APMA News Brief

Initial efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act seem to have been put on the back burner — at least for the time being. But discussion continues on one critical question: What’s the role of value in our health care system?

Visit https://morningconsult.com/opinions/sustaining-transition-value-based-health-care/ to view the full article online.

As reimbursement practices continue to tighten, joint venture ASCs have become commonplace in the industry with physicians and hospitals partnering to reap the benefits.

Visit http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-transactions-and-valuation-issues/24-things-to-know-about-joint-ventures-examining-partnerships-risk-and-results-in-2017.html to view the full article online.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has set out proposed guidelines for collecting and submitting quality information through electronic health records systems for 2017 and 2018, showing some flexibility in meeting industry demands regarding collection periods.

Visit https://www.healthdatamanagement.com/news/cms-proposes-rule-for-collecting-submitting-quality-data to view the full article online.

The rapid rise of EHRs has brought with it both changes and challenges in how physicians record and share their patient notes.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/ehr-documentation-challenges-remain to view the full article online.

A study of small physician practice decision makers found that electronic health records (EHRs) will reduce the number of patients seen per day, thereby reducing the practice’s revenue.

Visit https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/ehr/small-physician-practice-leaders-ehrs-cost-us-money to view the full article online.

Valerie Tallerico likens the ligaments in the ankle to a rubber band. 

Visit http://siouxcityjournal.com/lifestyles/health-med-fit/podiatrists-use-heavy-duty-suture-to-treat-chronic-ankle-instability/article_93588326-a090-50cb-be0a-ff2994249bc8.html to view the full article online.

April is Foot Health Awareness month, and feet can tell a lot about a person’s overall health.

Visit http://www.wmbfnews.com/story/35169629/foot-health-important-to-overall-well-being to view the full article online.

This week, Jenna Bush Hager revealed that her grandmother, former first lady Barbara Bush, 91, only has four toes on each of her feet.

Visit http://www.medicaldaily.com/barbara-bush-lost-two-toes-due-condition-related-aging-says-jenna-hager-bush-415468 to view the full article online.

Hostess Geraldine Scarlett greets clients in a downtown Vancouver restaurant — in flats. The 26-year-old shuns spikes to save her bad knees.

Visit http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-heel-ban-spikes-stiletto-shoes-women-1.4070764 to view the full article online.

Chafing and blisters happen because of friction.

Visit http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170418/what-can-i-do-to-prevent-blisters-when-i-run to view the full article online.

Ingrowing toenails are a pretty common complaint and, on the whole, they’re reasonably easy to deal with.

Visit http://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/health-concerns/5-ways-to-prevent-ingrowing-toenails-11364172778386 to view the full article online.

Physicians should be aware of common contract loopholes to save themselves potential trouble down the road if an opportunity ends up being too good to be true.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/docs-beware-3-things-to-consider-before-signing-contract to view the full article online.

The move toward value-based payment "sounds so good you can't be against it, but that doesn't really mean you're for it," according to Alan Weil, editor-in-chief of Health Affairs, speaking at a briefing Tuesday.

Visit https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicare/64637 to view the full article online.

According to a new report, small medical practices can play a major role in improving population health in the communities they serve.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/small-practices-can-have-big-impact-population-health-programs to view the full article online.

The lack of healthcare competition stemming from recent healthcare merger and acquisition trends resulted in higher prices and lower care quality, industry experts recently argued in a Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College white paper.

Visit http://revcycleintelligence.com/news/boost-healthcare-competition-to-drive-down-prices-up-quality to view the full article online.

A recent database study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital found that the rate of medical malpractice claims paid on behalf of physicians in the United States declined substantially from 1992 to 2014.

Visit http://www.natlawreview.com/article/medical-malpractice-claims-paid-behalf-physicians-decrease to view the full article online.

While the Joint Commission currently bans doctors using text messages to order treatments, there’s no such restriction on patients and doctors communicating via texting.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/4-tips-to-follow-when-patients-text-you to view the full article online.