APMA News Brief

American Podiatric Medical Association

Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA)
National News
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has issued a proposed rule that it estimates will save $195 million over five years. 

Visit http://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cms-lightens-reporting-load-medicare-advantage-part-d-changes-how-star-ratings-are-calculated to view the full article online.

 
Seventy-five percent of healthcare organizations either offer or plan to offer telemedicine services, according to a new survey. 

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/survey-shows-major-leap-in-telemedicine-use-over-past-3-years/511054/ to view the full article online.

 
A large majority of physicians think that patients are less trusting of healthcare professionals. 

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/quality/survey-87-of-physicians-say-patient-trust-is-decreasing.html to view the full article online.

 
iWALKFree, Inc.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has decided not to test the Shared Decision-Making Model because not enough ACOs expressed interest in participating in the model. 

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/shared-decision-making-model-cms-cancels-testing-acos to view the full article online.

 
Physicians coaching other physicians can help clinicians reconnect with why they got into the profession. 

Visit https://catalyst.nejm.org/physician-coaching-clinicians-helping-clinicians/ 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
Standing for long periods can increase the risk of several foot conditions, including plantar fasciitis.

Editor's note: Share APMA's Foot Health Resources with your patients.

Visit http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/karen-berger/2017/11/happy-feet-take-the-pain-out-of-standing-all-day- to view the full article online.

 
To protect your feet, conduct daily foot inspections, keep toenails trimmed properly, and wear appropriate shoes. 

Visit https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/1090681/7-ways-safeguard-your-feet to view the full article online.

 
Calcaneal apophysitis, a common condition among young athletes, can be treated in a number of ways, and orthotics can help. 

Visit http://www.southlakestyle.com/2017/11/17/160179/feet-have-growing-pains-too- to view the full article online.

 
According to new research, nearly one-fifth of patients who develop infected foot ulcers had a foot amputation within one year.
Editor's note: Studies prove care by a podiatrist helps prevent diabetes complications and saves health-care dollars.

Visit https://www.upi.com/Study-shows-importance-of-early-treatment-for-diabetic-foot-ulcers/5181511036198/ to view the full article online.

 
Plantar fasciitis can be treated with rest, anti-inflammatory medication, and orthotics. 

Visit http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-5096171/ASK-DR-ELLIE-Foot-pain-Achilles-heel.html to view the full article online.

 
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Physician practices that "go green" can see a decrease in costs in addition to benefiting the environment. 

Visit https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/fight-climate-change-and-save-money-go-green-your-practice to view the full article online.

 
Working with a psychologist can help physicians in a number of ways, including improving relationships and maximizing work efficiency. 

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/5-ways-improve-physician-mental-health to view the full article online.

 
To be prepared to deal with an IT emergency, small practices should designate a point person, seek guidance from vendors, have a backup plan in place, and keep emergency plans up to date.

Editor’s Note: Don’t miss APMA’s Health IT resources on APMA.org.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/6-steps-avoid-health-it-outage to view the full article online.

 
American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc.
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20852
PH: 301-581-9200
info@apma.org | www.apma.org