DAILY UPDATE: R.I.P. Medical Debt as Stock Markets End Mixed

By Staff Reporters

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New York City intends to wipe out more than $2 billion in medical debt for up to 500,000 residents, tackling a top cause of personal bankruptcy, Mayor Eric Adams just announced yesterday.

The city is working with RIP Medical Debt, a nonprofit that buys medical debt in bulk from hospitals and debt collectors for pennies on the dollar. The group targets the debt of people with low incomes or financial hardships and then forgives the amounts.

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

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index rose 14.17 points (0.3%) to 4,864.60; the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 96.36 points (0.3%) to 37,905.45; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) rose 65.66 points (0.4%) to 15,425.94.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) gained about 4 basis points to 4.138%.
  • The CBOE Volatility Index® (VIX) fell 0.64 to 12.55.

Shares of banks and retailers were among the market’s weakest areas Tuesday, while consumer staples were among the upside leaders. Oilfield services companies were also strong, as strong quarterly results from Halliburton (HAL) helped offset a slide in crude oil futures. In other markets, the U.S. dollar index (DXY) hit its strongest level since mid-December, partly reflecting the Bank of Japan’s decision to keep short-term interest rates unchanged.

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PODCAST: The United Health Group Financial Giant

By Eric Bricker MD

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

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WALGREENS: Quarterly Dividend Cuts

By Staff Reporters

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Walgreens doled out some tough medicine to its investors this week when it cut its quarterly dividend to shareholders nearly in half, in a move to conserve cash and strengthen its long-term financial position, according to CEO Tim Wentworth.

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

Illinois-based Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc (WBA), which operates one of the largest US drugstore chains, on Thursday declared a quarterly dividend of 25 cents per share, a reduction from 48 cents per share the previous quarter. The dividend will be payable on March 12th.

The move will allow Walgreens to increase cash flow and free up capital “to invest in sustainable growth initiatives in our pharmacy and healthcare businesses, which we believe will ultimately improve shareholder value,” Wentworth said in a statement.

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DOWN: Digital Health Care Funding

By Dr. David Edward Marciniko MBA CMP

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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DEFINITION: According to the Food and Drug Administration [FDA], the broad scope of digital health includes categories such as mobile health (mHealth), health information technology (IT), wearable devices, tele-health and tele-medicine, and personalized medicine. From mobile medical apps and software that support the clinical decisions doctors make every day to artificial intelligence and machine learning, digital technology has been driving a revolution in health care. Digital health tools have the vast potential to improve our ability to accurately diagnose and treat disease and to enhance the delivery of health care for the individual. Digital health technologies use computing platforms, connectivity, software, and sensors for health care and related uses. These technologies span a wide range of uses, from applications in general wellness to applications as a medical device. They include technologies intended for use as a medical product, in a medical product, as companion diagnostics, or as an adjunct to other medical products (devices, drugs, and biologics). They may also be used to develop or study medical products.

Cite: http://tinyurl.com/2jbafuc7

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As many investors predicted, digital health funding took a dive in 2023, according to Rock Health’s year-end funding report. Startups got creative to stay afloat but many digital health founders will have to “face the music” in 2024, the VC firm’s analysts say.

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

Editor’s Note: I am on the Advisory Board of Medblob™a start-up based in Boston, MA. The digital mission of Medblob™ is to improve community and national health by allowing patients to better manage their health, providers to better treat their patients, and researchers to have the best information to discover cures to the most prevalent and pernicious diseases.

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PODCAST: Impact of Education on Employee Health Care

HEALTH INSURANCE DEMOGRAPHICS

By Eric Bricker MD

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HAPPY NEW YEAR: From All of Us at the ME-P

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www.CERTIFIEDMEDICALPLANNER.org

www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

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EDUCATION: https://marcinkoassociates.com/textbooks-academic-catalog/

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 From us all to you and yours.
Here’s to making a difference and paying it forward today, in 2024, and beyond. 

THANK YOU

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EDITOR’S CORNER: Fierce Health-Care’s 10 Most-Read Stories of 2023

By Heather Landi

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READ HERE: http://tinyurl.com/484773vm

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PODCAST: FFS MedicalPayment As a Public Health Threat?

FEE FOR SERVICE

By Eric Bricker MD

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PODCAST: US Primary Medical Care V. Other Industrialized Nations

By Eric Bricker MD

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MICRO-CERTIFICATIONS: Physician Insider Knowledge for Financial Advisor Success?

Micro-Credentials on the Rise

KNOWLEDGE RICHES IN NICHES

DR. DAVID EDWARD MARCINKO MBA CMP

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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Do you ever wish you could acquire specific information for your career activities without having to complete a university Master’s Degree or finish our entire Certified Medical Planner™ professional designation program? Well, Micro-Certifications from the Institute of Medical Business Advisors, Inc., might be the answer. Read on to learn how our three Micro-Certifications offer new opportunities for professional growth in the medical practice, business management, health economics and financial planning, investing and advisory space for physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.

Micro-Certification Basics

Stock-Brokers, Financial Advisors, Investment Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, Financial Analyists and Financial Planners need to enhance their knowledge skills to better serve the changing and challenging healthcare professional ecosystem. But, it can be difficult to learn and demonstrate mastery of these new skills to employers, clients, physicians or medical prospects. This makes professional advancement difficult. That’s where Micro-Certification and Micro-Credentialing enters the online educational space. It is the process of earning a Micro-Certification, which is like a mini-degree or mini-credential, in a very specific topical area.

Micro-Certification Requirements

Once you’ve completed all of the requirements for our Micro-Certification, you will be awarded proof that you’ve earned it. This might take the form of a paper or digital certificate, which may be a hard document or electronic image, transcript, file, or other official evidence that you’ve completed the necessary work.

Uses of Micro-Certifications

Micro-Certifications may be used to demonstrate to physicians prospective medical clients that you’ve mastered a certain knowledge set. Because of this, Micro-Certifications are useful for those financial service professionals seeking medical clients, employment or career advancement opportunities.

Examples of iMBA, Inc., Micro-Certifications

Here are the three most popular Micro-Certification course from the Institute of Medical Business Advisors, Inc:

  • 1. Health Insurance and Managed Care: To keep up with the ever-changing field of health care physician advice, you must learn new medical practice business models in order to attract and assist physicians and nurse clients. By bringing together the most up-to-date business and medical prctice models [Medicare, Medicaid, PP-ACA, POSs, EPOs, HMOs, PPOs, IPA’s, PPMCs, Accountable Care Organizations, Concierge Medicine, Value Based Care, Physician Pay-for-Performance Initiatives, Hospitalists, Retail and Whole-Sale Medicine, Health Savings Accounts and Medical Unions, etc], this iMBA Inc., Mini-Certification offers a wealth of essential information that will help you understand the ever-changing practices in the next generation of health insurance and managed medical care.
  • 2. Health Economics and Finance: Medical economics, finance, managerial and cost accounting is an integral component of the health care industrial complex. It is broad-based and covers many other industries: insurance, mathematics and statistics, public and population health, provider recruitment and retention, health policy, forecasting, aging and long-term care, and Venture Capital are all commingled arenas. It is essential knowledge that all financial services professionals seeking to serve in the healthcare advisory niche space should possess.
  • 3. Health Information Technology and Security: There is a myth that all physician focused financial advisors understand Health Information Technology [HIT]. In truth, it is often economically misused or financially misunderstood. Moreover, an emerging national HIT architecture often puts the financial advisor or financial planner in a position of maximum uncertainty and minimum productivity regarding issues like: Electronic Medical Records [EMRs] or Electronic Health Records [EHRs], mobile health, tele-health or tele-medicine, Artificial Intelligence [AI], benefits managers and human resource professionals.

Other Topics include: economics, finance, investing, marketing, advertising, sales, start-ups, business plan creation, financial planning and entrepreneurship, etc.

How to Start Learning and Earning Recognition for Your Knowledge

Now that you’re familiar with Micro-Credentialing, you might consider earning a Micro-Certification with us. We offer 3 official Micro-Certificates by completing a one month online course, with a live instructor consisting of twelve asynchronous lessons/online classes [3/wk X 4/weeks = 12 classes]. The earned official completion certificate can be used to demonstrate mastery of a specific skill set and shared with current or future employers, current clients or medical niche financial advisory prospects.

Mini-Certification Tuition, Books and Related Fees

The tuition for each Mini-Certification live online course is $1,250 with the purchase of one required dictionary handbook. Other additional guides, white-papers, videos, files and e-content are all supplied without charge. Alternative courses may be developed in the future subject to demand and may change without notice.

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Contact: For more information, or to speak with an academic representative, please contact Ann Miller RN MHA CMP™ at: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com [24/7] -OR- 770-448-0769[9:00 – 5:00 EST].

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“23andMe” Hacked & “Neuralink” Device Defective?

By Staff Reporters

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In a significant breach of privacy, hackers gained access to the DNA relatives data of 6.9 million users on 23andMe, posing serious questions about the security measures in place for our most personal data.

Meanwhile, Neuralink, the brain-computer interface company, faced disturbing reports about its clinical trials. Allegedly, up to a dozen monkeys suffered severe adverse effects, including brain swelling and partial paralysis, after being implanted with the Neuralink device.

Neuralink Corp. is an American company that is developing brain computer interfaces (BCIs) as of 2022. Founded by Elon Musk and a team of seven scientists and engineers, Neuralink was launched in 2016 and was first publicly reported in March 2017.

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PODCAST: Health Insurance is Sold; NOT Bought

BUILD A HEALTHCARE SALES MACHINE

By Eric Bricker MD

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FTC Lawsuit Targets Private Equity & U.S. Anesthesia Partners

By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

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FTC Lawsuit Targets Private Equity

On September 21, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued U.S. Anesthesia Partners (USAP), a Texas-based anesthesia provider, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe (Welch Carson), a private equity firm. The FTC alleged that the two companies executed an anti-competitive scheme for multiple years to consolidate anesthesiology practices in Texas, boost their profits, and drive up the price of anesthesia services rendered to patients.

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

This Health Capital Topics article will discuss the lawsuit and how it appears to fit in with the FTC’s recent moves to crack down on anti-competitive actions in healthcare. (Read more…)

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U.S. ECONOMY: Perhaps a “Soft Landing” After All?

YET- HEALTH CARE IS GROWING!

By Staff Reporters

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The US economy is looking like it could avoid a downturn and achieve a soft landing after all. US employers added a more-than-expected 199,000 workers to their payrolls last month, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said recently. The solid result calmed many analysts’ fears that a steeper economic slowdown is imminent due to the Federal Reserve’s earlier interest rate hikes. And, it brings us closer to the coveted “soft landing” scenario, in which the Fed tames inflation on the economy. For example:

  • The unemployment rate unexpectedly ticked down for the first time since July, to 3.7%.
  • Average hourly pay increased by 0.4% and is now up 4% for the year, beating the projected pace of annual price growth.
  • But the job market isn’t quite what it used to be

Last month’s 199-k jobs created were below the average of 240,000 added in the preceding 12 months. Plus, November hiring was confined to just a handful of industries:

  • Healthcare and the government were responsible for two-thirds of the headcount growth, adding 77,000 and 49,000 jobs, respectively.
  • The manufacturing sector gained 28,000 workers—but that was largely due to folks returning to work after striking against the Big Three automakers.
  • CITE: https://www.r2library.com/Resource/Title/082610254

Finally, in another sign that employers might be pulling back from on-boarding new people, the Labor Department reported earlier this week that job openings in late October were at their lowest since March 2021.

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DAILY UPDATE: Health Care, FOMC and the Tepid Markets

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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In healthcare, legislators could vote next week on a major health reform package that includes a ban on spread pricing in Medicaid and a push toward site-neutral payments.


In more news from the Hill, a bipartisan bill was introduced that seeks to cancel a 3.4% Medicare pay cut to docs, which has drawn plenty of ire from the industry.

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The final FOMC meeting of the year will take place this week, and like most work meetings in mid-December, not a whole lot is going to happen. Chair Jerome Powell is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged as inflation continues its descent to a 2% target. But 2024 planning is in full swing, and investors are desperate to learn when the Federal Reserve thinks it will need to cut rates next year.

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Here is where the major stock index benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500 index was up 18.07 points (0.4%) at 4,622.44; the Dow Jones Industrial Average® (DJI) was up 157.06 points (0.4%) at 36,404.93; the NASDAQ Composite was up 28.51 points (0.2%) at 14,432.49.
  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was little-changed at 4.239%.
  • The CBOE® Volatility Index (VIX) was up 0.28 at 12.63.

In addition to retailers, semiconductor company shares also posted outsized gains Monday, boosted in part by a jump of nearly 10% in Broadcom (AVGO). The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index (SOX) gained more than 3% and ended near a two-year high. Transportation companies were also strong.

In other markets, Natural Gas futures (/NG) plunged more than 6% to a six-month low, reflecting warmer-than-normal U.S. temperatures and excess supplies.

Finally, the so-called Magnificent Seven stocks of Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon.com, Nvidia, Tesla and Meta Platforms each fell at least 0.8%. Meta led the declines, dropping 2.2%. But only one out of 11 S&P 500 sectors fell. Even the information technology sub-index ticked higher, reflecting gains outside of the largest companies in the sector.

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TELE-HEALTH: The “Smile Direct Club” Frowns

By Staff Reporters

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7.2 The Skull – Anatomy and Physiology

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SmileDirectClub is the latest casualty of what some have dubbed a startup Mass Extinction Event.

The telehealth company that attempted to revolutionize traditional orthodontics just announced that it was winding down operations less than three months after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. At its peak, SmileDirectClub was valued at $8.9 billion and had raised $427 million as a private company before going public in 2019.

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

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VALUATION OF MSOs: Introduction and Competitive Environment

MANAGEMENT SERVICE ORGANIZATION

By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

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Valuation of MSOs: Introduction & Competitive Environment

DEFINITION: A management services organization is an outside entity that can help with the non-medical parts of running a medical practice, out-patient facility or clinic; etc.

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

Management service organizations (MSOs) can be defined as “a healthcare specific administrative and management engine that provides a host of administrative and management functions necessary to be successful in the ever changing healthcare environment.” MSOs are primarily utilized by non-physicians as a vehicle to legally owning an entity that provides administrative support to a medical practice’s operations.

Most states only allow medical practices to be owned by physicians, which can limit the number of investors in a medical practice, as well as the financial value of the practice. (Read more…) 

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PODCAST: “Open Enrollment” Best Practices

By Eric Bricker MD

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MEDICARE [dis] ADVANTAGE Plans?

By Staff Reporters

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Leading hospital trade groups are accusing some Medicare Advantage plans, including giant UnitedHealthcare, of flaunting coverage requirements recently codified by CMS. The American Hospital Association is now petitioning the Biden administration to crack down.


However … the Medicare Advantage market is booming but investment in cancer care continues to lag.

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MPFS Final Rule Cuts Physician Payments

Medicare Physician Fee Schedule

By Health Capital Consultants

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DEFINITION: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) to reimburse physician services. The MPFS is funded by Part B and is composed of resource costs associated with physician work, practice expense and professional liability insurance.

Under the MPFS, each of these three elements is assigned a Relative Value Unit (RVU) for each Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) code. These RVUs are then adjusted based on the Geographical Practice Cost Index associated with various geographic areas for different medical costs and wage differentials. The conversion factor is the national dollar amount that is multiplied by the total geographically adjusted RVU to determine the Medicare-allowed payment amount for a particular physician service.

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

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MPFS Final Rule Cuts Physician Payments

On November 2nd, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its finalized Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) for calendar year (CY) 2024. While the finalized fee schedule cuts payments to physicians, there are a number of other (more positive) provisions in the final rule.

This Health Capital Topics article explores the various changes and updates included in the MPFS final rule. (Read more…)

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HEALTHCARE Innovation and Practice Management on the Move

By Staff Reporters

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Online therapy company Talkspace will provide free virtual mental health services to more than 400,000 adolescents and teens in New York City after inking a deal with the city. The new program, dubbed TeenSpace, will connect teens to a licensed therapist through phone, video and text.

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The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced funding awards of $80.5 million to support four new studies focused on disparities in maternal health. They will take into account clinical and social factors that contribute to inequities and will compare interventions in various settings.


And … Ayble Health, a digital health platform for patients with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, is working with the Mayo Clinic Complex Care Program to offer a hybrid care model that matches patients with the appropriate virtual and in-person care based on acuity and need.

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“BREAKING NEWS” Cigna and Humana to Merge?

By Staff Reporters

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Cigna and Humana are in talks for a combination that would create a new powerhouse in the health-insurance industry. The companies are discussing a stock-and-cash deal that could be finalized by the end of the year, assuming the talks don’t fall apart.

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A combination of the managed-care providers would be huge, given Cigna’s market value Wednesday morning of about $83 billion and Humana’s of roughly $62 billion.

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Cigna and Humana previously explored merging in 2015, but Humana instead struck a deal with another rival, Aetna, that was blocked by a judge on antitrust grounds, leaving Aetna to be scooped up by CVS in 2018. Another deal that would have combined Cigna with Anthem, now known as Elevance Health, also died after an adverse antitrust ruling.

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

Editor’s Note: Medicare Advantage plans are pretty popular with both lawmakers and ordinary Americans — they now enroll about 31 million people, representing just over half of everyone in Medicare, by KFF’s count. Across the country, doctors are grumbling about claim denials and onerous pre-approval requirements by Medicare Advantage plans. Some hospitals and physician practices are so fed up they’re refusing to accept the plans — even big ones like those offered by United Healthcare, Cigna and Humana.

“The insurance companies running the Medicare Advantage plans are pushing physicians and hospitals to the edge,” said Chip Kahn, president and CEO of the Federation of American Hospitals, which represents the for-profit hospital sector.

And, just last week, the industry’s largest lobbying group, the American Hospital Association, fired off a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services warning that some insurers seem intent on circumventing new rules put in place by the Biden administration aimed at reining in some prior authorization and claim denials.

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MARCINKO & Associates, Inc.

WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE ASSIST MEDICAL COLLEAGUES

Hard Business Advice AND Personal Lifestyle Coaching

http://www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

By Ann Miller RN MHA CMP™

At Marcinko & Associates our clients traditionally include physicians [MD, MBBS and DO], dentists [DDS and DMD], podiatrists [DPM], Registered Nurses [RNs], Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNA], Physician Assistants [PA] and Nurse Practitioners [NP]. A growing cohort of clients include medical technologists, physical, speech and occupational therapists, etc.

The above are naturally segregated into three career tranches: 1. New practitioners, 2] Mid-Career practitioners and 3] Mature practitioners. We serve them all and are fully prepared for any special needs situation that may arise in any tranche [death, divorce, adverse risk event and/or bankruptcy, etc].

Marcinko & Associates understands the complexity of financial and non-financial deal terms because we are also doctors. Our “hard” knowledge of your business comes from being actual healthcare facility owners, operators and medical practitioners [with additional professional licenses and expertise] enabling us to effectively analyze your business, take corrective measures and present your healthcare entity in the best possible and accurate light.

***

But, if you’re looking at this website, chances are you are fed up, burned out, seeking practice management techniques or a better work-life balance. Or, you are looking for a new non-clinical career, thinking of finance, investing, retirement, or all of the above. Perhaps you are just looking to regain the joy and meaning in your medical or professional career? This is known as “soft” psychology, coaching, personal consulting or fraternal advice.

***

Regardless, of your “soft” personal or “hard” corporate needs, our transparent Fees for Service [FFS] model is moderated for all colleagues based on the acuity and urgency of their engagements. Reduced rates and/or limited charity work may also be possible.

***

http://www.DavidEdwardMarcinko.com

CONTACT US TODAYTHRIVE TOMORROW!

Suite #5901 Wilbanks Drive

Norcross, Georgia USA 30092-1141

email: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

***

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DAILY UPDATE: Apple Credit Card, Drug Prices and the Modest Stock Markets

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Apple is pulling the plug on its credit card partnership with Goldman Sachs Group, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday. The tech giant recently sent a proposal to the Wall Street bank to exit the contract in the next 12 to 15 months, the report said, citing people briefed on the matter.

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Senators Elizabeth Warren (Democrat) and Mike Braun (Republican) sent a letter to the US Department of Health and Human Services last week, asking it to investigate whether large insurance companies are hiking prescription drug prices at pharmacies they own

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Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

Here’s where the major benchmarks ended:

  • The S&P 500® index (SPX) was up 4.46 points (0.1%) at 4,554.89; the Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 83.51 points (0.2%) at 35,416.98; the NASDAQ Composite® (COMP) was up 40.73 points (0.3%) at 14,281.76.
  • The 10-year Treasury yield was down about 6 basis points at 4.33%.
  • The CBOE® Volatility Index (VIX) was little-changed at 12.69.

Semiconductor and transportation shares were among the weakest performers Tuesday, and regional banks were also under pressure. Small cap stocks also lagged. The Russell 2000® Index (RUT) fell about 0.4% for its lowest close in a week.

Retailers and utilities were among the firmest sectors. In other markets, the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) weakened to its lowest level since mid-August, reflecting expectations that U.S. interest rates have peaked.

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

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DAILY UPDATE: Holiday Spending Economics with Mixed Stock Markets

By Staff Reporters

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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Shopping data reveals that Q4 isn’t as important as one might expect. For example, the holiday quarter in 2022 accounted for 26.8% of the year’s sales, just a hair over the 25% mark if sales were evenly spread across the year, per the US Census Bureau. Of course, some types of retailers depend on the holiday quarter far more than others. Discretionary retailers (which sell the things you want, but don’t need…aka gifts) rely on Q4 for up to 40% of their yearly sales, according to McKinsey. For department stores, clothing stores, and toy stores, the holiday season really is make-or-break. GameStop, for instance, recorded 37% of its annual revenue last year in the last three months of 2022.

But for other retailers, Q4 isn’t such a big deal. People apparently read throughout the year because book stores only depend on the fourth quarter for 27.4% of sales. People also need to eat food all year long: Q4 accounted for 26.3% of sales for grocery stores.

Meanwhile, gas stations, car dealerships, and building material companies perform worse in the holiday quarter than at other times of the year.

Here is where the major benchmarks ended:

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

The S&P 500 Index was 2.72 up points (0.1%) at 4,559.34, up 1% for the week; the Dow Jones Industrial Average®(DJI) was up 117.12 points (0.3%) at 35,390.15, up 1.3% for the week; the NASDAQ Composite was down 15.00 points (0.1%) at 14,250.85, up 0.9% for the week.

  • The 10-year Treasury note yield (TNX) was up about 5 basis points at 4.47%.
  • CBOE Volatility Index (VIX) was down 0.34 at 12.46.

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NURSING: Emerging Trends and Innovation

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MARCINKO & Associates, Inc.

WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE ASSIST MEDICAL COLLEAGUES

Hard Business – Financial Advice AND Personal Lifestyle Coaching

http://www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

***

By Ann Miller RN MHA CMP™

At Marcinko & Associates our clients traditionally include physicians [MD, MBBS and DO], dentists [DDS and DMD], podiatrists [DPM], Registered Nurses [RNs], Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNA], Physician Assistants [PA] and Nurse Practitioners [NP]. A growing cohort of clients include medical technologists, physical, speech and occupational therapists, etc.

The above are naturally segregated into three career tranches: 1. New practitioners, 2] Mid-Career practitioners and 3] Mature practitioners. We serve them all and are fully prepared for any special needs situation that may arise in any tranche [death, divorce, adverse risk event and/or bankruptcy, etc].

Marcinko & Associates understands the complexity of financial and non-financial deal terms because we are also doctors. Our “hard” knowledge of your business comes from being actual healthcare facility owners, operators and medical practitioners [with additional professional licenses and expertise] enabling us to effectively analyze your business, take corrective measures and present your healthcare entity in the best possible and accurate light.

***

But, if you’re looking at this website, chances are you are fed up, burned out, seeking practice management techniques or a better work-life balance. Or, you are looking for a new non-clinical career, thinking of finance, investing, retirement, or all of the above. Perhaps you are just looking to regain the joy and meaning in your medical or professional career? This is known as “soft” psychology, coaching, personal consulting or fraternal advice.

***

Regardless, of your “soft” personal or “hard” corporate needs, our transparent Fees for Service [FFS] model is moderated for all colleagues based on the acuity and urgency of their engagements. Reduced rates and/or limited charity work may also be possible.

***

***

CONTACT US TODAYTHRIVE TOMORROW!

Suite #5901 Wilbanks Drive

Norcross, Georgia USA 30092-1141

email: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

***

***

PODCAST: Best Marketing Practices for Open Enrollment Health Plans

By Eric Bricker MD

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***


HEALTHCARE: Business News

By Staff Reporters

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House Democrats want CMS to better monitor Medicare Advantage plans’ use of AI tools to ensure they don’t allow an unusually high level of restrictive and repeated denials.


Kaiser Permanente continues to rebound from a rough 2022 and pulled in $239 million in net income in Q3. That marks a dramatic turnaround from the $1.5 billion net loss the integrated system had seen a year prior.

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


And … during the Milken Institute’s Future of Health Summit Monday, former HHS Secretary Alex Azar and current department chief Xavier Becerra sparred over the Biden administration’s approach to negotiating Medicare drug prices.

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Finally, family physicians utilizing value-based payment (VBP) models reported burnout relief in a study from EHR company Elation Health and the American Academy of Family Physicians. Burnout among providers decreased once practices passed a threshold of 75% financial investment in VBP models.

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CASE MODELS: Healthcare Business Entities

MARCINKO ASSOCIATES, Inc.

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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The Marcinko & Associates case study and white-paper compendium is a teaching vehicle that presents potential clients with a critical management issue that serves as a spring board to lively debate in which participants present and defend their analysis and prescriptions. The average case is 2 to 100 pages long (prose, tables, graphs, charts, spread sheets and figures, etc).

CASE MODEL Sample Privatization: https://tinyurl.com/3af5nf7s

ORDER: https://marcinkoassociates.com/case-studies/

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On Merging Medical Practices

By David Edward Marcinko MBA CMP

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SPONSOR: http://www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

Merging Medical Practices

There are only three possibilities if you want to go into practice for yourself; buy a practice; franchise a business, or start one. However, if you have an existing practice, merging it to form a larger entity can be a satisfying experience. The pace of practice mergers is accelerating, but it is often difficult to make an informed judgment about synergy. Mergers make sense only if the resulting value is more than additive to the original; not duplicative.

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

Unfortunately, far too many mergers fail to create, or actually destroy existing value. So, look for complimentary processes, personalities and ideas. In a merger of two existing practices, there is no substitute for personal interaction between employees and physician-management. This creates cross-pollination and new ideas in everything from service-lines and the patient production process, to marketing and finance, and to proprietary and intellectual rights. Most importantly, it allows
diversity of ideas.

And so, the following are questions to consider when contemplating a medical practice
merger:


 What are the risks of this transaction and how are they mitigated?
 Will talented employees be retained on both sides and can an exodus be
prevented?
 Are the specific liabilities of each practice known? Remember, the farther outside
your area of specialty or expertise, the greater the risk of being wrong.
 Will I appraise each practice independently, and correctly?
 Where will employee allegiance rest?
 What is the name, and logo, of the new entity? Who will be the CEO?

Vertical Integration: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2023/04/14/integration-as-a-competitive-strategy-in-healthcare-reform/

More: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2022/06/19/healthcare-mergers-acquisitions-2021-in-review/

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PEPFAR’s Uncertain Future for AIDS Relief

By Staff Reporters

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An impactful government program is facing an uncertain future. PEPFAR—an acronym for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief—was created by former President George W. Bush in 2003 and is credited with saving 25 million lives around the world. Through the program, the US government has invested more than $100 billion in treatment for HIV-AIDS and related illnesses by providing training, medical infrastructure, and antiretroviral drugs. PEPFAR remains the largest commitment by a country to confront a single disease, according to KFF.

Since its inception, PEPFAR has been renewed every five years with bipartisan support. But that wasn’t the case in 2023, as lawmakers let the program expire at the end of September.

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

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MICRO-CERTIFICATIONS: Financial Advisors Seeking Physician-Client Niche Success?

Micro-Credentials on the Rise

KNOWLEDGE RICHES IN NICHES

DR. DAVID EDWARD MARCINKO MBA CMP

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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Do you ever wish you could acquire specific information for your career activities without having to complete a university Master’s Degree or finish our entire Certified Medical Planner™ professional designation program? Well, Micro-Certifications from the Institute of Medical Business Advisors, Inc., might be the answer. Read on to learn how our three Micro-Certifications offer new opportunities for professional growth in the medical practice, business management, health economics and financial planning, investing and advisory space for physicians, nurses and healthcare professionals.

Micro-Certification Basics

Stock-Brokers, Financial Advisors, Investment Advisors, Accountants, Consultants, Financial Analyists and Financial Planners need to enhance their knowledge skills to better serve the changing and challenging healthcare professional ecosystem. But, it can be difficult to learn and demonstrate mastery of these new skills to employers, clients, physicians or medical prospects. This makes professional advancement difficult. That’s where Micro-Certification and Micro-Credentialing enters the online educational space. It is the process of earning a Micro-Certification, which is like a mini-degree or mini-credential, in a very specific topical area.

Micro-Certification Requirements

Once you’ve completed all of the requirements for our Micro-Certification, you will be awarded proof that you’ve earned it. This might take the form of a paper or digital certificate, which may be a hard document or electronic image, transcript, file, or other official evidence that you’ve completed the necessary work.

Uses of Micro-Certifications

Micro-Certifications may be used to demonstrate to physicians prospective medical clients that you’ve mastered a certain knowledge set. Because of this, Micro-Certifications are useful for those financial service professionals seeking medical clients, employment or career advancement opportunities.

Examples of iMBA, Inc., Micro-Certifications

Here are the three most popular Micro-Certification course from the Institute of Medical Business Advisors, Inc:

  • 1. Health Insurance and Managed Care: To keep up with the ever-changing field of health care physician advice, you must learn new medical practice business models in order to attract and assist physicians and nurse clients. By bringing together the most up-to-date business and medical prctice models [Medicare, Medicaid, PP-ACA, POSs, EPOs, HMOs, PPOs, IPA’s, PPMCs, Accountable Care Organizations, Concierge Medicine, Value Based Care, Physician Pay-for-Performance Initiatives, Hospitalists, Retail and Whole-Sale Medicine, Health Savings Accounts and Medical Unions, etc], this iMBA Inc., Mini-Certification offers a wealth of essential information that will help you understand the ever-changing practices in the next generation of health insurance and managed medical care.
  • 2. Health Economics and Finance: Medical economics, finance, managerial and cost accounting is an integral component of the health care industrial complex. It is broad-based and covers many other industries: insurance, mathematics and statistics, public and population health, provider recruitment and retention, health policy, forecasting, aging and long-term care, and Venture Capital are all commingled arenas. It is essential knowledge that all financial services professionals seeking to serve in the healthcare advisory niche space should possess.
  • 3. Health Information Technology and Security: There is a myth that all physician focused financial advisors understand Health Information Technology [HIT]. In truth, it is often economically misused or financially misunderstood. Moreover, an emerging national HIT architecture often puts the financial advisor or financial planner in a position of maximum uncertainty and minimum productivity regarding issues like: Electronic Medical Records [EMRs] or Electronic Health Records [EHRs], mobile health, tele-health or tele-medicine, Artificial Intelligence [AI], benefits managers and human resource professionals.

Other Topics include: economics, finance, investing, marketing, advertising, sales, start-ups, business plan creation, financial planning and entrepreneurship, etc.

How to Start Learning and Earning Recognition for Your Knowledge

Now that you’re familiar with Micro-Credentialing, you might consider earning a Micro-Certification with us. We offer 3 official Micro-Certificates by completing a one month online course, with a live instructor consisting of twelve asynchronous lessons/online classes [3/wk X 4/weeks = 12 classes]. The earned official completion certificate can be used to demonstrate mastery of a specific skill set and shared with current or future employers, current clients or medical niche financial advisory prospects.

Mini-Certification Tuition, Books and Related Fees

The tuition for each Mini-Certification live online course is $1,250 with the purchase of one required dictionary handbook. Other additional guides, white-papers, videos, files and e-content are all supplied without charge. Alternative courses may be developed in the future subject to demand and may change without notice.

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Contact: For more information, or to speak with an academic representative, please contact Ann Miller RN MHA CMP™ at: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com [24/7] -OR- 770-448-0769[9:00 – 5:00 EST].

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23andMe: Transitioning to a Healthcare Company

By Staff Reporters

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23andMe is rolling out a $1,188-per-year tool to identify users’ genetic vulnerabilities as part of its broader transition from a DNA-testing service into a healthcare company.

READ MORE HERE: HACKED: 23andMe

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HEALTH INSURANCE COSTS: Employer Sponsored Shares Up

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SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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The average cost of a health insurance plan offered through an employer rose 7% this year, to $23,968 for family plans and $8,435 for individuals, according to a new survey from the private health foundation KFF.

The jump—the highest since 2011—was driven by inflation, as well as higher wages for healthcare workers and hospital system mergers, health policy experts say. Here’s what it means for employers and the 150+ million Americans who get insurance through work:

  • The increase amounted to ~$500 more out of pocket for family plan-holders, and $75 more for solo riders—further squeezing consumer spending power, which is already constrained by wages that haven’t caught up to high inflation.
  • Employers often bear the brunt of increased health spending because, in the interest of staying competitive, they’re wary of offloading too much of the rising costs onto their workers. That’s likely why deductibles haven’t grown much in the past five years.

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

But things might get worse: 1 in 4 companies surveyed by KFF said they plan to increase employees’ premium contributions in the next two years

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President Bidens Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence

By Staff Reporters

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Biden will issue sweeping executive order on A.I. Today

The Biden administration just released an executive order today to regulate AI technology. The directive aims to leverage the government’s role as a leading technology customer by requiring advanced AI models to undergo assessments before they can be used by federal employees. It would also ease barriers to immigration for highly skilled workers in an attempt to boost the US’ technological edge.

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MORE Fierce Healthcare NEWS

The Biden administration has proposed a new rule refining several aspects of the healthcare services billing process in response to criticisms levied from all sides of the industry.


The federal government is rolling back a pandemic-era waiver that lowered the bar for 340B hospitals to dispense discounted drugs across some outpatient clinics. Hospitals argue the decision will “stifle” future efforts to expand access to under served communities.


And … Amazon Pharmacy is focused on making it faster and more convenient for patients to get prescription medications. The company’s moves come as brick-and-mortar drugstores are limiting pharmacy hours and even closing locations.

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CASE MODELS: Healthcare Business Entities

MARCINKO ASSOCIATES, Inc.

SPONSOR: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

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The Marcinko & Associates case study and white-paper compendium is a teaching vehicle that presents potential clients with a critical management issue that serves as a spring board to lively debate in which participants present and defend their analysis and prescriptions. The average case is 2 to 100 pages long (prose, tables, graphs, charts, spread sheets and figures, etc).

CASE MODEL Sample Privatization: https://tinyurl.com/3af5nf7s

ORDER: https://marcinkoassociates.com/case-studies/

THANK YOU

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WEIGHT LOSS DRUGS FOR KIDS: Stocks for Adults?

By Staff Reporters

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The already booming market for weight loss treatments like Ozempic might get even bigger as drug companies seek to make them available for children. The CDC estimates that ~20% of kids 6+ in the US have obesity, and manufacturers are working to make their weight loss drugs available for that age group.

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

According to Bloomberg, Novo Nordisk is testing its Saxenda in kids as young as six, and Eli Lilly is getting ready for similar trials of Mounjaro. That could give the companies lifelong customers since the drugs only keep weight off as long as people take them—and Goldman Sachs’s recent estimate that the drug category would make $100 billion by 2030 didn’t even take sales to children into account.

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D.E. MARCINKO & Associates, Inc.

WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE ASSIST MEDICAL COLLEAGUES

Hard Business Advice AND Personal Lifestyle Coaching

http://www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

By Ann Miller RN MHA CMP™

At D.E. Marcinko & Associates our clients traditionally include physicians [MD, MBBS and DO], dentists [DDS and DMD], podiatrists [DPM], Registered Nurses [RNs], Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists [CRNA], Physician Assistants [PA] and Nurse Practitioners [NP]. A growing cohort of clients include medical technologists, physical, speech and occupational therapists, etc.

The above are naturally segregated into three career tranches: 1. New practitioners, 2] Mid-Career practitioners and 3] Mature practitioners. We serve them all and are fully prepared for any special needs situation that may arise in any tranche [death, divorce, adverse risk event and/or bankruptcy, etc].

D.E. Marcinko & Associates understands the complexity of financial and non-financial deal terms because we are also doctors. Our “hard” knowledge of your business comes from being actual healthcare facility owners, operators and medical practitioners [with additional professional licenses and expertise] enabling us to effectively analyze your business, take corrective measures and present your healthcare entity in the best possible and accurate light.

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But, if you’re looking at this website, chances are you are fed up, burned out, seeking practice management techniques or a better work-life balance. Or, you are looking for a new non-clinical career, thinking of finance, investing, retirement, or all of the above. Perhaps you are just looking to regain the joy and meaning in your medical or professional career? This is known as “soft” psychology, coaching, personal consulting or fraternal advice.

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Regardless, of your “soft” personal or “hard” corporate needs, our transparent Fees for Service [FFS] model is moderated for all colleagues based on the acuity and urgency of their engagements. Reduced rates and/or limited charity work may also be possible.

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CONTACT US TODAYTHRIVE TOMORROW!

Suite #5901 Wilbanks Drive

Norcross, Georgia USA 30092-1141

email: MarcinkoAdvisors@msn.com

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PODCAST: Health Insurance Dis-Intermediation

By Eric Bricker MD

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NET WORTH: Average by Age

By Staff Reporters

SPONSOR: http://www.CertifiedMedicalPlanner.org

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The average net worth of someone younger than 35 years old is $76,300, as of 2019. From there, average net worth steadily rises within each age bracket. Between 35 to 44, the average net worth is $436,200, while between 45 to 54 that number increases to $833,200. Average net worth cracks the $1 million mark between 55 to 64, reaching $1,175,900.

Average net worth again rises for those ages 65 to 74, to $1,217,700, before falling to $977,600 for someone over age 75.

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

The median net worth within every single age bracket, however, is lower than the average net worth.

MARCINKO & ASSOCIATES: http://www.MarcinkoAssociates.com

PHYSICIAN NET WORTH: https://medicalexecutivepost.com/2023/09/27/physician-assets-liabilities-and-personal-net-worth/

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PODCAST: Job Health Insurance Options [ICHRA]

By Eric Bricker MD

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INDIVIDUAL COVERAGE – HSA

More: https://www.takecommandhealth.com

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MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PLANS: Part C Plans Down AS Cigna Pays Up?

Hospitals are Dropping Medicare Advantage [Part C] Plans – Left and Right

By Dr. David Edward Marcinko MBA

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Hospitals Say Bye-Bye?

Medicare Advantage provides health coverage to more than half of the nation’s seniors, but a growing number of hospitals and health systems nationwide are pushing back and dropping the private plans altogether. Among the most commonly cited reasons are excessive prior authorization denial rates and slow payments from insurers. Some systems have noted that most MA carriers have faced allegations of billing fraud from the federal government and are being probed by lawmakers over their high denial rates.

“It’s become a game of delay, deny and not pay,” Chris Van Gorder, president and CEO of San Diego-based Scripps Health, told Becker’s. “Providers are going to have to get out of full-risk capitation because it just doesn’t work — we’re the bottom of the food chain, and the food chain is not being fed.” Van Gorder said the health system is facing a loss of $75 million this year on the MA contracts, which will end December 31st for patients covered by UnitedHealthcare, Anthem Blue Cross, Blue Shield of California, Centene’s Health Net and a few more smaller carriers.

Source: Becker’s Hospital Review [9/27/23]

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Cigna to Pay $172M Over Alleged Medicare Advantage Fraud

The Cigna Group will pay $172.3 million to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by submitting incorrect Medicare Advantage patient data to CMS to receive higher payments from the agency. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania alleged Sept. 30 that Cigna also falsely certified that the submitted data was accurate, failed to withdraw the “untruthful” data, and did not repay CMS.

Cigna will use $135.3 million from the settlement to resolve the allegations from the Justice Department. The remaining $37 million will resolve allegations related to unsupported diagnoses for Medicare Advantage enrollees that received in-home services from Cigna. As part of the settlement, Cigna has entered into a five-year accountability and auditing agreement with HHS’ Office of Inspector General, which will require company executives and board members to certify Cigna’s compliance moving forward. The payer must also conduct annual risk assessments and submit to independent risk adjustment audits.

Source: Jakob Emerson, Becker’s Payer Issues [10/2/23]

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What is EBITDA? It is Not GAAP

SPONSOR: http://www.MARCINKOASSOCIATES.com

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization

A company’s earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization is an accounting measure calculated using a company’s earnings, before interest expenses, taxes, depreciation, and amortization are subtracted, as a proxy for a company’s current operating profitability. Though often shown on an income statement, it is not considered part of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles by the SEC.

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

EBITDA Formula | Calculator (Examples with Excel Template)

READ: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/ebitda.asp

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

THANK YOU

ORDER: https://www.amazon.com/Comprehensive-Financial-Planning-Strategies-Advisors/dp/1482240289/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418580820&sr=8-1&keywords=david+marcinko

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HOSPITALS: Price Discrepancies Exposed!

By Health Capital Consultants, LLC

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On September 18, 2023, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published a study comparing online hospital pricing and pricing given over the telephone for shoppable hospital services. Hospitals in the U.S. are required to post pricing online for specified services, but it was unknown whether or not hospitals quoted the same prices to telephone callers as they posted online.

This Health Capital Topics article will discuss the topic of price discrepancy and the difficulties with cost comparison. (Read more…) 

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PODCAST: Hospital CEO Compensation

By Eric Bricker MD

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