APMA News Brief

National News

Take Survey, Ensure DPMs are Well Represented

BuckheadFMV is conducting a survey on physician call coverage compensation practices, seeking data specific to podiatrists, other physicians, and health systems. Please take the short survey to ensure podiatrists are well represented!

Visit https://www.apma.org/News/NewsDetail.cfm?ItemNumber=33121& to view the full article online.

MedPAC: Docs Don't Need Raise in Base Medicare Pay

In its annual report to Congress, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission recommended no increase in physician fee-for-service reimbursement rates in 2020.

Editor’s note: APMA has MACRA resources to help DPMs overcome payment obstacles. Check out the MACRA Made Easy reimbursement series and reimbursement resources, too.

Visit https://www.medpagetoday.com/publichealthpolicy/medicare/78603 to view the full article online.

Doctors Report Being Mostly Happy Despite Administrative Burdens, Survey Finds

While burnout remains a real issue, a new survey has some positive news with regard to how physicians view their work.

Editor’s note: Feeling stressed? APMA has Physician Well-Being resources at www.apma.org/wellbeing to help you managing burnout, work–life balance, and more.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/doctors-report-being-mostly-happy-despite-administrative-burdens-survey-fi/550835/ to view the full article online.

Why It’s Important to Stay Informed About Health IT Regulations

While regulations related to health information technology can be complex, it's important to stay up to date, especially when it comes to telehealth.

Editor’s Note: Don’t miss APMA’s Health IT resources and our issue brief on telehealth.

Visit https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2019/03/why-its-important-stay-informed-about-health-it-regulations to view the full article online.

Patients Mostly Accept EHRs But Privacy Worries Remain

A majority of patients in a recent survey indicated that they were at least somewhat concerned about the security of their personal health information with regard to electronic health records.

Editor’s Note: See APMA’s EHR Decision Guide for DPMs on APMA.org.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/patients-mostly-accept-ehrs-but-privacy-worries-remain/550774/ to view the full article online.

Physicians for Fair Coverage Proposes Ban on Surprise Medical Bills For Out-of- Network Care, Creation of Reimbursement Standards

The proposal would allow for alternative dispute resolution to deal with health-care reimbursement issues.

Editor’s note: APMA provides reimbursement resources for DPMs and also sample letter and tips to help you communicate with patients about out-of-network status and physician termination from Medicare Advantage plans.

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/physicians-fair-coverage-proposes-ban-surprise-medical-bills-out-network-care-creation to view the full article online.

Recruiting and Retaining Young Physicians

A new survey found that beyond financial compensation, young physicians are attracted to a positive work culture and the prospect of positive work/life balance.

Editor’s note: The APMA Career Center has all your hiring and job search needs covered. APMA’s Young Physicians’ Transition Series is here to help at each stage in a young physician’s career.

Visit https://www.medicaleconomics.com/practice-management/recruiting-and-retaining-young-physicians to view the full article online.

What Patients are Reading

When to Seek Help From a Podiatrist

Podiatrists can help patients in innumerable ways when it comes to maintaining the long-term health of their feet and ankles.

Editor’s note: Check out APMA’s “Operate Like a DPM” Spring Foot Health Campaign has resources for your patients on what a podiatrist is and your crucial role in the health-care team. Visit www.apma.org/foothealth for your free poster, tip sheets, and so much more.

Visit https://thefrisky.com/when-to-seek-help-from-a-podiatrist/ to view the full article online.

How Can Psoriatic Arthritis Affect the Feet?

Psoriatic arthritis can cause pain and inflammation in feet, but treatments are available to help.

Editor’s note: Share APMA’s arthritis information with your patients.

Visit https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324723.php to view the full article online.

Why You Absolutely Shouldn't Be Slipping Your Still-Tied Running Shoes Off

Taking off shoes without loosening standard laces can lead to ligament and tendon damage.

Visit https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/health/injury/a26822149/runner-mistakes-cause-injury/ to view the full article online.

The Best Walking Shoes for Women

When you're in the market for a new pair of shoes, it can help to examine the wear pattern on the shoes you're planning to discard.

Editor's note: Check out the latest list of APMA Seal-Accepted footwear and recommend these products to your patients.

Visit https://www.nbcnews.com/better/lifestyle/best-walking-shoes-women-ncna982351 to view the full article online.

How Burnout in Physicians Compares to Other Professional Degrees

Physicians are at a higher risk of burnout than other professionals, according to a new research letter.

Editor’s note: APMA has Physician Well-Being resources at www.apma.org/wellbeing.

Visit https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/how-burnout-physicians-compares-other-professional-degrees to view the full article online.

Telehealth Can Retain an Element of Humanity Despite Focus on Data And Logic

While telehealth tools offer a wide range of benefits, it's important not to allow the technology to depersonalize the patient/provider encounter.

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/telehealth-can-retain-element-humanity-despite-focus-data-and-logic to view the full article online.

American Podiatric Medical Association