Even as a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholds the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a recent survey of American physicians finds doctors believe it is driving up the cost of healthcare. Sixty-one percent of physicians report an increase in overhead costs for items such as electronic medical records and administrative costs to comply with the ACA. And physicians report it is … [Read more...] about Doctors say Affordable Care Act increasing costs
Health care reform
Telemedicine: staying current amid ongoing changes
The American Telemedicine Association (ATA) defines telemedicine, also known as telehealth, as the remote delivery of healthcare services and clinical information using telecommunications technology. This includes a wide array of clinical services using Internet, wireless, satellite, and telephone media. Although telemedicine is often associated with remote consultations, … [Read more...] about Telemedicine: staying current amid ongoing changes
AMIA recommends changes in the management of medical data
The American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA), the leading professional association for informatics professionals, recommends changes to managing electronic health records (EHRs) that will support patient engagement, improve provider workflow, support innovation, and set the stage for future improvements that will improve patients' health and health care. Recommended … [Read more...] about AMIA recommends changes in the management of medical data
SGR repeal emphasizes move to value-based payments
After a long and winding road, the sustainable growth rate (SGR) is finally part of history and the move to value-based payments has renewed urgency now that the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (Act) has become law. The Act became law April 16, 2015, repealing the SGR and establishing the following conversion factor updates: 0.0% for January 1, 2015 through … [Read more...] about SGR repeal emphasizes move to value-based payments
New law means changes to Medicare cards, challenges for medical offices
A new bill, signed into law by President Obama in April 2015, which addresses the way physicians are paid for treating Medicare patients, has another provision that affects medical practices. A section of the bill indicates that Social Security account numbers must not be "displayed, coded or embedded on the Medicare card." Currently, a Medicare patient's Social Security … [Read more...] about New law means changes to Medicare cards, challenges for medical offices
Best and worst states for doctors
Doctors are among the most highly paid, educated, and celebrated professions in the United States. The profession has also been undergoing intense change in recent years, with the Affordable Care Act, the rise of branded hospital networks, the impending retirement of baby boomers, and an increasingly litigious society all complicating the lives of doctors and providing pause to … [Read more...] about Best and worst states for doctors
Should your practice enlist the services of a medical interpreter?
Approximately 8 million foreign-born Americans say they speak English "not well." Additionally, approximately 4 million foreign-born Americans cannot speak English at all. These figures, from a study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, means there are 12 million people, which is about 30 percent of the foreign-born American population, who have difficulty communicating in … [Read more...] about Should your practice enlist the services of a medical interpreter?
Jobs in healthcare plentiful, according to report
The healthcare job industry showed steady growth last year, with no signs of slowing down in 2015, according to the 2014 Healthcare Jobs Snapshot, a report from Health eCareers, a career hub for healthcare professionals, providers, and associations. As of January, federal officials reported almost 10 million people had signed up for health insurance or re-enrolled in their … [Read more...] about Jobs in healthcare plentiful, according to report
CMS Medicare physician fee schedule for 2015 Final Rule released
The Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule was published November 13, 2014. It provides not only new payment rates but also changes to Medicare payment policies. Here is a summary of some changes that could affect your medical office. Telehealth services. Specific telehealth services must be included in the list of Medicare telehealth services and meet other conditions for … [Read more...] about CMS Medicare physician fee schedule for 2015 Final Rule released
Start local managers group to make job easier
"It doesn't matter if there are three people or five or 20," says the manager of an internal specialty medical office in Tennessee. It's worth the effort to set up a local management group. She did that in her area years ago and still finds it useful. The setup was not difficult. It was just a matter of calling the other managers and saying, "Why don't we get together and … [Read more...] about Start local managers group to make job easier