspiration in many venues including Practice Transformation. This article provides inspiration and tips for practices going through the Patient-Centered Medical Home transformation process.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/practice-transformation/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/is-my-doctors-office-harassing-me/ http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/is-my-doctors-office-harassing-me/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 15:58:22 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=902 Some patients may feel harassed when their primary care practice begins a new approach of reaching out to patients with important prevention screenings, and health management reminders. But it can be an opportunity for patients to step up and partner with their PCP to reach new, healthier care goals. ]]> http://healthstrong.org/2012/03/is-my-doctors-office-harassing-me/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2011/12/pcmh-recognition-maintaining-momentum/ http://healthstrong.org/2011/12/pcmh-recognition-maintaining-momentum/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 23:17:21 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=881 Keeping the flame burning throughout the PCMH Recognition process can be a daunting task. This post shares some favorite tips from my work with practices on their Patient-Centered Medical Home journey.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2011/12/pcmh-recognition-maintaining-momentum/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2011/09/be-your-own-chief-wellness-office/ http://healthstrong.org/2011/09/be-your-own-chief-wellness-office/#comments Tue, 27 Sep 2011 13:53:25 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=824 Have you ever felt powerless in your healthcare experience? Sitting in a light blue, open-backed robe in a doctor’s office may seem like the most empowering spot to be, however, you do have an important role to play in your personal healthcare. This is the issue at heart: to learn how to treat your healthcare like a CEO treats a business: with a vision, measured results, and with a passion to see a healthy return on investment. Americans spend a lot of money on healthcare each year. They also spend a lot of time: scheduling appointments, sitting in waiting rooms, time away from work, etc. Health “consumers” need keys to more effectively utilize the health care system.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2011/09/be-your-own-chief-wellness-office/feed/ 2 http://healthstrong.org/2011/03/top-5-hidden-pcmh-benefits/ http://healthstrong.org/2011/03/top-5-hidden-pcmh-benefits/#comments Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:52:11 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=767 Lots of practices are either currently involved in or thinking about earning recognition as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). It's not necessarily an easy process to go through, but yet according to the National Committee on Quality Assurance, they're receiving many new applications each month. It definitely takes some courage to embark on this process. The application can be time-consuming and lengthy, with some practices taking over a year to produce reports, fill out the application, provide supporting documentation and finally submitting the application. Learn why practices are going through this process without even the promise of increased reimbursement. It has to do with both the celebrated and hidden benefits.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2011/03/top-5-hidden-pcmh-benefits/feed/ 3 http://healthstrong.org/2010/12/your-health-your-business/ http://healthstrong.org/2010/12/your-health-your-business/#comments Wed, 08 Dec 2010 17:04:41 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=748 The word “patient” is a complicated one. It is a name given to people who are in need of help and therefore it creates a sort of passive role for the person given that title. As a result, patients often end up feeling like victims. This article suggests that patients look at themselves as the CEO of a company whose sole purpose is their personal good health.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2010/12/your-health-your-business/feed/ 2 http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/improving-patient-cycle-time/ http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/improving-patient-cycle-time/#comments Mon, 29 Nov 2010 19:40:10 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=739 Hang around any medical practice and you’ll hear a lot of industry specific lingo. One frequently used term is Cycle Time. No, the practice isn’t planning a long bicycle ride, they’re referring to the amount of time on average a patient spends at a visit, from the moment they walk in the door until the time they leave. This article provides tips on how to improve cycle time for your medical practice.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/improving-patient-cycle-time/feed/ 0 http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/making-meetings-effective/ http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/making-meetings-effective/#comments Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:54:39 +0000 Marly McMillen Beelman http://healthstrong.org/?p=718 How can your medical practice meetings more effective and productive? This article gives tips on how to run effective medical practice meetings.]]> http://healthstrong.org/2010/11/making-meetings-effective/feed/ 0