SURVEY: Primary Care Doctor Trust or NOT?

By Staff Reporters

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75% Trust Their Primary Care Physicians

 •  Primary care physicians: 75%
 •  Specialty care physicians: 66%
 •  Pharmacies: 59%
 •  Hospitals and clinics: 58%
 •  Health insurance company: 51%
 •  Government: 24%

Source: Health Sparq, “2022 Annual Consumer Sentiment Benchmark Report,” January 2022

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https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Health-Insurance-Managed-Care/dp/0826149944/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275315485&sr=1-4

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PODCAST: Roadmap to a High Performance Employee Health Plan

By Eric Bricker MD

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COMMENTS APPRECIATED

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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SURVEY: Medicare Part C Plan Enrollment

By Staff Reporters

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Total Medicare Advantage Enrollment 2016-2021

 •  2016: 18M
 •  2017: 19M
 •  2018: 20M
 •  2019: 22M
 •  2020: 24M
 •  2021: 26M

Source: OIG, “Some Medicare Advantage Organization Denials of Prior Authorization Requests Raise Concerns About Beneficiary Access to Medically Necessary Care,” April 2022

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PODCAST: Optum – The $101 Billion Division of United Health Group Explained

By Eric Bricker MD

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PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHAr0s33Gns

RELATED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-21-h5lZBEU

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SURVEY: Surgical Cost Spending

By MCOL

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EHIR was started nearly a decade ago out of a need for objective support in identifying and assessing emerging solutions to sift through the noise and stay ahead of the curve amid a rapidly changing competitive landscape. EHIR provides a streamlined and efficient innovation intake and evaluation process along with valuable insights to the world’s leading employers.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

Employer Health Innovation Roundtable, LLC

4 KEY Findings

 •  The survey found that 59% indicated lowering costs was a very high, or high, priority – up from 52% prior to the pandemic.
 •  Over half of the employers surveyed indicated that surgical costs were a significant issue, with surgery accounting for 34% of their total healthcare spend. About 75% noted that by controlling surgery costs, they can largely reduce their total spend.

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*  Even though 69% of employers have a COE (Center of Excellence), the majority of them have been implemented within the past two years, and not with an eye to specifically reducing surgical costs.
 *  Only 9% of respondents rely on carrier-sponsored COEs, which suggests that they are seeking out third-party vendors for this benefit, as either the sole COE provider or as a partner with the employer’s health plan carrier.

Source: EHIR and Carrum Health via PRNewswire, May 4, 2022

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BUSINESS MANAGEMENT STUDY: Physician Vertical Integration

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BY HEALTH CAPITAL CONSULTANTS, LLC.

DEFINITION: Vertical integration is an arrangement in which the supply chain of a company is integrated and owned by that company. Usually each member of the supply chain produces a different product or service, and the products combine to satisfy a common need.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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Study: Vertical Integration Not Financially Beneficial for Physicians


A study released in the December 2021 issue of Health Affairs examined the correlation between hospital/health system ownership of physician practices and physician compensation. While a number of studies have analyzed the “rapidly growing trend” of vertical integration from the hospital/health system perspective, this is the first study to evaluate vertical integration from the physician practice perspective.

This Health Capital Topics article will discuss the study’s findings and potential implications. (Read more…) 

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SURVEY: Tele-Health Weekly Visits

By MCOL

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% Providing Video Telehealth Visits to 5+ Patients Per Week

 •  Primary Care Physician: 74%
 •  Behavioral Health Provider: 88%
 •  Registered Nurse: 62%
 •  Medical Assistant: 80%

Source: RAND, “Experiences of Health Centers in Implementing Telehealth Visits for Underserved Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic,” May 2022

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SURVEY: Resources Offered by Health Insurance Plan Transparency Tool

By MCOL

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Percentage of Resources

 •  Finding in-network providers: 72%
 •  Telehealth: 55%
 •  Ability to select PCP online: 53%
 •  Help navigating benefits and healthcare options: 50%
 •  Cost estimates for healthcare services: 50%
 •  Status of deductible: 49%
 •  Reviews of doctors and facilities: 46%
 •  Online appointment scheduling: 41%
 •  Financial incentives/rewards for choosing cost-effective care: 25%

Source: Health Sparq, “2022 Annual Consumer Sentiment Benchmark Report,” January 2022

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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PODCASTS: Health Economics and the AMA

By Professor Jon

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PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwYYae_U1OI

PODCAST: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2022/05/30/ama-to-teach-medical-students-about-health-economics/

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PODCAST: Health Insurance Carrier Stock Market Performance

By Eric Bricker MD

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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SURVEY: Affordable ACA Family Coverage

By MCOL

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Families USA: Uninsured Rate by Quarter •  Q4 2020: 10.3%
 •  Q1 2021: 9.5%
 •  Q2 2021: 9.7%
 •  Q3 2021: 8.9%

Source: Families USA, “ACA’s Promise of Affordable Health Coverage for Families Across America Is at Risk as Pandemic-Era Policies Expire,” March 2022

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PODCAST: Physician Entrepreneurial Tips on Opening Your Own Medical Practice

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By MEDICAL ECONOMICS

James Underberg, MD, discusses how he left a large health system to open his own practice, and provides tips for physicians considering the same move.

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Private Healthcare Equity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBwHu1uigoA

ME-P Business Plan: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2022/04/05/get-your-free-medical-office-start-up-business-plan-from-imba-inc/

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Healthcare LOGISTICS Survey

By MCOL

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4 Key Take-Aways

 •  87% of nurses said that medical courier deliveries—or lack thereof—impacted their work weekly.
 •  32% of nurses have created a “secret stash” of supplies.
 •  27% have personally transported an item to another facility in the past year to overcome courier issues.
 •  19% said that errors or delays impacted their ability to provide patient care five or more times per month.

Source: American Nurse Journal via Businesswire

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Medicare for All?

OR

Worse Care for All?

THE CBO OPINES

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Senate Budget Committee Chairman Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has announced that as early as next week, his committee will hold a hearing “on the need to pass a Medicare for All single-payer program.”  

Sanders gets an “A” for passion, but an “F” in compassion.  

But, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office has cautioned that Sanders’ Medicare for All bill would create “a shortage of providers, longer wait times, and changes in the quality of care.” 

MORE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/medicare-for-all-would-mean-worse-care-for-all/ar-AAWVDo6?li=BBnb7Kz

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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PODCAST: The Financial Cost of Medication Non-Adherence

Cost of Medication Non-Adherence: 33- 69% of Hospitalizations

By Eric Bricker MD

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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Clinic ‘Charged Patient $40 for Crying’

By Staff Reporters

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FULL REPRINT: A woman who visited doctors in the US was charged for an ’emotional and behavioral assessment’ simply for shedding a tear.

LINK: https://7news.com.au/news/world/us-patient-charged-extra-for-crying-during-doctors-appointment-c-6867615

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SDOH = Social Determinants of Oral Health

By Staff Reporters

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Social determinants of oral health and tooth loss

A study led by investigators at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine suggested that “machine-learning algorithm models incorporating socioeconomic characteristics were better at predicting tooth loss than those relying on routine clinical dental indicators alone.”

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

Furthermore, new research reported that

  • adults living in urban areas visited the dentist more than those in rural areas
  • women were more likely than men to visit the dentist in both rural and urban areas
  • the number of adult dental visits increased as family income increased
  • non-Hispanic white adults were more likely than Hispanic and non-Hispanic black adults to have a dental visit in urban areas.

Therefore, it is important to consider how disparities in access to and use of dental care impact not only tooth loss but also oral and overall health.

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MEDICARE Fraud and Abuse Scams

REPORTING SCAMS

By Staff Reporters

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LINK: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

BLOG: https://www.medicare.gov/blog/how-to-protect-medicare-card

SPOOFS: https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=medicare+phone+scams&&view=detail&mid=147902000F772B221DC9147902000F772B221DC9&&FORM=VRDGAR&ru=%2Fvideos%2Fsearch%3Fq%3Dmedicare%2Bphone%2Bscams%26FORM%3DHDRSC3

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RISK MANAGEMENT: https://www.amazon.com/Management-Liability-Insurance-Protection-Strategies-ebook/dp/B01A8TCDES/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=david+marcinko&qid=1652959760&sr=8-1

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Did Public Health Fail America During the Pandemic?

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By Dr. David E. Marcinko MBA

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LINK: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-public-health-failed-america/ar-AAXid2L?li=BBnb7Kz

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CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/publichealthgateway/publichealthservices/essentialhealthservices.html

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OUTCOMES: In-Person and Tele-Health Encounters During COVID-19

By Staff Reporters and MCOL

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Outcomes of In-Person and Tele-Health Encounters During COVID-19

 •  Ambulatory encounters decreased by 1.0% and the number of in-person encounters per enrollee decreased by 17.0% from 2019 to 2020.
 •  For members with an initial telehealth encounter for a new acute condition, the adjusted odds ratio was 1.44 for all follow-ups combined and 1.11 for an emergency department encounter.
 •  For members with an initial telehealth encounter for a new chronic condition, the adjusted odds ratios were 0.94 for all follow-ups combined and 0.94 for in-patient admissions.

Source: JAMA Network, April 26, 2022

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GO FUND ME: Medical Campaigns Reveal a Big Problem with Health Care

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By Jules Lipoff, MD: Senior fellow at the Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and an assistant professor of clinical dermatology at Perelman School of Medicine, both of the University of Pennsylvania. Erica Mark, medical student at the University of Virginia, contributed to this article. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of the University of Pennsylvania Health System or the Perelman School of Medicine.

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If you follow the news or your social media feed, you know that crowdsourcing medical expenses is increasingly popular for financing health care costs. In fact, you might have contributed to one; 22 percent of American adults report donating to GoFundMe medical campaigns.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

As of 2021, approximately $650 million, or about one-third of all funds raised by GoFundMe, went to medical campaigns. That staggering amount of money highlights how dysfunctional our health care system is, forcing people to resort to crowdsourcing to afford their medical care — but it’s not surprising. In the United States, 62 percent of bankruptcies are related to medical costs. This should be a wake-up call to address and reform the system further.

Related: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2021/12/30/does-crowd-sourcing-democratize-the-health-care-insurance-system/

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ESSAY: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gofundme-medical-campaigns-reveal-a-big-problem-with-health-care/ar-AAXabGB?li=BBnbfcL

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SURVEY: Employee Financial Healthcare Affordability

By Staff Reporters and MCOL

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WTW: Employee Healthcare Affordability Survey

 •  By the end of 2023, most employers (95%) are expected to offer virtual care for medical and behavioral health issues, and 61% expect to offer lower cost sharing for virtual care.
 •  Over half (55%) think the expansion of virtual care will help decrease costs in the long run, and 50% think it will improve outcomes.
 •  Employer confidence in sponsoring healthcare benefits over the next 10 years is at its highest point in over 10 years (84% in 2022 versus 38% in 2011).
 •  One in 10 employers (9%) currently offer genetic testing as a screening for early-stage cancer with another 5% planning to do so by 2023.

Source: Willis Towers Watson, April 26, 2022

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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The GAP between Medicare and Commercial Hospital Prices

THE GAP INCREASES!

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By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

Gap between Medicare and Commercial Hospital Prices Increases

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A recent study examined the growth in hospital prices paid by commercial health insurance companies compared to Medicare over a seven-year period and found that commercial health plan rates were, on average, 180% higher than Medicare rates as of 2019.

While the national ratio between commercial and Medicare hospital payment growth rates remained relatively stable during the seven-year study period, ratios varied widely on a regional basis. This Health Capital Topics article will discuss this recent study and its implications. (Read more…)

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How to Achieve Health Equity?

How Flexible Payment Options Are Changing Healthcare

A Guest ME-Post

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Todd Berner MD discusses how you can achieve health equity.

LINK: https://toddberner.com/how-flexible-payment-options-are-changing-healthcare/

RELATED: https://toddberner.com/why-digital-is-the-next-frontier-of-health-equity/

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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INSURANCE DICTIONARY: https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Health-Insurance-Managed-Care/dp/0826149944/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275315485&sr=1-4

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Healthcare A.I. and Financial Outcomes Survey

By Staff Reporters

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17% of Healthcare Execs Said AI Would Affect Financial Outcomes

 •  60% of respondents expect AI to impact clinical outcomes.
 •  17% said AI would affect financial outcomes.
 •  13% said AI would impact their operation outcomes.
 •  9% said AI would impact administrative outcomes.
 •  61% of executives hope to bring about a complete digital transformation in their organizations within three to five years.

Source: Morning Consult via HealthIT Analytics, April 14, 2022

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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PODCASTS: The GREAT ECONOMIC MODERATION / RESIGNATION in Medicine?

A HISTORICAL REVIEW WITH UPDATE

Dr. David Edward Marcinko | The Leading Business Education Network for  Doctors, Financial Advisors and Health Industry Consultants

By Dr. David E. Marcinko MBA CMP®

CMP logo

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

What was the Great Economic Moderation?

The Great Moderation is the name given to the period of decreased macroeconomic volatility experienced in the United States starting in the 1980s.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

During this period, the standard deviation of quarterly real gross domestic product (GDP) declined by half and the standard deviation of inflation declined by two-thirds, according to figures reported by former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Ben Bernanke. The Great Moderation can be summed up as a multi-decade period of low inflation and positive economic growth.

But, what about health economics, writ large? And, the actual practice of medicine by physicians in the trenches. Consider this historical review.

GOLDEN AGE OF MEDICINE

The ‘golden age of medicine’ – the first half of the 20th century, reaching its zenith with Jonas Salk’s 1955 polio vaccine – was a time of profound advances in surgical techniques, immunization, drug discovery, and the control of infectious disease; however, when the burden of disease shifted to lifestyle-driven, chronic, non-communicable diseases, the golden era slipped away. Although modifiable lifestyle practices now account for some 80% of premature mortality, medicine remains loathe to embrace lifestyle interventions as medicine Here, we argue that a 21st century golden age of medicine can be realized; the path to this era requires a transformation of medical school recruitment and training in ways that prioritize a broad view of lifestyle medicine. Moving beyond the basic principles of modifiable lifestyle practices as therapeutic interventions, each person/community should be viewed as a biological manifestation of accumulated experiences (and choices) made within the dynamic social, political, economic and cultural ecosystems that comprise their total life history. This requires an understanding that powerful forces operate within these ecosystems; marketing and neoliberal forces push an exclusive ‘personal responsibility’ view of health – blaming the individual, and deflecting from the large-scale influences that maintain health inequalities and threaten planetary health. The latter term denotes the interconnections between the sustainable vitality of person and place at all scales. We emphasize that barriers to planetary health and the clinical application of lifestyle medicine – including authoritarianism and social dominance orientation – are maintaining an unhealthy status quo.

NOTE: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31828026/

GOLDEN AGE OF MEDICAL PRACTICE

To listen to all those desperate to reform health care, you get the impression that physicians are pretty horrible people. We are all sexist, greedy, money grubbing tyrants who will perform unnecessary tests and procedures just to make money. We don’t care about quality or cost. We are killing off 250,000 patients every year with our ignored “errors.”

We purposely keep our patients in pain, or we addict them to narcotics just to shut them up. We are constantly told by lawyers that lawsuits are necessary to protect patients from doctors. We provide unsafe drugs just because the drug reps give us free pens and coffee cups. The government must step in to clean up the mess.

PODCAST: https://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2017/08/9-reasons-golden-age-medicine-golden.html

GOLDEN AGE OF PATIENT TRUST

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THE GREAT PHYSICIAN RETIREMENT AND RESIGNATION: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2021/11/09/healthcare-industry-hit-with-the-great-resignation-retirement/

YOUR COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED.

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Risk Management, Liability Insurance, and Asset Protection Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners™

RETIREMENT PLANNING: https://www.routledge.com/Risk-Management-Liability-Insurance-and-Asset-Protection-Strategies-for/Marcinko-Hetico/p/book/9781498725989

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

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Valuation of Home Health Agencies [The Reimbursement Environment]

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By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

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Valuation of Home Health Agencies: Reimbursement Environment

The U.S. government is the largest payor of medical costs, through Medicare and Medicaid, and has a strong influence on reimbursement for home healthcare services. In 2020, Medicare and Medicaid accounted for an estimated $829.5 billion and $671.2 billion in healthcare spending, respectively. The outsized prevalence of these public payors in the healthcare marketplace often results in their acting as a price setter, and being used as a benchmark for private reimbursement rates. This effect may be even stronger in the home health industry.

The third installment of this home health valuation series will discuss the reimbursement environment in which these organizations operate. (Read more…) 

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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Survey on Healthcare Financial Affordability

By Staff Reporters

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Gallup: Healthcare Affordability Survey – 3 Takeaways

 •  56% of the U.S. adult population report no recent occurrences of being unable to afford care or prescribed medicine.
 •  36% of the U.S. adult population report recent occurrences of being unable to pay for care or medicine or lack easy access.
 •  8% of the U.S. adult population report recent occurrences of being unable to pay for household care, being unable to pay for prescribed medicine and feeling that they would not have access to affordable quality care if needed today.

Source: Gallup, “Benchmarking Healthcare Affordability and Perceived Value,” March 31, 2022.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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PROBE: Medicare Advantage [Part C] Plans Deny Needed Care to Tens of Thousands of Patients

By Staff Reporters

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Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) delayed or denied payments and services to patients, even when these requests met Medicare coverage rules, according to a report released by federal investigators on Thursday.

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A verbatim link: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/3470005-probe-finds-medicare-advantage-plans-deny-needed-care-to-tens-of-thousands/

Confirmation link: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/watchdog-private-medicare-plans-denied-nearly-1-in-5-claims-that-should-have-been-paid/ar-AAWHZuT?li=BBnb7Kz

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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***https://www.amazon.com/Dictionary-Health-Insurance-Managed-Care/dp/0826149944/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275315485&sr=1-4

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PODCAST: Health Insurance Plans Confusing and Largely Misunderstood

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By Eric Bricker MD

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According to One Survey, only 4% of People Understand the Basic Insurance Terms of Deductible, Co-Insurance, Copay and Out-of-Pocket Maximum.

In Another Survey by United Healthcare Itself, Only 9% Understood the Terms Premium, Deductible, Co-Insurance and Out-of-Pocket Max.

This Lack of Understanding is Not the Fault of the Employee Benefits Professionals or the Employees… Rather, the Health Insurance Plan Designs Are Just Too Complicated.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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PODCAST: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp6TI7iu-m0

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Comments Appreciated

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PODCAST: The Decline of Employer Sponsored Family Healthcare Insurance Coverage

By Eric Bricker MD

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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PODCAST: Elective Surgery is Seasonal!

By Eric Bricker MD

1) Patients Have Met their Deductible and OOP Max.

2) They Do Not Have To Take Time Off of Work for Recovery.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

However, Is This the Best Time of Year to Have Surgery for Patients?

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What is the plan for a future with COVID?

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Q: What is the plan for a future with COVID?
A:
A new 136-page report written by dozens of experts provides a comprehensive roadmap to the next normal both to address the pandemic and protect against future biosecurity threats. The group identified 12 key areas of focus, including long COVID, equity, and vaccines. The report also addressed concerns about how the end of the pandemic will disrupt the U.S. health care system when policies introduced during the public health emergency come to an end. 

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NUMBER of Physicians in the USA

By Staff Reporters and US Census Bureau

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Physicians in The U.S.A. in 2019

 •  Emergency medicine physicians: 13,741
 •  Radiologists: 19,421
 •  Other Physicians: 698,316
 •  Surgeons: 48,495
 •  Physician assistants: 107,710
 •  Podiatrists: 7,568
 •  Audiologists: 14,517

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, March 2022

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PODCAST: Is Direct Medical Specialty Care Even Possible?

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DEFINITION: Direct Medical Specialty Care (DMSC) is an innovative alternative payment model improving access to high functioning healthcare with a simple, flat, affordable membership fee.  No fee-for-service payments.  No third party billing.  The defining element of DPC is an enduring and trusting relationship between a patient and his or her primary care provider.  Patients have extraordinary access to a physician of their choice, often for as little as $70 per month, and physicians are accountable first and foremost their patients.  DPC is embraced by health policymakers on the left and right and creates happy patients and happy doctors all over the country!

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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By Doug Geinzer

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Doug Geinzer, Founder and President of High Performance Providers, specializes in high-cost, steerable surgeries. During the episode, Geinzer and host Chris Habig discuss the direct alignment between the specialty care community and the direct primary care community, as well as Geinzer’s job as a consultant to surgeons.

PODCAST: https://healthcareamericana.com/episode/is-specialty-direct-care-possible/

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PODCAST: How To Understand U.S. Healthcare?

Follow The Money!

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By Jonathan Burroughs MD MBA

For those seeking to better understand the US healthcare system, national healthcare consultant Dr. Jonathan Burroughs suggests playing a game of “follow the money.” He asserts that whenever healthcare appears illogical, following the money will make it all rational and clear. The U.S. spends 2x as much money as the rest of the industrialized world, yet its citizens do not live as long as they do in 36 other nations. Dr. Burroughs gives an overview on how to fix the system.

Dr. Burroughs has worked with over 1,100 hospitals across the country to help healthcare leaders navigate the 21st century. He is a popular national speaker, who speaks to the impact of healthcare reform on hospitals, physicians and patients. Jonathan is a healthcare legal expert, who has participated in over 65 cases across the country. He is the winner of the James A Hamilton Award in 2016 awarded by the American College of Healthcare Executives titled “Redesign the Medical Staff Model”. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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SURVEY: 39% of Medical Providers Conduct Covid-19 Screens Via Tele-Health

By staff Reporters

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39% of Providers Conduct Covid-19 Screens Via Telehealth

In a recent survey providers were asked what types of patient care they deliver via telehealth. The survey found:

 •  Conduct primary care visits (75%)
 •  Conduct chronic care visits (72%)
 •  Order prescription refills (64%)
 •  Conduct COVID-19 screenings (39%)
 •  Conduct urgent care visits (38%)
 •  Address mental health concerns (36%)
 •  Conduct follow-up after a procedure or surgery care (28%)

Source: UnitedHealth Group, “Telehealth Use Will Outlive the Pandemic for Health Care Providers, Survey Shows,” March 15, 2022

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PODCAST: Economic Cycles in Healthcare

By Eric Bricker MD

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Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Study

By Staff Reporters

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DEFINITION: Physical and psychological reliance on opioids, a substance found in certain prescription pain medications and illegal drugs like heroin.

Opioids are prescribed to treat pain. With prolonged use, pain-relieving effects may lessen and pain can become worse. In addition, the body can develop dependence. Opioid dependence causes withdrawal symptoms, which makes it difficult to stop taking them. Addiction occurs when dependence interferes with daily life. Taking more than the prescribed amount or using illegal opioids like heroin may result in death.

Symptoms of addiction include uncontrollable cravings and inability to control opioid use even though it’s having negative effects on personal relationships or finances.

Treatment varies but may include discontinuing the drug. Medications such as methadone can help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal and cravings. Pairing medication with inpatient or support programs generally has the most success.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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Bicycle Health Study – 4 Findings

A recent survey of nearly 1,000 patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) about recovery, telehealth, and stigma found in regards to recovery:

 •  95% Describe their overall outlook on recovery as positive; just 1% describe as negative.
 •  76% Report having a strong support system to help navigate treatment.
 •  43% Returned to treatment immediately after relapse, 34% took over 3 months to start over.
 •  30% Blame individuals for the opioid crisis (over drug companies, doctors, and the government.)

Source: Bicycle Health, “Cost, Access are Biggest Barriers to OUD Recovery, But Telemedicine Can Help, According to New Report from Bicycle Health,” March 23, 2022

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RENEWED: US Covid-19 Public Health Emergency

By Ahmed Aboulenein

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Wednesday renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency, allowing millions of Americans to keep getting free tests, vaccines and treatments for at least three more months.

The public health emergency was initially declared in January 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic began. It has been renewed each quarter since and was due to expire on April 16.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a statement said it was extending the public health emergency and that it will give states 60 days notice prior to termination or expiration.

This could be the last time HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra extends it, policy experts have said.

MORE: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/us-renews-covid-19-public-health-emergency/ar-AAWbaqa?li=BBnb7Kz

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PODCAST: High Cost Healthcare Claimants

By Eric Bricker MD

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CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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Additional Disability Insurance Taxation for Medical Executives and Entrepreneurs

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Additional Disability Insurance for Practice Owners and Physician Executives 

By Perry D’Alessio CPA

perry-dalessio-cpa

Some medical clinics, hospitals, health care employers and other business entities may offer disability insurance to their employees on a group basis as part of an employee benefit program. This is a good thing.

The expense for this coverage is typically deducted as an ordinary and necessary expense by the employer entity.

Additional DI

However, many entities also purchase additional disability insurance for the owners and executives; etc. This additional disability insurance expense should not be deducted on the entity’s tax return for two reasons.

  1. First, it would probably be considered a discriminatory benefit to the owners and, therefore, not be allowed as a deduction anyway.
  2. Second, and more importantly, when a person becomes disabled and qualifies for disability benefits whose premiums have been deducted as a business expense by the entity, the disability insurance proceeds are considered taxable income to the person receiving them.

A Catastrophe

This can be personally catastrophic since disability insurance covers only a portion (approximately 60 percent) of regular earnings. The coverage was designed to be paid on an after tax basis. The benefits would be tax free to the beneficiary and would be close to the disabled person’s net take home pay before being disabled.

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BandagesX

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Assessment

Here is one of those instances where the traditional tax planning thought process is overridden by a long term (potential) tax cost / benefit decision.

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Conclusion

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Speaker: If you need a moderator or speaker for an upcoming event, Dr. David E. Marcinko; MBA – Publisher-in-Chief of the Medical Executive-Post – is available for seminar or speaking engagements. Contact: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

OUR OTHER PRINT BOOKS AND RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES:

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

PODCAST: High Per-Capita Metropolitan Healthcare Costs

SPUR INNOVATION

The Dallas Morning News Reported that Healthcare Costs Per Capita in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metro Area are Higher than New York City, Houston, Miami, Chicago, Atlanta and Washington, D.C.

By Eric Bricker MD

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Citation: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/0826102549

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The Health Insurance Stock Index

Versus Industry Benchmarks

[By staff reporters]

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Assessment

Your thoughts are appreciated.

RESOURCES:

“Insurance & Risk Management Strategies for Doctors” https://tinyurl.com/ydx9kd93

“Fiduciary Financial Planning for Physicians” https://tinyurl.com/y7f5pnox

“Business of Medical Practice 2.0” https://tinyurl.com/yb3x6wr8

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

Risk Management, Liability Insurance, and Asset Protection Strategies for Doctors and Advisors: Best Practices from Leading Consultants and Certified Medical Planners™

INDUSTRIAL ORGANIZATION: For Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare CXOs, CEOs, CMOs and CTOs, etc.

MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES, TOOLS TEMPLATES AND CASE STUDIES

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Reviews:

Hospitals and Health Care Organizations is a must-read for any physician and other health care provider to understand the multiple, and increasingly complex, interlocking components of the U.S. health care delivery system, whether they are employed by a hospital system, or manage their own private practices.

The operational principles, methods, and examples in this book provide a framework applicable on both the large organizational and smaller private practice levels and will result in better patient care. Physicians today know they need to better understand business principles and this book by Dr. David E. Marcinko and Professor Hope Rachel Hetico provides an excellent framework and foundation to learn important principles all doctors need to know.
―Richard Berning, MD, Pediatric Cardiology

… Dr. David Edward Marcinko and Professor Hope Rachel Hetico bring their vast health care experience along with additional national experts to provide a health care model-based framework to allow health care professionals to utilize the checklists and templates to evaluate their own systems, recognize where the weak links in the system are, and, by applying the well-illustrated principles, improve the efficiency of the system without sacrificing quality patient care. … The health care delivery system is not an assembly line, but with persistence and time following the guidelines offered in this book, quality patient care can be delivered efficiently and affordably while maintaining the financial viability of institutions and practices.
―James Winston Phillips, MD, MBA, JD, LLM

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PURCHASE: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BC9IIUM?ref_=k4w_oembed_faGUzLlJ9ojLIx&tag=kpembed-20&linkCode=kpd

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CELEBRATE: National Public Health Week 2022

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA

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National Public Health Week is observed during the first week of April every year. That’s seven days to champion the health of all Americans. It’s a week to recognize that everyone should lead healthier lives, irrespective of where they live, work, or come from. Since its founding in 1955, the initiative has become an important movement to highlight issues that can improve the health and happiness of a nation. You could choose to crush a workout or any workout challenge today. It’s a great week to start eating healthy and stick to it. Whatever you do, remember to involve your friends, family, and the larger community. It’s also a week when we campaign for health policies that are fair, inclusive, and accessible to all communities in the United States.

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

HISTORY

The first National Public Health Week took place in April 1955 and was organized by the American Public Health Association (A.P.H.A.). Since then, the initiative has received tremendous support from civil societies and administrations across the United States. The day recognizes the long history and achievements in public health. It also serves to highlight critical issues to help people lead healthier and happier lives.

In attempting to reach these goals, National Public Health Week seeks to address the root causes of poor health, disease, and lifestyles. It starts with recognizing that healthcare is still a privilege many cannot afford. Where people are born, their neighborhoods, places of work, different lives, and backgrounds determine the quality of healthcare access.

For example, a child who goes to school hungry will not be an engaged student. People working for minimum wages sacrifice health for the sake of an income. It’s thousands of families who have no access to nutritious food in their communities. Or those without the means to travel to access quality healthcare, often located far away.

National Public Health Week is committed to making health inclusive and equitable. It hopes to foster decision-making that considers the health of all communities — irrespective of income, race, or gender. Each year, the first full week in April celebrates the power of the community in realizing this vision. The A.P.H.A. usually announces different themes for each day of the week. From fitness challenges and discussions to sharing healthy recipes — it’s seven days of committing to health as a country.

So, no matter where you are, APHA invites you to join us as we celebrate National Public Health Week! This year’s theme, Public Health Is Where You Are, celebrates what we know is true: The places where we are, physically, mentally and societally, affect our health and our lives.

Celebrate and promote health in your community by hosting your own NPHW event!

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Here are a few ideas:

  1. Host virtual health panels and discussions. …
  2. Team up to reach new audiences and build community. …
  3. Take advantage of Student Day. …
  4. Organize around the daily themes. …
  5. Make advocacy easy. …
  6. Find movement opportunities.

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Healthcare Career Positions With The Highest Demand

By Staff Reporters

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AKASA: Healthcare Positions With The Highest Demand

 •  Registrars: 59.6%
 •  Billing specialists: 54.7%
 •  Follow-up: 42.4%
 •  Front staff: 38.7%
 •  Central scheduling: 37.8%
 •  Denial specialists: 37.1%
 •  Authorization staff: 36.1%
 •  Claims specialists: 35.2%
 •  Collections: 34.4%
 •  Financial counselors: 26.9%
 •  Cash posters: 25.2%
 •  Underpayments: 17.8%
 •  Patient advocates: 11.7%
 •  Pre-filing: 7.7%

Source: AKASA Via PR Newswire, March 17, 2022

CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

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30% of Adults Surveyed Would Give Up Their Current PCP

By Staff Reporters

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Primary Care Providers

A survey was recently conducted by Centivo of 805 US adults ages 18-64 with employer-sponsored private health insurance. The survey found that respondents were willing to accept the following conditions in exchange for significant cost savings:

 •  50% would accept referrals for specialists as a requirement.
 •  47% would select a primary care physician (PCP) from a defined list.
 •  30% would give up their current PCP.
 •  28% would stop seeing a current specialist.

Source: Centivo Via PR Newswire, March 16, 2022

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