APMA News Brief

With the implementation of ICD-10, the number of diagnostic codes increased from 13,000 ICD-9 codes to 68,000 ICD-10 codes. The influx of codes brought a lot of apprehension, and many providers were concerned ICD-10 would cause major delays. Nearly five months later, many healthcare professionals feel the transition went smoothly and cite minimal delays in productivity and reimbursement.

Visit http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-coding-billing-and-collections/icd-10-follow-up-how-is-the-healthcare-system-faring.html to view the full article online.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday failed to override President Barack Obama's veto of legislation that would have dismantled his signature healthcare law, the Affordable Care Act.

Visit http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-healthcare-veto-idUSL2N15H3B3 to view the full article online.

We already knew that sitting, one of most people's favorite activities, may be killing you, but now we have new proof that before it gets you, you may get type 2 diabetes, too.

Visit http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/02/health/sitting-will-give-you-diabetes/ to view the full article online.

Regular coffee consumption was associated with a decreased risk of gout, a meta-analysis conducted by Korean researchers found, although the magnitude of the effect (if it is an effect) was relatively small.

Visit http://www.medpagetoday.com/Rheumatology/GeneralRheumatology/55907 to view the full article online.

Historically called the disease of kings, gout was common among wealthy gents who could afford to eat and drink to excess.

Visit http://www.science20.com/the_conversation/heres_how_to_avoid_the_gout_ebenezer-164635 to view the full article online.

Mary Ann Bauman, an internist in Oklahoma City, says she has a rule for her patients: "I tell them if they want to see me as their doctor, they have to come in once a year" for a checkup.

Visit http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2016/01/31/annual-physical-doctors-debate/79205052/ to view the full article online.

Here's one more reason why physician practices and hospitals must make it a goal to improve communications: new research shows poor communication has a body count of more than 1,700.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/healthcare-miscommunication-cost-17b-and-nearly-2000-lives/2016-02-01 to view the full article online.

A high employment rate, an acceptable student debt-to-salary ratio, and the evolution toward value-based and retail-based care delivery models suggest that the PA profession is on the rise.

Visit http://healthleadersmedia.com/content/PHY-324980/Physician-Assistant-Salaries-Debt-Detailed to view the full article online.

One of the key reasons students say they want to go into medicine is because they want to make a difference for their world.

Visit http://healthcare.dmagazine.com/2016/02/03/are-patient-reported-outcomes-the-key-to-quality-and-cost-savings/ to view the full article online.

After attacking Donald Trump over the weekend for his previous favorable remarks about single-payer healthcare, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz squeaked out a victory over the billionaire New York developer in the Iowa presidential caucuses Monday night, with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio trailing close behind.

Visit http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20160202/NEWS/160209975 to view the full article online.

Physicians have until March 15 to apply for a hardship exemption from the electronic health record (EHR) meaningful use financial penalties for the 2015 program year. Those who don’t apply could face up to a 3 percent cut in their Medicare payments in 2017 since the meaningful use program operates on a two-year look-back period. The good news is that exemptions will be granted broadly this year.

Visit http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/ama-wire/post/avoid-meaningful-use-penalties-apply-exemption-march-15 to view the full article online.

Physicians continually strive to prevent medical errors, but they still happen. When a serious medical error occurs, physicians must learn to accept them and use the error to grow professionally, despite the challenging nature of such experiences.

Visit http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/what-helps-physicians-after-committing-a-serious-medical-error-7-steps-to-recovery.html to view the full article online.

Patients suffered no extra harm when doctors training to be surgeons were allowed to work longer shifts, a study released Tuesday concludes, adding to a push to relax the strictest limits on resident hours.

Visit http://khn.org/news/study-finds-no-harm-in-allowing-surgeons-in-training-to-work-longer-shifts-3/ to view the full article online.