Jeffrey D. Brunken

Your weekly dose of wisdom from the Physicians Practice experts.

Here is a practical guide to minimize liability claims stemming from communication oversights and misunderstandings at your medical practice.

More insured patients will be paying more out-of-pocket expenses and higher deductibles for their care. This could be bad news for docs.

The issues of increased cyber-hacking risks and difficulty collecting from patients with high-deductible health plans are unlikely to cease in 2016. Be prepared for both.

Social media can have a lot of value for physicians, but if they aren’t careful it can also be a liability. How should you use it?

Many physicians will face a malpractice claim in their career, so the way a physician communicates adverse news is of paramount importance.

Even if a physician stops practicing medicine, malpractice coverage needs to continue. Here's how to ensure you are covered.

Here are six steps to protect yourself and your practice from malpractice suits stemming from a patient's prescription addiction.

I find that physicians in private practice are passionate about what they do, and most want to stay independent.

Cyber risk isn't just a technology issue. It affects your entire business, so have a plan in place and mitigated through education and risk management.

Tailored risk management can reduce healthcare costs. While your insurer does its best to reduce your risk, here are three ways physicians can do the same.

Change can impact a physician’s two key risk exposures: professional liability and long-term disability. Here's how to reduce your risks.

The recent Anthem record breach underscores a growing threat to all of us in the healthcare industry. But proper risk management can help you fight back.

Malpractice insurance pricing has been stable and even declining for the past several years, but will the trend continue?

Physicians have a great opportunity to bargain shop for high quality malpractice insurance. But they must remember their priorities, and above all, buy quality.

PAs and NPs can be great assets to practices, but physicians need to take proper precautions. Here are three liability coverage must-haves.

From inadequate cyber insurance to poor RAC audit coverage, many physicians are purchasing policies that could result in big losses down the line.

As use of care teams increases, physicians need to ensure their malpractice policies fully protect them.

Malpractice lawsuits are never pleasant, but physicians that are proactive before, during, and even after a lawsuit will have a better outcome.

The increasing emphasis on patient satisfaction has some physicians walking a tightrope when it comes to discussing serious health issues.

Interpersonal skills are becoming increasingly important to quality assessment rankings, reimbursement, and even a physician's risk profile.

Rapid changes in the healthcare delivery system can leave physicians with outdated disability coverage. Here's how to determine if your coverage is adequate.

With implementation of the health law now in full swing, many physicians are wondering how it will affect malpractice costs and claims.

Many physicians are enjoying historically low pricing in the med-mal market, but within the insurance industry some caution that what goes down must come up.

Recent reports of cyber attacks involving patients' medical records have physicians wondering whether cyber insurance is a smart idea to protect their practices.

To avoid potential lawsuits involving EHR adoption and implementation - think like a plaintiff's attorney.

In the rush to meet meaningful use guidelines, physicians may have won the battle but lost the war as poor or faulty implementation of EHRs increases risk.

Finding ways to maintain an independent physician practice is tough. One area to target for cost savings and practice protection is insurance coverage.

What will the new HIPAA Omnibus Rule mean in terms of malpractice and professional liability insurance issues for physicians? Here's an explanation.

Patients who feel disrespected or poorly treated are more likely to sue if there is a bad outcome. Here's how to encourage a more respectful office environment.