The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released what one department official describes as "the most sweeping changes to the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules since they were first implemented," but at least one organization is concerned that the requirements may be too burdensome for medical practices.
Years in practice, specialty, and practice size were factors when researchers examined the likelihood that a physician would honor a patient's request for a brand-name drug rather than a generic. The investigators suggest two solutions to reduce the practice, which if followed could save costs in the healthcare system.
Contrary to popular belief, a new report reveals that new technologies account for more new healthcare spending than physician salaries.
The United States spends more per capita on healthcare than any other nation, but on average, Americans die sooner and experience higher rates of disease and injury than people in other high-income countries, says a new report from the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine.
Stage 3 of the Medicare/Medicaid meaningful use electronic health records (EHRs) should not move forward until challenges associated with stages 1 and 2 have been studied and addressed, according to formal comments submitted to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology by the American Medical Association.
Many Americans lost their jobs--and their health insurance--during the past few years of recession, but a new study shows that minorities may have been hit the hardest.
The formation of 106 new accountable care organizations is providing care for 4 million Medicare beneficiaries across the country, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Affordable Care Act provisions are already having a substantial effect on reducing the growth rate of Medicare spending, according to a new report issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Has the devastation of Hurricane Sandy led you to think about how your practice could handle a natural disaster? Here are some tips for protecting your practice and you.
Your patients will interact with many of your practice's employees. Discover how you can help your patients identify who they spoke with.
Physicians in a class action suit against Aetna may see a proposed $120 million settlement if it is finalized by a federal district court in New Jersey.
Kenneth J. Thorpe, PhD, tells Medical Economics Editor-in-Chief Lois A. Bowers, MA, about the attempts at health reform, what needs to happen for costs to be controlled, and how you can help contribute to cost savings.
After you meet stage 1 meaningful use requirements, you'll be looking toward stage 2 challenges. Here's what you need to know.
Facility fees are controversial. Discover how they can alter your practice's economics.
A new year means new challenges for your practice. Here are 10 issues that you may have to face.
Medical Economics readers discuss the potential for errors through e-prescribing.
The recent shooting at a Connecticut elementary school has rekindled the debate of gun violence. Could addressing the violence as a public health problem curb it
Making its debut this month, a new physician group is calling for a fundamental transformation of primary care.
Price sensitivity will escalate as consumer costs rise, reports the Deloitte Center for Health Solutions.
A practice can move to patient-centered care in five ways, according to the National eHealth Collaborative's recently released Patient Engagement Framework.
Moving into the technology age isn't without growing pains, according to results of a new survey from the American Academy of Family Physicians.
Mobile electronic devices offer a lot of benefits to your practice, but the devices pose data privacy issues. Discover what you need to keep patient information protected.
Billing is an important part of your practice, but could you be overstaffed in that area? See how you can figure out the ideal number of staff members.
Have you been hearing rumors that the government is going to seize retirement savings? Well, you shouldn't believe every thing you hear.
You're bus,y and finding a good accountant might seem like something that you can put off until tomorrow. Here's why it's worth your time.
This month's question focuses on the Current Procedural Terminology code changes in 2013. Find out the answer to this pressing coding question.
It's 2013, and the time has come to look forward to how healthcare reform will work. Here are four trends to look at throughout this year.
Loss of chance of survival laws continue to be in a state of flux. See what's changed and what might change in the future.
Physician organizations expressed relief, but also renewed their calls for action, following last-minute negotiations by lawmakers to stave off 28.5% in Medicare reimbursement cuts.
An electronic health record (EHR) system won't just help you keep accurate, neat patients records. If your practice's Web site has a patient portal, an EHR also will allow your patients to have access to their information.