APMA News Brief

In line with reporting deadlines for the Physician Quality Reporting System and electronic clinical quality measures for hospitals, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services set a new deadline for meaningful use attestation for the 2016 Medicare EHR Incentive Program.

Visit https://ehrintelligence.com/news/cms-sets-new-deadline-for-2016-meaningful-use-attestation to view the full article online.

A federal judge blocked the $54 billion merger between health insurance giants Anthem and Cigna on Wednesday, saying the deal would increase prices and reduce competition.

Visit https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2017/02/08/judge-blocks-54-billion-anthem-cigna-health-insurance-merger/?utm_term=.b3085bddc72a to view the full article online.

As the nation transitions to a new president and the Republican-controlled Congress debates what America’s future healthcare system will look like, one thing seems clear: whatever health-related legislation is passed in the months to come, it’s certain to include one key component of the Democrats’ own healthcare reform plan: value-based care.

Visit http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/value-based-care-a-health-care-concept-both-political_us_589a4b9ce4b02bbb1816c0e4 to view the full article online.

Physician practices described as "membership medicine" have been springing up across the country during the past decade. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/heres-why-membership-medicine-gaining-physician-attention to view the full article online.

With a possible full or partial Affordable Care Act repeal in the near future, healthcare executives called for some of the healthcare reform law’s provisions to continue, such as increased insurance coverage and the value-based reimbursement transition, a Vizient survey reported.

Visit http://revcycleintelligence.com/news/healthcare-execs-ponder-financial-impact-of-possible-aca-repeal to view the full article online.

When players enter the court — whether it is basketball, tennis or racquetball — the feet, ankle and the Achilles and other tendons around the ankle take a pounding. This is true for the professional athlete or the weekend warriors. 

Visit http://www.westport-news.com/news/article/The-Running-Doctor-Injuries-caused-by-hard-10911574.php to view the full article online.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic disease involving the immune system, in which joints undergo inflammation. causing pain and stiffness. 

Visit http://www.belmarrahealth.com/rheumatoid-arthritis-feet-connection-feet-arthritis-pain-relief-tips/ to view the full article online.

While wearing appropriate footwear can help treat and prevent diabetic foot ulcers, the leading cause of limb amputation among people with diabetes, noncompliance continues to be an issue, especially among those with loss of protective plantar sensation, known as diabetic peripheral neuropathy. 

Visit https://medicalxpress.com/news/2017-02-smart-diabetic-foot-ulcers.html to view the full article online.

When you hear the term trench foot, you’ll probably think of soldiers in the cold, damp trenches of the First World War. 

Visit http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/health-concerns/what-is-trench-foot-signs-symptoms-and-treatments-11364145252456 to view the full article online.

As many as two-thirds of the homeless population suffers some form of foot problem at any given time, according to research two Dalhousie medical students recently published in the international scientific journal, PLOS ONE. 

Visit https://www.dal.ca/news/2017/02/02/homeless-individuals-suffer-significant-foot-health-issues--new-.html to view the full article online.

Recently I had an opportunity to have our medical clinic rated by a trusted colleague, who was also considered a "social media consultant." 

Visit http://www.diagnosticimaging.com/blog/3-ways-not-flunk-social-media-your-practice to view the full article online.

In a time of healthcare consumerism and high-deductible health plans, the patient has become a major revenue source for healthcare organizations. 

Visit http://revcycleintelligence.com/news/4-key-ways-to-boost-point-of-service-patient-collections to view the full article online.

Healthcare is unique in the limits physicians have to predict practice revenue from a variety of payer models.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/here-key-maintain-thriving-practice to view the full article online.

It’s thumbs down from doctors and thumbs up from patients when it comes to physician rating websites. 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/physicians-and-patients-have-different-view-online-ratings to view the full article online.

Just as doctors talk to patients about the pros and cons of treatment options, they need to be prepared to discuss the costs of care from tests to prescription medications. 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/3-ways-physicians-can-help-address-patients-financial-worries to view the full article online.

The prevalence and dangers—to physicians and patients—of professional burnout have been well documented. 

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/physician-leaders/3-ways-reduce-race-related-physician-burnout to view the full article online.