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APMA News Brief

American Podiatric Medical Association

National News
Health-care prices have grown steadily but not dramatically over the last few years, with spending keeping pace, particularly among private payers, according to a recent report. 

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/healthcare-spending-growing-along-prices-5-over-2017 to view the full article online.

 
A new proposal related to telehealth reimbursement for physicians could lead to some unintended consequences, some physicians contend. 

Visit https://khn.org/news/doctors-give-medicares-proposal-to-pay-for-telemedicine-poor-prognosis/ to view the full article online.

 
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At a recent conference, physicians argued that independent practices are making a comeback in light of growing dissatisfaction with employment by hospitals and health systems. 

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/mgma18-dinosaurs-hardly-a-renaissance-independent-physician-practices-doctors-say to view the full article online.

 
Physicians with smaller or independent practices increasingly are exploring the option of participating in virtual groups to cope with the challenges of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System.

 

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

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/exploring-virtual-groups-in-the-quality-payment-program-mips to view the full article online.

 
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Tips for improving billing and coding practices include using the services of a scribe and taking advantage of the resources professional associations have to offer.

 

Editor’s note: Take advantage of APMA’s practice management and reimbursement resources, including compliance materials, HIT info, and much more. Free to members!

Visit https://www.healio.com/family-medicine/practice-management/news/online/%7B2428b308-4d21-458a-9fdc-36b6e33e40f3%7D/steps-clinicians-can-take-toward-proper-compensation to view the full article online.

 
The Medicare Quality Payment Program topped the list of burdens mentioned by physicians in a recent survey, followed closely by prior authorization and EHR interoperability issues. 

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/practices/mgma18-top-five-regulatory-burdens-faced-by-physician-practices to view the full article online.

 
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What Patients are Reading
When shopping for running shoes, the best approach is to go to a physical store, later in the day, and try on multiple pairs, paying attention to how both feet feel in them.

 

Editor's note: Check out the latest list of APMA Seal-Accepted footwear and recommend these products to your patients.

Visit http://www.journalgazette.net/features/20181008/runners-go-the-distance-when-picking-shoes to view the full article online.

 
Heel pain can result from a number of conditions, including but not limited to plantar fasciitis. The best approach to address persistent heel pain is to see a podiatrist.

 

Editor's note: Direct patients to APMA's heel pain educational materials on APMA.org. 

Visit https://www.theoaklandpress.com/lifestyles/health/eliminate-end-of-summer-heel-pain/article_f2fdcbe4-c342-11e8-95a6-732d08030d94.html to view the full article online.

 
Sever's disease, which is temporary and related to the growth plates in children's heels, can be caused by sports activities.

 

Editor's note: See APMA's guide to sports-specific footwear on APMA.org.

Visit https://health.clevelandclinic.org/has-heel-pain-sidelined-your-child-7-questions-on-severs-disease-answered/ to view the full article online.

 
In working on overall fitness, it pays to bear in mind the importance of maintaining healthy feet.

 

Editor's note: Did you know APMA has tips for healthy feet that you can share with your patients?

Visit https://www.womenshealth.com.au/importance-of-feet-fitness?category=Fitness to view the full article online.

 
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Using automated system and assigning some responsibilities to staff are among the ways physician can address prior authorization requirements. 

Visit https://revcycleintelligence.com/news/3-strategies-to-minimize-the-burden-of-prior-authorizations to view the full article online.

 
Securing a line of credit can help practices cope with unexpected financial issues such as delayed payment. 

Visit http://www.medicaleconomics.com/business/lines-credit-medical-practices to view the full article online.

 
A new survey presents some eye-opening statistics regarding physicians' attitude toward the profession.

Visit https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/physicians-disillusioned-how-ehr-systems-value-based-care-changing-profession to view the full article online.

 
American Podiatric Medical Association, Inc.
11400 Rockville Pike, Suite 220, Rockville, MD 20852
PH: 301-581-9200
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