APMA News Brief

Five members of the House of Representatives with ties to healthcare, including four physicians, sent the administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services a letter urging her to ensure that MIPS provides adequate incentives to encourage physician participation.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/members-gop-doctors-caucus-mips-amga-jerry-penso to view the full article online.

A new proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services would change a regulation that allows states to pay third-parties on behalf of an individual provider. 

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/cms-proposes-rule-prevent-medicaid-payments-being-diverted-away-primary-provider to view the full article online.

According to a new survey, more than half of physicians indicated that they were either unfamiliar or barely familiar with MACRA requirements.

Visit https://www.healthcare-informatics.com/article/value-based-care/new-research-reveals-mips-confusion-among-physicians to view the full article online.

Over the last decade, vertical integration of physician practices by hospitals has been most common among specialties such as cardiology and oncology, according to a new study. 

Visit https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/strategy/physician-practice-vertical-integration-highest-among-specialties to view the full article online.

According to a new Government Accountability Office report, small and rural physician practices will continue to face challenges under MIPS in areas such as technology and staff resources.

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/ehr-costs-staffing-still-trouble-small-rural-practices-in-mips to view the full article online.

Physicians who displayed empathy in interactions with the families of pediatric patients were more likely to elicit important patient information, according to a new study. 

Visit https://www.mdmag.com/medical-news/empathy-from-physicians-more-likely-to-result-in-patient-information-from-family to view the full article online.

Flip-flops aren't the best choice for extended use, but alternatives abound when it comes to warm-weather footwear. 

Visit http://www.tampabay.com/news/health/Put-your-best-feet-forward-with-this-health-footwear-and-beauty-advice_169668857 to view the full article online.

Trimming toenails properly can help prevent the pain and potential complications arising from an ingrown toenail. 

Visit https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/984422/how-to-get-rid-of-an-ingrown-toenail to view the full article online.

The age at which children should be allowed to wear high heels remains controversial, but later is usually better, for a range of developmental reasons. 

Visit https://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/children/girls-allowed-wear-heels-1202586175/ to view the full article online.

Persistent foot pain is a sign that something is wrong and requires attention from a podiatrist.

Visit http://www.sonomawest.com/cloverdale_reveille/opinion/columns/to-our-health-agony-in-your-feet/article_980018b0-852a-11e8-9379-7b4fd887095c.html to view the full article online.

Unilateral amendment and allowed amount are among the terms and concepts physicians should be familiar with when it comes to payer contracts. 

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/key-terms-components-of-payer-contracts-providers-should-know to view the full article online.

According to a new study, visible tattoos and piercing do not have a negative effect on patient satisfaction scores. 

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/patient-engagement/patients-don-t-care-if-physicians-have-tattoos-or-piercings-study-finds.html to view the full article online.

Regardless of whatever challenges smaller practices face, their level of physician burnout is remarkably low compared to the national average. 

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/physician-burnout-small-practices-dramatically-lower-national-average to view the full article online.