Security Holes in Medicaid Security Program Risks Patient Data
Maryland did not adequately follow federal requirements to secure its Medicaid data and information systems, according to an HHS Office of Inspector General report.
Why Physician Burnout Is On the Rise
Physician burnout increased from 45.5 percent to 54.4 percent between 2011 and 2014, according to an article in the American Journal of Medicine.
Postsurgery Opioid Overdose is ‘Rare’
A study published in JAMA examined the frequency of opioid overdoses after discharge from surgery.
AHA Urges Creation of Stark Law Exception
The American Hospital Association has made various recommendations to ease the burdens of Stark Law compliance, including protection for value-based payment arrangements.
Most Consumers Would Prepay For Prescriptions For A Discount
Sixty-four percent of consumers reported that they would jump on an opportunity to prepay for medications to receive a discounted price, according to a survey from DrFirst, a provider of e-prescribing and patient medication management solutions.
Medicare Hospice Program Vulnerable
The Medicare hospice program is valuable to beneficiaries at the end of life, but it's also vulnerable to fraud and poor care, according to a recent report from HHS' Office of Inspector General. The report examined vulnerabilities of the program and provided recommendations for combating them.
Opioid Use Before Surgery Increases Risk of Poor Outcomes
Massachusetts currently leads the nation in decreasing opioids prescription, according to a Blue Cross Blue Shield report cited by The Boston Herald. Blue Cross Blue Shield's survey illustrated 51 percent fewer opioid prescriptions written in Massachusetts in 2017 than 2013; specifically, Bay State physicians wrote 193 opioids prescriptions per 1,000 Blue Cross-insured members. The national average is 394 per 1,000 members. The study, published in Preventive Medicine, analyzed data from over 1,000 Americans. In a survey, the researchers queried respondents' attitudes on needle exchanges, (where people can dispose of used syringes and get sterile ones), safe injection sites (where people can use drugs under medical supervision) and broader opinions on addiction.
The Most and Least Telehealth-Friendly States
A new survey exams the attitudes, perspectives, and plans of healthcare leadership that are shaping telemedicine’s application, value, and potential. The research explored telehealth services adoption rates and drivers, budgets and ROI, the technology’s role in delivering care, and the factors important to executives when selecting a solution for their organization.
Why Hospitals Should Pay More Attention to How Patients are Discharged
The AMA's latest National Economic Impact of Physicians report provides data that can be used by key health care policymakers, legislators and thought leaders. It also demonstrates how physician practices both ensure the health and well-being of communities as well as support local economies and enable jobs, growth and prosperity.
Economic Impact of Physicians: Data Reflects Job Growth Decline
The AMA's latest National Economic Impact of Physicians report provides data that can be used by key health care policymakers, legislators and thought leaders. It also demonstrates how physician practices both ensure the health and well-being of communities as well as support local economies and enable jobs, growth and prosperity.