Physicians News Health news for doctors and patients.

Physician groups are torn over the issue as to how to handle the payment of tail coverage. Determination of who should pay for the tail policy is not as easy as it once was.

The OIG’s Compliance Program Guidance specifically targets the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry and gives clear guidance as to those types of arrangements with physicians which are considered to be suspect.

Physicians must continually be aware of new developments in the law. One of the most recent and troubling developments in Pa. and other states is the expansion of the Doctrine of Informed Consent.

There would clearly be some negative impacts: jobs would be lost, local businesses would close and physicians would be dislocated. Some analysts counter that MCP had been a weak institution – financially, academically and clinically – for many years, that Philadelphia has an abundance and/or maldistribution of medical services, and that MCP’s closure would cause little long-term disruption to most physicians, patients or remaining hospitals.

Isn’t it time you save some of those taxes and turn the value of your practice into a more usable retirement asset?

In these more litigious times, it certainly is important for the physician and their staff to continue to be vigilant and to make certain that they don’t inadvertently get involved in fraudulent matters.

In recent years even state Medical Assistance Program agencies have taken this awareness to a new level, notifying their provider-participants of increased departmental scrutiny.

As with all opportunities, there are risks to consider. Investment in a surgicenter requires contribution of significant capital and execution of complex and substantial legal documentation.

The success of a new system implementation is partially dependent on the success of the technical deployment, but equally important is the staff's willingness and preparedness for the change.

In the wake of fresh premium increases and heavy lobbying last year for tort reforms that stalled in the Pa. Legislature, physicians may look to what reforms have passed in Pa., and whether they will bring relief any time soon.