CMA encourages all physicians and office managers to complete the association's 2004 Cost Survey. The survey is designed to gather data to help physicians and office managers evaluate and improve practice performance. Survey results, which will be available at no cost to all participants, will enable you to:

• Evaluate and manage practice expenses
• Evaluate and manage accounts receivable
• Benchmark your costs against other practices
  with similar profiles
• Benchmark data on support staff salaries and benefits and other key management costs

The deadline for submitting survey responses is August 31.
Responses will be tabulated by Moss-Adams, an independent accounting firm. Survey responses are confidential and CMA will not have access to any individual results from any physician.

Before completing the survey, you will need to gather your practice's 2003 accounts receivable data, 2003 staffing data, and 2003 profit/loss report (your CPA prepared report, tax return, or internal reports generated from QuickBooks or Quicken will contain this information).

Participants will receive a free copy of the survey report. CMA members who do not complete the survey may purchase the report for $100. (Nonmember price is $250.)

Contact: Aileen Wetzel, CMA's Center for Economic Services, 916/444-5532 or awetzel@cmanet.org.