APMA News Brief

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a new request for information seeking input from physicians and other healthcare stakeholders regarding the Stark Law.

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/cms-considers-stark-law-changes-to-support-value-based-care-apms to view the full article online.

A tracking poll from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that a majority of Americans, regardless of party affiliation, favor retaining the Affordable Care Act's protections for people with pre-existing conditions. 

Visit http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/health-reform-implementation/394253-poll-finds-pre-existing-condition-protections to view the full article online.

The attention paid recently to the opioid crisis in the U.S. may already be having an effect, with a new study indicating an 11 percent drop in opioid prescriptions nationwide from 2016 to 2017.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/opioid-supply-levels-decline-in-most-states-report-finds/526263/ to view the full article online.

A report from Medicare Health Plans that examined the ratio of citizens to physicians in different states concluded that the state with the most overworked physicians was Idaho. 

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/rankings-and-ratings/10-states-with-the-most-overworked-physicians.html to view the full article online.

Of the 61 percent of respondents who said that they do use a wait list, many indicated that the list was part of their organization's electronic health record. 

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/majority-practices-use-patient-wait-lists-plenty-dont-and-could-jeopardize-patient-safety-mgma to view the full article online.

As healthcare moves slowly toward value-based purchasing, there may be lessons to be learned from how healthcare information technology was adopted as it evolved.

Visit https://www.dotmed.com/news/story/43417 to view the full article online.

Ingrown toenails are a common concern among runners, but taking certain actions can make them less likely. 

Visit https://www.runnersworld.com/health-injuries/a21528690/ingrown-toenails/ to view the full article online.

The American Podiatric Medical Association's Seal of Acceptance program is a great resource when it comes to finding quality footwear. 

Visit https://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/health/podiatrist-approved-shoes-1202578152/ to view the full article online.

Symptoms of foot conditions can also be signs of larger problems in one's overall health. 

Visit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5886267/Expert-reveals-feet-trying-tell-overall-health.html to view the full article online.

Simple steps such as choosing proper footwear and avoiding contact with the floor in locker room showers can help head off common warm-weather foot ailments. 

Visit http://www.thereflector.com/good_for_you/article_dcb667e8-7968-11e8-9d88-eb963522e4d1.html to view the full article online.

Research suggests that effectively addressing physician burnout requires interventions at both the organizational and personal levels. 

Visit https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/two-kinds-interventions-reduce-physician-burnout to view the full article online.

The study, from Global Healthcare Alliance, indicates that healthcare organizations are somewhat less prepared when it comes to the infrastructure required for value-based care. 

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/more-half-healthcare-organizations-are-ready-value-based-financial-changes-survey-shows to view the full article online.

To guard against the possibility of employee embezzlement at one's practice, physicians should consider having thorough background checks done and implementing specific policies regarding financial responsibilities in the office. 

Visit http://www.medicaleconomics.com/health-law-and-policy/10-tips-avoid-embezzlement-your-medical-practice to view the full article online.