SPOTLIGHT -
Keith A. Reynolds is the editor of Physicians Practice.
Jobs report: Employment rose by 531,000 in October
Healthcare saw a modest increase in jobs but is still well below pre-pandemic employment.
White House gears up for COVID-19 vaccine mandate court battle
After a panel federal judges put a temporary halt on the mandate, the U.S. Surgeon General says the administration is ready to fight for the requirement.
Flu and COVID-19 vaccine attitudes vary by age
A mid-October poll of older Americans found major differences in vaccine attitudes between different groups.
Pfizer touts antiviral COVID-19 pill’s efficacy
The company’s proposed COVID-19 treatment proved to be 89 percent effective in preventing hospitalization.
Biden administration requiring healthcare workers to receive COVID-19 vaccine
The regulation would affect more than 17 million healthcare workers.
Physician fee schedule: Organizations respond
Physician organizations give their take on the newly release physician fee schedule.
2022 Physician Fee Schedule maintains telehealth expansion for now
The Medicare telehealth expansion will continue at least until Dec. 31, 2022.
Texas Medical Association sues over surprise billing law arbitration provision
The association claims that the new surprise billing law’s arbitration provision overly favors insurers.
CDC recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11
The agency moved quickly to approve the smaller shots.
Expenses continue to rise for physicians and hospitals
Rising expenses continue squeezing physicians and hospitals as they try to rebound from the latest COVID-19 surge.
FDA authorizes COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 to 11
The vaccine is just awaiting a recommendation from the CDC before they can be rolled out.
Survey: Patients lean on digital resources when researching health care
Most respondents look online when finding a physician or other care entity.
Merck inks license agreement for antiviral COVID-19 pill
The agreement is aimed at increasing access to the pill in low- and middle-income countries.
Survey: Practices seeing increased regulatory burden
Nearly all respondents reported regulatory burden has increased over the past 12 months.
FDA panel recommends Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children
A previous analysis found the vaccine was 90.7 percent effective against severe COVID-19.
What is causing physician burnout?
The assumption has been that the COVID-19 pandemic has been at the root of recent upticks in physician burnout.
Watch Physician Bootcamp sessions online on demand
Gain business tips for physicians on your schedule.
What do patients want?
Patients are looking for user-friendly technology.
Pfizer touts efficacy of COVID-19 vaccine in ages 5 to 11
The FDA is expected to act on an EUA application for the smaller doses next week.
Strong primary care leads to better COVID-19 outcomes
An analysis found that counties with more primary care had better COVID-19 related outcomes.
White House lays out primary care’s role in juvenile COVID-19 vaccinations
The administration sees pediatricians and primary care physicians taking the lead in the push.
Physician Bootcamp sessions available on demand
A treasure trove of physician business tips are available online.
Insurers embracing virtual first plans
UnitedHealthcare’s newly launched virtual first plan is one part of a push by the industry.
FDA expected to allow mix and match COVID-19 boosters
The agency is expected to decide on that as well as Moderna and Johnson and Johnson boosters this week.
Supply chain issues creating challenges for healthcare
Nearly all respondents to a Kaufman Hall survey have experienced challenges in supply procurement.
Study: EHR use, productivity tied to physician turnover
The research suggests the less time a physician spends on an EHR the more likely they are to leave their employer.
UPDATED: FDA recommends Moderna, Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 boosters
The advisory panel is also scheduled to discuss Merck antiviral pill late next month.
Walgreens invests $5.2 billion in VillageMD to provide primary care in-store
The investment will boost the number of VillageMD locations to 600 by 2025 and to 1,000 by 2027.
FDA panel discussing Moderna COVID-19 boosters
A recommendation is expected on whether the shot should be authorized.
Consumer Price Index rises, medical care index static in September
Indexes for prescription drugs and hospital services saw slight rises, but they were offset by a dip in physician services.