APMA News Brief - March 1, 2018

National News

Slow and Steady Still the Motto for Value-Based Reimbursement

Lingering uncertainty with regard to legal and regulatory issues has slowed the transition to value-based reimbursement.

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/slow-and-steady-still-the-motto-for-value-based-reimbursement to view the full article online.

This Is Why Shared Decision-Making Is Crucial for Patient Outcomes

Practicing effective shared decision-making can lead to better clinical outcomes for patients.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/why-shared-decision-making-crucial-patient-outcomes to view the full article online.

Top 7 Legal Challenges Facing Physicians and Hospitals

Increasing regulation of telemedicine and a rise in whistle-blower lawsuits are among the challenges facing healthcare providers in 2018.

Editor’s note: APMA provides HIPAA Privacy and Security Manuals and Medical Liability/Malpractice Reform resources free to members on APMA.org.

Visit https://www.natlawreview.com/article/top-7-legal-challenges-facing-physicians-and-hospitals to view the full article online.

Harness the Power of Nature for Healing Diabetic Foot Ulcers

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Attorney General Jeff Sessions Announces New Task Force to Combat Illegal Opioid Prescriptions

The Prescription Interdiction and Litigation Task Force will focus on the distribution of opioids throughout the healthcare system.

Editor’s note: APMA has created an Opioid Use and Abuse Prevention resource just for members.

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/attorney-general-jeff-sessions-announces-new-task-force-combat-illegal-opioid-prescriptions to view the full article online.

Industry Voices—3 Ways to Pay Attention to Patients That Have Even More Impact Than Empathy

Fostering open communication with patients depends on behaviors such as active listening.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/industry-voices-3-behaviors-may-matter-more-than-empathy to view the full article online.

CMS to Clinicians: Help Us Better Understand the Burden of MIPS

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is encouraging MIPS-eligible physicians to respond to a survey about the incentive system.

Editor’s note: Learn more about MACRA, MIPS and APMs at www.apma.org/macra.

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cms-clinicians-help-better-understand-burden-mips to view the full article online.

Service Sharing Helps Independent Physician Practices Stay Open

Shared service arrangements can allow smaller physician practices to cope in a value-based reimbursement environment.

Editor’s note: Take advantage of APMA’s practice management and reimbursement resources, including compliance materials, HIT info, and much more. Free to members!

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/service-sharing-helps-independent-physician-practices-stay-open to view the full article online.

Trump’s Tax Act: What It Means for a Physician’s Bottom Line

A section of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that concerns the Qualified Business Income deduction is of particular interest to physicians.

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/hospital-physician-relationships/trump-s-tax-act-what-it-means-for-a-physician-s-bottom-line.html to view the full article online.

20 States Suing to Invalidate ACA

Twenty states have filed suit against the federal government, claiming that the Affordable Care Act is now unconstitutional.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/20-states-suing-to-invalidate-aca/518077/ to view the full article online.

9 Ways to Combat Physician Suicide

Providing work-site support and fostering a sense of community are among the ways physicians can help colleagues who might be struggling.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/9-ways-combat-physician-suicide to view the full article online.

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What Patients are Reading

7 Habits Your Podiatrist Wishes You Would Quit

A number of common practices among dancers can result in serious foot problems.

Visit http://www.dancemagazine.com/foot-care-mistakes-2538183151.html to view the full article online.

Annual Foot Screening Could Help Spot Heart Irregularities in People With Diabetes

An annual foot screenings by a podiatrist can lead to better identification of atrial fibrillation in patients.

Editor's note: Studies prove care by a podiatrist helps prevent diabetes complications and saves health-care outcomes and spending.

Visit https://www.news-medical.net/news/20180224/Annual-foot-screening-could-help-spot-heart-irregularities-in-people-with-diabetes.aspx to view the full article online.

The Running Doctor: ‘Turf Toe’

Muscle stiffness in the lower body can be an early warning sign for athletes at risk of turf toe.

Visit https://www.fairfieldcitizenonline.com/news/article/Feb-23-The-Running-Doctor-Turf-toe-12703350.php to view the full article online.

Ingrown Toenails Are a Menace to Society. Here's How to Get Rid of Them.

While people might be able to correct an ingrown toenail themselves if it is in the early stages, treatment by a podiatrist may be necessary if it doesn't improve.

Visit https://www.menshealth.com/health/a18736410/how-to-get-rid-of-an-ingrown-toenail/ to view the full article online.

Get Your Feet Ready to Run

A few simple tips can help runners head off problems with their feet this spring.

Visit http://healthizmo.com/get-feet-ready-run to view the full article online.

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