There is a myriad of strategic options for physicians who want to increase their capability to address and control what is occurring in today’s healthcare market. One “scared” option is to run towards hospital employment. But I believe a better option is to expand the size of your practice by merging with another practice and/or medical group. Physicians who merge their practices usually hope to gain a number of benefits. These often include many of the following

Although business is business and pleasure is pleasure, the world rarely adheres to absolutes. Thus, this time of year you may want to mix some vacation days with your business travel. With a little planning, you can get Uncle Sam to subsidize your downtime. Here are the strategies for doing just that.

Through statistical analysis, TrailBlazer (MAC for Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia) identified potential improper utilization of established office visit services (codes 99211–99215) billed to Medicare.

The IRS finally issued long-awaited guidance (Notice 2011-28) regarding new Form W-2 requirements under health care reform that require employers to report the cost of coverage under an employer-sponsored group health plan. Highlights of the guidance are as follows:

Effective Date and Purpose

• The guidance generally applies beginning with 2012 Forms W-2 that employers must provide to employees in January 2013. Forms W-2 provided to employees terminating during 2012 and requesting a Form W-2 prior to the end of the calendar year need not comply with the new requirements. This exception also applies to future years, until further IRS guidance is issued.
• Employer-provided health coverage will remain non-taxable to employees (except for special situations, such as domestic partner or other non-dependent imputed income).
• The purpose of the new W-2 information is to provide employees information on the cost of their health care coverage.
• There are exceptions for certain tribal governments, churches and small employers (required to file fewer than 250 Forms W-2). Multiemployer plans are exempt from the reporting requirement until further guidance.