Many physicians using a highly rated EHR program could not log in because of traffic jams on the information superhighway. Medscape Medical News
Tag: Family Medicine/Primary Care
Patients Seeking Cheaper Care Getting Online Bids From Doctors
Medibid, a four-year-old Internet service, can help people get non-emergency medical services outside of costly hospitals, but critics note that the service provides no guarantee of quality or safety. Kaiser Health News
Deadline to Check Industry Payments to Docs Fast Approaching
CMS soon will publish what drug and device makers have reported giving physicians. They can review the data for accuracy beforehand, but accessing it online may take more time than they would like. Medscape Medical News
For Noncompliant Patients, a Fix That Works
Help your patients become more compliant — taking medications as prescribed, going on a diet, drinking less, or quitting smoking — without adding to the length of their visits. Here’s how. Medscape Business of Medicine
10 Cool, Amazing Gadgets and Trends to Help Your Practice
Many unique technological advances and new requirements of medical practices are quickly changing the way practices operate. Will you recognize your practice in a few years’ time? Medscape Business of Medicine
Incoming AMA President Robert Wah Defends EHRs
EHRs have led to controversy and turmoil in the medical profession, even while leading to some positive developments. The AMA’s president-elect describes his thoughts about EHRs. Medscape Business of Medicine
Do Recertification Demands Waste Doctors’ Time and Money?
Maintenance of certification is a contentious topic. Supporters say it enhances physician expertise; decriers say it’s an unnecessary hoop to jump through. Take a look at both sides of the issue. Medscape Business of Medicine
You’re Not on the ‘Best Doctors’ List — Does It Matter?
‘Best Doctors’ lists are published each year; those not on the lists may say the concept is silly, though they may also be irked that they didn’t make the cut. Do those lists make a difference? Medscape Business of Medicine
Doctors Are Talking: EHRs Destroy the Patient Encounter
Recent Medscape articles on EHRs have sparked heated debates, especially on how EHRs obstruct the doctor-patient relationship. See what your colleagues are saying, and weigh in with your own opinion. Medscape Business of Medicine
EHR Divide Is Widening Among Physicians, CDC Says
When it comes to EHR adoption, physicians in large practices are outpacing soloists. The gap between primary care physicians and specialists has grown as well. Medscape Medical News
CMS Tightens Controls on Medicare Prescribing
Final ruling says all prescribers must be enrolled in Medicare in light of reports that show some drug orders are coming from unauthorized providers. Medscape Medical News
New Telemedicine Policy Pleases Some, Others Have Issues
The policy from the Federation of State Medical Boards could have major impact on standardizing regulations, but some observers still see obstacles to the technology’s spread. Medscape Medical News
Medicare’s Look-Up Tool for Doc Pay Reveals and Conceals
Unlike other groups with similar tools, CMS does not post the total amount that individual physicians received from Medicare in 2012. Users have to figure that out themselves. Medscape Medical News
Medicare Releases Individual Physician Payment Data
Almost 4000 physicians were paid more than $1 million each in 2012 by Medicare, according to data showing how much the government paid individual physicians and other healthcare professionals. Medscape Medical News
CMS to Soon Reveal How Much Medicare Pays Individual Doctors
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will begin disclosing how much Medicare pays individual physicians as soon as next week.
Medscape Medical News
ICD-10 Delay Pleases Docs, but Could Cause Industry Problems
Many hospitals will take a big financial hit, and the move to value-based reimbursement could be affected. Medscape Medical News
House Votes to Delay Medicare Pay Cut and ICD-10 Rollout
There will be no permanent repeal of the sustainable growth rate this year, as the House of Representatives has voted for a 1-year delay in physician payment cuts. Medscape Medical News
Medicare Claims: Will Everyone Know How Much You’re Paid?
A federal judge’s decision in Florida has opened the door for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow disclosure of physician-identifiable reimbursement data to the public.
Medscape Business of Medicine
Bipartisan Bill to Repeal SGR Hits Partisan Rocks
House Republicans want to pay for SGR repeal by delaying the ACA’s individual mandate for 5 years, which the Democrat-controlled Senate is likely to reject. Gridlock sets the stage for another temporary “patch.”
Medscape Medical News
Employed Doctors: Love the Paycheck, Hate the Rules
More than 4600 physicians told us whether they preferred being employed or being in private practice. Each has pros and cons, but some were stronger than others. Medscape Business of Medicine