APMA News Brief

March 31 is the deadline for eligible physicians to submit MIPS data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Visit https://www.healio.com/family-medicine/practice-management/news/online/%7B2ec3747f-7d57-4143-a816-b5d70be8b43b%7D/deadline-approaching-for-submitting-data-to-cms to view the full article online.

According a new compensation report, the already wide pay gap between male and female physicians has expanded slightly since 2016.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/female-doctors-earn-28-less-than-men-report-finds/519169/ to view the full article online.

In deciding whether to join a virtual group, small physician practices should take into account factors such as data collection and administrative responsibility.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/5-key-factors-considering-macra-virtual-groups to view the full article online.

Becoming more educated on cybersecurity can help physician practices make better decisions with regard to the IT vendors they use.

Visit https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/beat-digital-divide-time-talk-your-it-vendors to view the full article online.

Prescription drug prices as well as high administrative and testing costs are among the reasons for the disparity, according to a new report. 

Visit http://abcnews.go.com/Health/us-spends-health-care-countries-fare-study/story?id=53710650 to view the full article online.

Licensing and reimbursement issues are among the factors discouraging some providers from starting telehealth programs. 

Visit http://www.aappublications.org/news/2018/03/14/telehealth031418 to view the full article online.

The National Quality Forum is encouraging physicians to make shared decision-making with patients a standard of care. 

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/nqf-issues-call-to-action-shared-decision-making to view the full article online.

Between 2012 and 2016, hospital ownership of physician practices increased by 100 percent, according to a recent report. 

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/hospitals-acquired-5k-physician-practices-in-1-year-period/519167/ to view the full article online.

The number of patients in the U.S. without insurance is increasing, and some physicians practices already are being affected. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/help-uninsured-patients-without-hurting-your-practice to view the full article online.

Physician groups with more than 50 physicians can reap benenfits from going with private equity rather than hospital ownership. 

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/why-large-physician-groups-should-consider-private-equity-5-thoughts-with-todd-mello.html to view the full article online.

Brittle or discolored nails and cracked heels are among the foot conditions that are common among older people.

Visit https://home.bt.com/lifestyle/health/wellness/how-to-care-for-ageing-feet-11364167351599 to view the full article online.

Using well-fitting footwear and appropriate socks can help runners prevent large blisters from forming when running. 

Visit https://runningmagazine.ca/when-your-blisters-have-blisters/ to view the full article online.

Putting off getting foot issues checked can lead to serious problems, particularly among people with diabetes.

Visit https://www.wthr.com/article/check-up-13-diabetes-and-foot-check to view the full article online.

A podiatrist describes what to look for when considering a pedicure. 

Visit http://www.gastongazette.com/entertainmentlife/20180313/10-tips-to-safe-pedicure to view the full article online.