SPOTLIGHT -
Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Physicians take another gut punch with 3.4% cut to Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
Conversion factor of $32.7442 set for 2024, decreasing reimbursement despite record inflation
U.S. primary care crisis worsens
Experts call for reforms and policy changes
Patients consider billing when choosing a provider
Survey finds that billing and payment are factors when it comes to choosing and building trust with a provider
Patient anxiety about doctor appointments could be solved with better education
Almost half of patients report feeling anxious before an appointment
The future of medicine - what patients expect
Health care is rapidly changing, and will offer options in 2053 that are just science fiction today. The pull stats throughout this slideshow describe what an Prescribe survey found are patient expectations for health care in 2053.
AI Roundup: Your pharmacist is a robot, AI is more racist than your uncle, and an AI/EHR all-misery team
Artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing in health care and all facets of business and life. Here are the latest developments:
Physician-owned hospitals could save Medicare $1.1 billion annually for some conditions
The most expensive conditions are treated more cost effectively by physician-owned hospitals
Hospitals and health systems struggle amid signs of stabilization
Workforce shortages and increasing expenses hurt financial performance
Patient data breaches doubled in 2023
Total breaches hit 87 million this year
AI Roundup: No one knows what AI has taken over, AI image fans flames of war, ChatGPT now has internet access
Are medical supply shortages harming patients?
Ongoing medication, medical supply, and medical equipment shortages are plaguing doctors nationwide
The top five specialties prescribing Ozempic and Wegovy
Weight-loss drugs are all the rage, but who is actually writing the scripts?
Health care cybersecurity challenges increase as threats rise
Vast majority of health care organizations are under constant cyber attack
Adults with disabilities face unfair treatment in health care and when applying for benefits
Study shows stark disparities in how adults with disabilities are treated in health care settings
U.S. data breaches hit alarming new highs
Quarterly breaches are down, but for 2023, hackers are having a banner year
AI Roundup: Skynet is hacking your computer, translate your videos into Texas slang, patients trust AI more than you.
Powering AI could use as much electricity as a small country
While the health care applications look promising, there are some possibly severe side effects to the environment thanks to AI’s high power consumption
Walmart expands virtual primary care for its employees nationwide
Retail giant is rolling out its virtual care program across the country after a successful test run
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
