SPOTLIGHT -
March 29th 2023
Medical board complaint? Tread carefully.
Rule would limit providers’ ability to write prescriptions without in-person visit
‘Modern gangsters’ use ‘strong arm tactics’ that hurt patients and pharmacies, lawsuit says.
March 28th 2023
As medical expenditures approach 20% of GDP, Health Affairs Council delineates road map to lower national bill.
March 27th 2023
Staggering changeover days of resident and attending physicians also found to have minimal impact on patient outcomes
Medicare’s 2023 fee schedule: cuts in reimbursement, expanded payments for behavioral health
Physician groups warn cutbacks could reduce access to care
Despite rising insurance rates, many Americans still avoid care for cost reasons
41% of American patients with insurance avoided medical care for fear it wouldn't cover the cost of treatment, according to a new survey.
Major health policy issues still pending for 'lame duck' congress
Physicians, hospitals and health groups press Congress on big issues before term ends.
Inequality in care access is getting worse
Problem extends beyond costs of care and health insurance, study finds
Bootcamp Fall 2022: Hot topics in medical professional liability
4 areas of malpractice risk physicians must know about
Is primary care in critical condition?
Primary care physicians are overworked, and patients are going elsewhere for care. Experts say help is on its way for primary care in the United States — but so is an onslaught of new demands.
Physicians face possible prison, $900K in payments and penalties, for health care fraud allegations
Federal investigators detail separate cases involving criminal charges and civil claims.
Three ways to better negotiate your physician employment contract
Know the market and be reasonable when requesting changes.
ACP: Physicians must be a force for environmental health and justice
Fighting pollution and climate change are at heart of new policy paper for health care sector, government regulators.
Why you want to avoid an adverse report to the National Practitioner Data Bank
Why a report to the NPDB can be bad news for physicians.
CMS warns Medicare Advantage, prescription drug plans about deceptive TV ads
Agency says it will begin reviewing ads before allowing them to air
High prices driving low grades from Americans burdened with health care bills
Report card on U.S. health care system has marks from slightly above average to really bad.
Novavax COVID-19 vaccine gets emergency use authorization to be booster
FDA, CDC grant approve use for adults at least six months after first two-dose series, but with no booster.
Health care costs could edge out political party loyalty in November elections
Candidates working to lower prescription drug costs could gain supporters at the ballot box.
Addressing needs in rural primary care now: How and why government entities can do more
Recent actions are important, but are ‘just a drop in the bucket’ compared to primary care challenges.
FDA sues six e-cigarette makers for illegal sales
First enforcement action seeking court enforcement through the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
How data management can relieve strain on the health care system and advance health equity
Better understanding of social drivers of health is key to reducing disparities
Feds sue Cigna for bogus billing for Medicare Advantage patients
Justice Department says Cigna pocketed millions; complaint follows national news report about widespread fraud by Medicare Advantage insurers.
1.3M adults rationed insulin to save money in 2021
Study examines patient action that ‘is frequently harmful, and sometimes deadly.’
Survey: most patients don't seek out health care prices
Only about one-third of patients shop around for health care services, a recent AKASA survey found.
AMA: Pharmacy benefit managers dominate health insurance services in state, local markets
Consolidation and lack of competition create risk of higher prices for patients.
Health insurance coverage is up, but many still uninsured or underinsured
Commonwealth Fund survey predicts the situation will worsen as pandemic measures expire
MGMA 2022: The midterms and health care
An exclusive interview with MGMA’s man in D.C.
MGMA 2022: As COVID-19 goes away, regulatory burdens spring up to occupy physicians
MGMA releases annual member survey on processes that take time away from patient care.
MGMA 2022: Washington update for physicians
NYT: Medicare Advantage rife with fraud
Report from New York Times says most large insurers in the program have been accused of fraud
Despite the ADA, patients with disabilities not getting equal medical care
Many medical facilities remain difficult to access, while doctors continue to harbor biases, study finds
How to improve the prior authorization process for Medicare Advantage
Study looks at how prior auths help and hurt health care - and how they can be made better
Health care usage increases, medical bill worries decrease when adults enroll in Medicare
Survey examines differences between low-income adults at ages 64 and 66.
Medical groups want lawmakers to bolster safety for health care workforce
Physicians, nurses, other staff facing growing number of threats.