SPOTLIGHT -
May 9th 2024
Small Business Committee sympathetic to independent physician practices.
May 7th 2024
Annual report calls for more efficient care models and for Congress to address looming financial shortfalls
May 2nd 2024
State becomes first to officially recognize PA title change
Following testimony in Senate, UnitedHealth Group CEO Witty appears before House oversight subcommittee.
May 1st 2024
CEO Witty apologizes for effects of the massive cyberattack, but Senate Finance Committee chair says the company ‘let the country down.’
Black Medicaid enrollees face higher rates of preventable hospitalizations than White enrollees
Better primary care could help reduce the disparities
CMS leaders tout prior authorization rule among 2023 accomplishments, 2024 agenda
New regulations aim to make prior auths faster and clearer for physicians and patients.
AMA to Congress: cancel Medicare funding cuts
Warns of “access issues” if lawmakers fail to act
New CMS rules ‘a major win’ on prior authorizations, but more action is needed
Congress must make faster prior authorizations a national priority in health care, advocates say.
Predictions abound for health care policy as presidential election year begins
Inflation is tops but health care concern is high as pessimism spreads like wildfire.
Rural health care organizations to receive boost in Texas via new health program from Texas A&M.
Collaboration among medical school, nursing school, and rural health institute aims to bring better care to rural Texas
Feds examine loosening restrictions on marijuana for medical use and research
HHS supports change from Schedule I drug to Schedule III, but DEA must weigh in.
Hey doc: you need to take more vacation time
Study finds majority takes less than three weeks, and many spend some vacation time working
Prescribing insanity: Monopoly in continuous board certification drives costs up and physicians out
The costs and burden of Maintenance of Certification drives physicians out of medicine
Hydration in the age of plastic; sensors to detect lung cancer; conscience in health care - Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in medicine today.
AMA praises MedPAC recommendation for more Medicare physician reimbursement
January meeting opens new year of wrangling in Washington as doctor costs go up and payments go down.
Hospitals, medical groups urge CMS to reconsider information blocking penalties
They say proposed penalty structure would harm small hospitals and medical groups, call for greater clarity on what would trigger penalties
ACA insurance surpasses 20 million enrollees
CMS announces figures blowing by last year’s record of 16.3 million enrollees.
Pharma CEO: Let's have transparency in prescription drug pricing
It's time for pharmaceutical companies and others to innovate and disrupt the distribution side of treatment.
HHS appoints first-ever chief competition officer
Action is latest in Biden administration’s efforts to rein in health care costs
FDA grants first-ever approval for a state to import Canadian drugs
Agency gives nod to Florida program that could save state up to $150 million annually
Captive insurance safeguards patient privacy in medical practices
In the context of small and midsize private medical practices, captive insurance can offer significant benefits for data privacy and security.
Changes are coming to language access requirements in 2024
Medicare to kick off drug price negotiations in February
New study finds prices of targeted drugs are three times higher in U.S. than elsewhere
What happens to patient care after private equity acquires a hospital?
Study reveals increase in “adverse events” following purchase
HHS Inspector General outlines enforcement actions for second half of fiscal year 2023
Report to Congress details expected recoveries, questioned costs, and potential savings.
Information blocking penalties could harm patient care: NAACOS
In response to proposed rule it calls for better education about information blocking, eliminating penalties that discourage value-based care participation
Docs need to rock the vote in 2024
ACP emphasizes that physicians must vote and encourage their patients to cast ballots for the health of the nation.
Feds allege $60M in health care fraud; city living and patient health; adding to safety stations – Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in primary care today.
What the rise of home-based care means for primary care physicians
Trend will require greater coordination with in-home care providers, but payoff will be better patient outcomes
Health care fraud investigations net $1.72B for 2022
HHS, DOJ say COVID-19 was a factor in enforcement during report time period.
ACA Marketplace enrollment already at record 15 million
Federal analysts project 19 million people covered by January 2024 deadline.
Telehealth tips: Safeguarding medical practice post-pandemic
Is your practice following proper protocols when it comes to telehealth?
Jury convicts 3 for peddling phony nursing diplomas
U.S. Department of Justice announces pleas or convictions for 27 people involved in scheme.
AIMPA to Congress: Don’t cut Medicare reimbursements
Independent doctors group says cuts would result in higher costs and less access to care for patients