A Veteran’s Suicide in Front of VA Clinic

Self Immolation

[By staff reporters]

A veteran committed suicide by setting himself on fire in front of a New Jersey VA clinic after staff at the clinic repeatedly failed to ensure he received adequate mental health care, an investigation of the death found.

Department of Veterans Affairs staff canceled an appointment Charles Ingram had in fall 2015 because a provider was unavailable, didn’t follow up to reschedule, and when he walked into the clinic to ask for an appointment, they didn’t schedule it until three months later, the VA inspector general found.

Ingram, a 51-year-old Gulf War veteran, had been approved to receive treatment at a non-VA facility, but no one at VA contacted him or scheduled the appointment.

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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2017/11/15/vet-set-himself-fire-after-long-va-waits-appointment-cancellation-investigation-finds/866834001/#:~:text=WASHINGTON%20%E2%80%94%20A%20veteran%20committed%20suicide%20by%20setting,to%20ensure%20he%20received%20adequate%20mental%20health%20

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Continue reading →

McCarran–Ferguson Act and Domestic Health Insurance

The McCarran–Ferguson Act

By Howard Green MD

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The McCarran–Ferguson Act, 15 U.S.C. §§ 1011-1015, is a United States federal law that exempts the business of insurance from most federal regulation, including federal antitrust laws to a limited extent.
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The McCarran–Ferguson Act was passed by the 79th Congress in 1945 after the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. South-Eastern Underwriters Association that the federal government could regulate insurance companies under the authority of the Commerce Clause in the U.S. Constitution and that the federal antitrust laws applied to the insurance industry.
-United States Federal Law
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Health Insurance industry redistributing unlimited cash from patient premiums into the Georgia US Senate run off election to prevent a Democrat Senate Majority from removing the health insurance exemption to Federal antitrust, monopoly, price fixing and collusion McCarran Ferguson laws.

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Product DetailsProduct DetailsProduct Details

WHAT ARE THE NASDAQ MARKET LEVELS OF SERVICE?

WHAT ARE THE NASDAQ MARKET LEVELS OF SERVICE?
Courtesy: https://lnkd.in/eBf-4vY

· Level 1 = A single average price quote for those not trading OTC.
· Level 2 = Level 1 plus trade reports, executions, negotiations, networks, clearing; and bid-ask price quotes for all firms and customers.
· Level 3 = Level 1 and 2, plus the ability to enter quotes, execute orders and send information, for and by market-makers.
LINK: https://lnkd.in/dqdbWM9

BUSINESS, FINANCE, INVESTING AND INSURANCE TEXTS FOR DOCTORS:
1 – https://lnkd.in/ebWtzGg
2 – https://lnkd.in/ezkQMfR
3 – https://lnkd.in/ewJPTJs
THANK YOU
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Coronavirus: Where Has All the Health Economics Gone?

Coronavirus: Where Has All the Health Economics Gone?

By: Cam Donaldson

By: Craig Mitton

LINK: Corona Economics

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2019 MSSP Performance Results

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By Health Capital Consultants, LLC
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On September 14, 2020 the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the financial and quality performance results for the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP) Performance Year (PY) 2019. The results revealed record net savings of $1.19 billion for Medicare, marking the third consecutive year of net savings.
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Most significantly, included in these results are the first six months of performance for accountable care organizations (ACOs) that enrolled in the MSSP under one of the Pathways to Success models that commenced in July 2019. These results provided the first look at ACO performance under the new, controversial model. (Read more…)
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Free Market Health Care = NOT!

Free Market Health Care = NOT!

By Nate Kaufman

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Mask-Up Tramsmission Facts and Risks?

Corona Virus Transmission Risks

By staff reporters

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What Makes Us Healthy?

WHAT WE SPEND ON BEING HEALTHY!

By Anonymous

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“Trump-Care” Ads on Facebook and Google?

ProPublica

The thousands of “Trumpcare” ads Facebook and Google have published show that the shadowy “lead generation” economy has a happy home on the platforms — and even big names like UnitedHealthcare take part.

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HOW STOCKS WORK – In Brief?

IN SHORT

By FMG, LLC

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Financial Planning MDs 2015

On ZOOM Fatigue!

ZOOM IN – ZOOM OUT

By: Staff reporters

“Lately, Zoom meetings have been hitting a nerve with CEOs”.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon says there’s no vital “creative combustion” happening in virtual settings. American Airlines CEO Doug Parker finds Zoom meetings awful.

And Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella calls them transactional, where “30 minutes into your first video meeting in the morning … you’re fatigued.

“What we as human beings need, want, seek … is human contact,” Nadella says.

Now members of the C-suite have gone full boomerang on Zoom meetings. After finding them awesome and productive at first, they’re now questioning how much they really achieve and are suggesting they lead to a sterile work culture lacking in imagination.

Dimon is particularly worried about how working from home has affected JPMorgan’s younger employees. He told analysts that productivity had dipped, especially on Mondays and Fridays. Dimon says bringing people back to the office is paramount to fostering creativity.

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“The bloom is clearly off this rose.”

The Pandemic “SAF[ER]” Classroom?

NOT Absolutely 100% Safe – But Much Saf[er]?

By Anonymous

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THE “Corona Class Room”

Safety Measures to Date?

By Anonymous

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Inside the “Fall” of the CDC?

By Pro Publica

LINK:

https://www.propublica.org/article/inside-the-fall-of-the-cdc?utm_source=pocket-newtab

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Your thoughts are appreciated!

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State with Lowest Un-Insured Rates

The Top Five States with the Lowest Adult Un-Insurance Rates

CIRCA 2019

By http://www.MCOL.com

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Navigating Relationships and Communication in 2020 (Web 2.0, 3.0 and beyond)

Navigating Relationships and Communication in 2020 (Web 3.0 and beyond)

By Joseph Prokop

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER©

CERTIFIED MEDICAL PLANNER© (candidate)

http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

 

We are able to connect and communicate in more ways than ever before, and yet we seem more disconnected, divided, and confused than ever before. Yet, if we get caught in the trap of watching the same news channels and getting our data from the same source, then it is ineventible that our views and perspectives start to be swayed in that particular direction. Almost everyone is on a social media platform of some sort if they aren’t on all of them. Once you share or like posts, the algorithms go to work to show you things they know you will like and engage in even if that puts you inside an echo chamber of ideas and thoughts that prevent us from having any meaningful dialogue around complex issues.

When it comes to investing and financial planning in 2020 there is an abundance of information and resources. There are discount brokerage firms that allow you to trade stocks for free. Firms are offering world class educational materials, webinars, seminars, etc. It seems everyone who can fog a window has articles on the internet about investment strategies and ideas – from pot stocks, to crypto-currency, to Roth conversions, etc. It can be daunting trying to figure out where to go and who you can trust.

The truth is there is no one best way to use these tools, resources, and the vast amount of technology at all of our fingertips. But there is just one rule – As the novelist E.M. Forster said, “Only connect.” I’ve been asked a million times if I have a ‘stock tip’ or ‘hot idea’ by friends, family, and clients. 

My recommendation as it relates to investing and financial health is always to develop a financial plan and stay the course. Just as there is no perfect solution for connecting and communicating, there is no perfect investment for everyone.

Now, regarding communication – you can take your pick: You can communicate via blogs, tweets, chat rooms, Facebook, and other social networks.

Or, when investing you can take your pick as well: you can do it yourself and utilize stocks, bonds, funds, ETFs, options, etc. Or, you can have someone do it for you to help keep the emotions out of investing and help keep your plans on track.

CONCLUSION: And so, whether we are talking about connecting and communicating online – or whether we are talking about financial planning or investing my main point is to get started. There are tons of benefits between social connection and good health. There is a ton of correlation between financial piece of mind and good health. So, take an inventory of the tools at your disposal, and let’s discuss some plans and goals for you, and let’s get to work.

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Economic “Schools of Thought”

Competing Philosophies

By staff reporters

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Major Health Insurance Plans

Employer Rankings

[By staff reporters]

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“Medical Management and Health Economics Education for Financial Advisors”

CMP® CURRICULUM: https://lnkd.in/eDTRHex
CMP® WEB SITE: https://lnkd.in/guWSApq

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

BUSINESS, FINANCE, INVESTING AND INSURANCE TEXTS FOR DOCTORS:

1 – https://lnkd.in/ebWtzGg

2 – https://lnkd.in/ezkQMfR

3 – https://lnkd.in/ewJPTJs

THANK YOU

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Historic US Economic GDP Slowdown

Amid Corona Virus Pandemic

By staff reporters

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“Medical Management and Health Economics Education for Financial Advisors”

CMP® CURRICULUM: https://lnkd.in/eDTRHex
CMP® WEB SITE: https://lnkd.in/guWSApq

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

BUSINESS, FINANCE, INVESTING AND INSURANCE TEXTS FOR DOCTORS:

1 – https://lnkd.in/ebWtzGg

2 – https://lnkd.in/ezkQMfR

3 – https://lnkd.in/ewJPTJs

THANK YOU

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Psychological Tricks and Tactics Used to Entice People to Buy More Stuff!

29 Tricks

By staff reporters

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PE Ratio versus PEG Ratio

PE versus PEG

By staff reporters

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“Medical Management and Health Economics Education for Financial Advisors”

CMP® CURRICULUM: https://lnkd.in/eDTRHex
CMP® WEB SITE: https://lnkd.in/guWSApq

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

BUSINESS, FINANCE, INVESTING AND INSURANCE TEXTS FOR DOCTORS:

1 – https://lnkd.in/ebWtzGg

2 – https://lnkd.in/ezkQMfR

3 – https://lnkd.in/ewJPTJs

THANK YOU

***

The CDC has finally acknowledged that the coronavirus can be airborne

The CDC has finally acknowledged that the coronavirus can be airborne 

The news: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidelines to acknowledge that the coronavirus can be spread by tiny particles that linger in the air. The agency said it took the decision due to the mounting evidence that people with covid-19 can infect people even if they are more than six feet away, or shortly after the infected person left the area. These cases all occurred in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, and often involved activities that cause heavier breathing, like singing or exercise. 

The significance: Evidence that airborne transmission is occurring has been mounting for months. The WHO still has not recognized airborne transmission as a significant factor in the pandemic and the CDC’s slowness to acknowledge it has caused frustration among aerosol researchers, some of whom say it is the main route for infections. The CDC maintains it only occurs in “limited, uncommon” circumstances. Airborne transmission has become a topic of fierce contention, partly due to the fact it makes it far riskier to reopen spaces like restaurants, gyms, bars, schools, and offices.

What do we do now? The CDC advises that people stay at least six feet away from others, wear a mask that covers their nose and mouth, frequently wash their hands, clean high-touch surfaces often, and stay home when they are feeling sick. However, the implications of airborne transmission mean the CDC perhaps ought to shift its emphasis and go further, advising people to properly ventilate buildings, limit the number of people indoors at any given time while encouraging them to stay further apart and masked, and try to socialize outdoors where possible. Read the full story.

THANK YOU

“BIG” Tech Dominates the Markets

IT’S HUGE!

By http://www.MCOL.com

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Prevalence of Cardio-Vascular [Heart] Disease by Income level

CIRCA: 1999-2016

By http://www.MCOL.com

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HOLACRACY versus HEIRARCHY

HOLACRACY versus HEIRARCHY

By staff reporters

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#Holacracy takes powers traditionally reserved for executives and managers and spreads them across all employees.

#Heirarchy is how business has traditionally been done- top down, where the ones who do the most work have the least power (as in the practice of medicine in its current form)

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Gap Between Private Insurance and Medicare Hospital Payments Increased in 2018

Click to access PAYMENT.pdf

 

 

Medicare Loans Update

By Chad Mulvany

President Trump has signed into law the HR 8337, Short Term Continuing Resolution (CR) to fund the government through December 11.

The president’s action was expected after the Senate passed the bill earlier this week. Both sides of the aisle are eager to avoid a government shutdown prior to the election Nov. 3 and in the middle of a public health emergency. 

The legislation includes provisions that relax the terms of the Medicare Advanced and Accelerated Payment Program (AAP) loans. 

Now that the CR is signed into law, the AAP loan terms increased the repayment period to 29 months before a demand letter is submitted. During the 29-month period, there would be no claims offset for the first 12 months, a 25% payment offset for the next 11 months, and 50% offset for the final six months. The legislation would also reduce the interest rate applied to any funds outstanding after the initial 29-month period to 4%.  

Source: Chad Mulvany

Healthcare Financial Management Association [10/1/20]

New Study Examines PE’s Impact on Hospital Performance

 

Click to access PE.pdf

“America First Healthcare Plan”

“America First Healthcare Plan”

By Robert Gergely MD

Yesterday, The President @POTUS outlined his plans for “America First Healthcare Plan”.

In 45 min. in front of Medical Professionals he brilliantly outlined a free market, competitive and PATIENTS centered philosophy for Medical Care in America. For those who care please view the video. you can find it here:https://lnkd.in/e9pxR-U

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THANK YOU

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Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Costs and Cases Rose in 2019

Click to access FRAUD.pdf

 

Valuation of Tele-Medicine Services

Click to access TELEMEDICINE.pdf

On Medicare Advantage Plans (Private Medicare)

PART C

By John Kelly

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Medicare Advantage Plans (Private Medicare) are sold on a county-by-county basis. Attached is the market penetration of MA (compared to traditional FFS Medicare) for every county in the USA.

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Wonder why Medicare Advantage Premiums are going down (on average)? Because premiums are one of the measures by which the elderly decide what to purchase. Even though premiums are declining, not all MA plans are ‘cheaper’ than traditional FFS Medicare. Caveat Emptor.

It is also interesting to note that 3 carriers – Humana, UHC and BCBS Affiliates — cover 60% of all MA plan subscribers and use national networks of providers to offer broad service availability (compared to smaller plans, PSP’s and other narrow network options).

Medicare premiums per beneficiary typically exceed $10,000 per year. With effective ingenious use of benefit design, prior authorization, incentives, PBM contract rebates, etc., — there is a lot of money to be made in Medicare Advantage plans — accounting for the rapid growth in these plans over the last decade.

The Patron of Physicians, Surgeons, Pharmacists and Barbers

PRAY FOR US – Feast Day!

By Anonymous

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Nothing is known of their lives except that they suffered martyrdom in Syria during the persecution of the Emperor Diocletian. According to Christian traditions, the twin brothers were born in Arabia and became skilled doctors.

Saladino d’Ascoli, a 15th century Italian physician, claims that the medieval electuary, a pasty mass consisting of a drug mixed with sugar and water or honey suitable for oral administration, known as opopira, a complex compound medicine used to treat diverse maladies including paralysis, was invented by Cosmas and Damian.

During the persecution under Diocletian, Cosmas and Damian were arrested by order of the Prefect of Cilicia, one Lysias who is otherwise unknown, who ordered them under torture to recant. However, according to legend they stayed true to their faith, enduring being hung on a cross, stoned and shot by arrows and finally suffered execution by beheading. Anthimus, Leontius and Euprepius, their younger brothers, who were inseparable from them throughout life, shared in their martyrdom.

WIKIPEDIA

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Graphical Shapes of Economic Recovery

Of Shapes and Sizes!

By Staff Reporters

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Physician Practices Weathering the Storm of COVID-10?

Physician Practices Weathering the Storm of COVID-10?

By staff reporters

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Income for Financial Advisors

By Years of experience

Via Michael Kitces

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How Did We Screw Up the Pandemic So Badly?

By Bertalan Mesk MD PhD

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https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-did-we-screw-pandemic-up-so-bad-bertalan-mesk%C3%B3-md-phd/?trk=eml-email_series_follow_newsletter_01-hero-257-title_link&midToken=AQGGg4QStFgVOA&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=0zs6pcrWG-_9o1

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Update on ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE [A.I.]

Future Fate: YES -or- NO?

[By staff reporters]

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About Acute Pericarditis?

Diagnosis and Treatment

By staff reporters

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Our “Regret” Principles

Understanding the “Misery Index”

By Dan Ariely PhD

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Update on Medical “Prior Authorization”

Survey Highlights on Pre-Certification

By wedi

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Product Details

“DICTIONARY OF TERMS FOR THE BUSINESS OF MEDICINE”
DHEF: https://lnkd.in/dqdbWM9
DHIMC: https://lnkd.in/e9AmEhd
DHITS: https://lnkd.in/eWx3WjZ
MORE: https://lnkd.in/eVGcji5

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How to Delegate Authority?

Do’s and Don’ts

By staff reporters

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Employee Health Cost Projections

Per Employee

By: http://www.MCOL.com

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Waived Co-Pays for United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans

Waived Co-Pays for United Healthcare Medicare Advantage Plans

By Jessica M. Wade, MHA, Practice Manager

Just to clarify, the UHC copay waiver info is listed  clearly on the UHC website as follows:
“Members will have a $0 copay for covered primary care provider (PCP) and specialist physician services, as well as other covered services (listed below) between May 11, 2020 until September 30, 2020″. By lowering our PCP and specialist copays to $0, along with our telehealth cost-share waiver, we hope to help make it easier for you to access care”

Services included

The following services, if covered by your plan, are eligible for a $0 copay under the cost-share waiver, but do not include diagnostic tests and certain other services.

• Primary care provider (PCP) office visits
• Specialist physician office visits
• Physician assistant or nurse practitioner office visits
• Medicare-covered chiropractic and acupuncture services
• Medical and Podiatry services and routine eye and hearing exams
• Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
• Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services
• Outpatient mental health and substance abuse visits
• Opioid treatment services

The $0 copay applies to services from a network provider and out-of-network services covered by the plan. Member cost-share is not waived for the
following services, unless they are related to COVID-19 testing or treatments:

• Lab and Diagnostic tests (radiological and non-radiological)
• Part B and Part D drugs
• Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies
• Renal Dialysis
• Other services not covered by your plan

Co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles for services in the following settings are not waived. Members will be responsible for their share of the cost under their benefit:• Inpatient hospital and Outpatient surgery or observation services.

• Skilled Nursing Facilities
• Emergency, Urgent and Ambulance services

Source: https://www.uhc.com/health-and-wellness/health-topics/covid-19/coverage-and-resources/cost-sharing-waived

Furthermore, reimbursement is based on the Medicare fee schedule as these plans waiving copay are Medicare Advantage plans and subject
to Medicare guidelines and reimbursement models.

THANK YOU

 

The Economic Impact of Lung Diseases

Among US Workers

By: http://www.MCOL.com

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The HEDGE-FUND Fee “Haircut”

Understanding the 2% & 20% Rule

By D. Muthukrishnan

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Comprehensive Financial Planning Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners™

 

Patient Health Information Data Processing and Storage

US Patent Publication – Who Owns Your Medical Info?

By staff reporters

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US Stimulus Payment By Household Income Percentage

By The Economist

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Comprehensive Financial Planning Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners™

20 Cognitive Biases That Affect Decision Making

Screwed-Up Decision Making

[By Staff reporters]

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Executive Order Expands Tele-Medicine

Eases Burden on Rural Medical Providers

By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

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Executive Order Expands Telemedicine and Eases Burden on Rural Providers

On August 3, 2020, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at expanding access to care through two avenues: telemedicine and eased financial burdens on rural providers. The executive order builds on President Trump’s original expansion of coverage for telemedicine services in early March 2020, an order which was praised by the American Telehealth Association (ATA) and American Medical Association (AMA) for swiftly responding to the growing healthcare crisis. This Health Capital Topics article will discuss the executive rule and the subsequent agency actions on these fronts. (Read more…)

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