Increasing revenue possible even with reimbursement declines, physician says

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — Reductions in physician reimbursement are expected to be a continuing concern, but it is possible to grow practice revenue despite payment cuts, according to a speaker here.

Rodney W. Roeser, chief accounting officer in the practice of Robert J. Cionni, MD, said he and the physician have devised ways for the practice to increase its revenue. Among the objectives they follow are having a governing board and periodic budget reports, so physicians can plan accordingly, Mr. Roeser told attendees here at the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery meeting.

Mr. Roeser said they negotiate with insurance companies for better contracts. They also audit their payments against the contracts, often finding places where they have been underpaid. They have also looked at technologies to help streamline their business and are considering adopting electronic medical reporting.