APMA News Brief

National News

New HHS Recommendations Focus on Freeing Clinicians from EHR Burdens

The Department of Health and Human Services has released a draft strategy intended to help reduce administrative burdens associated with the use of EHRs.

Editor’s note: See APMA’s comments to CMS on interoperability, and our EHR resources to help you choose the right EHR for your practice.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/new-hhs-recommendations-focus-freeing-clinicians-from-ehr-burdens to view the full article online.

Proposed Rule Seeks Lower Medicare Advantage, Part D Drug Prices

Comments are now open on a proposed rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services intended, in part, to lower prescription drug costs.

Editor’s note: APMA's Medicare Advantage resources are free to members at APMA.org.

Visit https://healthpayerintelligence.com/news/proposed-rule-seeks-lower-medicare-advantage-part-d-drug-prices to view the full article online.

More Than Half of Health Data Breaches Triggered Internally, Study Finds

According to a new report, mobile devices were involved in nearly half of the breaches.

Editor’s note: APMA has your security needs covered. See the HIPAA Privacy and Security Manuals and APMA's EHR resources for members only on APMA.org.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/more-than-half-of-health-data-breaches-triggered-internally-study-finds/542778/ to view the full article online.

How to Beat Burnout: 7 Signs Physicians Should Know

Warning signs for burnout include working in a high-stress environment, neglecting time with family and personal interests and lack of control over work schedule.

Visit https://wire.ama-assn.org/life-career/how-beat-burnout-7-signs-physicians-should-know to view the full article online.

What Patients are Reading

A Podiatrist Laughs Every Time You Wear These 6 Shoe Trends

Regardless of fashion trends, it's important to avoid footwear that can cause harm to one's feet.

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

Visit https://www.whowhatwear.com/most-comfortable-shoe-trends-according-to-a-podiatrist to view the full article online.

This Is How Your Shoes Should Fit

When searching for the right shoe, be aware that shoe sizes can differ between manufacturers.

Visit https://footwearnews.com/2018/focus/health/shoe-fit-guide-sizing-tips-1202709704/ to view the full article online.

Fancy Footwork: Give Bunions the Boot

A number of options, up to and including surgery, are available to those suffering from bunions.

Editor’s Note: Share APMA’s free “Beat Bunion Blues” materials with your patients.

Visit https://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/lifestyle/healthandlife/fancy-footwork-give-bunions-the-boot-887149.html to view the full article online.

What Causes Purple Feet?

Discoloration of the feet can result from a number of conditions, including Raynaud's disease and peripheral artery disease.

Editor’s note: Share APMA’s Foot Health Conditions page with your patients and link to it on your practice website.

Visit https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323802.php to view the full article online.

Study Charts Recent Spike in Telehealth Usage, Particularly Within Primary Care

While telehealth adoption has grown, overall adoption has been slow, according to a new report.

Editor’s note: Read APMA’s telemedicine issue brief, results of our nationwide teledoc survey, and more on this emerging trend in medicine.

Visit https://www.fiercehealthcare.com/tech/study-charts-recent-spike-telehealth-usage-but-adoption-still-slow to view the full article online.

Drug Costs Pushed One-Third of Americans to Skip a Prescription in the Past Year: GoodRx

Many respondents with health insurance reported having difficulty affording prescription drugs, according to a new survey.

Visit https://www.healthcaredive.com/news/goodrx-drug-insurance-affordability-report/542940/ to view the full article online.

The 2019 Open Enrollment Season: 3 New Stats

With only a couple of weeks left in the ACA open enrollment period, enrollment appears to be down compared to last year, according to a new report.

Visit https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/payer-issues/the-2019-open-enrollment-season-3-new-stats.html to view the full article online.

What Health-Care Consumers Really Want: Convenience, to Start

While most patients continue to prefer to use the phone to book health-care appointments, they continue to research prospective providers online.

Editor’s note: How to get your practice online and cultivate content, social media tips, and more. Also see our practice management and reimbursement resources.

Visit https://www.healthcarefinancenews.com/news/what-healthcare-consumers-really-want-convenience-start to view the full article online.

American Podiatric Medical Association