FW: End of a down year and hope for next

[Guest guest]

Today I finished 2010 (my nurse made me take off tomorrow as she patiently explained to me that if the holiday falls on a Saturday, the day off is on the Friday before—who knew???). As per the year, it was a spotty day with some times of craziness (I was actually 10 minutes behind at one point) followed by some down time where I could catch my breath. In looking at the yearly numbers, I billed for about $17,000 less this year (5% decrease) on 138 less visits (4.4% decrease). The good news is that my total revenue was only down $5000 (1.7%) which is partly because I have started closing out to the poorer paying insurances but also because I am doing some travel clinic stuff not reflected in the overall billing. My practice has now been open 7.5 years and this is the first time I have seen a decrease in the amount billed or the number of patients seen in a year, so I am quite happy about closing the door on 2010.I am also relatively certain 2011 will be my best year financially as I finish paying off the last of the practice debt, there is the meaningful use funds, and I believe as the economy gets better, patients will again find their way to my door. Aside from the economics, I look forward to launching my new website, adding a patient portal, pushing the envelope at the state level, and watching/helping this movement of wonderful, heroic docs continue to grow and develop.So tomorrow night I will toast both the fact my practice made it through another difficult year and the hope that this was the last difficult year I will have to make it through. I will also toast my fellow IMPs, whose continued words of wisdom and assistance have kept my practice efficient, my mind challenged and my heart optimistic. Thanks to one and all.Have a wonderful, happy, healthy, safe and prosperous New Year.