Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Test-to-Treat COVID initiative comes under fire from doctors
Skipping physicians for convenience not the best way for patients to receive care says AMA
Racial prejudice hurts health outcomes
Study shows that people who live in communities with higher levels of racial prejudice have higher rates of heart disease and mental health problems.
Prior auths not improving despite payer promises
Vast majority of medical groups say prior auths continue to increase
Vaccination divide between rural and urban areas continues to increase
Rural areas lag well behind their urban counterparts when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations
Health care providers are main source of information blocking complaints
211 possible cases involving hospitals and physicians have been reported through the ONC portal
25% of Americans owe more than $10,000 in medical debt
Emergency department visits are a big contributor
Omicron expenses hit hospitals hard in January
Margins were negative for the first time in 11 months
Health care organizations warned to guard against additional cyberattacks because of war in Ukraine
There are no specific threats at this time, but the U.S. government is warning all organizations to boost security as a precaution
How COVID-19 exacerbates the physician shortage
Doctors face increased burnout rates, loss of autonomy and greater financial threats from nonphysician practitioners
HHS distributing $560 Million to physicians affected by the pandemic
Nearly $19 billion in total aid has been distributed to providers since November 2021
Survey: Half of health care workers burned out
Almost a quarter are thinking about leaving health care after two years of a pandemic
MGMA: Practices still struggling with staffing challenges
Data shows some encouraging trends, but filling positions proving difficult with costs increasing
Medicare patients expected to struggle affording health care this year
Many will be forced to forgo care or return to the workforce to pay health care bills
Register now for the spring Physician Bootcamp
Learn about tax planning, remote patient monitoring, concierge medicine, and coding at the March 31 event.
Congress passes bill to battle burnout and prevent physician suicide
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act aims to help physicians receive mental health assistance without jeopardizing their licenses.
Walgreens opening 200 primary care clinics in 2022
Clinics will be co-branded with VillageMD
Health care workers see massive 249% surge in injury and illness rates
Health care and social workers combined for more injuries and illnesses than any other industry in the nation
HHS awards nearly $55 million to increase access to underserved populations
29 HRSA-funded health centers to receive boost in technology to improve outcomes
Cardiologist confirmed to head FDA
Robert Califf was approved in a 50-46 vote by the senate
69% of patients would switch providers for better services
Report shows public’s desire for more convenience and empathy
Few hospitals complying with price transparency law
Just 14.3% of hospitals complying with rule meant to encourage consumer price shopping
Report: New antibacterial drugs lag in development and investment
Big pharma and investors focusing on other segments despite the need for new therapeutics
Getting paid in 2022
Physicians get a temporary reprieve from Congress, but payment challenges loom.
Using a budget to boost practice performance
Practices that don’t develop and regularly review a budget are missing out on a tool that can provide warning signs of financial trouble.
Supreme court blocks vaccine mandate for employers, but allows it for healthcare workers
Employee mandate would have impacted 84 million workers. Healthcare mandate affects every facility that receives federal funding.
The 7 new drugs expected to hit $1 billion in sales in five years
These drugs treat everything from cancer to cognitive decline.
2021 sees 7% inflation
Energy and autos lead the way, health care relatively stable
Insurance companies, group health plans required to cover cost of at-home COVID testing by Biden Administration
Free coverage starts January 15
Free EHR and billing software available
Myriad Health EHR aimed at helping private practices
Increasing labor costs hit hospitals
Patient volume and profit levels low because of COVID