Health care industry providers are continually going through changes that are determined by technological developments, medical research and financial trends. Medical advances give doctors more options for treatment. Software is being introduced that can provide better diagnosis and insurance companies are raiding the pages of healthcare news in droves to determine which new and upcoming treatments to cover.

Professionals in any area of a medical practice must follow the trends by subscribing to the best sources of medicine and health care information available on the web and through medical publications. Keeping up with the news put out by your medical group association and trade groups for healthcare vendors will allow medical professionals to remain current with patient care best practices. Look for health care news and trends news and trends through a number of pertinent resources.

1. Get news feeds from websites for healthcare vendors.

2. Subscribe to valuable publications for medical practice professionals.

3. Join your state medical association for news on medical solutions.

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

Set up a separate email account to receive important health care industry news

In order to make sure that you don't miss special announcements and headlines from medical group practice administrators and physicians that will affect your practice, register with news feeds to get regular updates. You can set your preferences for insurance updates, the latest research findings and emerging medical IT that's coming to the market. Setting up a separate email also allows you to maintain a confidential patient care email account.

I recommend: Modern Healthcare is one of the leading national publications that covers the business of healthcare and should definitely be included among your information resources. News-Medical.net is a free-access source for news headlines on medical industry drivers.

Look for in-depth medical practice sources

Take time to read in-depth healthcare reports and magazines that cover the industry. Watch for the medical articles that provide information that can help drive smart business and patient care decisions, such as patient billing software that's constantly being upgraded.

I recommend: Make sure your IT folks stay on top of emerging news and trends by regularly reading Healthcare IT News. Healthcare Purchasing News is another great niche source for the purchasing department in your practice. Kaisernetwork.org covers government issues for the healthcare industry. The American Hospital Association magazine Health Facilities Management watches healthcare news from the hospital point of view. Medscape from WebMD is a good source for the latest on medical treatments.

Participate in trade groups for healthcare vendors

By joining other professionals in the healthcare field, you can build relationships that can help you stay ahead of the news. You can meet vendors and get leads to find the latest software products, medical equipment and marketing campaigns that others are using.

I recommend: The American Health Care Association has an updated website that keeps readers in touch with the latest healthcare news. You’ll find legislative updates, interviews and headlines through the site of the National Association for Home Care and Hospice.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Attend trade shows to find other health care business resource providers that typically show off their latest products at these events. By doing so, you will receive firsthand experience of new trends at the forefront of the health care industry.

With a seemingly endless array of health care options, trying to zero in on the right plan for your business can be achingly time-consuming. However, several health insurance shopping Web sites have emerged to help you narrow down your options. With a few clicks of the mouse, you can get a list of health insurance plans from a variety of major carriers that are geared to small businesses — usually with two to 50 employees. With these sites, you can:

1. Compare plans and rates.
2. Apply online.
3. Receive notification of approval in a matter of days.
4. Pay no fees.

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

eHealthInsurance.com

ehealthInurance.com lets you choose small business health insurance plans from major carriers and offers managed care plans (HMO, PPO and POS) as well as indemnity, or fee-for-service (FFS), plans in some areas. The site promises to serve as an advocate with the insurance company and to shop for competitive quotes when it's time to renew your policy.

I recommend: Visit eHealthInsurance.com.

HealthInsurance.com

HealthInsurance.com offers all types of small business group health insurance plans, including managed care, indemnity plans and health savings accounts (HSAs). It offers explanations of rating tools used to help you decide which carriers are best. A number of cost-containment strategies are especially useful for small business owners.

I recommend: Go to HealthInsurance.com.

MedHealthInsurance.com

This health insurance shopping site focuses on small businesses and offers managed care plans and HSAs from major carriers. The site offers cost-saving tips, such as information on joining with other small businesses to form a pool to purchase group health insurance.

I recommend: Go to MedHealthInsurance.com.

Major carrier sites

Health care providers also have Web sites that allow you to review and compare plans. Of course, you can only compare among each provider's own plans.

I recommend: Visit Blue Cross, Aetna and Cigna for a look at their small business plans.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  To simplify the health insurance process, choose a site that offers follow-up service or will act as an advocate on your behalf.
• •  Re-examine your health care policy and review rates when it's time to renew.
• •  Most health insurance shopping sites don't charge a fee; instead they're paid a commission by the health insurance provider.

Whether you want to work for healthcare vendors or currently work in a medical group practice, participating in health care management education and training is critical to your success. Demonstrating to employers and clients that you have the necessary educational background to efficiently and effectively do your job is fundamental to ensuring job security. Working professionals who do not have the time to enroll in educational programs need not worry as there are a number of Internet-based training and educational courses to meet a variety of needs.

Before searching through a healthcare vertical portal, also known as a healthcare vortal—a site that provides links to information on a variety of health care topics—consider the following regarding health care management education and training:

1. Earn a bachelors or masters degree in health care management online.

2. Take part in non-degree health care management educational programs offered online.

3. Utilize Internet-based training and workshops to enhance your knowledge of health care management in a medical practice.

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

Enroll in a healthcare degree program online

Acquire or retain the health care industry job of your choice by completing an online degree program. Many colleges and universities around the country make it easier to attain higher education through Internet education programs. No matter what your geographical location, you can register for courses, purchase materials and submit completed work online.

I recommend: Take a look at American InterContinental University Online and learn about their Healthcare Management degree concentrations. View the bachelors and masters degree programs in Healthcare Management offered at Colorado Technical University Online.

Take advantage of a non-degree medical management program online

Add to your credentials as a management professional in medicine by participating in certificate or education programs online. Whether you want to refresh your skill set or enhance your resume, post-degree education is valued by employers and clients alike. And because there are many offerings online, you will not have to interrupt your work schedule or make travel arrangements.

I recommend: Visit Noyes & Associates, a company specializing in nationwide health care management education programs for professionals already in the business. Review the certificate and training programs available through Kaplan University Online.

Make Internet-based training and workshops a part of your office's managerial medical solutions

For those professionals who have already worked in the industry for awhile and do not need to participate in complete healthcare management programs, Internet training or workshops are ideal. Catch up or further your understanding with these continuing education resources while at work or home. Register online to find the appropriate training program for you or your workplace.

I recommend: View the training programs listed at The Training Registry, specifically "Leadership for Healthcare Professionals," provided by The Chicago School. Visit Creative Health Care Management, a health care business resource that offers a variety of educational workshops for professionals.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It is important that you do not rely on a healthcare industry portal for information, but instead check with your employer to accurately understand what is and will be expected of you in your job as a healthcare manager, including educational and training requirements.

Health care is a broad range of diverse services offered by doctors, nurses and other health care professionals. Find out what you need to know about procedures, health insurance and medical records.

Learn what kind of health care your provider offers. Take advantage of employer sponsored health care plans. Find out about innovative procedures such as robotic therapy or discover how assisted living works. Be knowledgeable about health care key terms so you can receive the best health care possible.

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

Health information technology

Health information technology refers to the way information is stored for each patient. Instead of a paper chart, the health care record is stored electronically on computer disks.

I recommend: Health Information Technology offers detailed information including how this will improve health care quality and reduce health care costs.

Employer sponsored health insurance

Employer sponsored health insurance plans are offered through places of employment. They offer various levels of coverage depending on many factors. If one has this type of insurance, the employer pays for many health care costs either in full, or partially.

I recommend: Agency for Health care Research and Quality provides detailed information about employer sponsored health insurance. National Coalition on Health Care provides interesting facts about employer health insurance programs.

Robotic therapy

Robotic therapy means using machines to help patients regain use of a motor skill. Instead of physical rehabilitation, robotic therapy health care offers a less stressful way for stroke and other patients to regain use of bodily functions.

I recommend: MIT News offers an article discussing robotic therapy. NCBI provides an article with information on robotic therapy.

Defibrillation

Defibrillation means providing an electric shock to the heart with charged paddles. A health care provider uses this health care procedure when a person's heart stops.

I recommend: American Heart Association provides extensive information about defibrillation.

Hospice

Hospice health care provides comfort and support to those people with terminal illnesses and their families.

I recommend: Hospice Foundation provides detailed information about hospice.

Assisted living

Assisted living means caring for people while allowing them to live as independently as possible. Although this mostly refers to facilities that provide assisted living, it is also possible to provide this service to a person by having a health care provider visit daily in their home.

I recommend: Assisted Living provides complete details about assisted living including what it is and how it differs from other forms of care such as a nursing home. The National Center for Assisted Living provides details on assisted living.