SPOTLIGHT -
May 8th 2024
Budget Committee hearing has testimony from experts, including leader of a primary care practice.
May 6th 2024
Researchers say restrictions to reign in spending may not fly in Congress.
May 1st 2024
CEO Witty apologizes for effects of the massive cyberattack, but Senate Finance Committee chair says the company ‘let the country down.’
April 30th 2024
Five-year test starts in 2025 to promote innovative, proactive approaches to care.
April 29th 2024
The top news stories in medicine today.
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.
Health care organizations praise CMS new rules on prior authorizations, interoperability
Faster prior auths are a priority for physicians and patients, so the new rules will help family doctors.
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule needs changing, but not to make physicians violate the law
MGMA outlines legal technicality that HHS needs to address if Congress takes action.
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.
Inflation rises by 0.3% for December, 3.4% for 2023
Federal figures include health care services and commodities.
ACA insurance surpasses 20 million enrollees
CMS announces figures blowing by last year’s record of 16.3 million enrollees.
Prescription drug prices: How the United States compares to other developed nations – a slideshow
Americans pay more, but that could change when Medicare begins negotiating prices.
Medicare Advantage benefits expansion could help patients, physicians
AMGA weighs in on policy changes proposed for 2025.
Paxlovid and long COVID; hearing loss and dementia risk; $93M in health care fraud - Morning Medical Update
The top news stories in primary care today.
Lilly launches direct-to-patient telehealth service
Internal medicine physicians ‘concerned’ about patients ordering prescription drugs directly from pharmaceutical makers.
Health care sector added 55,000 jobs a month in 2022
President, GOP clash over meanings of economic indicators.
AMGA joins chorus opposing harsh penalties for information blocking
‘Overly punitive’ approach will discourage move to value-based care.
Low-cost physical exams: a slideshow about 12 states with the best prices for patients
If you practice here, your patients are getting a bargain.
HHS Inspector General outlines enforcement actions for second half of fiscal year 2023
Report to Congress details expected recoveries, questioned costs, and potential savings.
Financial implications for physicians when choosing a career path
Young doctors’ early decisions can have profound effects on professional development and retirement. Here are some questions to consider.
Cost for a physical exam: a slideshow of the 12 most expensive states
Here’s the cost of getting into the exam room.
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.
AMA chides lawmakers for not changing Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Proposals, money and 'perpetual hope' are all there. Now action is needed.
Health insurance companies lock up market share across the nation
AMA examines how dominating metro areas has effects on patients and physicians.
U.S. health care spending hits $4.5 trillion in 2022
Physicians, hospitals, prescription drugs at top of list for expenditures.
Concussions in tennis; malnutrition and body mass; federal money for home and community-based services – Morning Medical Update
Consumer prices up slightly in November
Costs for shelter and medical care rose but were offset by falling energy prices
Health care legislation would disclose pricing information, enact site-neutral payment, regulate PBMs
House approves landmark ‘Lower Costs, More Transparency Act.’
Cigna, Humana end merger talks: report
Health insurance giant Cigna announces $10B stock buyback.
Committee sends 19 health care bills for full House consideration
Law could change Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, affecting reimbursement to doctors.
Health care a job leader for November
Federal figures show growth across some industries and declines in others.
President targets high prescription drug prices with ‘march-in’ authority
Public-private partnerships will crumble, hurting drug innovation and eventually patients, Republicans say.
MedPAC mulls over physician compensation through Medicare
December meeting has two days of discussion planned.