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APMA News Brief

American Podiatric Medical Association

Podiatry Insurance Company of America (PICA)
National News
The tax bill passed by the Senate over the weekend would repeal the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

Visit http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/362838-senate-gop-repeals-obamacare-mandate to view the full article online.

 
According to a new study from Health Affairs, in the first year of the Medicare Physician Value-Based Payment Modifier program, nearly a third of the physician practices were penalized for not reporting performance data.

Editor’s note: Register for the new APMA Registry for the 2017 Performance year by December 15. The data collected can be used to demonstrate the value of care by a podiatrist.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/one-third-of-practices-didnt-report-performance-data-in-value-based-progra/512229/ to view the full article online.

 
In part to compete with urgent care clinics, physician practices are feeling more pressure when it comes to scheduling patient appointments. 

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/same-day-appointments-physician-practices-competitiion to view the full article online.

 
Since the mid-1980s, the percentage of physicians in independent solo practices has declined from 50 percent to 36 percent. 

Visit https://www.medpagetoday.com/dermatology/generaldermatology/69615 to view the full article online.

 
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To prevent breaches caused by current or former employees, the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights recommends several steps, including having a standard process for cutting off access to departing employees.

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

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/privacy-security/hhs-office-civil-rights-internal-data-breach-cybersecurity to view the full article online.

 
Engaging in collaborative agreements with other healthcare providers can help independent physicians cope in a value-based care environment. 

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/collaboration-key-to-independent-physicians-in-value-based-care to view the full article online.

 
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What Patients are Reading
Gout has become more prevalent in recent years, now affecting approximately 4 percent of Americans. 

Visit http://www.starnewsonline.com/news/20171205/5-things-to-know-about-gout to view the full article online.

 
Depending on the type of break, symptoms of a broken toe can take different forms.

Visit http://mendonjournal.com/medical-news-today-is-it-a-broken-toe/ to view the full article online.

 
Keeping joints warm is an important consideration when running in cold weather. 

Visit http://www.webcenter11.com/content/news/HEALTH-REPORT-Easier-Winter-Running-462205773.html to view the full article online.

 
Resting, stretching and wearing appropriate shoes can help when dealing with plantar fasciitis. 

Visit https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/12/chronic-heel-pain-4-simple-fixes-for-your-plantar-fasciitis/ to view the full article online.

 
Certain additions to your workout can help can help relieve foot pain. 

Visit https://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/exercises-when-feet-hurt to view the full article online.

 
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To cultivate frugality, consider conducting a thorough analysis of your spending and prioritizing your goals. 

Visit https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/888835 to view the full article online.

 
Pay-for-performance reimbursement models can penalize physician practices that server lower-income and sicker patients, according to a recent study. 

Visit http://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20171129/NEWS/171129913 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