Private Medicare plans now cover more than half of all Medicare patients
More than 30 million Americans are now covered via private plans
End of public health emergency will limit telehealth prescribing of controlled medications
Providers need to alert patients of requirement for in-person visit to renew prescriptions for Schedule II-IV drugs
Fentanyl death rate grows 279% from 2016 to 2021
Opioid crisis continues with a new drug mixture deemed an ‘emerging threat’ for the nation.
Schwartz Foundation: Psychological and physical safety
Health care workers need to feel safe.
Medicare Advantage prior authorizations are a growing burden for physicians
A year after feds examine delays in care, MGMA finds the situation appears worse, not better.
Women continue to make gains in medicine, but much work remains to be done
Author points to lack of women in leadership roles throughout the industry as a major area in need of improvement.
Physician groups condemn shooting at Atlanta medical center
Health care workers, patients deserve spaces free from gun violence.
Morning Medical Update: FAA may update emergency kits with EpiPens; Abortion internet searches rise; Does magnesium glycinate help sleep?
The top news stories in primary care today.
7 things physicians should never say to patients
Saying the wrong thing to a patient can harm that relationship or even contribute to a malpractice lawsuit
Schwartz Foundation: Mental health and well-being
Show you really care about psychological conditions.
FDA gives nod to first vaccine for RSV
Approval is for use among adults 60 and older
Fed hikes interest rates .25%
Economists wonder whether future hikes this year will be necessary
HHS: Hospitals violated federal law by denying needed emergency abortion care
Cases involving EMTALA emergency care law are first since U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade.
Morning Medical Update: Hawaii may repay all medical professional debt; Fentanyl overdose rates up 279%; African psychedelic plant inspires new depression drugs
Hospital lobby takes aim at site-neutral payments
Lawmakers and advocates are showing interest in reducing Medicare reimbursements for some services at hospital outpatient departments. Hospitals contend the cuts would reduce services for patients.
How AI can help physicians with pre-encounter medical record analysis
It’s absolutely vital that primary care physicians are equipped with the right tools to optimize their limited time with patients.
Is AI better than doctors at answering patients’ questions?
Study finds higher-quality information, more empathy from GPT-4 chatbot responses
Equity up, weight down: ACP urges docs to help all patients manage obesity
New initiative is ‘ambitious’ but ‘intentional’ with educational resources to cut disparities, dissolve stigma, and improve health.
CVS finishes acquisition of Oak Street Health
Foundational for pharmacy company’s effort in ‘value-based primary care.’
Schwartz Foundation: Inclusion, voice, and choice
The Healing Healthcare Initiative builds on six key principles.
The best earning opportunities for doctors
Doximity has up-to-date info on the specialties that pay the most.
Online reviews are becoming more important to patients in choosing their care: How to manage your online reputation in health care
Keep patients healthier, happier, and coming back for life.
Morning Medical Update: U.S. to end COVID requirements; Adolescent suicide rates have doubled; General Mills flour recall
Simulating the people aspect of care with AI technology
AI can help physicians refine their people skills to improve care
What to consider if your private practice is an acquisition target
Physicians need to conduct a careful analysis of multiple factors before considering an acquisition by a health system or other buyer.
Schwartz Foundation: Six principles to heal
How do we address the nation’s mental health crisis?
Effective treatment requires coordinating primary, behavioral health care
Primary care must evolve to survive
Primary care is inefficient, inconvenient, and often inaccessible, optimized neither for patient experience nor positive outcomes.
Healing the healer: The Physician Support Line
Launching in 2020, the Physician Support Line is available to medical students, resident/ fellows, attending physicians, and retired physicians.
Morning Medical Update: Is it ‘COVID Eye’ or allergies?; Major shortage of physicians over next decade; Chatbot medical responses get good reviews
