APMA News Brief

A number of physician groups have weighed in on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' Proposed Rule for the Calendar Year 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/physician-leaders/feedback-floods-cms%E2%80%99-proposed-physician-fee-schedule to view the full article online.

In places such as Northern California, with a high number of physician practices owned by hospitals, healthcare prices have largely increased. 

Visit https://medcitynews.com/2017/09/health-systems-acquire-physician-practices-whats-impact-healthcare-costs/ to view the full article online.

In an opinion piece for the National Academy of Medicine, Arthur Hengerer, past chair of the Federation of State Medical Boards, writes that state medical boards have an important role in identifying mental health challenges, promoting health and wellness among new physicians, and reducing burnout. 

Visit http://nam.edu/breaking-a-culture-of-silence-the-role-of-state-medical-boards/?utm_source=National+Academy+of+Medicine&utm_campaign=52a9b00216-08.28+Perspectives&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b8ba6f1aa1-52a9b00216-150949529 to view the full article online.

About 17 percent of physician practices are charged a fee of usually between 2 and 5 percent of total reimbursement in order to receive electronic health-care payments, according to a poll from the Medical Group Management Association.

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/17-of-practices-pay-fees-for-electronic-healthcare-payments to view the full article online.

According to a survey published in PLOS One, physicians indicated that 20.6 percent of overall medical care is not necessary.

Visit http://www.ajmc.com/newsroom/physicians-surveyed-consider-one-fifth-of-all-medical-care-unnecessary to view the full article online.

With fewer than 400 new ICD-10 codes this year, the focus is on accurate, detailed clinical documentation.

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/icd-10-gets-down-specifics-and-attention-detail-directly-affects-finances to view the full article online.

Simple steps to help improve cybersecurity at your practice include making sure that all software is patched and up to date and that you can access backup files if necessary. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/node/440358 to view the full article online.

A variety of conditions can affect your feet as you grow older, increasing the importance of choosing proper footwear. 

Visit http://lancasteronline.com/seniorliving/be-sweet-to-your-feet/article_f5730eac-97ba-11e7-8a9f-1f88c294ac1c.html to view the full article online.

A podiatrist in Detroit is giving new shoes to 100 local children as part of his Shoe Pantry Plus organization. 

Visit http://www.wxyz.com/news/doctor-gives-detroit-students-new-pairs-of-shoes to view the full article online.

Several common problems, such as "turf toe," can arise when athletes resume sports activities in the fall.

Visit http://www.thehour.com/news/article/Running-Doctor-Back-to-school-sports-12189451.php to view the full article online.

Warm, humid weather can increase the risk of foot ulcers among people with diabetes. 

Visit http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/851546/type-2-diabetes-symptom-foot-ulcer-weather to view the full article online.

Regular stretching in the morning can help relieve the worst pain of plantar fasciitis.

Visit http://kutv.com/features/health/workouts-on-the-web/fresh-start-to-fitness-exercises-to-help-with-foot-pain-from-plantar-fasciitis to view the full article online.

When choosing a flat, consider shoes with half-inch heels that will provide arch support, says Pensacola, Florida podiatrist Grace Torres-Hodges, D.P.M., a spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association. 

Visit http://www.womenshealthmag.com/style/flats-with-arch-support to view the full article online.

More than three-quarters of healthcare consumers say that it's important to them to know upfront how much a treatment will cost, according to a new study. 

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/most-patients-want-to-know-costs-financing-options-before-treatment/504765/ to view the full article online.

It's all about what you choose to prioritize in your life, according to one physician.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/node/440356 to view the full article online.

Many physicians continue to thrive in independent groups.

Visit http://www.beckersasc.com/asc-turnarounds-ideas-to-improve-performance/is-independence-a-viable-option-for-physicians-today.html to view the full article online.