The Practice Management Committee Supports the Business Side of Headache Care
The Practice Management Committee’s mission is to advocate for the quality practice of headache by improving the economic and regulatory environment for members through education and advocacy. The co-chairs, Raissa Villanueva, MD, MPH, FAHS, and Brad Klein, MD, MBA, FAHS, guide the committee in helping headache specialists manage the business and regulatory aspects of practice. Hear directly from Dr. Villanueva and Dr. Klein as they discuss the mission and ongoing work of the committee:
No Margin, No Mission
Over the next year, the Practice Management Committee aims to help AHS members navigate the regulatory, legislative, and financial pressures affecting their practices. As Dr. Klein emphasizes, "No margin, no mission" — meaning that without financial sustainability, practices cannot continue delivering care to patients with headaches.
To that end, the committee educates members on the practical issues that directly affect a practice's bottom line: coding, billing, reimbursement, and payment policy updates. It also addresses broader operational considerations, such as finances, workflow, team management, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare settings, that shape how sustainable, well-run practices function day to day.
A Growing Library of Practice Management Resources
Recently, the committee has been busy developing resources that support members in their clinical practices. A standout example is a recent publication in Headache: A Journal of Face and Head Pain on Advanced Practice Provider (APP) onboarding, which covers how to integrate APPs into headache care teams, including structured onboarding approaches, role definition, and specialty training.
Beyond that publication, the committee has built out a growing library of practice management resources covering common questions. These include Resources to Support Students with Headache, Building Effective Payer Relationships, Using CPT 99451 Billing Code in Headache Medicine, Top 10 Things to Know About Infusions for Headache, along with many others. This gives members a quick reference for guidance on coding, billing, workflow, team management, and other day-to-day challenges.
Get Involved
The Practice Management Committee includes members from a variety of practice settings, including private practices, academic institutions, and employed clinical teams. This mix of backgrounds helps the committee address the real-world needs of headache specialists across different environments.
Members who want to get involved can contact AHS headquarters or contact the committee directly using this form. The committee also welcomes feedback and questions. These insights will help shape the topics the committee covers and educate the broader AHS community about practice management in headache medicine.
Supporting the Future of Headache Care
The Practice Management Committee aims to empower practices to operate confidently and sustainably, make informed decisions about practice models, and ensure consistent, high-quality care while navigating financial and operational challenges. Through its education, resources, and advocacy, the committee will continue supporting members as headache medicine practices evolve.