SPOTLIGHT -
Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Survey shows need for better IT and physician alignment to improve outcomes and reduce burnout
IT leaders acknowledge that physicians are spending too much time dealing with technology issues instead of spending time with patients
Your Medicare patients are probably struggling more than you realize
Report shows that almost 20% of older adults on Medicare are underinsured and sometimes choosing between medical care and rent.
Hospital financials show signs of stabilizing
Increasing August revenue helps boost performance
The future of medicine
What will being a physician look like in the future, and how will health care change?
Most older adults: Cancer screening guidelines are trash
Poll shows majority of older adults are against the idea of incorporating life expectancy into screening guidelines
New COVID vaccine receives mixed response
Republicans are more likely to say they are not getting the vaccine and that it isn’t safe
Costco offering $29 primary care telehealth visits
Warehouse-style retailer is the latest big name to jump into health care
Inflation is up and so is medical debt
Doctor visits are playing a big role in patient debt
Cigna faces second class-action suit over automated claims denials
Suit focuses on Cigna’s use of claims automation software
HHS resumes providing home COVID tests
Biden administration announces $600 million in funding for at-home tests that will be mailed to those requesting them
Federal Reserve declines interest rate hike after latest meeting
Benchmark range stays in the 5.25% - 5.5% range
Want a better workplace culture? Focus on the positive, not what went wrong
Mass General Brigham researchers found that sharing what went right instead of what went wrong can go a long way toward building a better workplace culture
25% of low-income older Americans lack health insurance
Despite the fact that most would be eligible for Medicare, many lack any coverage at all
Next to be replaced by AI: Emergency doctors
Study found AI outperformed doctors in assessing patients and was correct 97% of the time.
First combined MD/artificial intelligence degree program launched
Program aims to train doctors to apply artificial intelligence to improve diagnostic and treatment outcomes
Best Buy expands its home care presence
Electronics retailer partnering with health system for chronic care management in the home
Primary care telehealth visits coded lower than in-office visits
Specialists followed a similar pattern of lower coding for telehealth visits
Walgreens expands its push into primary care
Pharmacy chain partnering with Pearl Health to expand value-based care to more primary care physicians
EHRs with poor usability more likely to miss medical errors
Report shows the importance of ease-of-use for physicians
The 10 states with the most medical debt
Residents in these states are facing collections for bad medical debt.
Online AI test outperforms primary care physicians in assessing Parkinson’s disease
AI test offers quick and remote diagnosis that could ultimately help primary care physicians
Primary care physicians that are part of large health systems lead to increased spending and specialist visits
Patients in study had 22.4% higher specialist visits than the control group
Health leaders devoting more money to defend against cyber attacks
Attacks are having an effect on care delivery
One in six patients face collections over medical debt
In some areas of the U.S., 40% of the population has medical debt in collections
Changes in medical licensing exam create new problems
At-risk students and diversity both suffer from changing the first part of the exam to pass/fail
The biggest barriers to health care access
Different generations face different problems when it comes to accessing health care.
Majority of independent practice owners say the industry is threatened
Growth is still anticipated for many, despite challenges
Social media doesn't cause depression, brain-computer interface allows paralyzed woman to speak, watch video of others eating candy so you don't have to - Digital Pulse
The latest health care technology news
Hospital finances decline in July
Decreasing volumes and bad debt take a toll
Employer health care costs expected to rise 8.5% in 2024
Costs expected to exceed more than $15,000 per employee