APMA News Brief

In 2017, cash flow and reimbursement for patient treatment will be the two most pressing business issues physicians will grapple with according to a survey by Capital One Spark Business. 

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cash-flow-reimbursement-are-biggest-challenges-facing-physicians-2017-survey-shows to view the full article online.

The Obama administration abandoned a controversial proposal to overhaul how Medicare reimburses doctors for drugs, after physicians and pharmaceutical groups rallied against it. 

Visit http://www.wsj.com/articles/obama-administration-drops-medicare-drug-reimbursement-plan-1481924070 to view the full article online.

Hospitals, health systems and physician groups are in the process of deciding which of the two reimbursement paths they will take under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA), which replaced the sustainable growth-rate formula for determining physician pay.

Visit https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/34104 to view the full article online.

Jam on the brakes, step on the gas or find a pace somewhere in between? 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/doc-groups-differ-over-how-quickly-to-proceed-macra to view the full article online.

Did you know you can tell how healthy a person is by looking at their feet? 

Visit http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20161216/submitted/161219153/ to view the full article online.

Having to sideline yourself because your feet hurt has got to be the most humiliating secret party foul, sadder even than a spilt drink you paid for yourself. 

Visit http://www.marieclaire.com/fashion/news/a24239/how-to-avoid-blisters/ to view the full article online.

People with diabetes are prone to foot disease, which can lead to amputations and even death.

Visit http://theconversation.com/explainer-how-diabetic-foot-disease-can-lead-to-amputations-and-even-death-66571 to view the full article online.

As the saying goes, fashion is pain. Maybe that's why most women don't think twice about stepping into sky-high heels day after day. 

Visit http://www.today.com/health/are-high-heels-bad-your-feed-t106163 to view the full article online.

Lupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that occurs when the body’s immune system attacks it’s own tissues and organs. 

Visit http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/How-lupus-affects-the-feet_83753 to view the full article online.

Medicare telehealth use should increase under the 21st Century Cures Act, which aims to expand originating sites and require more telehealth research. 

Visit http://mhealthintelligence.com/news/21st-century-cures-act-to-boost-medicare-telehealth-use to view the full article online.

As we approach the end of 2016 and the start of the Trump presidency, it is widely anticipated that there will be major tax law rewrites, and proposals are already being floated outlining significant changes. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/2016-year-end-tax-planning-tips-physicians to view the full article online.

One of the biggest developments in EHRs and health IT in 2016—unfortunately—was the rise of cyberattacks. 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/it/feature-cybersecurity-what-2016-teaching-industry to view the full article online.

As the phase-in of Medicare's new Quality Payment Program (QPP) approaches, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid services is presenting webinars to prepare clinicians for the change. 

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/finance/cms-offers-physicians-qpp-prep-advance-transition to view the full article online.

The past year has seen plenty of change in the world of practice management, with more on the horizon. 

Visit http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/healthcare-reform/7-predictions-practice-management-2017 to view the full article online.

Whatever your practice plans and goals are for 2017, one thing is certain. Tidying up the 2016 loose ends and preparing your practice for what’s ahead prepare you for the upcoming challenges. 

Visit http://www.healio.com/ophthalmology/practice-management/news/blogs/%7Bf4817322-93fc-4da3-a298-fb80f1704062%7D/corinne-z-wohl-mhsa-coe/blog-finish-strong-and-start-anew--get-ready-for-2017 to view the full article online.