Health Law & Policy

Medicare advisory group recommends SGR repeal, catch-up for PCP pay

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission will officially recommend to Congress a plan that repeals the sustainable growth rate formula and replaces it with a mechanism to keep rates steady for primary care physicians over the next decade while cutting payments to specialists. Not surprisingly, the AMA and specialty societies strongly oppose the plan. Find out why the AAFP also has concerns. » More

Technology

Is your practice testing yet for the 5010 changeover?

Here’s the good news: participants in the recent National Version 5010 Testing Week reported no significant error scenarios. Here’s the bad news: the deadline for implementation is less than 3 months away. What kind of testing should your practice undertake to make sure that transactions after January 1 are not disrupted and full payment is received? » More

Practice Management

‘Unnecessary’ care by PCPs costs $6.7 billion a year

There may be a good reason why primary care physicians feel as if they often provide more care than is really needed. They actually do, according to a research letter published recently in Archives of Internal Medicine. That report said excessive treatment cost $6.7 billion in 2009. Some of the items deemed unnecessary included blood work and scans. You may be surprised, however, to find out what the largest item was, representing 86% of the expense. » More

Doctors’ Writing Contest

Share your knowledge and expertise, and you could win $2,000!

Do you have a story to tell your fellow physicians? Or do you have proven advice or suggestions on how to thrive in this new era of healthcare? If so, enter your article in our Doctors’ Writing Contest for a shot at the grand prize, which includes $2,000, a crystal award, and $500 to donate to the healthcare charity of your choice.

The runner-up and winners of the Best Practice Solution and New Doctor Award categories each will receive $1,000 and a crystal award. Honorable mentions also will be awarded!

For more details and the official rules, visit www.MedicalEconomics.com/contest. The deadline for submissions is November 1.

Practice Finance

Can providers sue states to block Medicaid cuts?

More than 30 states are seeking to cut Medicaid payments to physicians, and a California case before the U.S. Supreme Court will determine whether providers can use the courts to block those actions. Medical groups, including the AAFP, have filed briefs in support of providers, warning that payment cuts could have dire consequences. What is likely to happen if the court prevents provider lawsuits and allows California to go forward with its plans to cut Medi-Cal payments by 10%? » More

Technology

There’s ‘an app for that’ in medical practices

More than 80% of practicing physicians are using smartphones, tablets, mobile devices, and a variety of mobile applications in their daily practices, according to a recent report from a physician recruitment firm. That finding is in line with other surveys showing growing adoption of technology in patient care. Is your practice keeping up with the trend to digitize healthcare? » More

Getting patients on board with EHRs, information-sharing

Much of the focus on electronic health record adoption has been on providers and the challenges they have faced in achieving meaningful use. Now, the government’s attention is turning to patients, many of whom have expressed concerns about the privacy and security of their health information. How are health information technology officials going to determine what patients really want in terms of electronic sharing of information? » More

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