Tag:

health reform

Latest Headlines

Latest Headlines

Physicians warming to Affordable Care Act

After much initial backlash to the Affordable C are Act  (ACA), physicians are beginning to rate the law and some of its components more favorably,  according to   a new survey from the Medicus Firm physician search consultancy.

ACA's long-term impact on malpractice rates unknown

Medical malprac tice  premiums in several specialties have declined slightly or stayed flat over the past year, according to  Medical Liability Monitor 's annual rate su rvey. Overall, 65 percent of liability insurance rates remained steady nationwide, with obstetrician/gynecologists, internists and general surgeons experiencing decreases for the seventh straight year, reported   Medscape Medical News.

Narrow networks lower spending by a third, research finds

Although narrow networks aren't popular among providers and some states are even urging insurers to widen their provider lists, narrow networks can help lower healthcare costs by reducing patient spending by as much as a third, according to a new paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research.

ACA reality: Expect the unexpected

Almost exactly a year ago,  FiercePracticeManagement  described key ways to prepare your office for healthcare reform, including steps to ready your practice for a predicted influx of new patients. Reality brought some surprises in that arena, however, and more. New patient visits actually declined slightly in the first five months of the Affordable Care Act, according to a report from AthenaHealth.

3 innate leadership skills of physicians

In an era of steep healthcare challenges, physicians are often asked to lead their organizations through myriad unprecedented changes. And although leadership and executive positions are often outside doctors' traditional roles, research suggests that physician leadership is key to helping organizations thrive.  

ACPE: Physician leadership linked to organizational success

The challenges facing healthcare organizations, including rising rates of chronic disease, clinician shortages and an aging population, require strong leadership--and new research presented by the American College of Physicians finds physicians fit the bill.

3 questions docs must ask before adding NPPs

In line with predictions, physician practices use more nonphysician practitioners such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants, according to a new report from the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA).

Build in cost discussion to manage high deductibles

Many patients newly insured under the Affordable Care Act carry policies with high deductibles, which brings upfront collections and price transparency issues center stage.

ACA burdens mount for practices

Although practices handled the relatively low volume of newly insured health-exchange patients smoothly at first, some offices struggle to keep up with verifying new enrollees' coverage, according to  Kaiser Health News.

Physicians don't regret selling practices

Challenges related to the Affordable Care Act pushed nearly one-third of physicians who sold their practices within the past three years to sell, according to a national survey from staffing firm Jackson Healthcare. The findings support previous research predicting physicians' 'silent exodus' amid health reform.