APMA News Brief

Changes to physician fee schedule, hospital outpatient and ambulatory surgical center policy and payment. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: APMA is drafting a comment letter in response to these proposed rules. Previous comment letters submitted to federal agencies and Congress are located on the APMA Comment Letters page.

Nurses have begun to play an increasingly important role in health IT, holding positions such as chief nursing information officer and chief information officer and having a serious impact on health IT innovation.

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/nurses-playing-larger-role-in-health-it/293969 to view the full article online.

Anita Griner, Director of the Data Sharing and Partnership Group, and Doug Brown, Deputy Director of the Data Sharing and Partnership Group, describe Open Payments which implemented Section 6002 and what it means. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Learn more about how the Sunshine Act affects podiatric physicians at www.apma.org/sunshineact.

Program goals are to summarize the key steps for implementing an EHR in the practice setting and propose methods for overcoming obstacles to EHR implementation in the practice setting.

Visit http://www.medscape.org/viewarticle/828063 to view the full article online.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is restarting the controversial Recovery Audit Contractor Program — in a limited fashion — in August. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Access APMA’s Medicare (and Medicaid) RAC resources on APMA.org.

Special nail polish can help prevent toenail-fungus infection from recurring after it has been treated.

Visit http://online.wsj.com/articles/a-polish-to-fight-nail-fungus-1407190309 to view the full article online.

High heels are the No. 1 culprit of foot pain for women, according to an American Podiatric Medical Association survey.

Visit http://www.thecharlottepost.com/news/2014/08/04/life-and-religion/well-heeled-tips-for-picking-high-heels-that-are-better-for-your-feet to view the full article online.

Smelly feet, technically known as "bromhidrosis," are a fact of life, especially in warmer weather.

Visit http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2102141 to view the full article online.

A diabetes app that automatically dispenses insulin to users returned positive results after a trial run. Will it lead to more apps being used to manage chronically ill patients?

Visit http://searchhealthit.techtarget.com/tip/Diabetes-app-trial-could-forecast-relief-for-patients to view the full article online.

Have a bunion that you would like to see go away? You're not the only one. Check out Part 2 of our interview with podiatrist Dr. Weil and get all the info you need.

Visit http://www.beautyworldnews.com/articles/10753/20140804/foot-pain-treatment-podiatrist-talks-bunion-causes-pain-treatment-part-2-bunion-cause-pain-treatment-surgery-and-running-hammer-toes-hammertoes-high-heels.htm to view the full article online.

Yes, that's right, one of the league's top rising cornerbacks gets pampered twice a month and it has nothing to do with vanity. It's all about the product on the field.

Visit https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/nfl-players-beat-training-camp-blues-with-manicures-pedicures-162856890.html to view the full article online.

Under the Office of the National Coordinator for HIT’s purview, authorized testing and certification bodies (ATCBs) did not fully ensure that test procedures and standards adequately secured and protected patient information contained in electronic health records.

Visit http://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/ONC-Oversight-of-EHR-Testing-Certification-Falls-Short-48554-1.html to view the full article online.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Monday issued a final rule updating Medicare payment policies and rates for general acute care and long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) for fiscal year 2015.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/cms-issues-final-medicare-payment-rule/2014-08-05 to view the full article online.

A proposed rule by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services aimed at simplifying re-enrollment for the 8 million people who signed up for health insurance in the Affordable Care Act marketplaces has a downside.

Visit http://www.bna.com/cms-proposed-rule-b17179893260 to view the full article online.

Diabetic people in low-income neighborhoods in California were up to 10 times more likely to lose a leg or a foot than diabetic patients in wealthier zip codes. Click here to continue reading.

Editor's note: Studies prove care by a podiatrist helps prevent diabetes complications and saves healthcare dollars.

As you prepare for the newly announced Oct. 1, 2015, ICD-10 compliance date, now is the time to evaluate and redefine your clinical documentation value chain. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Don’t miss APMA’s ICD-10 Resources to help you prepare for the transition.

Right up front, CMS announced plans for readiness testing for providers, including end-to-end testing.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/silver-lining-icd-10-skeptics-time-around/2014-08-05 to view the full article online.

The trustees of Social Security and Medicare reported that the latter program should have enough money in its hospital insurance trust fund to last through 2030.

Visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-slowing-growth-of-medicare-provides-an-opportunity-for-reform/2014/08/04/2b3906b8-19b5-11e4-9349-84d4a85be981_story.html to view the full article online.

The logic behind the Sunshine Act says that by throwing a little daylight on the money device makers and pharmaceutical companies are paying to doctors and hospitals, regulators can make corruption in those payments remarkably less attractive.

Visit http://www.pymnts.com/in-depth/2014/the-sunshine-act-promising-clarity-delivering-confusion/ to view the full article online.

Starting over might be awful to contemplate, but acquisitions, costs, or lack of compliance might require replacing your health data system. Just be sure you're switching for the right reasons. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s Note: Review APMA’s EHR resources for more information on purchasing an EHR system.