APMA News Brief

Cases of tuberculosis are set to accelerate unless action is taken to curb diabetes, a chronic condition that weakens the immune system and triples the risk a person will develop the lung disease.

Visit http://www.foxnews.com/health/2014/10/29/experts-sound-alarm-as-diabetes-fuels-cases-tb/?& to view the full article online.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) plans to invest $840 million during the next four years in collaborative learning and workforce training networks that are expected to support 150,000 clinicians in sharing, adapting, and further developing strategies to improve quality and lower costs.

Visit http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/833943 to view the full article online.

People newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who are initially given the drug metformin are less likely to eventually need other drugs to control their blood sugar, a new study suggests. Click here to continue reading.

Editor's note: Studies prove care by a podiatrist helps prevent diabetes complications and saves healthcare dollars.

Changing laws to make it more difficult to sue physicians for medical malpractice may not reduce the amount of "defensive medicine" practiced by physicians, according to a new study.

Visit http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2014/10/27/344797.htm to view the full article online.

Stride or ride off-road for a hotter body and a cooler mind. Here's your so-easy guide — just add sunshine.

Visit http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/workout/cardio/outdoor-workouts/?sssdmh=dm17.763735&esrc=nwfitdailytip101714 to view the full article online.

If you have mobility issues, you require routine foot care that will help keep your feet free from infection.

Visit http://www.insidetoronto.com/shopping-story/4942177-why-regular-foot-care-is-a-must-for-those-with-mobility-issues/ to view the full article online.

For adults over age 65 with disabling foot pain, being fitted for off-the-shelf extra-depth footwear reduced pain and improved function, according to a new study.

Visit http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/10/22/us-health-elderly-foot-pain-idINKCN0IB2EY20141022 to view the full article online.

You probably think you need to be royalty like King Henry VIII of England to have gout. Not so!

Visit http://www.country-guide.ca/2014/10/24/causes-of-gout-and-what-you-can-do-to-avoid-it/44955/ to view the full article online.

With Medicare open enrollment in full swing, it's time to talk about protecting yourself from the crooks who use this period to steal from you.

Visit http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/personalfinance/beware-of-scammers-during-open-enrollment/2203972 to view the full article online.

The federal government's annual Medicare open enrollment period can seem overwhelming for the more than 50 million beneficiaries obtaining coverage through the program.

Visit http://www.ibtimes.com/medicare-open-enrollment-2014-dates-how-change-your-plan-get-cheaper-drugs-1714891 to view the full article online.

Fall has arrived, but if you live in a communal space, there’s one sandal you should keep wearing: The shower flip flop.

Visit http://www.boston.com/health/2014/10/27/you-better-wear-flip-flops-you-showering-dorm/OwKC364EUVyT01Unk3VlLJ/story.html?p1=menu_life_latest_hp to view the full article online.

As we continue to move toward the new ICD-10 coding and reimbursement system, new challenges are facing healthcare providers above and beyond those associated with other high-profile federal mandates. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: APMA’s ICD-10 Resources will help you prepare for the transition to happen Oct. 1, 2015.

Children ages 5 to 9 years old were the hardest hit, study finds.

Visit http://www.webmd.com/children/news/20141027/type-1-diabetes-increasing-among-white-american-kids to view the full article online.

Health insurance exchanges were hard pressed for any positive media coverage this time last year, due largely to hastily planned and inadequately tested websites that left consumers frustrated — and sometimes uninsured. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: Learn more about health insurance exchanges and read APMA’s policy briefs at APMA's healthcare reform page.

Earlier this month, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the premiums and deductibles for Medicare programs in 2015.

Visit http://revcycleintelligence.com/2014/10/27/hhs-announces-2015-medicare-premiums-and-deductibles/ to view the full article online.

As insurers and providers fight over revenue in an era of cost control, patients often find themselves caught in the middle, nickel-and-dimed.

Visit http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/26/us/as-insurers-try-to-limit-costs-providers-hit-patients-with-more-separate-fees.html?_r=0 to view the full article online.

ICD-10 has achieved much recent notoriety for its external cause codes. It’s fun to talk about those crazy codes, but they too often make for a shock-and-awe story that will derail the conversation about actual potential uses and benefits of ICD-10.

Visit http://icd10monitor.com/enews/item/1297-new-icd-10-codes-identify-chronic-recurrent-conditions to view the full article online.

While there are some portions of ICD-10 that simply cannot be implemented in production early, like sending ICD-10 codes on claims, there are others that can – and simply must – be implemented earlier. Click here to continue reading.

Editor’s note: APMA’s ICD-10 Resources will help you prepare for the transition to happen Oct. 1, 2015.

Fall open enrollment for the 2015 group health plan year is being dominated by employer frustration and uncertainty about implementing coverage and IRS reporting requirements under the health care reform law’s employer coverage mandate.

Visit http://www.businessinsurance.com/article/20141026/NEWS03/141029848?tags=|62|307|74|278 to view the full article online.