• Do you know what the United States population is?
• What state in the Union is the largest and how about the smallest?
• What states have declining populations and what is the country's largest city?
• Who makes up the majority of those people?

Every 10 years, as mandated by the United States Constitution, a U.S. census is conducted. The most recent was completed in 2010, this being the 23rd study since the policy was implemented in 1790.

The government no doubt uses this information in many ways. But specifically, the data determines the  number of members to the United States House of Representatives that each state has. While all states have two U.S. senators regardless of size, its number of congressmen is recalculated every 10 years based on the census, with a proportional number being awarded and corresponding to the state's population.

With the most recent cycle, which will be implemented in 2012, Texas will gain an additional four seats and Florida two.... while New York and Ohio will each lose two from its delegation in Representatives to the House. This can have a significant effect in many ways, but particularly on the Electoral College and the ultimate outcome of a presidential election.

While the historical information is interesting, the 2010 census numbers and demographics provide a wonderful opportunity for any individual or business to find a place to practice or live using "real world" data.

The New York Times has created an amazing website which allows you to look at specific states, cities, zip codes and trends which should make your research much easier and I would highly recommend that you "Click Now."  

Check it out here: http://projects.nytimes.com/census/2010/explorer 

Happy Days!

In the earlier blog posts (step one and step two), I talked about signing up for a PECOS number and registering with Medicare. This is all part of the Meaningful Use Rule that establishes incentives for health care provides to obtain and use certified electronic health records (EHR) technology. 

Your next steps will involve assessing and selecting an electronic health records system. While this is certainly a daunting task, the best place to start is with your Regional Extension Center. To find yours, go to www.regionalextensioncenters.com. 

You’ll find a variety of resources, including:

• EHR Implementation Roadmap
• EHR Goal Setting
• Avoiding EHR Disasters
• Post Go-Live Evaluation
• Office Staff Survey
• Meaningful Use Calculator 

In addition, you can contact your REC with any questions you have. They’re the experts to turn to in helping you through the EHR process.

When a staff person fails to perform the way the doctor expected them to, it is often because the instructions were not clear.  There is a big difference between asking someone to "complete this as soon as you can" and "this needs to be completed by 3:00 today."

In both cases, there is an expectation of quick action, but expressing the instructions as a request rather than a directive makes a big difference on how the task is carried out.

Empower you staff to ask for specifics as to when the completed task is due if you fall back into the "as soon as you can" approach.  It can avoid a lot of miscommunication in the office.

It really does not take much to “stand out” in this world of email, tweets, and other electronic messaging.  

Just for fun, I stopped folks on the street and told them I was doing a survey and asked them when the last time was that they received a hand-written note from anyone. 

Most had to think about it and when they responded I asked the second question:  How did you feel when you got the note?  Most were pleased and from the smile and expression on their face it was a memorable experience. 

We often talk about “genuine communication” and perhaps you have not given those two words much thought.  But think of the impact you can have - and how you stand out in the crowd - by sending handwritten notes to your patients and individuals in your community who have done something outstanding to deserve attention.

You will never know the impact that your personal handwritten words will have on the individual receiving your message.  There is something special about getting a personal card or note in the mail.  You simply stand out among the crowd when you communicate in a manner that almost seems to be a lost art.  Try it for a few months and see what kind of feedback you get. 

It is probably the best 44 cent investment you will make in relationship building.

When you treat family, often your family will want to help you out and suggest that you file the claim for services with the insurance company.  Whenever you are going to file a claim for services rendered to family members, always check the policy first.

Most Blue Cross policies prohibit charging for treatment to members of the immediate family.  Blue Cross  defines immediate family members as:

• Current spouse
• Eligible domestic partner
• Parents and step-parents
• Children and grandchildren
• Siblings (including natural, step, half or other legally placed children).

If it is determined that a claim has been paid in error, Blue Cross will request a refund of the payment. Keep in mind that Blue Cross can ask for repayment for services rendered over the last two years.

Medicare does NOT pay for charges by immediate relatives of the beneficiary or by members of his/her household.  Medicare defines immediate relatives as:

• Husband and wife
• Natural or adoptive parent, child, and sibling
• Stepparent, stepchild, stepbrother, and stepsister
• Grandparent and grandchild; and
• Spouse of grandparent and grandchild.

What is interesting is that Medicare states that “this relationship continues to exist even in the case of divorce.”   Keep in mind that Medicare can ask for repayment for services rendered over the last three years.

In 1984 The Pointer Sisters sang a Top Ten hit song titled, “I’m So Excited!”  I still get a happy feeling when I hear the disco beat in my head. Reminds me of how thrilled kids are when they head back to school!

It’s nearing the end of summer and you can smell the sweetness of fall coming in the air. Soon school will be back in session and teachers will be looking for innovative ways to teach art, science and health. This makes for a great marketing opportunity for new D.C.’s as they search for ways to grow business.  Here’s just one idea that you might try, but only if it excites you!

• Sponsor a local art contest. Offer prizes of $100 for 1^st prize, $50 for 2^nd prize and $25 for 3^rd prize with 3 “ribbon” honorary mentions. Write a press release for the paper stating the “rules” of the contest. (Explain that any medium accepted, one piece per person, adults only or children only, must display in your office for at least 30-60 days after the contest, if any item sells during that time, all money goes back to artist, deadline for entry is ?)

Find an art teacher, local celebrity or museum curator to judge the event.  Send a press release to local date calendar and art teachers. If you have the room, hold the judging at your place. The artwork will create quite a buzz and allow potential new clients to see your place. 

On the night of judging, keep the focus on the art, not you. You’ll be surprised at the exposure you’ll get for doing something you love! On top of that you get free art to decorate your walls and may even tap into the art scene for your personal enjoyment!

Modify this idea any way you like. Use bicycling, photography, fundraising for a good cause, music, dance, etc. The point is to find something you love and sponsor an event that both gets exposure for your business and gives back to the community!

    Other quick ideas for using your talents

• Sponsor:
  • a science contest utilizing spinal anatomy using coloring books
• Teach
  • a class to football players on how to reduce injuries
• Support
  • a local soccer or cheerleading team by providing ice packs or helpful brochures
• Honor
  • a returning Afghan/Iraq/Iran soldier by holding a fundraising event for a military family or the USO

Whatever you choose to do, do something that excites you! You’ll soon be reaping the benefits from supporting something you love!

Do you have any successful marketing ideas you’d like to share with new practitioners?

You grinned upon reading the title because you've probably heard that line before. 

Sometimes, it's an enthusiastic response.  Sometimes, it's a "Hey! can you crack me?" comment, and sometimes it's the beginning of "their story" of chiropractic. 

Sometimes that story is about a positive experience; sometimes not so much.  

What is that all about?  Has anyone else noticed?  Do dentists, mechanics, teachers, surgeons and beauticians also suffer this awkward social moment?  

From late show digs to sit-com stars - chiropractic doesn't always get a good rap.  Yes, the profession has come a long way over the years, but we have room to improve.  What is the key to establishing the cultural authority we so obviously lack?

• Is it the way we advertise or market ourselves? 
• Is it the "parlor tricks" and "quick pops" we've all been asked to perform?  
• Do YOU "perform" on command? 

There is no one correct answer,  but I wonder...what are your thoughts?

It’s a silly question to ask, particularly to a chiropractic college student facing a mound of college loan debt upon graduation.  I certainly encourage all the chiropractic students out there to search out scholarship opportunities.  With a little work and creativity, you might just pick up some extra cash to help with your college debt!

NCMIC will once again be awarding a $1,000 scholarship to one student at each of the chiropractic colleges in 2012.  Eligible students must meet these requirements:

• be within 18 months of graduation as of the application deadline (April 1, 2012)
• have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2
• provide two faculty recommendations
• write a 500 word essay explaining their leadership style and how they see themselves contributing to the chiropractic profession following graduation

NCMIC will begin taking applications after September 1, 2011.  The application deadline will be April 1, 2012 and the scholarship winners will be contacted in mid-June 2012.  If you are eligible (or know someone that is), PLEASE consider this opportunity for $1,000! 

Visit our website at www.ncmic.com/scholarship for more information including the scholarship application.

Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, Gmail, all of these terms are the mark of a generation.  Those from that generation know exactly what you mean and how to find it.

We are not caregivers to one generation.  There is a significant portion of our patient population that relies on local advertisement rather than digital advertisement.

So how do I get the word out to those who aren't  "plugged-in "? 

I'm thinking about going real old-school and sending a personal note...in ink, by hand to those inactive patients over a certain age. What age should I pick and am I wasting my time? I think it would really stick out to some patients who are tired of form letters and mass mailing reminders. 

How often do we say, “let’s have lunch some time”? It could be with a friend we do not see often (usually at weddings or funerals) or a new individual with whom you want to establish a relationship. 

If you are serious about establishing a relationship, then be serious about setting up a time and date for the lunch or meeting.  Ever notice that when you simply say "We should get together sometime: - it never seems to happen? 

The only way is to take control of the specifics, nail down the details and make it happen. 

Just the other day I had lunch with three doctor friends who have been close friends for many many years.  We get together at least three times a year and it only gets done because we set up a time and date on our calander to MAKE IT HAPPEN. 

There is nothing more gratifying than long-term relationships but, in order for them to grow, they must be nurtured. Setting aside that specific time and date makes it happen. Best of all, it provides a grand and memorable lunch with a meaningful and lifetime commitment. 

Think about who you would like to continue to build a relationship with and then take the action step to do it!