Todd Shryock is managing editor of Medical Economics.
Too many patients don’t understand their health care benefits
Patients often don’t know where to find information on their benefits or don’t have time to do so
Narrow networks threaten care access
Patient access to care depends a lot on where they live
After hours: Meet William Baker, DO, family physician and cowboy action shooter
When he's not treating patients, you might find him dressed like a cowboy demonstrating his target-shooting prowess.
Small medical practices more vulnerable to cyberattacks
Common issues make smaller practice vulnerable to hackers
FDA authorizes second booster for those 50 or older
Evidence suggests a second booster improve protection against severe COVID
Hospitals off to a poor financial start in 2022
Declining revenue and inpatient volumes have followed the omicron surge
AHA requesting protection for health care workers from assault and intimidation
Physical attacks on health care workers is on the rise and the AHA wants Congress to help
Privacy group issues warning about danger to patient information
Allowing unregulated apps to access patient health information could expose patient information to those it wasn’t intended for
End of Public Health Emergency presents challenges for states
No easy solutions for people who gained insurance coverage through Medicaid
American Hospital Association urges caution with prior auth automation
AHA requesting CMS agencies to pilot technology and workflows prior to implementing regulations
Younger generations hit hard by medical debt
Gen Z and Millenials are skipping rent because of debt, and their credit scores are suffering
34% of doctors report increased medical errors due to staffing shortages
Worldwide, physicians are seeing their mental health suffer, with 75% reporting high stress
AMA voices serious concerns about Medicare physician payment freeze
MedPAC recommendations could be devastating to Medicare physicians
Top 10 Patient Safety Concerns
COVID-19 fallout pushes some issues to the top of the list.
Federal Reserve raises interest rates for first time in three years
More hikes expected to help slow rising inflation
Freezing Medicare physician fee payments may force physicians out of the program
Medical groups warn of sweeping ramifications if Congress follows recommendation
When COVID emergency ends, millions will lose Medicaid coverage
State agencies hope to move patients to marketplace
Large companies in Wisconsin teaming with high-performing primary care physicians
Companies hope to save money by setting up insurance plans that guide employees to the top PC physician
Study estimates more than 18 million died of COVID worldwide
Official death toll is almost 6 million, but excess deaths indicate far more may have died from COVID than reported
Medical liability premiums increasing
AMA analysis shows three-year surge
Exercise shows promise against long COVID
May stop cycle of inflammation that can lead to diabetes and depression
Seniors with dementia may have too many medications prescribed
Over-medicating may lead to adverse drug interactions and make their dementia worse
Changing medical education requirements needed to alleviate primary care shortage
Researchers also advocate for more NP and PA authority
Male physicians in Maryland make 49.6% more than female physicians
Disparity almost the same as four years ago
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