Todd Shryock is contributing author for Medical Economics.
Telemedicine Still Popular with Patients, but There are Concerns
Patients prefer virtual appointments for common ailments, but question the quality of care.
Nearly 40% of Americans Say Inflation Has Impacted Health Care
Patients are either skipping care completely, cutting costs elsewhere, or borrowing money to pay for health care
High Unemployment May Be the Only Way to Stop Inflation
Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said the U.S. needs a significant rise in unemployment to stave off more inflation
AMA Looks to Fight Back Against Health Professionals Spreading Misinformation
AMA has adopted a multi-prong strategy to try to counter lies while holding the person responsible to professional review.
Hospital Group Says Payers are Inappropriately Denying Care and Payments
American Hospital Association requesting a task force from the justice department to investigate commercial health insurance companies in the Medicare Advantage program.
Avoiding Abbreviations Boosts Patient Understanding of Health Records
Study shows a marked improvement when medical abbreviations and acronyms are spelled out instead.
Many older adults can’t afford prescription drug insurance
Lower household income and requiring multiple medications play large roles.
Majority of patients OK with artificial intelligence helping with diagnosis or treatment options
Many patients worry about privacy and accuracy.
Inflation Rate Slows, but Prices Still on the Increase
Latest numbers show prices rose at a slightly slower pace in April.
Racism in Health Care Increases Vaccine Hesitancy in Minority Groups
Study shows that 10% of minorities refused COVID vaccines because of past racial discrimination experiences.
Prescription Spending Rose 12% in 2021
COVID-19 vaccines and therapies were the main drivers.
Rules to improve information sharing among health care organizations finalized
New rules for attachments, benefits verification, and infrastructure aim to improve communication
Supermajority of physicians in United States work for health systems or corporations
Pandemic greatly accelerated consolidation, threatening the independent practice of medicine.
Workers at Small Firms Face Higher Costs for Family Insurance Coverage
New government rule aims to address some of the cost disparity.
NPs Granted Full Practice Authority in New York
New York becomes 25th state to grant nurse practitioners full practice authority
FDA authorizes second booster for those 50 or older
Evidence suggests a second booster improve protection against severe COVID.
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
COVID-19 Death Toll Likely Higher According to Study
Official death toll is almost 6 million, but excess deaths indicate far more may have died from COVID than reported.
When COVID emergency ends, millions will lose Medicaid coverage
State agencies hope to move patients to marketplace
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.
Vaccine Divide Between Urban and Rural Areas Increasing
Rural areas lag well behind their urban counterparts when it comes to COVID-19 vaccinations.
25% of Americans Owe More than $10,000 in Medical Debt
Emergency department visits are a big contributor.
Burnout Reported by 50% of Health Care Workers
Almost a quarter are thinking about leaving health care after two years of a pandemic.
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
MGMA: Practices still struggling with staffing challenges
Data shows some encouraging trends, but filling positions proving difficult with costs increasing
Congress Passes Bill to Battle Burnout and Prevent Physician Suicide
Dr. Lorna Breen's Health Care Provider Protection Act aims to help physicians receive mental health assistance without jeopardizing their licenses..
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
Robert Califf Confirmed as New Head of FDA
Robert M. Califf, MD, MACC, 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
