Year: 2019
-
How Can You Use Financial Metrics to Improve Profitability?
There are many factors that can help your practice maintain financial profitability. It is especially important to review the structure of your financial statements to properly assess and optimize the health of your practice. Recently, we sat down with one of our healthcare experts, Miko Kulovitz, to discuss how important financial reporting can be to…
-
The Praying Doctor with Mark LeQuire, M.D.
MONTGOMERY – Physicians are men and women of science. They practice the art of medicine, which means they are filled with the knowledge of biochemistry, anatomy, physiology and other sciences they apply to heal their patients’ bodies. But a patient is much more than a physical being, and so is a physician. Just ask Montgomery…
-
Opioid Use Decreased in Medicare Part D While MAT Increased
The nation has been grappling with an opioid crisis for years. In 2017 alone, there were 47,600 opioid-related overdose deaths in the United States. It continues to be a public health emergency. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of the Inspector General has been tracking opioid use in Medicare during this crisis, particularly…
-
Senate Committee Tackles Surprise Billing
The Senate Health Committee finally passed a major health care package, which could bring an end to surprise billing for patients by capping out-of-network charges at a rate already negotiated by insurers. However, the legislation could see more changes before it sees a full Senate vote. Wednesday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP)…
-
Phishing Emails: One Click and That’s It!
Many health care entities recognize that cybersecurity threats present a substantial risk to their organization. Moreover, the HIPAA Security Rule requires health care providers to develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure the confidentiality, integrity and availability of protected health information. However, while entities aim to secure health data, a recent study of health…
-
Get Text Updates from Alabama Medicaid
Providers and recipients now have a new way to receive important information from the Alabama Medicaid Agency. The Text Messaging Service provides immediate and/or important communication directly to you. Examples of information shared with providers includes: approaching deadlines, new program announcements, required provider agreements, Medicaid meetings and training, office closures, or other vital information which…
-
In Memoriam: Linda Harter Anz, M.D.
The Medical Association was deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. Linda Harter Anz on June 13. We share in the loss of this beloved physician as we mourn with her family, friends, colleagues and patients. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who knew Dr. Anz as she will be greatly missed. Linda Harter…
-
Alabama’s ACHNs Go Live Oct. 1
The end date for the Patient 1st Program is approaching, and providers will be required to have completed agreements with both Medicaid and the ACHN. Primary Care Physicians (PCPs) will no longer receive Patient 1st capitation payments beginning in October 2019. The ACHN program will be implemented on October 1, 2019, and providers will need…
-
Can We Fix Alabama’s Rural Physician Shortage?
It takes up to 10 years to train a physician. That decade of training is just one contributing factor for the reason the United States is facing a serious shortage of physicians. Other factors include the growth and aging of the population and the impending retirements of older physicians. While medical schools have increased enrollment…
-
