APMA News Brief

National News

MACRA Improvements Coming, CMS Official Says

Regulatory changes are coming to MACRA this year, according to a CMS official, with a focus on easing data reporting burdens on physicians.

Editor’s note: APMA has everything you need to know about MACRA, MIPS, and APMs at www.apma.org/macra.

Visit http://www.hfma.org/Content.aspx?id=60085 to view the full article online.

Should MIPS Be Repealed and Replaced? Several Industry Leaders Weigh in on MedPAC’s Published Proposal

Reactions are mixed among health-care industry leaders regarding MedPAC's recommendation that the Merit-based Incentive Payment System be eliminated.

Editor’s note: Be sure to use APMA’s updated 2018 MIPS Performance Year Resource Page for all your MIPS needs.

Visit https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/article/value-based-care/should-mips-be-repealed-and-replaced-several-industry-leaders-weigh-medpac to view the full article online.

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Bipartisan Health Care Compromise Falls Apart, Obamacare Battle Continues

A bipartisan amendment intended to stabilize the Affordable Care Act individual marketplace has been dropped from a proposed $1.3 trillion spending bill.

Visit https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/bipartisan-health-care-compromise-falls-apart-obamacare-battle-continues to view the full article online.

How Doctors Can Get Better Patient Satisfaction Scores

Avoiding medical jargon and reducing interruptions and distractions can help physicians boost their satisfaction scores with patients.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/doctors-better-patient-satisfaction-scores-scripps-health to view the full article online.

Paper Health Records Have Privacy Risks, Study Finds

Improper disposal of paper health records in trash cans and recycling bins continues to be a problem at healthcare facilities, according to a new report.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/paper-health-records-have-privacy-risks-study-finds/519694/ to view the full article online.

Tips for Physicians to Improve Their Lives and Careers

New care models and technological advances such as telemedicine have the potential to ease the effects of the physician shortage.

Visit http://medicaleconomics.modernmedicine.com/medical-economics/news/tips-physicians-improve-their-lives-and-careers to view the full article online.

Dr. Robert Redfield Appointed CDC Director

Robert Redfield, a physician with a background in AIDS research, has been selected to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Visit https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/21/health/redfield-cdc-director-bn/index.html to view the full article online.

5 Ways to Streamline Prior Authorization, Improve Outcomes

According to several industry groups, the prior authorization process can be improved in a number of ways so as to reduce long delays.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/payer/american-medical-association-prior-authorization-physician-administrative-burden to view the full article online.

Two-Thirds of Doctors Experience Burnout. Here's How To Stop It

Stemming the problem of physician burnout is likely to require a multifaceted approach that includes not just a reduction in paperwork but a focus on work-life balance.

Visit http://time.com/5207403/fixing-doctor-burnout/ to view the full article online.

What Patients are Reading

What Is Your Shoe IQ?

The type of shoe you wear can affect your balance and even your health, so make sure to choose wisely when matching your footwear to your activities.

Visit https://www.heraldextra.com/momclick/beauty-and-fashion/wicked-lovely-fashion/what-is-your-shoe-iq/article_371483ac-4a1a-5737-88c9-9da7cf15c4b0.html to view the full article online.

What You Need to Know About Preventing Falls

For seniors and other people with concerns about the risk of falling, podiatrists can offer assistance with balance problems.

Visit http://www.gastongazette.com/entertainmentlife/20180320/what-you-need-to-know-about-preventing-falls to view the full article online.

What’s My Exact Shoe Size? Follow These Easy Tips for Spot-On Measurement

A number of factors can have an influence on the size of one's feet, so occasional remeasuring can help to ensure that new shoes will fit properly.

Visit http://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/mens/what-size-is-your-foot-shoes-520294/ to view the full article online.

Steph Curry Prefers High-Tops but Science Proves That They Might Not Protect Against Injury

Low-top athletic shoes are likely no more protective against ankle injuries such as sprains than low-top shoes.

Visit https://www.sfchronicle.com/science/article/Steph-Curry-prefers-high-tops-but-science-proves-12758954.php to view the full article online.

Are Pricey Orthotic Insoles Worth It for Heel Pain?

A new study suggests that custom orthotics are no more effective than over-the-counter shoe inserts in treating plantar fasciitis.

Editor's note: Share APMA's foot health resources at http://www.apma.org/myfeet with your patients.

Visit https://consumer.healthday.com/bone-and-joint-information-4/foot-problem-news-320/are-pricey-orthotic-insoles-worth-it-for-heel-pain-732124.html to view the full article online.

American Podiatric Medical Association