Year: 2018
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Quitline: Free Help for Patients to Quit Smoking
The Alabama Tobacco Quitline is a free telephone (800-784-8669) and online counseling service for your patients who are ready to quit tobacco. The Quitline is open from 6 a.m. to midnight seven days a week. All Quitline services are free to Alabama residents including telephone and online coaching, printed support materials, and up to eight…
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Does Inflation Have an Impact on HIPAA Violations?
Health care providers are generally aware that non-compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act can be costly. In 2013, when the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) initiated penalties pursuant to the HIPAA Final Omnibus Rule, the health care industry was abuzz about the impact that these civil monetary penalties could have…
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Alabama Physicians Attend AMA Meeting in Chicago to Discuss State of Health Care
Pictured from left in the back are Dr. Buddy Smith Jr., Dr. Jefferson Underwood and Dr. Jerry Harrison. In front from left are Dr. Steven Furr, Medical Student Delegate Hannah Ficarino from the University of South Alabama, Dr. Jorge Alsip and Dr. John Meigs. During the AMA’s Annual Meeting held June 8-13, 2018, the House…
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Bernard H. Eichold II, M.D. Receives 2018 Laureate Award
The Alabama Chapter of the American College of Physicians recently presented the 2018 Laureate Award to Bernard H. Eichold II, MD, DrPH, FACP of Mobile. He has been a supporter of the College and has represented its professional ideals throughout his career. He has also been a longstanding advocate for public health in the State…
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Are Your Electronic Devices Physically Secure?
In the age of electronic medical records and ransomware attacks, recent focus with regard to HIPAA compliance seems to be on electronic security. How are your electronic medical records stored? Do you require two-factor authentication to access your electronic system remotely? What firewalls and malware detection systems do you have in place to prevent a…
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President Trump Signs VA Mission Act
UPDATE JUNE 6, 2018: President Trump signed the VA Mission Act designed to increase veterans’ access to timely and private health care. The new VA law aims to combine and expand existing community care programs during the next year with intentions to roll out one centralized community care program next May. Building off the positive…
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Let’s Talk About Physician Burnout
According to Medscape’s 2018 Annual Physician Lifestyle Report, Burnout and Depression Section, 42 percent of physicians surveyed have reported burnout symptoms in the last year. Fifteen percent of physicians admitted to experiencing either clinical or colloquial forms of depression. The National Institute of Mental Health reports 6.7 percent of all American adults suffered at least…
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In Memoriam: Former Board Member Dr. Ronnie Lewis, 1957-2018
Former Medical Association Board Vice President Ronnie Lewis, M.D., of Fyffe, passed away on Tuesday, May 29, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center following a battle with cancer. Funeral services were held on Friday, June 1, 2018, at 2 p.m. at Rainsville Community Church. Burial followed in Green’s Chapel Cemetery with Rainsville Funeral Home, Inc. directing.…