Pulse

Cash Is King

Weary of paperwork, managed care constraints, and low reimbursements, some metro-area physicians have shelved their contracts with payers and redesigned their practices.

Above and Beyond

Concierge care, which seemed to be at high tide just a couple of years ago, may have ebbed in Minnesota.

Driven to Doubt

Consumer-driven health plans are gaining traction with cost-conscious employers. But what effect are they having on the bottom line of medical practices?

Lean Machine

Park Nicollet Health Services turned to a Japanese automaker for a management strategy it says saves money, streamlines services, and improves care.

Book Review

Stuck in the Muck

By Charles Meyer, M.D.

In The Health Care Mess, an economist and a physician share their ideas for how to get the United States out of its health care quagmire. Will anyone go for them?

End Notes

Not Paid to Talk

By Richard A. Miner, M.D.

A physician reflects on how the system has changed doctors since his father’s day.


April 2006 | Table of Contents

Cover Story

Million-Dollar Miracles

By Scott D. Smith

A hemophiliac’s story highlights the yin and yang of the U.S. medical system: brilliant breakthroughs and bank-busting bills.

Perspectives

When Ends Don’t Meet

By Rich Kirkpatrick, M.D.

A primary care physician presents the rationale for getting into ancillary services.

A Different Path

By Susan Rutten, M.D.

Disillusioned with corporate medicine, one physician gave it up to start a solo, rural practice.

Commentary

Paying Physicians and Protecting the Poor

By David J. Satin, M.D.

Pay-for-performance systems should protect the health of poor patients and level the playing field for the physicians who treat them.

Quality Rounds

Recasting the Lowly Formulary

By Scott D. Smith

Some experts think drug formularies play a key role in patient safety because the committees that create them assess the effectiveness and safety of new drugs.

Clinical and Health Affairs

Access to Health Care: Differences between Insured and Uninsured Patients in South Minneapolis

By Richard Adair, M.D., Amy Greminger, M.D., and Bryan Post, M.D.

 

Editor's Note

Paying the Plumber

 

MMA Viewpoint

Toward a Better, Simpler System

 

MMA News

Physicians Spend a Day at the Capitol
MMA to Create Billing Task Force
MMA Launches Health Reform Partnership

 


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