Legal

Bill would prohibit dropping doctors during open enrollment periods

Two U.S. senators are asking CMS to investigate

A reader notes that maintenance of certification boards are being required for credentialing.

Survey finds widespread recognition of problem, but many are reluctant to discuss with patients

Successfully transitioning to an accountable care organization entails weighing the advantages and drawbacks of the model as well as careful long-term planning.

Achieving stage 2 attestation requires staff cooperation and help from your EHR vendor.

Marketing activities may help to bolster revenue, but they must also be HIPAA compliant. Here are the legal issues to consider when marketing your practice.

New study ranks U.S. last in most performance metrics, but ACA may bring improvement

When President Barack Obama promised that most healthcare insurance plans available on the federal exchanges would be the price of a cellphone bill, he wasn’t too far off base.

Mehmet Oz, MD, cardiologist and host of the "Dr. Oz Show" testified before a U.S. Senate committee Tuesday concerning false claims from the advertisement of weight loss supplements, but ended up being the center of criticism.

About half of the health plans offered on the insurance exchanges created under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) are narrow network plans, according to a recent report released by the McKinsey Center for U.S. Health System Reform.

Paper outlines vision for “learning health system,” making data accessible and useful to providers and patients

Apology laws aren’t as important as you may think when it comes to situations in which physicians have to explain, or apologize for something unexpected. However, as healthcare becomes more transparent, sometimes statements of sympathy can be beneficial.

A reader writes that doctors who passes specialty board exams should be referred to as "diplomates."

Employees frequently file discrimination, harassment, and retaliation claims in response to being fired. Here's how employers can avoid these types of claims.

Though 6 million new patients have enrolled for Medicaid coverage due to expansion of the program, media reports say that nearly half of those enrollment applications have yet to be processed.

Newly appointed U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Mathews Burwell will face several challenges upon entering office, as she is tasked with the continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

Study of VHA facilities shows costs of transition not balanced by savings

As of June 1, physicians can register to review their Physician Payment Sunshine Act data and correct any errors reported by pharmaceutical and drug manufacturers.

Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies have the worst cyber security among the S&P 500, and could suffer from wide-scale security breaches in 2014 similar to those experienced by retail companies such as Target and Neiman Marcus, according to a recent report.

Private physicians and hospitals could be treating more veterans in the near future, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs is working to alleviate its overburdened healthcare system amid reports of mismanagement that has led to backlogged treatment.

As the number of people using text messaging steadily increases, many physicians similarly feel the urge to use text messages to communicate with their patients and colleagues. However, using text messaging in your practice can present legal issues that you may not have considered.

While direct-to-consumer advertising of prescription medications means patients are coming to the doctor with drug-related requests, some see an opportunity to educate.

A reader writes that narrow networks may contain costs, but they don't provide value.

A reader objects to the time and expense of the certification process.