Year: 2018
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Lights, Camera…HIPAA
In the age of social media and reality TV, some people document their surroundings and behaviors regularly. Many of us think nothing of pulling out our cellphones to capture moments or otherwise memorializing our lives. But HIPAA-covered entities[1] must be proactive about the use of photographic and recording devices to ensure that they are in…
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Alabama’s Infant Mortality Rate Lowest Ever in 2017
The Alabama Department of Public Health announced the infant mortality rate of 7.4 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2017 is the lowest in Alabama history and is an improvement over the 2016 rate of 9.1. A total of 435 infants born in Alabama died before reaching 1 year of age in 2017; 537 infants…
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Evaluating and Managing the E/M Codes for 2019 and Beyond
Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a series of articles about notable changes in the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule. In the 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (“PFS”) Proposed Rule, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) proposed some major changes to the PFS, including changes to the way Evaluation and Management…
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Midwife Board Votes to Accept Recommended Changes to Rule
Last Friday, the Alabama State Board of Midwifery voted to accept recommended changes from a legislative oversight committee to its proposed regulation to, among other things, set the scope of practice for non-nurse midwives. By accepting the changes, the newly-formed Midwife Board will begin to license non-nurse midwives. Had the Midwife Board turned down the…
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National Rural Health Day is Nov. 15!
National Rural Health Day is an annual observance that emphasizes the importance of rural America and promotes the need for accessible, high-quality health care. National Rural Health Day falls on the third Thursday in November each year and recognizes the efforts of those serving the health needs of over 60 million people across the nation.…
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Call It Quits Nov. 15! Join the Great American Smokeout!
Smokers who want to quit tobacco can use their fingers to dial for free help instead of lighting up a cigarette. On Thursday, Nov. 15, the Great American Smokeout challenges smokers and vapers to take the first step by quitting for the day or making a plan to quit for good. Callers in Alabama can…
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Nearly All ALAPAC-Supported Candidates Won Their Elections
Tuesday’s election nationally saw the U.S. House flip from Republican to Democrat-controlled, but U.S. Senate Republicans actually increased their majority. In Alabama, Republicans remain in control of both house of the legislature and all statewide elected offices. From an election results standpoint within Alabama, the Alabama Medical PAC (ALAPAC) participated in 111 out of 140…
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Protecting One of Your Most Valuable Assets – Your Employees
Several studies show that the total cost of losing an employee can range from tens of thousands of dollars to 150 percent of the employee’s annual salary. There are also the “soft costs” of losing an employee, including lost productivity and lower employee morale if the practice incurs high turnover rates. According to a survey…
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What Challenges You With Jefferson Underwood III, M.D.
MONTGOMERY — Montgomery physician Jefferson Underwood III may not move as quickly or as easily as he did a year ago, but his wit is as sharp as a tack. Just as it always has been. “ALS is a funky disease. Every day something new comes up, a new challenge. I am challenged, but why…
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CMS Releases Physician Payment Rule
This week CMS released the final physician payment rule for CY 2019. In addition to the changes to the physician fee schedule (slightly higher than the CY 2018 rate), the rule expands payment for telehealth and aligns physician interoperability requirements with hospital requirements and allows more flexibility in the physician quality reporting program. The rule…