Second in a two-part series Last month, we provided you with five tips to help you better control costs for orthopedic implant purchases. Here are four more tips to assist with your efforts to tackle these challenging physician preference items. 6. Plan ahead before meeting with physicians. It is unlikely that you will have a significant amount of time to discuss the need for changing purchasing practices with your physicians. But whenever you do have a chance to speak with them, it is imperative that you are well prepared when you meet.