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Primary care physicians (PCPs) accept fewer Medicare and Medicaid patients than specialists, reveals a new report, which also predicts an overall decline in acceptance rates of government insurance programs across the nation once the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is fully implemented.

Chances are, you won't receive much notice if an auditor plans to visit. Keep these points in mind so you and your staff can quickly prepare.

Medical Economics readers discuss the hassle of pre-certification, advise new doctors to avoid primary care, talk about serving as a mentor, look at why physicians continue practicing, and argue that electronic health record systems should be rejected.

Consolidation, cooperation, and planning for the worst are three strategies to consider implementing in light of economic uncertainties facing physicians.

Six states appear to be on track for meeting all health insurance exchange deadlines.

More than 100 national and state medical groups have joined together to urge Congress not to eliminate the Medicaid primary care payment boost as part of a deal to avert the looming "fiscal cliff."

Half of voters said cutting payments to doctors and hospitals should be the top priority to reduce federal spending on healthcare, according to a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey of 1,202 voters that was conducted online on November 9 and 10.

Medical students who graduate with the median level of medical school debt typically can choose careers in primary care and still meet standard household expenses without incurring additional debt, according to a recent study.

Medical Economics readers discuss meaningful use and how going cash-only was a positive change for one practice.

Three new orders from the Obama administration will implement measures of the Affordable Care Act--for instance, prohibiting insurers from denying healthcare coverage for pre-existing conditions.

The Affordable Care Act is having an effect on health plan offerings, according to data presented in a new national study.

Fourteen states have already decided against creating their own health insurance exchanges, and more are being urged to follow suit as a new December 14 deadline for exchange blueprints draws near.

The AMA applauded CMS for taking many of its recommendations into consideration when compiling the 2013 Medicare Fee Schedule, but cautions there is still more work to be done to avoid financial chaos for physicians.

Some physicians are referring to themselves patients for advanced imaging services, possibly for financial gain, and it's costing Medicare millions each year, says the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

Medical Economics readers discuss the issue of reimbursement, governmental bureaucracy, and the need for connectivity standards.

Stuart Altman, PhD, discusses with Medical Economics Editor-in-Chief Lois A. Bowers, MA, the biggest issue facing national health policy, the role of states in healthcare, and the lessons learned via his work with the Health Industry Forum.

The day after the election, the American Academy of Family Physicians is calling on politicians to permanently address the sustainable growth rate, primary care workforce issues, and medical liability issues as well as increase citizen access to healthcare providers for adequate care.

With President Barack Obama's election victory, physicians can count on continued implementation of the Affordable Care Act in 2013, experts say. Find out what the future has in store.

2012 was a good year to be a physician in Congress up for re-election. See who was re-elected and who wasn't.

These four “ingrained characteristics†have become virtually invisible to most providers and staff members in affected practices, but they can “seriously inhibit†the ability of practices to transform themselves into Patient-Centered Medical Homes.

The federal government announced a final rule that will implement a pay increase for primary care physicians who treat Medicaid beneficiaries starting in the new year.

Over the last 30 years, Medicare spending in the U.S. has grown at a rate nearly three times faster than it has in Canada.

More than a year after the Institute of Medicine set standards for clinical practice guidelines, few guidelines meet them.

Doctors should be graded on their overuse of low-value procedures, such as imaging tests for patients with uncomplicated lower back pain, advocates a new paper in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Regardless of the outcome of the presidential election, Republicans and Democrats agree that the future does not look good for the American healthcare system.

Tort reform was the most frequently cited issue doctors said they would like to ask the presidential about in a poll on physician social media site Sermo.

Medical Economics readers discuss concierge services, look toward a seemingly inevitable economic crash, offer their healthcare wish list, and talk about how information sharing can save money.

Robert Berenson discusses the future of primary care when it comes to payment, practice structure, and technology.

Despite all the problems and challenges facing the medical industry, the physician profession remains a popular career choice.