News
CMS Releases Updated Two-Midnight Rule for 2016
- Amanda Trask, MBA, MHA, FACHE, CMPE, SFHM
November 2, 2015
On November 13, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is scheduled to publish its final OPPS rule for 2016. One of the biggest impacts for hospitalists is the update to the two-midnight rule. Here are six areas of interest to hospitalists:
1.
News
Billing, Coding Documentation to Support Services, Minimize Risks
October 6, 2015
[caption id="attachment_11470" align="alignright" width="295"] Image Credit: ILLUSTRATION/PAUL JUESTRICH; PHOTOs shutterstock.com[/caption]
The electronic health record (EHR) has many benefits:
Improved patient care;
Improved care coordination;
Improved diagnostics and patient outcomes;
News
Hospitalists Support Medicare’s Plan to Reimburse Advance Care Planning
October 6, 2015
[caption id="attachment_11434" align="alignright" width="295"] SHM has joined 65 medical specialty and professional societies in signing a letter to HHS asking for end-of-life care codes to be formalized in CY 2016.Image Credit: SHUTTERSTOCK.COM[/caption]
On July 8, following on the heels of the
News
30-Day Readmission May Be Due to Income or Education
- (Reuters Health);
- Lisa Rapaport
October 6, 2015
When patients are hospitalized more than once in the same month, it may have more to do with their income or education levels than the quality of care they received, a U.S.
News
How Veterans Affairs Healthcare Services Are Like Accountable Care Organizations
October 6, 2015
According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, an accountable care organization (ACO) is defined as a “group of doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers, who come together voluntarily to give coordinated high quality care to their Medicare patients.” The goal of an ACO is “to
News
COPD Exacerbation Prevention: April 2015 CHEST Guidelines
- Jonathan Lovins, MD, SFHM;
- Robert Lampman, MD
October 6, 2015
Background
The CHEST guidelines for the prevention of acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) were developed through a collaboration between the American College of Chest Physicians (CHEST) and the Canadian Thoracic Society (CTS).
News
Hospital Medicine Administrator Amanda Trask Values Hospitalists, HM Role in Healthcare
October 5, 2015
[caption id="attachment_11467" align="alignright" width="250"] Image Credit: ILLUSTRATION/PAUL JUESTRICH; PHOTOs shutterstock.com[/caption]
Most people think a career in hospital medicine means a medical degree that confers those two ubiquitous letters after your name.
Amanda Trask blazed her
News
Hospitalists Key Partners in Healthcare’s Future, Evolution
October 5, 2015
After a career working for hospitals, I am about to retire as president and CEO of the American Hospital Association (AHA), an organization that represents some 5,000 hospitals and health systems.
News
US Behind the World in Telemedicine
- (Reuters Health);
- Will Boggs Md
September 17, 2015
NEW YORK - The American College of Physicians (ACP) has issued a baker's dozen of recommendations intended to guide the effective use of telemedicine in primary care settings.
"The recommendations balance the potential benefits and expanded use of telemedicine with the importance of maintaining t
News
Physicians Critical of Proposed Changes to Medicare’s Two-Midnight Rule
September 9, 2015
[caption id="attachment_11176" align="alignright" width="300"] Hospitalist Ann Sheehy, MD, (left) meets with legislators after testifying in Washington, D.C., regarding issues surrounding Medicare’s two-midnight rule.[/caption]
In the wake of proposed changes to the Centers for Medicare and Medic