The health insurance industry has grown by leaps and bounds, so find health insurance publications that keep you informed, current and competitive. In your business, knowledge means everything, and your clients must feel confident you understand all aspects of the health insurance and health care industries. Before new clients sign on with you, they must also believe you possess the best solution for their specific needs.

Get your hands on as many health insurance industry publications as you can to stay abreast of current news, trends and best practices. As you search for the health insurance professional publications that offer you the most value, consider the following resources:

1. Expand your industry knowledge base with an informative book on health insurance.

2. Stay current on the industry by reading magazines about health insurance.

3. Take advantage of other medical insurance publications.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase a health insurance book for reference or background information

Add to your professional library with health insurance books you can refer to again and again.

I recommend: Include a copy of Insurance Handbook for the Medical Office at your place of business if you need help setting up the insurance segment of your private practice. The 2007 textbook discusses submitting, tracing, appealing and transmitting claims, and it includes information on diagnostic coding, collection strategies, Medicare and managed care. As an added bonus, the book also includes a companion CD-ROM and HIPAA handbook. Keep a copy of Understanding Health Insurance: A Guide to Billing and Reimbursement, by Michelle Green and Jo Ann Rowell, in your office. The 2007 book includes comprehensive information you need on the health insurance field, managed health care, legal and regulatory issues, coding systems, reimbursement methods and common insurance plans. This book also comes with a companion CD-ROM and a workbook.

Subscribe to or bookmark the health insurance magazines most relevant to you

You'll find an abundant supply of current information in publications on health insurance online and in print. Take advantage of health insurance industry research in magazines about health insurance so you will stay up to date on policies, compliance issues and various plans.

I recommend: Go to the National Association of Health Underwriters to choose how you gain access to Health Insurance Underwriter Magazine. Published monthly, the health insurance periodical addresses all topics that affect how health care professionals operate. Consider an annual subscription to Employers Guide to the Health Insurance Portability & Accountability Act. Use the health insurance industry publication to learn all you need to ensure full compliance with HIPAA's vast and still-evolving requirements. Keep up with the latest in the health care industry with a free subscription to Managed Health Care Executive.

Search among other sources for health insurance industry research

Dig deeper into topics that really interest you with health insurance publications that include research papers, online publications and journals.

I recommend: Bookmark The Commonwealth Fund newsletter titled States in Action for the latest innovations in state health policies throughout the nation. A private foundation, The Commonwealth Fund seeks to promote a high performing health care system with better access, quality and efficiency, and it focuses primarily on low-income people, the uninsured, minority Americans, young children and the elderly. Order a subscription to InsuranceNewsNet Magazine, a life and health insurance publication. The magazine offers news updates, health insurance marketing tips and advice for growing your business, among other life insurance and annuity-related articles. Bookmark Hi-Wire, an online publication that strives to connect the health insurance industry through the most current news and analysis covering the entire industry. Read the New England Journal of Medicine Health Care Delivery Collection. Here you'll find in-depth information on health maintenance organizations, insurance, economics and the quality of care.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Besides researching topics and staying abreast of new developments, use health insurance publications to develop new networking opportunities and forums that offer you the opportunity to trade information and advice.