(Reuters Health)—When patients are hospitalized more than once in the same month, it may have more to do with their income or education levels than the quality of care they received, a U.S. study suggests. Perhaps unsurprisingly, patients 85 and older are more likely to return to the hospital within 30 days of being sent…
Preparing for the Transition to ICD-10
The transition to ICD-10 is not just another yearly diagnosis codes update; it is a complete overhaul. This not only will affect providers, but also all payers, vendors and stakeholders are being affected by the expanded ICD-10 code sets through medical coding operations, software systems, reporting, administration, registration and more. With approximately 20 days before…
Proposed Medicaid Rule May Benefit Rheumatologists
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is attempting to update the reimbursement process for Medicaid, which might relieve administrative burdens on specialists and improve access to services.
Where the Presidential Candidates Stand on Key Healthcare Issues
Where President Obama and and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney stand on healthcare issues affecting rheumatologists and the medical profession as a whole.
Ethics Forum
What’s your ongoing obligation to care for patients who can’t pay?
What Does Meaningful Use Really Mean?
On July 13, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the publication of the final rule for the electronic health record (EHR) incentive program. The final rule announcement ended the holding pattern for providers eager to make the switch from paper to digital medical records.
Mayo and Grady CONNect
A journey from physician’s mecca to public hospital
National Provider Identifier System Becomes Mandatory Next Month
On May 23 it will be mandatory to use your National Provider Identifier (NPI) number when billing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Currently, you can use your PIN alone, your PIN and the new NPI, or the NPI alone—but as of May 23, only the NPI number will be accepted.
Keep ACR at the Table
Without your help, ACR will lose its clout at the AMA