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Welcome
Welcome to the American College of Cardiology’s Practice Survival
Toolkit! This toolkit of information was created in response to the unjustified
and unprecedented cuts in cardiology planned by CMS for Jan. 1, 2010.
These cuts, a regulatory procedure, are completely separate from the legislative
process of health system reform. The ACC recognized the profound impact
the CMS rule for 2010 will have on practicing cardiologists and convened
a work group comprised of current and former governors, practice administrators,
and ACC staff. We worked quickly to complete this project because the
impacts on your practice will be immediate in January.
Our membership works in a variety of practice environments. In recognition
of this, we have included an expansive array of information and resources
in hopes that cardiologists from all types of practices will find it of
benefit. Topics range from simple advice such as collecting co-pays at
the time of service all the way to options for future business plans.
It is important for you to know that the ACC recognizes and respects the
many practice arrangements now present in our country. Our objective is
the survival of the practice of cardiology in the US so that we can continue
to deliver the kinds of reductions in mortality and the improved quality
of life unique to our specialty.
Blair Erb, M.D., F.A.C.C.
Chair, PINNACLE Network Oversight Work Group
Tools and Resources
- 2010 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
This section includes an overview of the rule and its coding changes,
more information on ACC’s action campaign, and a new practice
impact calculator to estimate the impact of the rule on your practice.
- Practice Management 101
The ACC is committed to providing practices with the education, tools
and resources necessary to continue to thrive and serve their local
patient community. This section contains resources to help you learn
more about best practices for practice management.
- Financial Management
This section discusses financial issues facing practices and how to
build and maintain a solid financial foundation.
- Maximizing the Claims Process
This section contains resources to help improve coding and help resolve
reimbursement problems. It includes links to ACC’s payer hassle
forms.
- PQRI Revenue Opportunities
This section contains an overview of the Physician Quality Reporting
Initiative (PQRI) and the ACC PQRI Wizard, a new tool to assist with
the PQRI 2009 incentive payment program.
- Health Information Technology
This section contains tools and resources to educate and assist members
in the process of choosing and implementing an electronic health record.
- Practice Options
This section provides resources to help guide practices in examining
options that would improve the quality and efficiency of their practices
and in assessing other practice opportunities.
- Model Contracts
This section provides the AMA model contracts for managed care and physician
employment.
- Consulting Resources
This section contains information on management and consulting services
for cardiology practices.
- Discounted Books For Practices
This section contains details on a special offer on practice management
books for ACC members.
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