Legal

While the presidential campaign dominates the news, some doctors view the political process through a unique lens because they, too, are elected officials.

The Hippocratic Oath directs physicians to act in a manner that advances patient well-being. Yet CMS, by offering financial reward for clinical behavior dictated by other considerations, has created a practice environment at odds with this directive.

When it comes to investing in IT and data security, the healthcare field has been known to lag behind other business sectors. That underspending, coupled with the massive shift from paper to digital records in recent years, has put the industry in some crosshairs.

Until we create a system that rewards investment in wellness and healthcare dollars not spent, there is reason to fear that the negative effects of healthcare excesses will continue to be borne by households, businesses, and governments.

We've had so much major medical advances in the first half of the 19th century, but physicians are severely being held back from continuing that success.

Physicians can sometimes be hesitant to begin hosting video visits because they are weary about just how effective the technology can be when treating patients. However, once physicians start using telemedicine, they are often shocked at how versatile video technology can be as an additional tool to administering care.

Analytics are rapidly changing how physicians and health systems approach patient care.

A real-world study confirms the effectiveness and safety of the all-oral combination of sofosbuvir plus ribavirin for treatment of hepatitis C virus GT2 infection.

Completing these crucial tasks before you switch from an old electronic health record system to a new one can help ensure a successful implementation.

More susceptible to community-acquired pneumonia, researchers advise those with celiac disease to get vaccinated.

New research confirms that humans can make antibodies to neutralize several strains of influenza A, according to new study.

U.S. study finds those with HCV three times more likely to drink five or more drinks per day every day vs. those without HCV infections.

Doctors share the biggest mistakes, missteps and oversights they made when switching from one EHR to another.

The federal government must rethink its strategy of working to put small medical practices out of business.

Critics of MACRA fear MIPS’s extensive reporting requirements, and physicians who choose the APM route may be signing the death warrant for their practices.

Hospitalists concerns, JAMA and the opioid crisis are the hot topics in this edition of Your Voice.

What’s changing about coding in October, and what physicians need to do to prepare.

New ICD-10 procedure and diagnosis codes-added as a result of the thawing of a partial code freeze in effect since 2011-are coming October 1.

With preparation and team effort, group sessions can be a revenue stream, improve care and boost patient satisfaction.

The ICD-10 grace period officially ends on October 1; however, only time will tell if-and when-payers begin to demand greater specificity. In the meantime, consider these five tips to ensure compliance in the short and long term.

How to build an attractive employee benefit package that doesn’t break the bank.

Patients are on the hook for more of their healthcare costs, prompting calls for doctors to get involved.

Is this election causing you lots of stress (let's be honest, you know it is)? Then we've got a pill for you!

Tying doctor's pay to the quality of the care rendered is called “incentive alignment,” and it is critical to achieving value and to properly balance healthcare’s cost, quality and access.

Following feedback from physicians, The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Thursday it will allow providers to choose the level and pace at which they comply with the rules for the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA).

A loophole exists that allows a physician to avoid being reported to the NPDB if a malpractice plaintiff agrees to dismiss the practitioner from a lawsuit or claim, leaving a hospital or other corporate entity as the sole defendant.

The findings may not come as a surprise to many in the medical community like Miriam Laugesen, MD-an associate professor of the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health-but even the smallest disparities build up in the bigger picture, she explains.

This is a call to action for all doctors. Practice owners are now facing many of the challenges small retailers in America faced not too long ago. Consumer demand has shifted the landscape in favor of larger product selection with online access. Doctors are being forced to adapt to the new rules of the game or get left behind.

Small- and medium-size practices need to address risk assessments as the federal government steps up its HIPAA enforcement.

Healthcare practices should have business associate agreements (BAAs) in place and review them regularly to remain HIPAA compliant.