APMA News Brief

Among the key healthcare trends emerging for 2018 are an increase in the number of mergers and acquisitions and increased innovation in digital health.

Visit https://medcitynews.com/2018/01/3-significant-issues-will-take-center-stage-2018/ to view the full article online.

Smaller physician groups saw larger operating losses, the study showed. 

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/physician-practices-see-increased-operating-losses-survey-shows/514608/ to view the full article online.

Late last week, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission voted to recommend that the Merit-based Incentive Payment System be replaced with an alternative called the Voluntary Value Program.

Visit https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/news-item/value-based-care/medpac-votes-14-2-scrap-mips-recommends-alternative-program to view the full article online.

The metropolitan areas in which physicians are in the most demand are Boston, San Francisco and Chicago, according to a new study.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/top-10-most-demand-metros-physicians to view the full article online.

The telemedicine industry is anticipating sustained rapid growth over the next few years. 

Visit http://www.healthleadersmedia.com/technology/strong-growth-forecast-telemedicine to view the full article online.

A number of factors account for the disparity in the prices paid for physician services by commercial payers and Medicare. 

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/cbo-analyzes-pricing-disparities-between-physician-services-medicare/514828/ to view the full article online.

Plantar fasciitis is the most common reason patients visit a podiatrist.

Visit http://www.roanoke.com/nrv/community/when-making-resolutions-be-mindful-of-your-feet/article_6386dac7-5781-5e9d-9dd7-216a2d029c81.html to view the full article online.

For infants, going without footwear or using footwear with extremely flexible soles may be best. 

Visit https://www.romper.com/p/do-shoes-harm-a-babys-feet-there-are-some-benefits-to-going-barefoot-7866342 to view the full article online.

Among the common mistakes that can lead to foot pain is continuing to wear running shoes that have become worn out. 

Visit http://www.womenfitnessmag.com/3-mistakes-that-cause-foot-pain/ to view the full article online.

Daily attention to one's feet can help runners avoid problems down the road. 

Visit http://www.health24.com/Fitness/Sport/Running/6-at-home-tips-for-freshening-up-your-runners-feet-20180115 to view the full article online.

More than 40 percent of physicians responding to a recent survey reported feeling some form of burnout. 

Visit https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/891005 to view the full article online.

An organized approach to dealing with an overflowing email inbox can help ease some of the administrative burden physicians face. 

Visit https://wire.ama-assn.org/practice-management/taming-your-unruly-basket-possible-little-teamwork to view the full article online.

According to a new report, the risk of addiction in patients who have been prescribed opioids increases with each refill.

Visit https://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/opioids-990/opioid-abuse-rises-when-prescriptions-are-renewed-730220.html to view the full article online.

Larger states are better positioned to deal with a funding shortfall, but even they may only be able to keep their CHIP programs running for a few months unless action is taken at the federal level.

Visit https://khn.org/news/as-chip-funding-lags-doctors-and-parents-scramble-to-cover-kids-needs/ to view the full article online.