SPOTLIGHT -
Physician burnout, depression, and suicide
All are important, with key differences.
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AMA publishes new codes for updated COVID-19 vaccines, boosters
Four for adult vaccines effective immediately, four pending approval for youths.
Survey says 1 in 7 physicians use alcohol, drugs while on the job to cope with stress
Peer and family judgment, and possible license loss, deter some from seeking help.
Public money paid for majority of COVID-19 vaccine, therapeutic clinical trials
Study examines funding sources for 18 months of pandemic in 2020, 2021.
President signs Inflation Reduction Act with health care provisions
Physicians groups, analysts, have praised insurance premium subsidies, Medicare drug cost caps.
National legislation aims to simplify Medicare Advantage prior authorizations
Bill has strong support from medical groups and lawmakers, but House and Senate votes are not scheduled yet.
Outpatient behavioral health visits rise due to greater telehealth use
Loosened restrictions during pandemic have eased access barriers, report finds
Monkeypox vaccine gets emergency approval to increase vaccine supply
Smaller dose given by intradermal injection creates five-fold increase in total supply, FDA says.
Medical, insurance groups praise Senate action on health insurance
Medicare drug prices, insulin costs affected by Inflation Reduction Act.
Health insurance marketer faces fines, sanctions for lying about plans it sells
Benefytt Technologies, Inc. would have to refund $100 million and stop misleading customers about coverage.
HHS declares monkeypox a public health emergency in U.S.
White House ramps up efforts to fight outbreak.
Rate of people without health insurance hits record low
More people getting health coverage, but 26.4 million still don’t have it.
Geographic trends emerge for private equity firms acquiring physician offices
Consolidation, “reduced physician competition,” could lead to price increases for patients.
Patients want physicians to have online presence, communication, billing options
Survey outlines patients’ attitudes on technology.
Primary care physicians in demand, but salaries lag behind those of specialists
Study outlines trends in recruiting incentives, market conditions.
Surgeon general: Bold change needed to address burnout in health care
Murthy offers five areas of transformation.
HHS affirms abortion services covered by federal emergency care law
State regulations overruled to protect physicians’ clinical judgments.
June brings increase in health care employment, but figures still lower than before pandemic
Ambulatory health, hospitals, home health care, nursing facilities all post gains.
Supreme Court abortion ruling prompts HHS privacy guidance, training grants
Regulators remind physicians they are bound by federal privacy rules, but cell phones and apps are not.
Supreme Court issues ruling on opioid prescriptions
Ruling comes in cases of physicians serving in prison for convictions over prescription drugs.
Potential to save billions on generics with Mark Cuban prescription drug company
Entrepreneur beats prices of supply chain wholesalers, PBMs, pharmacies, and insurers.
Physician license actions declining for substance use, psychological, physical impairments
Study suggests support offerings for physician mental health.
Quality, ease of use, type of care are factors in choosing telehealth over in-person patient visits
Study analyzes clinician, patient preferences for primary care, mental health and specialty care.
Rite Aid, startup Homeward announce plan for primary care clinics at rural pharmacies
Move is latest step in retail, telehealth, venture capital competition with physicians.
No Surprises Act blocks 2 million surprise medical bills in first months of 2022
Figure flies past federal regulators’ initial estimate of 17,000 surprise bills a year.
Surgeon general says addressing health care worker burnout Must be top priority
Medical staff, pushed past their breaking point, say something has to change.
Primary care physician pay up 2.13% in 2021, still lower than specialists
Despite challenges, management group says doctors’ compensation stabilizes last year.
Health care systems start program to ensure equity in patient care
AMA, Joint Commission aim to improve outcomes for marginalized patients.
Justice Department announces charges for alleged $149M in COVID-19 fraud
Feds say alleged scammers “placed greed above care” in pandemic.
Physicians spend 4.5 hours a day on electronic health records
Study compiles data, finds multiple specialties affected.