SPOTLIGHT -
December 8th 2023
Law could change Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, affecting reimbursement to doctors.
December 7th 2023
Public-private partnerships will crumble, hurting drug innovation and eventually patients, Republicans say.
December meeting has two days of discussion planned.
About 23% are first-time enrollees
December 6th 2023
Kaiser Permanente program shows promise in improving feelings of well-being, building supportive departmental culture
'Frustrated, burned out, abandoning hope' – physicians need support now in Washington, D.C., and around the nation
Solutions for doctor shortage won’t be easy or fast, but they could be effective, AMA president says.
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
Congress must protect physicians from Medicare cuts: MGMA
Association offers analysis of pending legislation that could help health care practices better serve patients.
Primary care and public health – ‘We need to talk to each other’
American Public Health Association leader discusses legislation and a holistic view of U.S. health care.
Health care organizations urge Congress to continue APM incentives
Letter to Congressional leadership warns that ending payments could stall transition to value-based care
Hospital mergers on track to outpace 2022
Financial need is driving activity, analysts say
Researchers ponder best ways for primary care to integrate mental health care
AHRQ has open comment period on new study that found at least 87 approaches to blending behavioral health with physical treatments.
Kaiser Permanente, striking workers announce tentative deal
Walkout earlier this month was the largest for health care workers in U.S. history.
Federal grant to train more primary care physicians for rural areas
Kentucky medical school scores $16 million to enhance, develop programs.
Inflation up from August to September, but health care prices change little
Health insurance drops again in yearly figures of consumer price index.
Physician group slams insurers for overcharging taxpayers for Medicare Advantage
Report: ‘Endless greed’ costs nation billions of dollars and health of patients.
Primary care is important, but what exactly is it?
Various state, regional and national definitions share some common attributes, but don’t all measure the same things; comment period is open now.
DEA, HHS announce second extension of telehealth flexibilities that started in pandemic
ATA praises move, predicts ‘Super Bowl for telehealth’ coming in 2024.
MGMA proposes ways for Congress to tackle rural health care shortage
Association calls for no PFS reduction, reforming prior authorizations
Administration, drug prices at the center of Americans’ excess health care spending
Physician wages are part of the equation too, according to new report by The Commonwealth Fund.
Women pay more than men for out-of-pocket health costs: study
Even excluding pregnancy-related costs, women spend $266 more per year than men
Primary Care Collaborative: Medicaid is key lever to improving physician pay, patient outcomes, health equity
New analysis has eight strategies because now is the time “to get serious about the policy changes we need to really rebuild and reimagine primary care.”
White House announces ‘Big Pharma’ is in for Medicare prescription drug price negotiations
CMS to make offer in February 2024 for prices to take effect in 2026.
Want to reduce racial discrimination in health care? Start with history lessons
Most White patients don’t believe racism exists in medicine. Learning about it can change their perspectives and support for policies promoting equality.
Millions of lives and billions of dollars: the need for earlier intervention in chronic kidney disease
Our country must do better against a disease that has become a national silent killer. There is a way for primary care to join the fight.
Agency tasked with reducing Medicare spending has increased it
Report finds money spent on developing new payment programs exceeded savings from them
Another bill aims at PBM pricing and management
Senators formally introduce act that has been in discussion since summer.
Increasing efficiency and reducing burdens in the health care revenue cycle
How physicians benefit from standardized operating rules
Advocates call for Medicare coverage of antiobesity drugs
White paper argues for reconsideration of weight as a chronic disease with multiple causes and consequences.
Copay adjustment programs may worsen racial disparities in health outcomes
Copay accumulators, maximizers could reduce access to prescription medications among non-whites
Health care workers face higher suicide risk than other Americans
Among six categories studied, only physicians had lower rates than general population
Physician, pharmacists charged for $170M fraud scheme
Federal investigators allege kickbacks, money laundering in Texas.
HHS unveils $45 million grant program to aid in treating long COVID
Funds will go primarily to clinics treating historically underserved groups
CMS encourages physicians to apply for new Making Care Primary model
Informational webinar scheduled for this week for physicians, other clinicians and practice managers.
Cardiovascular societies seek to form their own certification board
Move is the latest sign of unhappiness with ABIM’s MOC process