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APMA News Brief

American Podiatric Medical Association

Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA)
National News
Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a bill requiring health insurers to notify physicians about mid-contract changes to reimbursements and fee schedules in advance.

Editor’s note: APMA provides reimbursement resources at APMA.org.

Visit http://www.beckershospitalreview.com/finance/new-law-quietly-passed-in-tennessee-seen-as-big-win-for-physician-reimbursement-5-things-to-know.html to view the full article online.

 
Through 2030, Medicare spending under certain circumstances could fall by up to $106 billion on physician services and by up to $250 billion on hospital services as a result of MACRA, according to research published by Health Affairs.

Editor’s note: Learn more about MACRA, MIPS and APMs at http://www.apma.org/macra.

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/rand-medicare-spending-under-macra-depends-on-apm-participation/439900/ to view the full article online.

 
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Financial pressures and uncertainty about the future of the American healthcare industry are changing the way independent physicians and other medical professionals run their practices, according to a survey by TD Bank. 

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/financial-pressures-are-changing-independent-physicians-decisions-practice-operations to view the full article online.

 
Smaller practices face large cost and time hurdles to implementing electronic health records, including possible closure, according to a new study.

Editor’s note: Review APMA's EHR resources for more information on purchasing an EHR system.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/small-practices-face-major-barriers-to-ehr-adoption-study-finds to view the full article online.

 
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What Patients are Reading
A podiatrist explains common reasons why your feet might look and feel more balloonish than usual and offers tips on how to treat the swelling. 

Visit http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/why-your-feet-are-swollen/slide/1 to view the full article online.

 
Getting into shape for spring is a head-to-toe endeavor these days, from trimming your waistline to rejuvenating your feet after a winter in boots.

Editor's note: The Seal Turns 50 in 2017! Recommend APMA Seal products to your patients.

Visit http://footwearnews.com/2017/focus/womens/how-to-get-feet-ready-for-summer-podiatrist-tips-334161/ to view the full article online.

 
With the arrival of spring, I know I’ll be diagnosing more patients with plantar fasciitis.

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

Visit http://registerguard.com/rg/life/healthyfamilies/35425760-306/taking-healthy-steps.html.csp to view the full article online.

 
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We don't often pay a lot of attention to our feet -- until they start to hurt. 

Visit http://www.wzzm13.com/life/wellness/healthy-you/put-your-best-foot-forward-for-good-health/429182466 to view the full article online.

 
More than 29 million Americans have diabetes, according to the latest estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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

Visit http://richmondfreepress.com/news/2017/apr/08/dont-forget-your-feet/ to view the full article online.

 
It goes without saying that you need to have a website for your practice. 

Visit http://www.physicianspractice.com/blog/7-essential-elements-your-practice-website to view the full article online.

 
Physicians spend roughly as many hours on computer work as they do meeting with patients, a new study reveals. 

Visit https://consumer.healthday.com/health-technology-information-18/medical-records-984/is-desktop-medicine-chipping-away-at-patient-care-721514.html to view the full article online.

 
What doctor hasn’t faced a patient who was angry, upset or frustrated? 

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/4-tips-to-talk-unhappy-patients to view the full article online.

 
Medical associations and experts have noted that performance reporting will be a burden on small practices under Medicare’s new Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS), a value-based payment program that began on January 1.

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

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/can-virtual-groups-help-independent-practices to view the full article online.

 
Gallup says difference this year has to do with consumers' uncertainty over getting coverage through the ACA.

Editor’s note: See APMA’s principles on health-care reform and Medicaid resources on APMA.org.

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/uninsured-rate-swells-113-first-quarter-2017-after-record-low to view the full article online.

 
As merger and acquisition activity consumes independent physician practices, medical doctors need to weigh their options, says Nicholas Grosso, MD, president of The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics in Bethesda, MD. 

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/finance/survival-tips-physician-practice-consolidation# to view the full article online.

 
American Society of Podiatric Medical Assistants Ortho-Dynamics Orthotic Laboratory PAL Health Technologies
American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc.
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20852
PH: 301-581-9200
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