Books such as this one are deceptively difficult to create. The general subject is neither happy, nor easy, nor most anyone’s idea of fun. M- practice litigation, however, has become a central fact of existence in the practice of medicine today. This tsunami of lawsuits has led to a high volume of irreconcilable rhetoric and ultimately threatens the stability of the entire health care system. Our goal has been to provide a source of reliable information on a subject of importance to all who provide me- cal care in the United States. The book is divided into four sections. Part I gives an overview of insurance in general and discusses the organization of professional - ability insurance companies in particular. Part II focuses on the litigation process itself with views from the defense and plaintiff bar, and the physician as both expert and defendant. Part III looks at malpractice litigation from the viewpoint of the practicing physician. Some of the chapters are broadly relevant to all doctors—the rise of e-medicine, and the importance of effective communication, for example. The other ch- ters are constructed around individual medical specialties, but discuss issues that are of potential interest to all. Part IV looks ahead. “The Case for Legal Reform” presents changes in medical-legal jurisprudence that can be of immediate benefit. The final two chapters take a broader perspective on aspects of our entire health care system and its interface with law and public policy.

This special edition provides information about understanding the importance and need for health insurance, medical billing, and a detailed study about private and public-health insurance in the United States.

This book provides an in-depth evaluation of the U.S. health care system's development in the twentieth century. It shows how a unique economic design - the insurance company model - came to dominate health care, bringing with it high costs; corporate medicine; and fragmented, poorly distributed care.

Discusses the ways hospitals manage information, including information competence, data overload, strategy control systems, and techniques for data analysis.

Preparing business managers and human resources professionals for the myriad questions surrounding the new Health Insurance Portability and Accountability (HIPAA) Privacy Rule, this guide has more than 80 tools that help employers understand and comply with the new statutes. Sample policies, procedures, and forms will aid in quickly developing a privacy program, and training materials will aid in educating employees as to its requirements. Checklists and training materials include requirements for group health plans, an authorization checklist, and a training leader’s guide. A section-by-section summary of the Privacy Rule provides an accessible, summarized reference. A CD-ROM with forms, policies, checklists, and training materials in both PDF and rich text formats is included.

MENTAL HEALTH LAWS AND PROFESSIONALS.