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APMA News Brief

American Podiatric Medical Association

Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA)
National News
Who should be considered a physician at the VA?

Editor's note: APMA members are encouraged to take the poll included in this article to endorse physician recognition of podiatrists at the VA.

Visit http://www.usmedicine.com/agencies/department-of-veterans-affairs/podiatry-bill-raises-issue-of-who-is-physician-at-va/ to view the full article online.

 
Rep. Brad Wenstrup, of Ohio, rushed to House Majority Whip Steve Scalise's side Wednesday morning, as a stream of blood trailed behind the Louisiana congressman.

Editor's note: Our thoughts are with the victims of yesterday's shooting. We'd also like to thank Rep. Brad Wenstrup, DPM, and others for coming to their aid.

Visit http://www.cnn.com/2017/06/14/health/brad-wenstrup-steve-scalise-alexandria-virginia-shooting-bn/index.html to view the full article online.

 
In 2017, Congress has been debating legislation, the American Health Care Act (AHCA), which would end the enhanced federal matching funds for the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion and fundamentally alter the structure and financing of the Medicaid program.

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

Visit http://www.kff.org/medicaid/issue-brief/factors-affecting-states-ability-to-respond-to-federal-medicaid-cuts-and-caps-which-states-are-most-at-risk/ to view the full article online.

 
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Medicare and Medicaid are government healthcare programs that help individuals acquire coverage, but similarities between the programs more or less end there. 

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/features/the-difference-between-medicare-and-medicaid-reimbursement to view the full article online.

 
Medicare and Medicaid are government healthcare programs that help individuals acquire coverage, but similarities between the programs more or less end there. 

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/doj-sends-warning-shots-on-medicare-advantage-overpayments/444542/ to view the full article online.

 
Hospital systems may no longer be quite as eager to acquire independent medical practices now that the government is scaling back a significant financial incentive for doing so. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/new-facility-fees-rule-could-slow-practice-acquisitions to view the full article online.

 
Cipher Pharmaceuticals
At a time when congressional leaders are notoriously at odds over health care reform, one piece of health care-related legislation that has received bipartisan support is the Creating High-Quality Results and Outcomes Necessary to Improve Chronic (CHRONIC) Care Act of 2017 (S. 870). 

Visit https://aishealth.com/archive/nman052517-01 to view the full article online.

 
Approximately 52 percent of provider compensation offers with a production bonus in 2017 based the additional pay on relative value units (RVUs), while just 39 percent used quality metrics, a recent Merritt Hawkins survey found. 

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/52-of-provider-compensation-bonuses-tied-to-rvus-not-quality to view the full article online.

 
Did you know up to 70% of diabetics will develop Peripheral Neuropathy?
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What Patients are Reading
It’s a condition born of too much sugar, but the news is not so sweet.

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

Visit http://www.lohud.com/story/sponsor-story/newyork-presbyterian-hospital/2017/06/14/diabetic-foot-infections-how-avoid/102627258/ to view the full article online.

 
Think summer, think outdoors.

Editor's note: Tell your patients about APMA's list of athletic shoes given the APMA Seal of Acceptance.

Visit https://www.ksl.com/?sid=44486407&nid=1268&title=are-your-running-shoes-helping-or-hindering to view the full article online.

 
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Ingrown toenails are a common condition in which the corner or side of a toenail grows into the soft flesh. 

Visit http://www.star2.com/health/wellness/2017/06/14/ingrown-toenail-treatment/ to view the full article online.

 
The summer months mean it’s time to break out your favorite flip-flops, flats, boat shoes, espadrilles and more.

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

Visit http://footwearnews.com/2017/focus/athletic-outdoor/uncomfortable-summer-shoes-how-to-make-shoes-more-comfortable-363859/ to view the full article online.

 
Choosing the right pair of shoes to wear on a regular basis plays a major role in avoiding injury and ensuring the long-term health of your feet, as well as your entire body. 

Visit http://myfox8.com/2017/06/09/lace-them-up-shoe-lacing-tips-to-alleviate-pain/ to view the full article online.

 
Practicing medicine in today's healthcare environment is not for the faint of heart. 

Visit http://www.renalandurologynews.com/practice-management/challenges-to-independent-nephrology-physician-practice/article/667480/ to view the full article online.

 
While medical cost trends are not expected to rise sharply, it's not a time to claim victory over the cost curve.

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

Visit http://www.healthcaredive.com/news/healthcare-costs-at-new-normal-but-still-outpacing-wages-inflation/444793/ to view the full article online.

 
With the government conducting a new round of HIPAA privacy and security audits in 2017, small medical practices need to be prepared.

Editor’s note: APMA provides HIPAA Privacy and Security Manuals free to members.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/get-ready-next-round-federal-hipaa-audits to view the full article online.

 
Better patient engagement takes time and effort on the part of physicians and staff—and a new report suggests most organizations don't account for that when they design programs.

Visit http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/healthcare/survey-identifies-challenges-for-improving-patient-engagement to view the full article online.

 
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