Understanding the risks associated with these very divergent areas and providing useful information to protect the physician from liability are the primary aims of Dr. David Marcinko’s latest book, Insurance and Risk Management Strategies For Physicians and Advisors.

This book is an excellent primer for physicians of all levels and interests providing important personal and professional advice. It is “must reading” for all medical students who need a fundamental understanding of the current healthcare environment and is equally important to the established physician executive looking for a reference on topics like capitation or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

The book begins with a discussion of personal issues for the physician including life, homeowner’s and disability insurance as well as the financial and professional risks associated with divorce. Next the physician’s practice is considered with clear and concise coverage of issues ranging from documentation to business operations. Of importance, the book extends beyond the first layer of practice management to address important topics like sexual harassment and workplace violence.

Dr. David E. Marcinko and his twenty authors from http://www.MedicalBusinessAdvisors.com are all knowledgeable contributors. They have prepared a product that is excellent in its content and organization. The book is organized in a way that is highly useful for a busy practitioner. Topics are introduced without the overuse of jargon and more than adequately explained. There are numerous subheadings and bulleted lists to assist the reader with moving through the text or highlighting a particular topic. Robust examples throughout the book provide the reader with an applied knowledge that complements the didactic sections. The book is well referenced for more in-depth reading on a particular topic with materials from both the written and electronic media.

Of its few limitations, Insurance and Risk Management Strategies For Physicians and Advisors ambitiously attempts to briefly cover a large number of topics. For the most part, this is accomplished well. However, some of the topics were unexpected by the book’s title. While the physician executive will still require a financial or insurance advisor after reading this book, this well written text assists in providing the necessary background on what type of assistance is needed. As a result, physician executives will be in a better position to address insurance, risk management, and financial decisions for themselves, their families, their practices or the organizations they lead.

David C. Stockwell, MD and Anthony D. Slonim, MD, MPH

This is an excellent book edited by Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA, CMP(tm) to assist health care administrators, physicians and their advisors with the complex issues of insurance and risk management. It is a multi authored book that contains detail information and comprehensive views on a broad range of strategies.

The fifteen chapters cover a broad range of topics, from insuring physicians, their property and practice to covering such complex topics as medical records and health care compliance. Furthermore,
the book addresses other important issues like sexual harassment, workplace violence and risk management in the modern medical practice.

This book is well written and precise. In addition to addressing the topics mentioned above, various authors enlighten us abut medical malpractice and tort reforms issues and promotes the so-called “Capitation Liability Theory.” The innovative CLT approach suggests that fixed rate reimbursement systems reduce the incidence of malpractice liability.

Assisting medical professionals in these tumultuous times, advisors need to sharpen their skills on the unique items affecting physician clients. The book is comprehensive and informative and an excellent source of information that provided me a better understanding and perspective on insurance and risk management – not only from the perspective
of a Certified Financial Planner®, but also how it correlates to most physician’s unique situations.

Amaury Cifuentes
CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®
Certified Medical Planner(tm) candidate
3878 Sheridan Street
Hollywood Fl 33021

That said, if you have the patience to slog through this cliched diatribe, there are some valuable insights presented. Mr. Winkler describes the tactics used by wind power developers and the long term shortfalls of the current mania for wind power.

It is unfortunate that the book is so poorly assembled and corroborated. A wealth of information is readily accessible that would have added some meat to his claims.

As written, the book presents like some chest pounding ignoramus at a back woods town hall meeting. I would not reference it in my studies.