Practice Fusion

[Guest guest]

Ken,

If you are still looking to "set up shop" look very carefully at the satuaration of MD's in the area you are choosing. I LOVE Colorado...grew up there and went back for 4 years and worked at UCHS Rose residency for a awhile....however the Denver/Boulder are is very satuarated with MD of almost every specialty. Pay is lower than a lot of other areas of the country and living expenses area varibale depending on economy. They used to be quite high although now much more reasonable.

I would guess that POrtland might be similar???

Just my 2 cents!

Dannielle Harwood, MD

www.MyStudioMD.com

To: " " < >Sent: Wed, January 25, 2012 8:39:10 PMSubject: Re: Practice fusion

Thanks!

My most likely places to set up shop are either out West (greater Denver/Boulder or maybe Portland, OR) or somewhere in the lower mid-Atlantic, perhaps NC. I have noticed a bunch of places on the web that seem to offer 'discount' labs (direct to patients) through arrangements with LabCorp, but I'm really not sure just how much of a real 'ultra-discount' is being offered--it doesn't seem like much, but i haven't looked too closely yet.

By contrast, there's a company out there (physician care direct) that many of you might have heard of that seems to have a too-good-to-be-true arrangement with Solstas (a regional lab provider in the Southeast) to get CHEAP labs. I'm definitely intrigued by their pitch and the business software package P.C.D. offers (they call it "Simplicity"), but still struggling with the long-term price tag of their overall solution and trying to figure out whether it's worth it to try to do it all myself instead.

Ken

Sent from my iPad

Bioreference gives good deals for cash pay patients.

Vjshri.

Speaking of which... What labs are worth acquiring the ability to do In-house (presumably CLIA-waived)? Insurance... is not going to be an issue, but I'd still like to offer my patients good value for their money, so I don't want to have to be gouging anybody in order to get apiece of equipment paid for. Alternatively, does anybody know anything about negotiating with a lab provider for uber-discounted labs? Which (if any) of the national labs will offer people a sweet deal for cash up front?

Thanks to any and all,

Ken Stone

PF question:

How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist?

Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD

Executive Director & Co-founder

Care for Your Health, Inc

Phone 240 844 25

"Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged."

[Guest guest]

I have a much smaller practice and most everyone calls my office and I change the answering machine to direct them to my home and cell or to the covering doctor when I'm away. I have never gotten calls while on vacation.

To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion

I use an answering machine. Also, you could let calls go to voice mail so you can call them back if appropriate. I am looking into Google Voice as the intermediary before my cell phone too. It looks like a promising solution. The reason being that I don’t want people calling my cell when I am not working, on vacation or signed out to a covering doctor. If they just call my cell directly, they won’t get care.

Kathy Saradarian, MD

Branchville, NJ

www.qualityfamilypractice.com

Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90

Practice Partner 5/03

Low staffing

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Ken StoneSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:38 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion

I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency.

That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk.

Ken

Sent from my iPad

KenSounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you.I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money.I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you.Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitzstown, NJ> >> > >>> > >>> PF question:> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist?> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD> >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder> >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc> >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> "Don't ever let injustice go by

unchallenged."> >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

Myria,That is my set up also.  But I have had patients keep my cell phone number and just call it.  They say they didn’t realize it was my cell phone but they really should recognize it’s not a landline business number.   When I am not working, I am not glued to my phone and don’t always notice the message came in.  Or get mad at the inappropriate interruption.  That’s why I am considering using Google voice as the intermediary.  That way, I can tell if it’s a patient calling or not.  I also don’t have to worry about people keeping my cell phone number as google voice would be the contact and don’t have to keep changing the message on the answering machines.  Power outages will still be a little bit of a problem although I have put battery back-up on the answering machines and phones now. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of MyriaSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:55 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I have a much smaller practice and most everyone calls my office and I change the answering machine to direct them to my home and cell or to the covering doctor when I'm away. I have never gotten calls while on vacation. To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion I use an answering machine. Also, you could let calls go to voice mail so you can call them back if appropriate. I am looking into Google Voice as the intermediary before my cell phone too. It looks like a promising solution. The reason being that I don’t want people calling my cell when I am not working, on vacation or signed out to a covering doctor. If they just call my cell directly, they won’t get care. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Ken StoneSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:38 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk. Ken Sent from my iPad KenSounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you.I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money.I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you.Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitzstown, NJ> >> > >>> > >>> PF question:> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist?> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD> >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder> >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc> >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

dear yahoo,

went with eclinicalworks because i didnt want to deal with he said she saids on

vendors on different aspects of the emr. fully integrated and now with lab

interface. ive got an in house server, tech support in my local area comes once

every year when i have problems i need to deal with. with upgrades i have not

had an issue.

output looks very nice.

grace

>

> Quick question. For a group that try's to keep there overhead down.

> why is it that the majority doesn't use practice fusion for your emr and kareo

for your billing software?

> I am starting my pediatric practice soon and would really appreciate the info

>

> Sent from my iPhone

>

[Guest guest]

PF works for some and doesn’t for others. Each situation is different. For me PF would not work. A few reasons include:1. Requires very reliable and accessible internet. In my area that’s not guaranteed.2. Doesn’t supply hospital labs that I need.3. Doesn’t have software support for a wide range of contact management software I use that has to be connected to my EMR.4. Doesn’t have local support. When I lose a key person, my EMR vendor steps in for same day training of new staff.5. Screen refresh is slower than local server. In a busy practice that could drive you crazy. Again, depends on internet.6. Last time I looked there was no tool for making SQL queries or equivalent for data mining. Maybe they have that now. Personally, I like a well integrated EMR supported by a single vendor. I like strong vendor support when needed. I like to understand the implied cost even if it masquerades as free. Granted, there is lots of “free” software around. Free can equate to high quality and there is much to be said for open source software. However, “free proprietary software” leaves me with an uneasy feeling about the future. In any case, by the time you assemble an integrated EMR based on a free PF you may be using several vendors and wondering what happened to your day and why it’s not free. To assemble the equivalent of what I have around PF would cost more than my integrated EMR. Others with less demanding needs say they make PF fit nicely. My expectation is that what we traditionally call an EMR will become essentially free from all vendors. At their heart, EMRs are mostly slick views of an underlying database. That 1960s warmed over technology will play out in terms of profitability if it hasn’t already. What will keep the industry moving is superior support and the ability to add value. Most likely that is part of PF’s game plan and why you can expect nice extras like billing software to be extra. Neighbors, MDHuntsville, Alabama Solo using FlexMedical EMR/Billing since 2/2009Attested MU in 2011 From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of YahooSent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 6:10 PMTo: Subject: Practice fusion Quick question. For a group that try's to keep there overhead down. why is it that the majority doesn't use practice fusion for your emr and kareo for your billing software?I am starting my pediatric practice soon and would really appreciate the infoSent from my iPhone

[Guest guest]

I am using Practice Fusion. Still figuring it all out right now, but recently opened and started with PF and intend to stick with it . Tammy Tammy L. McGarvey, MSN, RN, FNP-BCBoard Certified Family Nurse Practitionerwww.HopeFamilyHealth.com

[Guest guest]

Tammy,  I have too, and am happy with the free EHR

 

I am using Practice Fusion.  Still figuring it all out right now, but recently opened and started with PF and intend to stick with it .

 Tammy

 Tammy L. McGarvey, MSN, RN, FNP-BCBoard Certified Family Nurse Practitioner

www.HopeFamilyHealth.com